Rolex Day-Date 36 Ref. 1803 - 'Doorstop' Dial Unpolished
Basic Info
Listing code : LCWBC4
Brand : Rolex
Model : Day-Date 36
Reference number : 1803
Dealer product code : OC2396
Movement : Automatic
Case material : Yellow gold
Bracelet material : Leather
Year of production : 1963 (Approximation)
Condition : Used (Very good)
Scope of delivery : No original box, no original papers
Gender : Men's watch/Unisex
Location : United States of America, California, Los Angeles
Price : 9,750 [Negotiable]
Availability : Item is in stock
Caliber
Movement : Automatic
Caliber/movement : 1555
Case
Case material : Yellow gold
Case diameter : 36 mm
Bezel material : Yellow gold
Crystal : Plexiglass
Dial : Champagne
Dial numerals : No numerals
Bracelet/strap
Bracelet material : Leather
Bracelet color : Brown
Lug width : 20 mm
Clasp : Buckle
Clasp material : Yellow gold
Functions
Date, Weekday
Other
Screw-Down Crown
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.
This Reference 1803 dating to circa 1963 has a few very cool features we love that are only found on earlier examples, and one small but significant detail on the dial that is seldom seen on Day-Dates. 'Champagne' in color, the dial features applied 'doorstop' indices at the 6 & 9 o'clock positions which are complimented by a correct 'obelisk' handset. The Tritium plots on are fully-intact and exhibit a light, even patina throughout, with the handset matching beautifully. The real story here, is the small black 'underline' beneath the chronometer text on the bottom half of the dial. Almost unnoticeable and easy to miss if you are ant looking for it, it is widely agreed that this was one of the ways Rolex denoted that they had transitioned into using Tritium from Radium. Seldom seen on a Day-Date, this is one of those small details that collectors tend to go crazy for.
These small details amount to, we think, a very special and elegant wearing experience — particularly when worn on a leather strap — and remains very much under the radar. If you know, you know.
Condition:
Case: Unpolished with thick, symmetrical lugs and normal signs of wear throughout. There is a scuff on the upper left lug profile, a blemish on the right case profile left of the crown, and a few impressions on the caseback. Some light tooling marks from strap changes present on the underside of the lugs. Gorgeous 'rosy' oxidation developing around the bezel, on the left case profile, on the right case profile around the crown, and on the underside of the lugs/case.
Bezel: Unpolished, with crisp finishing and light signs of wear with no significant damage or blemishes. There is a light 'rosy' oxidation matching that of the case developing.
Dial: Sunburst silver texture is crisp and consistent with faint signs of green discoloration present around the edge of the 'pie-pan' at the 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 11 positions. the Tritium plots are excellent, with only minor loss at the 1 & 2 positions and some darkening on the 5, 8, 9, & 10 plots.Correct 'obelisk' handset with excellent matching Tritium both to the naked eye and under UV inspection.
Shipping:
All watches will be shipped via FedEx Insured Priority Overnight shipping. International shipping will be shipped via FedEx International Priority Express, always fully insured. This service is included in the listed price and will not incur any additional fees. All watches are shipped 1-2 business days after receiving payment confirmation by Chrono24. We are unable to ship watches on Saturday or Sunday.
Our Policy:
We service or perform necessary maintenance to the extent necessary to all of our watches, unless otherwise noted. All watches are listed and sold running and functioning as intended.
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Each of our timepieces are vetted, evaluated, authenticated, and approved by our experienced team of experts and watchmakers prior to sale. We guarantee the period-correctness of all components unless otherwise disclosed. We guarantee the authenticity of each watch in perpetuity.
