Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 1970 Reference No: 1803 Movement No: DD065'711 Case No: 2'783'345 Model Name: Day-Date "Red Quarter" Material: 18k pink gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1556, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: Gold plated Rolex pin buckle Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Literature: For other examples of reference 1803 with so called "Red Quarter" dial see DAY-DATE The Presidential Rolex by Pucci Papaleo Editore pg 146-149
Catalogue Essay
The present Rolex Day-Date reference 1803 from 1970 is a very fine, pink gold example of the so-called “President" watch. The Day-Date was the first wristwatch ever to display the day of the week fully spelled out, and the present lot is fitted with a day wheel in Portuguese likely made for the Brazilian market. Rolex tailored the Day-Date for markets around the world, and accordingly, the day indication was offered in 26 different languages. Combining the charisma and charm of a true vintage watch along with great daily wearability, this uncommon example offers tremendous value and practicality for collectors.
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.