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60

Rolex

Ref. 1803

Day/Date "Manhattan Sunset”

A rare and attractive pink gold and diamond-set calendar wristwatch with bracelet and burnt orange lacquered dégradé dial

Estimate
CHF20,000 - 40,000
CHF30,000
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Rolex
Year
1977
Reference No
1803
Movement No
DD 128'390
Case No
5'061'804
Model Name
Day/Date "Manhattan Sunset”
Material
18K pink gold
Calibre
Automatic, cal. 1556, 26 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
18K pink gold, 185mm. max length
Clasp/Buckle
18K pink gold deployant clasp
Dimensions
36mm. Diameter
Signed
Case, dial and movement signed
Catalogue Essay
Since it was first introduced in 1956, the Day-Date experimented with numerous interesting dial combinations, and used various exciting colors, textures and techniques in producing stimulating and vibrant models. This particular watch is distinguished by its unusual lacquered ‘dégradé’ coating, with centripetal gradual color fading resembling a sunset from the dial's center to its outer circumference. The dial’s extraordinary beauty with a rarely seen burnt orange color, is further enhanced with 8 square-cut diamond hour markers and 2 baguette-cut diamonds at 6 and 9 o’clock. Preserved in very attractive condition, the case flank has developed a warm and pleasing patina in warm copper and blue hues. Playfully nicknamed “Manhattan Sunset”, this watch is prominently illustrated in Pucci Papaleo’s “Day-Date, The Presidential Rolex” – a tome dedicated to the most coveted examples of the ‘crowned’ firm’s beloved Day-Date.

Rolex

Swiss | 1905
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.
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