Reference:1803 - Revision history

Admin: Correct Christie’s coral-dial attribution and gallery placement

2026-10-11T08:02:28Z

Correct Christie’s coral-dial attribution and gallery placement

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:02, 11 October 2026
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	Collectors often call brightly colored lacquer dials Stella. Phillips catalogued a coral example in 2017 and a yellow lacquer dial in 2015; Christie’s recorded an Oman-commissioned burgundy example circa 1974. Revolution discusses early Stella dials in both pie-pan and flat forms, with overlapping periods rather than a clean changeover. The surviving records do not provide a complete color list or factory total.		Collectors often call brightly colored lacquer dials Stella. Phillips catalogued a coral example in 2017 and a yellow lacquer dial in 2015; Christie’s recorded an Oman-commissioned burgundy example circa 1974. Revolution discusses early Stella dials in both pie-pan and flat forms, with overlapping periods rather than a clean changeover. The surviving records do not provide a complete color list or factory total.

	~~[[File:Ref 1803 coral stella phillips.webp\|thumb\|right\|220px\|A~~ coral lacquer dial on a ~~Phillips~~-~~catalogued 1803, Geneva Watch Auction FIVE,~~ lot ~~18, 2017.]~~]		Christie’s also describes a circa-1971 coral-red lacquer dial. Its sale-room notice corrects the lot’s initial 1805 attribution to ref. 1803 and reports Cal. 1555 in a 36 mm case. It adds one documented coral-red example. ([https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5091515 Christie’s lot 5091515])

	The term Stella is collector usage. A dial's color and nickname do not establish that it left the factory in that case.		The term Stella is collector usage. A dial's color and nickname do not establish that it left the factory in that case.

			[[File:Ref 1803 coral stella phillips.webp\|thumb\|right\|220px\|A coral lacquer dial on a Phillips-catalogued 1803, Geneva Watch Auction FIVE, lot 18, 2017.]]

	===Linen and Sigma dials===		===Linen and Sigma dials===
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	\| Circa-1972 yellow-gold 1803 with coral lacquer dial		\| Circa-1972 yellow-gold 1803 with coral lacquer dial
	\| Sold for CHF 27,500		\| Sold for CHF 27,500
			\|-
			\| 29 May 2008
			\| [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5091515 Christie’s, Important Watches, Hong Kong, lot 2553]
			\| Coral-red lacquer Day-Date, case 3204972, circa 1971; sale-room notice corrects the initial ref. 1805 attribution to 1803
			\| Estimate HKD 70,000–100,000; sold for HKD 87,500
	\|}		\|}

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	<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">		<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
			File:Ref 1803 hero.webp\|Yellow-gold 1803 with champagne baton dial.
	File:Ref 1803 coral stella phillips.webp\|Coral lacquer 1803 — Phillips Geneva Watch Auction FIVE, lot 18.		File:Ref 1803 coral stella phillips.webp\|Coral lacquer 1803 — Phillips Geneva Watch Auction FIVE, lot 18.
	</gallery>		</gallery>
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	* [https://watchbase.com/rolex/caliber/1556 WatchBase, caliber 1556 specifications]		* [https://watchbase.com/rolex/caliber/1556 WatchBase, caliber 1556 specifications]
	* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6202872 Christie’s, reference 1803 with Wide-Boy dial, circa 1971]		* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6202872 Christie’s, reference 1803 with Wide-Boy dial, circa 1971]
			* [https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5091515 Christie’s, circa-1971 coral-red dial; sale-room notice corrects the initial 1805 attribution to 1803]
	* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2024/important-watches-2/reference-1803-day-date-a-yellow-gold-automatic Sotheby’s, Nasser-associated 1803, 6 December 2024]		* [https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2024/important-watches-2/reference-1803-day-date-a-yellow-gold-automatic Sotheby’s, Nasser-associated 1803, 6 December 2024]

	[[Category:Day-Date]]		[[Category:Day-Date]]
	[[Category:References]]		[[Category:References]]

Admin: Audit: corrected 1803 reference history, dial evidence, and attribution

2026-10-09T12:13:03Z

Audit: corrected 1803 reference history, dial evidence, and attribution

Show changes

Klaudiusz: Clarify Wide-Boy chronology and collector terminology

2026-09-29T08:24:52Z

Clarify Wide-Boy chronology and collector terminology

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:24, 29 September 2026
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	Earliest cited 1803 case serials sit around 550,000 in the 1960 range. Mondani's printed-catalogue research places the first catalogue appearance in 1961, alongside the 1804 and 1806. A dealer record for a 1959 example suggests physical production may predate catalogue appearance; it is a dating lead, not a factory start record.		Earliest cited 1803 case serials sit around 550,000 in the 1960 range. Mondani's printed-catalogue research places the first catalogue appearance in 1961, alongside the 1804 and 1806. A dealer record for a 1959 example suggests physical production may predate catalogue appearance; it is a dating lead, not a factory start record.

