Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1968 Reference No: 1806, inside caseback stamped 1803 Movement No: DD224’420 Case No: 1’990’724 Model Name: Day-Date Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1556, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex linen-textured bracelet, max length 210mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “3,68” Dimensions: 36mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Catalogue Essay
The Rolex Day-Date is certainly an icon on its own with its heritage dating back to 1956. Predominantly encased in gold, the Day-Date is Rolex’s answer to the ultimate “luxury” wristwatch featuring a balanced 36mm diameter case with an elegant gold bracelet to match it. Introduced in the early 1960s, the Rolex Day-Date ref. 1800 series were the successor to the earliest Day-Date models. During this period, Rolex had experimented with various dial materials and colours to cater towards the ever-changing trend in wristwatches. One of the most notable dials to ever be encased in a Day-Date were the Stella dials. Glossy and lacquered, Rolex Stella dials are extremely attractive as they were produced in the most vibrant colors imaginable. However, Rolex also experimented with various dial colors using their traditional matte finished dials, such as the present example.
The present Rolex Day-Date is certainly a rare and a special one. Noticeable in immediate glance, the case, bezel and bracelet are elegantly “linen-textured” by hand to provide a more rustic, yet flamboyant appeal and is referenced 1806. Featuring an attractive “chocolate” dial matching harmoniously with the case and bracelet, the dial is very well-preserved and presented in excellent overall condition with all luminous plots intact and reactive under UV light. Exceptionally rare and attractive, the present noteworthy example is certainly a delight to be featured in any collection 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.