We appreciate you contacting us. One of our colleagues will get back in touch with you soon!
Have a great day!
Rolex Day-Date Ref. 1803 - Salmon 'Claw' Dial
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 (called a 'President' bracelet), like the example that we have here.
White gold Day-Dates, while not outright rare, are uncommon. At a glance, they look like a steel watch — not nearly as eye-catching as its yellow gold siblings. These pieces epitomize the if you know, you know element in watches.
In the case of this piece (no pun intended), the dial further plays into that idea...
This particular white gold Reference 1803 from circa 1963 features a wildly rare, early dial. Known as a 'claw' dial for the shape of the applied indices, this example is further rarified by the color of the dial itself: a shade of pinkish-orange, or salmon. The dial itself is non-luminous and shows faint, uniform oxidation throughout and is hardly visible without a loupe. The 'claw' indices also exhibit light oxidation in some areas, and are complimented by a correct non-luminous 'obelisk' handset. The case shows signs of a light, thoughtful previous polishing, retaining symmetrical lugs and showing only light signs of wear throughout with no significant blemished or damage. The matching, though slightly later white gold President bracelet also exhibits a light previous polishing and light wear. This also piece retains a correct white gold crown, white gold 'fluted' bezel, and an English day disk within.
Salmon dials fitted within a white gold or platinum case are an elusive combination. Something about the combination is a horological grand slam and is cherished within the collector community. This exceedingly rare configuration is one heck of a looker — fit for a collector looking for something that you're unlikely to see in the wild. And if you do, well, you should probably tip your hat at that person.
Condition Report & Details
Condition:
Movement:
Bracelet/Strap:
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.
Choose options
Rolex Day-Date Ref. 1803 - Salmon 'Claw' DialSale price$52,500.00 USD Regular price
recommended products
Movado M95 Chronograph Ref. 19018 - 'Tiffany & Co.' Signed DialSale price$6,750.00 USD
Rolex Submariner Date Ref. 16618 - 'Bluesy' Blue Dial W/ Rolex CPO KitSale price$27,500.00 USD
Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 116710LN - 'Ceramic' w/ Box & CardSale price$11,950.00 USD
Eberhard and Co. Contograf Chronograph Ref. 14901 - Non-Luminous Dial UnpolishedSale price$14,250.00 USD
Rolex Day-Date Ref. 18038 - Navy Blue Sunburst Dial UnpolishedSale price$17,350.00 USD
Patek Philippe Aquanuat Ref. 5065J - 'Jumbo' Tritium DialSale price$62,950.00 USD
Tudor Submariner 'Hybrid' Ref. 94010 - 'RCN'Sale price$18,500.00 USD
Rolex Day-Date Ref. 1803 - Matte White 'Red Quarter' DialSale price$15,850.00 USD
Rolex Explorer I Ref. 1016 - 'Frog Foot' UnpolishedSale price$20,850.00 USD
Heuer Carrera Ref. 3147S Second Execution - 'Beyer' Dial 'Dato 45'Sale price$8,350.00 USD
"As collectors themselves, Oliver and Clarke are on a mission to make buying vintage watches as painless as possible."
"The company focuses on good prices for its pieces, elite customer service and full transparency."
"The appointment-only space is inviting, with comfortable seating areas and exposed brick walls."
From Rolex & Patek Philippe, to Cartier & Audemars Piguet. As collectors first, we love the small details that separate the Submariner from Daytona and Calatrava from Royal Oak. This is why you'll find our curated assortment spans decades of generations of models and brands. We believe that watches don't just tell time, they tell history - and life is too short to wear a boring watch.
Oliver & Clarke