	===1960s, Wide-Boy ~~and Underline transitional~~===		===1960s, Underline and Wide-Boy examples===

	Early 1960s production carries ~~two short-run~~ transitional ~~dials~~. The ~~Underline dial appears in 1963: a luminous-material marker stamped~~ under the SCOC text at six o'clock~~, indicating~~ a ~~chemistry transition during the period when~~ Rolex moved away from earlier ~~lume~~ compounds toward tritium. A 1963 Underline 1803 is documented in the specialist dealer record.		Early 1960s production carries a documented transitional Underline dial. The line under the SCOC text at six o'clock is associated with a change in luminous material as Rolex moved away from earlier compounds toward tritium. A 1963 Underline 1803 is documented in the specialist dealer record.

	~~The~~ Wide-Boy ~~dial sits in the same short window. Oversized~~ block indices ~~pair with "~~cigarette" or "wide-boy" hands, ~~sometimes called "cigarette~~-~~boat" hands when narrowed to 1963-64 production.~~ Phillips lot CH080515/215 ~~sold~~ a ~~1970 yellow-gold Wide-Boy 1803 in 2015~~. Non-luminous Japanese-market examples are one documented branch~~; the surfaced record does not establish how many were made~~.		Wide-Boy is collector terminology for dials with oversized block indices and matching cigarette or wide-boy hands. Early examples are documented in the 1960s, while later watches, including a 1970 yellow-gold example sold by Phillips in 2015 (lot CH080515/215), are also described with the term. The surviving records do not establish a single production window or total. Non-luminous Japanese-market examples are one documented branch.

	===Mid-1960s, caliber transition and Buckley arrival===		===Mid-1960s, caliber transition and Buckley arrival===
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	Silver and champagne stick indices on a pie-pan profile. The 1803 is the last Day-Date to carry the pie-pan dial; the 18038 moves to flat. Sunburst, satin, and matte finishes appear within both colour families. Dauphine hands on the earliest production transition to alpha hands on later 1803s.		Silver and champagne stick indices on a pie-pan profile. The 1803 is the last Day-Date to carry the pie-pan dial; the 18038 moves to flat. Sunburst, satin, and matte finishes appear within both colour families. Dauphine hands on the earliest production transition to alpha hands on later 1803s.

	===Wide-Boy ~~(1963-1964 short run)~~===		===Wide-Boy examples===
	Oversized block indices paired with cigarette / wide-boy hands. ~~The Wide-Boy dial sits~~ in ~~a narrow window of early-to-mid-~~1960s ~~production. Documented examples include~~ the Phillips Geneva lot CH080515/215 yellow-gold ~~1970~~ example sold in 2015. Non-luminous Japanese-market examples are one documented branch~~; the surfaced record does not establish how many were made~~.		Oversized block indices paired with cigarette / wide-boy hands. Early examples are documented in the 1960s, and later watches are also described with the collector term; Phillips Geneva lot CH080515/215 is a 1970 yellow-gold example sold in 2015. The surviving records do not establish a single production window or total. Non-luminous Japanese-market examples are one documented branch.

	===Underline (early 1960s, 1963 documented)===		===Underline (early 1960s, 1963 documented)===

Klaudiusz: Deep audit: grounded dial claims, provenance wording, and gallery cleanup

2026-09-28T20:26:48Z

Deep audit: grounded dial claims, provenance wording, and gallery cleanup

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:26, 28 September 2026
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	</div>		</div>

	~~The~~ 1803 is the fluted-bezel 4-digit Day-Date. Published references place its physical run in the late 1950s through 1977–78; Mondani's catalogue research places its catalogue appearance in 1961. It uses an acrylic crystal and the caliber 1555/1556 movement family.		Reference 1803 is the fluted-bezel 4-digit Day-Date. Published references place its physical run in the late 1950s through 1977–78; Mondani's catalogue research places its catalogue appearance in 1961. It uses an acrylic crystal and the caliber 1555/1556 movement family.

	~~The reference is known for~~ a wide dial range. Documented groups include silver and champagne batons, Buckley Roman numerals, Wide-Boy and Underline dials, Red Quarters and Sigma layouts, Stella lacquer, stone, gem-set and retailer-signed examples. The individual dial, case, bracelet and movement still need to be checked together; a dial name alone does not establish original delivery.		Surviving examples show a wide dial range. Documented groups include silver and champagne batons, Buckley Roman numerals, Wide-Boy and Underline dials, Red Quarters and Sigma layouts, Stella lacquer, stone, gem-set and retailer-signed examples. The individual dial, case, bracelet and movement still need to be checked together; a dial name alone does not establish original delivery.


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	===Late 1960s, Red Quarters and clasp evolution===		===Late 1960s, Red Quarters and clasp evolution===

	The Red Quarters dial, an Arabic minute track with red 15/30/45/60 numerals, runs from the late 1960s through the early 1970s. ~~Yellow~~ gold ~~dominates the survival count,~~ pink-gold examples ~~are rarer, and~~ Red Quarters ~~sit among the rarest "ordinary" 1803 dials in any year~~.		The Red Quarters dial, an Arabic minute track with red 15/30/45/60 numerals, runs from the late 1960s through the early 1970s. Most surfaced examples are yellow gold; pink-gold examples also appear. The public record is too small to rank Red Quarters by production or survival count.

	Bracelet fitment changes during the run. Auction and collector records show both visible-clasp and concealed-clasp President bracelets on 1803 examples; the bracelet reference and end links must be checked against the case. A clasp date dates the bracelet, not the watch head.		Bracelet fitment changes during the run. Auction and collector records show both visible-clasp and concealed-clasp President bracelets on 1803 examples; the bracelet reference and end links must be checked against the case. A clasp date dates the bracelet, not the watch head.
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	Sotheby's collector guide lists Gamal Abdel Nasser, Tom Landry, Jack Nicklaus, Chris Evert and Andy Warhol among 1803 wearers. The Nasser lot carries the Sadat-to-Nasser caseback engraving; its documented result is recorded in the auction table.		Sotheby's collector guide lists Gamal Abdel Nasser, Tom Landry, Jack Nicklaus, Chris Evert and Andy Warhol among 1803 wearers. The Nasser lot carries the Sadat-to-Nasser caseback engraving; its documented result is recorded in the auction table.

	~~The~~ Marlon Brando "Apocalypse Now" ~~Rolex is~~ a GMT-Master 1675, ~~not a 1803. Phillips New York's 2019 catalogue records~~ the bezel removed ~~by Brando~~ on set and "M. Brando" hand-engraved on the caseback. ~~Any source attributing Brando to the~~ 1803 ~~has the reference wrong~~.		Phillips New York's 2019 catalogue identifies Marlon Brando's "Apocalypse Now" watch as a GMT-Master 1675, with the bezel removed on set and "M. Brando" hand-engraved on the caseback. It is not a documented 1803.

	~~The Eisenhower-and-Day-Date claim in casual press is similarly misattributed.~~ Eisenhower's documented Rolex is a yellow-gold Datejust ref 6305 on Jubilee, gifted ~~to him~~ in 1951~~, five years before~~ the Day-Date ~~existed~~.		Eisenhower's documented Rolex is a yellow-gold Datejust ref. 6305 on a Jubilee bracelet, gifted in 1951. That predates the Day-Date, so it does not document an 1803 association.

	John Lennon and 1803: no documented 1803 surfaces in the auction or specialist record for Lennon. Treat as unverified.		John Lennon and 1803: no documented 1803 surfaces in the auction or specialist record for Lennon. Treat as unverified.
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	===Khanjar Oman / Sultan Qaboos===		===Khanjar Oman / Sultan Qaboos===

	Crossed sheathed khanjar daggers, sometimes under a kuma hat, in red, white, green, or gold, the Omani flag colours. Commissioned through Sultan Qaboos bin Said (reigned 1970-2020). Qaboos signature dials (the Sultan's hand-printed signature) and Royal Oman Police insignia variants also appear. ~~Prices~~ vary with the dial, metal, marks, provenance and condition; the surviving ~~sales~~ record does not support a fixed premium for every example.		Crossed sheathed khanjar daggers, sometimes under a kuma hat, in red, white, green, or gold, the Omani flag colours. Commissioned through Sultan Qaboos bin Said (reigned 1970-2020). Qaboos signature dials (the Sultan's hand-printed signature) and Royal Oman Police insignia variants also appear. Sale results vary with the dial, metal, marks, provenance and condition; the surviving record does not support a fixed premium for every example.

