Rolex Day-Date Ref. 1803 - Rose Gold w/ Silver 'Claw' Dial LNOS w/ Caseback Sticker
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 has only ever been made in precious metals, with yellow gold not only being by for the most common, but also the most synonymous with the the Day-Date's colloquial nickname: The President. It was also produced in both rose and white gold, as well as platinum, with all examples being offered on a leather strap, or on a bracelet, like the example that we have here.
The example that we have here is a very special and incredibly rare for a number of reasons. For starters is solid rose gold — far rarer than examples in white gold. The bezel is more finely-'fluted' than subsequent examples within the production of the reference. It comes fitted to an almost unbelievable rose gold 'rivet' Oyster bracelet with a blade-style clasp. And last but certainly not lest, the dial within the case of this piece features applied 'claw' indices and is complimented by a correct 'alpha' handset.
Dating to circa 1961, this piece comes to us in outstanding, lightly worn condition. The case is unpolished and shows only light wear throughout, with thick and symmetrical lugs at all four corners. Flip it over, and it even retains its factory caseback sticker with a prominent big coronet logo clearly visible. The Oyster bracelet with the correct endlinks shows matching light wear and retains all of its links. Inside, the silver dial exhibits light surface oxidation from age, while retaining vibrant sunburst finishing and fully-intact luminous plots. And of course, the characteristic applied 'claw' indices and matching 'alpha' handset are rose-tone and correct for this piece. The day disk is Italian.
All of these little details amount to a piece that is truly rare and one heck of a looker. Factor in the overall condition, and the result is a collectors dream, and we are thrilled to have this piece offered on the website.
Condition Report & Details
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Every Oliver & Clarke timepiece comes with a one-year mechanical warranty starting from the date of delivery. We ensure all watches are in wonderful working condition and are ready for daily wear. Many have been fully serviced by our team of watchmakers.
Please note:
- Due to the vintage or antique nature of many of our watches, they may not keep time as accurately as when new, nor as precisely as quartz or electronic devices.
- We do not guarantee water resistance and do not warranty against moisture or water damage. Deliberate exposure to water or steam is not recommended.
Warranty Exclusions:
- Internal or external damage caused by accidents, mishandling, abuse, modifications, or services performed by anyone other than our authorized personnel.
- Our warranty is non-transferable.
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At Oliver & Clarke, we meticulously vet each watch to ensure its authenticity and quality. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and our mission is to help you find the perfect timepiece. If you have any questions, we are here to assist you promptly.
Our Guarantee:
- Each timepiece is thoroughly evaluated, authenticated, and approved by our expert team before it is offered for sale.
- We guarantee the period-correctness of all components unless otherwise stated.
- The authenticity of each watch is guaranteed in perpetuity.
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