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Lot #1139

Rolex Day-Date 1803 Yellow Gold

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Introduction

A legendary timepiece with an unrivaled history, the Rolex Day-Date has earned its place as "The Ultimate Watch of Prestige" from its decades on the wrists of the world's most influential people. Released in 1956, the Day-Date quickly became synonymous with luxury, prestige, and exclusivity thanks to being the watch of choice for the world's athletes, visionaries, and world leaders alike. Only ever constructed of precious metals, the Day-Date's aesthetic is that of sheer elegance and grace. Aside from the beautiful array of dial options that have been available over the decades, the Day-Date's most iconic piece of design is its three-piece "Presidential" or "President" bracelet. Forming the bedrock of its design, the Presidential bracelet has become synonymous with Rolex's flagship collection and their desire to create the very best and most iconic watches that the world has ever seen. With its timeless design and inescapable impact on horology, the Day-Date stands as a vivid reminder of just how successful they have been in realizing that very mission.

Loupe This Scorecard

Grade

V 8.5

Status

Vetted & Approved

Included

Watch Only

Est. value range

$5,000 – $8,000

The Details

Brand

Rolex

Dimensions

36mm

Model

Day-Date

Movement

Automatic cal. 1556

Reference

1803

Bracelet

Leather Strap

Year

1970

Condition

Very Good

Material

18k Yellow Gold

Included

Watch Only

Dial Color

White with Red Quarter Indexes

THE RED QUARTER DIAL

Featuring red 60, 15, 30, and 45 markers at the quarters of the hour, this timepiece is the sought-after 'Red Quarter Dial' variant of the ref. 1803. Produced in limited quantities for a short period, this variant did not perform as well as other Day-Dates due to the popularity of champagne/gold dials at the time, making this an exceedingly rare watch.

THE MOVEMENT

Powered by the Day-Date's 4th generation movement, the automatic cal. 1556, this ref. 1803's day and date displays can be adjusted by turning the crown clockwise and counter-clockwise respectively.

TIMING MACHINE READOUT

This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.

Condition

Watch is in excellent condition overall. Dial is near mint with practically no signs of aging, aside from a few abraided luminous plots. Case shows signs of light but even wear over the years, with sharp hallmarks . Watch comes with an aftermarket strap and a plated buckle.

Our Perspective

A rare execution of an already stunning timepiece, this example's subtle hints of red highlight its uncommon white dial and complement its warm gold construction wonderfully.

Justin Gruenberg

Co-founder