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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Day-Date wristwatch

Rolex Day-Date 1803 Orange Stella Dial

Partially verified

This Rolex Day-Date, reference 1803, is an 18k yellow gold wristwatch featuring a signature "Stella" dial. The watch is defined by its vibrant, lacquered pie-pan style dial in a bright coral-orange hue, a distinct variation from the conventional Rolex palette of the period. The 36mm yellow gold case includes a fluted bezel and houses a slow-setting automatic movement. It is fitted with an 18k yellow gold President-style bracelet featuring a non-concealed clasp stamped with the date code '1 69'. The day indicator is displayed in English. According to the auction description, the serial number 349xxxx corresponds to a 1973 production date. The watch has been serviced by the vendor's watchmaker.

Rolex Day-Date 1803 with orange Stella dial, showing the fluted bezel and gold President bracelet.
Rolex Day-Date 1803 with orange Stella dial, showing the fluted bezel and gold President bracelet. — Bulang & Sons. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bulangandsons.com
Category
Wristwatch · Day-Date wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Rolex
Reference
1803
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1973
Source-reported place
Not established
Source-reported serial
349xxxx

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Bracelet

The watch is housed in a 36mm 18k yellow gold case, featuring a characteristic fluted yellow gold bezel. The construction is paired with a President-style bracelet, which is original to this configuration. The bracelet is fitted with a non-concealed clasp, providing a specific mechanical signature for this reference.

The bracelet assembly is stamped with the code '1 69', indicating a 1969 production date for this component, while the overall watch is dated to 1973 based on the serial number. The vendor reports that the watch currently fits a wrist size of up to 18.5 cm and describes the case condition as being "fat in all the right areas."

Evidence for this section
  • “36mm 18k yellow gold case with a fluted yellow gold bezel”
  • “18k yellow gold President bracelet, non-concealed clasp”
  • “stamped ‘1 69’ and is fitting wrist up to 18.5 cm currently.”

Dial and Display

The dial is the primary feature of this piece, executed in a bright coral-orange color with a lacquered finish. This is part of the 'Stella' series, a range noted for unconventional color palettes departing from the brand's traditional offerings. The dial layout is a 'pie-pan' style, characterized by a stepped edge near the minute track.

The display includes a day indicator aperture at the 12 o'clock position, which is set to the English language. Indices are applied gold batons with black accents, and the date window at 3 o'clock is equipped with a cyclops lens on the crystal. The text on the dial identifies the watch as a Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified.

Evidence for this section
  • “Vibrant orange pie-pan style ‘Stella ’ lacquered dial”
  • “English day disc”
  • “Stella dials are known for their bold and unconventional color choices”

Movement and Maintenance

The movement is a slow-setting caliber housed within the gold case. The mechanism has undergone a full service by the vendor's designated watchmaker to ensure operational readiness.

This service ensures that the watch's day, date, and time-telling functions are active.

Evidence for this section
  • “Slow-setting movement”
  • “Fully serviced by our watchmaker”
  • “One-year mechanical warranty”

Open research questions

  • Are there documented variations in lacquer thickness for 1973 Stella dials?
  • What is the technical definition of the 'slow-setting' movement referenced in this batch of 1803s?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Rolex Day-Date 1803 Orange Stella Dial
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Reference1803“Rolex Day-Date Reference 1803”
Serial349xxxx“Serial 349xxxx dating to 1973”
Case Material18k yellow gold“36mm 18k yellow gold case”
Dial StylePie-pan Stella“Vibrant orange pie-pan style ‘Stella ’ lacquered dial”
Bracelet Clasp Date1969“stamped ‘1 69’”
Day IndicatorEnglish“English day disc”
Service HistoryFully serviced“Fully serviced by our watchmaker”

Visible details

  • Bright coral-orange lacquered pie-pan dial
  • 18k yellow gold fluted bezel
  • English-language day display window
  • President-style bracelet with non-concealed clasp

Research qualifications

  • Exact origin of the 'Stella' name remains debated
  • Exact nature and timing of serial-date correlation depends on vendor data

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

ساعت مچی Rolex Day-Date 1803 با صفحه نارنجی Stella و طلای ۱۸ عیار

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 12a2f1df06

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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