Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1963 Reference No: 1803 Movement No: DD98’187 Case No: 995’061 Model Name: Day-Date Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1555, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K white gold Rolex President bracelet, max length 190mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “827” Dimensions: 36mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Catalogue Essay
Since its launch in the mid-1950s, the Rolex Day-Date nicknamed the “President’s” watch remain as one of the firm’s most important models till date. Produced in various precious metals and dial materials, the Day-Date is nothing less than an exciting timepiece garnering a loyal following, which is still growing today.
In 1959, Rolex introduced the ref. 1800 series featuring an upgraded caliber with early examples powered by self-winding cal. 1555 and an iconic 36mm diameter case. In 1972, Rolex upgraded the movement to cal. 1556 featuring a hacking feature allowing the seconds hand to stop when the crown is pulled out. Regarded by many collectors as the most important series of Day-Date’s, the wide array of variants catered towards a diverse range of collectors. The reference was discontinued in 1977 making way for its upgraded ref. 18000 series.
The present Rolex Day-Date ref. 1803 in 18K white gold is certainly a sight to behold for lovers of the coveted model. From circa 1963 bearing a 900 thousand serial features a rare silvered “Non-Luminous” pie-pan dial with diamond-set indexes and dauphine hands made especially for the Japanese market. Furthermore, the 18K white gold President bracelet and Oyster deployant clasp stamped “Made in Japan” further compliments the originality of the present timepiece.
Offered in attractive overall condition boating a clean and rare dial, the present Rolex Day-Date ref. 1803 in 18K white gold from Japan will surely impress discerned collectors of fine vintage timepieces.
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.
