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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Day-Date wristwatch

Rolex Day-Date Ref. 1803

Partially verified

This Rolex Day-Date Reference 1803 is an automatic wristwatch encased in solid rose gold. It features a fluted bezel and is paired with a rose gold rivet-style Oyster bracelet with a blade-style clasp. The watch is defined by a silver sunburst dial with applied rose-tone 'claw' indices and an alpha-style handset. The dial is marked with 'Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified' and features a day aperture at 12 o'clock displaying an Italian day disc, alongside a date aperture with a cyclops lens. The case is described by the vendor as unpolished, retaining its factory caseback sticker. The watch is dated by the source to circa 1961 and is noted as featuring luminous plots on the dial.

Rolex Day-Date Ref. 1803 in rose gold with Italian day disc and 'claw' indices.
Rolex Day-Date Ref. 1803 in rose gold with Italian day disc and 'claw' indices. — Oliver & Clarke. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
oliverandclarke.com
Category
Wristwatch · Day-Date wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Rolex
Reference
1803
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1961
Source-reported place
Switzerland

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 constructed from solid rose gold, a metal the vendor notes as rarer than the more common white gold variants of this reference. The case features thick, symmetrical lugs and is reported as unpolished. A key detail of the case design is the fluted bezel, which the auction description reports as more finely fluted than those found on subsequent productions of the reference 1803.

The timepiece is fitted with a matching rose gold rivet-style Oyster bracelet featuring a blade-style clasp. The endlinks are reported to be correct for this specific reference.

Evidence for this section
  • “It comes fitted to an almost unbelievable rose gold 'rivet' Oyster bracelet with a blade-style clasp.”
  • “The bezel is more finely-'fluted' than subsequent examples within the production of the reference.”
  • “The case is unpolished and shows only light wear throughout, with thick and symmetrical lugs at all four corners.”
  • “it even retains its factory caseback sticker with a prominent big coronet logo clearly visible.”

Dial and Hands

The silver sunburst dial is configured with applied rose-tone 'claw' indices and matching 'alpha' hands. The dial layout includes a day aperture positioned at 12 o'clock and a date window at 3 o'clock, which is magnified by a cyclops lens. The day disc displays the days of the week in Italian.

Luminous plots are present on the dial perimeter. The vendor notes that the dial exhibits signs of light surface oxidation consistent with its age, while maintaining the sunburst finish.

Evidence for this section
  • “the dial within the case of this piece features applied 'claw' indices and is complimented by a correct 'alpha' handset.”
  • “Inside, the silver dial exhibits light surface oxidation from age, while retaining vibrant sunburst finishing and fully-intact luminous plots.”
  • “The day disk is Italian.”

Condition and Attribution

The auction description reports the watch to be in outstanding, lightly worn condition for its age. The case and bracelet both exhibit light wear, as noted by the seller. The internal components, including the day disc and luminous applications, are described as correct for this specific configuration and period of production.

Attributed to circa 1961, the piece is presented as a collectible example due to the combination of the rose gold construction, the specific dial indices, and the preservation of the original caseback sticker.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dating to circa 1961, this piece comes to us in outstanding, lightly worn condition.”
  • “All of these little details amount to a piece that is truly rare and one heck of a looker.”
  • “And of course, the characteristic applied 'claw' indices and matching 'alpha' handset are rose-tone and correct for this piece.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific movement caliber used in this circa 1961 example?
  • Can the factory caseback sticker be verified as original to the watch's assembly?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Rolex Day-Date Ref. 1803
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
ModelDay-Date“Day-Date”
Reference1803“Ref. 1803”
Case MaterialRose gold“solid rose gold”
BraceletRose gold rivet Oyster“rose gold 'rivet' Oyster bracelet”
Dial IndicesApplied 'claw' indices“applied 'claw' indices”
HandsetAlpha handset“'alpha' handset”
Day Disc LanguageItalian“The day disk is Italian.”
DatingCirca 1961“Dating to circa 1961”

Visible details

  • Applied rose-tone 'claw' indices on silver sunburst dial
  • Fluted rose gold bezel
  • Rivet-style Oyster bracelet in rose gold
  • Italian-language day disc in aperture at 12 o'clock

Research qualifications

  • The exact year of manufacture is listed as 'circa 1961'
  • Vendor states it is unpolished, which is an assessment of condition rather than a verifiable factory status

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

Consulted source

ساعت مچی Rolex Day-Date Ref. 1803 از طلای رزگلد با صفحه نقره‌ای

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record c1fe16ad78

Terms in this record

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

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