Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 1968 Reference No: 1807 stamped 1803 inside the case back Movement No: D022'366 Case No: 1'960'842 Model Name: Day-Date Material: 18k white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1558, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18k white gold Rolex President with bark finish centre links, max length 190mm Clasp/Buckle: Folding deployant clasp Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Rolex pouch
Catalogue Essay
From 1959 to 1977, reference 1807 was produced with an attractive “bark”-style finish, seen on both the bezel and the centre links of the Rolex President bracelet.
The present 18k white gold example from 1968 is fitted with double-faceted baton hour markers at 6 and 9 o’clock, with the remaining being black-colored single baton markers. The dial’s surface is decorated with a textured, linen-like pattern, complementing the case and bracelet’s bark finish.
Overall, the condition of this watch is in lovely shape, worn with care by its prior owner, making it a worthy Day-Date for any Rolex enthusiast’s collection.
Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.
One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.
Ref. 1807 stamped 1803 inside the case back A very rare and attractive white gold calendar wristwatch with centre seconds, bracelet and linen textured dial
1968 36mm. Diameter Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed