Rolex
1969 Rolex Day-Date 18K YG (Ref. 1803) Champagne "Wide Boy" Dial W/ Double Punched Papers & Original Sales Receipt
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 was rumored President Dwight Eisenhower wore one, but Eisenhower actually wore a Rolex 18K yellow gold Oyster-Perpetual Datejust which Rolex gifted to him in 1953. However, the nickname "President" is quite fitting for the Day-Date as Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Ford, Reagan, Nixon, and Roosevelt, all wore the Rolex Day-Date. Apart from its executive affiliation, the Day-Date is a symbol of status and luxury, only produced in highly refined precious metals including 18K yellow, white, and rose gold and also platinum, featuring both the day and date complications within the movement.
This 1969 Rolex Day-Date ref. 1803 retains its original and sought-after champagne "Wide Boy" pie-pan dial. The "wide boy" dials make for a distinctly unique look among the early Day-Dates and Rolex only produced this dial for a very short period of time. The "Wide-Boy" name comes from the oversized block markers and the extra-wide "cigarette hands", and can be seen in either the Datejust or the Day-Date models from the early 70s. This "wide boy" Day-Date ref. 1803 is simply stunning and would be a wonderful addition to any collection as an executive piece that would stand out from the crowd.
| Stock # |
RLXDD180369-5 |
|
| Brand | Rolex | |
| Style | Day-Date | |
| Model | 1803 | |
| Serial | 20XXXXX | |
| Size | Men's | |
| Material | 18K Yellow Gold | |
| Dial | Champagne "Wide Boy" | |
| Millimeters | 36 | |
| Bracelet |
CASE & BRACELET
The thick and symmetrical 18K yellow gold case has been gently polished in the past and exhibits light signs of honest use. The 18K yellow gold fluted bezel shows signs of previous gentle polishing while retaining its geometry and showing minimal signs of use. The watch comes supplied on an unworn black Rolex lizard leather strap with a gold plaque Rolex buckle.
DIAL & HANDS
The original champagne "pie pan" dial with unique "Wide Boy" markers is remarkably well-preserved, exhibiting no obvious signs of age and no damage, the only elements of age present are virtually invisible and have no effect on the aesthetic of the dial. The tritium lume plots have achieved a handsome creamy patina and show no degradation when inspected under U.V. light. The original "Wide Boy" hands are also in excellent condition and the lume has aged a shade darker than the dial but matches the overall look of the watch, under U.V. light inspection the marks display no degradation. The metallic gold date wheel is original with "open" 6's and 9's.
ACCESSORIES
The watch comes with its original Rolex Oyster booklet with punched serial, original Rolex chronometer certificate with punched and written serial, and the original sales receipt from 1969. The watch is functioning and keeping time perfectly, backed bt our 1-year warranty on accurate timekeeping.
