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118

Rolex

Ref. 1806; interior case back stamped 1803

"Day-Date"

A very rare and extremely attractive yellow gold wristwatch with black lacquer dial, day, date and bracelet

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Originally launched in 1956, the Day‐Date, with its famous “President” bracelet, was the first wristwatch to feature a date and fully spelled-out day of the week indication on its dial. The sporty elegance of the Day-Date is appealing to consumers around the world, due to its versatility, robustness, and elegance, enduring for over six decades as one of the most popular and sought after Rolex models. The reference 1806 was released in 1959 and stands out from other early iconic models like references 1803 and 1807 due to its sensual linen textured case playfully nicknamed “Morellis” finish.

The present Day-Date is a remarkable example with the black lacquered dial and wonderfully textured case and sumptuous, textured link bracelet. The deep gloss finish of the dial integrates with the gold case and bracelet giving the wristwatch a mid-20th century appeal. These rare watches have hand finished cases giving each a slightly different pattern and texture. The present model is well-preserved and a wonderful example of these rare Day-Date timepieces.

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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