Rolex Day-Date Reference 1803, circa 1964
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1964
Maker / issuer
RolexThis Rolex Day-Date, designated as reference 1803, is an automatic wristwatch from approximately 1964. The watch features a solid yellow gold Oyster case with a characteristic fluted bezel.
The sunburst silver dial is equipped with patinated Tritium hour plots and a matching handset. It displays the date at the 3 o'clock position under a cyclops lens and the day of the week in a window at the 12 o'clock position. The movement is indicated as a chronometer by the text "SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED" on the dial. The watch is currently fitted with a leather strap rather than a metal bracelet.
The exterior shows standard signs of wear, with the auction description noting that the case retains its thickness and symmetry, suggesting it may have avoided significant polishing in the past. Clear hallmarks are reported on the undersides of the lugs.
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
- Date
- circa 1964
- Dial
- Sunburst silver
- Type
- Day-Date wristwatch
- Reference
- 1803
- Dial Markers
- Tritium plots
- Case Material
- Yellow gold
- Case Condition
- Shows normal signs of wear
- Maker / attribution
- Rolex
Design
- Case and Dial
- The watch is housed in an Oyster case constructed of solid yellow gold, featuring a distinct fluted bezel. The vendor describes the case as remaining thick and symmetrical, proposing that it may have been spared from intensive polishing procedures during its history. Normal signs of wear are visible across the surfaces of the metal. The sunburst silver dial is complemented by patinated Tritium luminous plots and a handset matching the dial's aesthetic. The display includes the standard day aperture at the 12 o'clock position and a date window located at 3 o'clock, which is magnified by the characteristic cyclops lens. Hallmarks remain present and clear on the undersides of the lugs.
- Visible features
- • Sunburst silver dial with tritium plots • Fluted yellow gold bezel • Date window at 3 o'clock with magnification lens • Day aperture at 12 o'clock
- Movement and Functionality
- The watch operates as a self-winding timepiece, marked on the dial as a Superlative Chronometer. This text indicates that the watch has undergone certification testing to ensure timekeeping precision. It functions by displaying the hours, minutes, and seconds, alongside the dual calendar complications of day and date. While the movement is not fully detailed in the source, the reference 1803 designation indicates it is a member of the Day-Date family, which introduced these specific calendar functions in 1956.
- Provenance and Presentation
- This specific piece is identified by the vendor as a 1964 example of the reference 1803. The listing describes the object's evolution from the initial release of the Day-Date model, noting its popular association with historical figures, which resulted in the unofficial designation of the watch as the 'President'. The current presentation on a leather strap is highlighted by the seller as an alternative to the solid gold 'President' bracelet commonly found on this reference.
Identification
- Reference
- 1803
- 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: Polishing status is speculative
- Research required: Exact production year is an estimate