Rolex Day-Date 1803
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1977
Maker / issuer
RolexThis Rolex Day-Date reference 1803 is a 36 mm wristwatch encased in 18k yellow gold. The watch features a white pie-pan dial finished with a matte surface, black printed text, and gold-applied baton hour markers.
Lume plots are visible on the dial, which is protected by a plexi crystal. The timekeeper is powered by a Rolex calibre 1556 movement, which employs a non-quickset mechanism for adjusting the day and date displays. The day disc indicates the day of the week in English. The watch is currently paired with a leather strap and a pin buckle from Bulang & Sons. The auction description reports that the movement has undergone a service by their watchmaker.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Day-Date wristwatch
- Model
- Day-Date 1803
- Crystal
- Plexi
- Movement
- Calibre 1556
- Case Diameter
- 36 mm
- Case Material
- 18k yellow gold
- Serial Number
- 517xxxx
- Maker / attribution
- Rolex
- Year of Manufacture
- 1977
Design
- Case and Dial
- The watch is housed in a 36 mm case constructed from 18k yellow gold. It features a characteristic fluted bezel. The case construction incorporates a plexi crystal covering the dial. The dial is a white pie-pan style design featuring a matte finish. It displays the Rolex coronet and branding alongside gold baton-style hour markers. Black text is used for the minute track and movement certification markings. Small cream-coloured luminous plots are situated at the hour positions. The hands fitted to the watch are reported as later Luminova replacements.
- Visible features
- • White pie-pan style dial with matte finish • Fluted bezel in yellow gold • English day indicator • Gold baton indices with lume plots
- Service and Accessories
- The watch is presented on a third-party leather strap supplied by Bulang & Sons, secured by a pin buckle of the same origin. The documentation provided by the seller identifies the watch as dating from 1977 based on the serial number 517xxxx.
- Movement and Functionality
- The watch is powered by the Rolex calibre 1556. This self-winding movement utilizes a non-quickset day and date mechanism, requiring the time to be advanced manually to change these calendar functions, a process often referred to as slow-setting. The day of the week is displayed in the aperture at the 12 o'clock position on an English-language disc, while the date is shown via a window at 3 o'clock. The seller confirms the movement has been serviced.
Identification
- Reference
- 1803
- Serial number
- 517xxxx
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The hands are described as fitted with later Luminova, rather than original tritium
- Research required: Originality of dial lume is not explicitly detailed beyond being cream-coloured