Rolex Day-Date Ref. 1803 - Silver 'Linen' Dial W/ 'Onyx' Inserts
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 matching solid gold bracelet (called a 'President' bracelet), but also on a leather strap like the example that we have here.
The piece that we have here, a Reference 1803 from circa 1972, is a fantastic example finished in solid white gold with a beautiful and uncommon dial. Silver in color, it has an attractive 'linen' textured finishing and is non-luminous with black 'onyx' inserts within the applied indices and a handset to mach. The above average contrast lends itself for a nice and legible wearing experience and the condition is exceptional, showing only one faint area of wear on the top edge of the day aperture. The Oyster case is also excellent, having been lightly previously polished, but tastefully where the shape of the lugs has been retained and remain thick and symmetrical. It shows light signs of wear throughout with no real damage or blemishes to speak of and with that exceptional dial inside amounts to a fantastic example of a slightly off-the-beaten-path 1803.
Especially when fitted to a leather strap, this 'elevated' piece remains very much under-the-radar and is suitable for virtually any occasion, on virtually any wrist!
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.
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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.
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