Rolex Day-Date Ref. 1803 - Non-Luminous

Straight Facts

When the Day-Date was released in 1956, it was the only complicated Rolex for sale. Hard to believe, but people didn’t want Rolex’s previous attempts at complicated wristwatches. All of that changed when President Dwight D. Eisenhower was spotted wearing the Rolex, and the watch became known as ‘The President’. An internationally known symbol of success and prestige, the Rolex Day-Date was available for many years on a strap or matching solid gold bracelet.

This present example is fitted with that iconic yellow gold presidential bracelet, and is one of the very first 1803 models, hailing from the year 1960. As such, the dial is fitted with the earlier style fonts, and the extremely attractive alpha handset. Furthermore, the dial condition is excellent featuring a no-lume dial and handset with only minor wear from age and use. The yellow gold case has beautifully patinated and oxidized to an almost rose gold color which makes this all the more unique of a piece. For about half the cost of a brand new 36mm Day-Date, you can say you have something in common with President Eisenhower. How’s that for bragging rights?

*Some marks or spots on the dial are reflections or dust on the crystal and are due to high intensity strobe lighting used while photographing. They are not actually on the watch or visible in natural lighting.