Rolex Day-Date Ref. 1803 - Rose Gold w/ Silver 'Guilloche' Dial Unpolised
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 condition is exceptional, full stop. And last but certainly not lest, the silver dial within the case features an exceedingly rare silver 'guilloche' texture.
Dating to circa 1967, this piece comes to us in very lightly worn condition, showing just light signs of wear The case, matching 'President' bracelet and 'fluted rose gold bezel are all unpolished and show only faint wear. Inside, the silver dial is immaculate. Dare we say perfect? The textured 'guilloche' surface is outstanding and clean, with applied white gold indices and white gold coronet logo on the top half. It retains fully-intact Tritium plots which exhibit an attractive, deep patina throughout, and the handset matches perfectly.
This piece is simply exemplary. Truly rare, one heck of a looker, and immensely desirable. 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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Shipping, Returns, & Warranty
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.
The Oliver & Clarke Guarantee
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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