Manufacturer: Rolex Year: circa 1971 Reference No: 1803 Movement No: DD910'783 Case No: 2'719'261 Model Name: Day-Date Material: 18k white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1556, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex pin buckle Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and pin buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by fitted presentation box, service booklet and service invoice
Catalogue Essay
Launched in 1956, the Day-Date is one of the most iconic Rolex watches. Often referred to as the President's watch, the model has gravitated in the highest spheres of showbiz and politics. From its launch, the model differentiated itself with an endless variety of dials, case materials and even languages used to indicate the day of the week (actually, up to 26 different languages were available).
The present watch bears the reference 1803, one of the longest serving Day-Date reference. It is fitted with an incredible immaculate white dial with red quarter, and the days are indicated in Spanish. Freshly serviced by Rolex, the present watch is in excellent condition and the vivid turquoise blue strap gives it a very appealing summertime look.
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.