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Day-Date Rolex 1803
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Rolex Day-Date 1803, the vintage benchmark
Looking for a Day-Date with classic Oyster Perpetual poise without modern gloss? The Rolex Day-Date 1803 quietly set the template. Made from about 1959 to 1977, it defined Rolex’s dress side with a fluted bezel, most often a pie-pan dial, and the President bracelet. Most examples are 18k gold: yellow, white, or rose, with champagne, silver, black, blue, or punchy Stella dials. You will encounter stick layouts, Roman or Arabic numerals, and occasional diamonds, plus tritium lume under a plexiglass acrylic crystal that lends warm, vintage character.
- Movement: automatic Caliber 1555 or 1570, COSC chronometer, non-quickset day and date.
- Case and bezel: 18k gold only for 1803, fluted bezel.
- Bracelet: President bracelet as the icon; Oyster and period leather also seen.
- Functions: time, day at 12, date at 3.
How it fits in the Day-Date story
The 1803 followed early Day-Dates like the 6611 and sat alongside siblings that split features by reference. Smooth bezel? 1802. Bark-finish texture? 1807. Platinum with gem bezels? 1804. The next leap was the 18038 in 1978, adding a quickset date and ushering in the modern era, while the later 18238 delivered broader convenience. Through it all, the 1803 remains the archetype many collectors consider the pure vintage Day-Date.
As a vintage Rolex, it draws strong interest among enthusiasts. Pre-owned prices often span roughly €12.500 to €28.000, with dial rarity, white-gold cases, condition, bracelet originality, and complete paperwork commanding premiums. It is a luxury watch, yet also a slice of Swiss watch history that wears with quiet confidence: the kind you appreciate more each time you glance at the dial.