Rolex
Ref. 1803, repeated inside caseback
A well-preserved, highly rare and attractive pink gold wristwatch with center seconds, Arabic day, date, Eastern Arabic numerals and bracelet
Manufacturer : Rolex
Year : Circa 1974
Reference No : 1803, repeated inside caseback
Movement No : DD’618’060
Case No : 3’852’659
Model Name : Day-Date “Desert Rose
Material : 18K pink gold
Calibre : Automatic, cal. 1555, 26 jewels
Bracelet/Strap : 18K pink gold Rolex President bracelet, endlinks stamped “53”, max length 180mm
Clasp/Buckle : 18K pink gold Rolex deployant clasp
Dimensions : 36mm diameter
Signed : Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Provenance : Phillips, Geneva Watch Auction: TWO on 7 & 8 November 2015, lot 219
Literature : The present watch is described and illustrated in Day Date: The Presidential Rolex by Pucci Papaleo Editore, page 196-197 Throughout the extensive history of the Rolex Day-Date, certain early examples were manufactured for individual markets, with the present watch originally made for the Middle Eastern market in 1974. Rolex has maintained the Day-Date collection as its most prestigious line over the years, exclusively encasing it in precious metals, aside from some prototype pieces.
Pink gold Day-Dates are particularly rare, especially following the discontinuation of the reference 1803 in the late 1970s. It wasn't until the early 2000s that new 6-digit reference Day-Dates began to feature luxurious pink gold again. The present reference 1803 in pink gold is fitted with a silvered dial, complemented by applied pink gold Arabic numeral indexes and pink gold hands. Both apertures for the day and date are also in Arabic, with all elements remaining in excellent overall condition.
Arabic dials continue to be highly sought after, particularly as this exclusive feature is found in select platinum Day-Date and Daytona references. This uncommon Arabic Day-Date is especially coveted among vintage Rolex collectors, and this extravagant “Desert Rose” is detailed in Day Date: The Presidential Rolex by Pucci Papaleo. It was first auctioned in 2015 and has remained in a private collection since then. We are pleased to present this watch again, nine years later, as it remains an important example in the model’s history.
