Rolex Day-Date Ref. 1803/9 - Sunburst Silver 'Doorstop' Dial w/ 'Big Logo' Bracelet
When the Day-Date was released in 1956, Rolex had made numerous attempts to capture the market with more complicated timepieces such as the Ref. 6036, the Ref. 8171, and the Ref. 6062, but it seemed like buyers were not particularly fond of complicated Rolexes. All of that changed when President Dwight D. Eisenhower was spotted wearing one Rolex in particular: a Day-Date. The model has since become known worldwide as ‘The President’ and as a symbol of success and prestige. Simply put, this one stuck.
The Day-Date was available for many years on a leather strap with a matching gold buckle, but also on a solid gold bracelet (called a 'President' bracelet), like the example that we have here.
The piece that we have here, a Reference 1803 from circa 1972, is a superb example finished in solid white gold. The case has been professionally restored at an earlier time, retaining correct factory proportions with symmetrical lugs, and it looks excellent. It shows only light signs of wear throughout with no major damage to speak of. The 'fluted' white gold bezel retains crisp finishing and shows matching light wear. Inside, the sunburst silver dial featured applied 'doorstop' indices at the 6 & 9 o'clock positions, and it is in outstanding — seemingly flawless condition — with none of the usual surface wear around the edges and fully-intact Tritium plots. They are evenly patinated and the handset matched the dial nicely.
Furthermore, this piece comes fitted to a very rare white gold Japanese 'President' bracelet with an adjustable 'big logo' blade clasp, which is in matching condition to that of the case. It even retains it's original white gold crown.
This is a phenomenal example of an icon with some nice features found only Day-Dates from this era. An 'elevated' piece that remains very much under-the-radar If you know, you know.
Condition Report & Details
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