Rolex
1969 Rolex Day-Date (Ref. 1803) 18K Rose Gold
The Rolex Day-Date is one of the most iconic and beautiful watches in the Rolex catalog. The Rolex Day-Date earned the nickname "President" after it had been rumored that President a Dwight Eisenhower began wearing one. In reality, Eisenhower wore a Rolex 18K yellow gold Oyster Perpetual Datejust which Rolex gifted to him in 1950. However the nickname President stuck and is quite fitting for the Day-Date as Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Ford, Reagan, Nixon and Roosevelt, all wore the Rolex Day-Date model. It has always been a symbol of status and luxury as the Rolex Day-Date is only made in precious metals most commonly 18k yellow gold and possesses both the day and date complications within the movement.
The elusive rose gold Day-Date is one of the most coveted among dress watch enthusiasts as it was only produced in special orders and was not standard inventory for Rolex during this era. The rose gold creates a wonderful appearance for the Day-Date, taking the flashiness of yellow gold out of the equation while not flying too far under the radar as a white gold Day-Date can sometimes be.
| Stock # |
RLXDD1803RG-3 |
|
| Brand | Rolex | |
| Style | Day-Date | |
| Model | 1803 | |
| Serial | 20XXXXX | |
| Size | Men's | |
| Material | 18K Rose Gold | |
| Dial | Silver | |
| Millimeters | 36 | |
| Bracelet | 2pc Handmade Leather Strap |
CASE & BRACELET
The 18k rose gold case was previously very lightly polished, showing extremely thick lugs that retain most of their factory dimensions. The 18k rose gold bezel is sharp, remaining unpolished with no major signs of use. The case retains its original rose gold crown, and all the hallmarks remain visible and clean. The watch will come on a 2pc handmade leather strap.
DIAL & HANDS
The silver "door-stop" dial with factory rose gold markers has a very clean appearance and is in remarkable condition, showing almost no signs of aging. The tritium lume plots have achieved a nice creamy patina, under U.V. light inspection the 1 o'clock marker shows some degradation but remains intact, the rest of the lume plots remain full and round without degradation. The original tritium rose gold hands match the dial perfectly and show no degradation under U.V. light inspections. The metallic date wheel is era-correct with open 6's and 9's, the day wheel language is Italian.
ACCESSORIES
None. The watch just received a complete service and is running at COSC spec backed by a 1-year warranty on accurate timekeeping.