	===Saudi Khanjar / crossed swords===		===Saudi Khanjar / crossed swords===
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	See also the [[Reference:day-date\|Day-Date family index]], [[Reference:Movements\|movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets\|bracelet & clasp guide]], and [[Reference:Serial-numbers\|serial numbers by year]].		See also the [[Reference:day-date\|Day-Date family index]], [[Reference:Movements\|movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets\|bracelet & clasp guide]], and [[Reference:Serial-numbers\|serial numbers by year]].

			<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
			File:Ref 1803 wideboy phillips.webp\|Wide-Boy 1803 — Phillips Geneva lot CH080515/215.
			File:Ref 1803 coral stella phillips.webp\|Coral Stella 1803 — Phillips Geneva Watch Auction FIVE, lot 18.
			</gallery>

	== Sources ==		== Sources ==

Admin: Audit 1803 prose, dating, source claims and auction table

2026-09-21T04:47:23Z

Audit 1803 prose, dating, source claims and auction table

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:47, 21 September 2026
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	\| dial families		\| dial families
	\| silver/champagne stick (volume) plus Buckley Roman, Wide-Boy, Underline, Red Quarters, Sigma, Stella lacquer, stone, mother-of-pearl, diamond/gem-set, Tiffany/Asprey/Khanjar special branches		\| silver/champagne stick (volume) plus Buckley Roman, Wide-Boy, Underline, Red Quarters, Sigma, Stella lacquer, stone, mother-of-pearl, diamond/gem-set, Tiffany/Asprey/Khanjar special branches
	\|-
	\|-		\|-
	\| predecessor		\| predecessor
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	==Where it sits in the line==		==Where it sits in the line==

	The 1803 is the ~~main~~ fluted-bezel reference in the 4-digit Day-Date group. The earlier 65xx references preceded it; the 1804, 1806, 1807 and 1811 use different case or bezel finishes. The 1831 is a separate special-order platinum model, not a normal 1803 variant.		The 1803 is the fluted-bezel reference in the 4-digit Day-Date group. The earlier 65xx references preceded it; the 1804, 1806, 1807 and 1811 use different case or bezel finishes. The 1831 is a separate special-order platinum model, not a normal 1803 variant.

	The 1803 has a broad documented dial range, including Stella lacquer, Stern stone, Buckley Roman, Red Quarters and retailer-signed examples. Published counts for individual dial groups are estimates from surviving examples, not factory production totals.		The 1803 has a broad documented dial range, including Stella lacquer, Stern stone, Buckley Roman, Red Quarters and retailer-signed examples. Published counts for individual dial groups are estimates from surviving examples, not factory production totals.
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	Early 1960s production carries two short-run transitional dials. The Underline dial appears in 1963: a luminous-material marker stamped under the SCOC text at six o'clock, indicating a chemistry transition during the period when Rolex moved away from earlier lume compounds toward tritium. A 1963 Underline 1803 is documented in the specialist dealer record.		Early 1960s production carries two short-run transitional dials. The Underline dial appears in 1963: a luminous-material marker stamped under the SCOC text at six o'clock, indicating a chemistry transition during the period when Rolex moved away from earlier lume compounds toward tritium. A 1963 Underline 1803 is documented in the specialist dealer record.

	The Wide-Boy dial sits in the same short window. Oversized block indices pair with "cigarette" or "wide-boy" hands, sometimes called "cigarette-boat" hands when narrowed to 1963-64 production. Phillips lot CH080515/215 sold a 1970 yellow-gold Wide-Boy 1803 in 2015. Non-luminous Japanese-market ~~specification is~~ the ~~most-collected sub-variant~~.		The Wide-Boy dial sits in the same short window. Oversized block indices pair with "cigarette" or "wide-boy" hands, sometimes called "cigarette-boat" hands when narrowed to 1963-64 production. Phillips lot CH080515/215 sold a 1970 yellow-gold Wide-Boy 1803 in 2015. Non-luminous Japanese-market examples are one documented branch; the surfaced record does not establish how many were made.

	===Mid-1960s, caliber transition and Buckley arrival===		===Mid-1960s, caliber transition and Buckley arrival===
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	Stone dials attributed to Stern Frères or Stern Création occur in materials including onyx, lapis lazuli, malachite, tiger's eye, jasper, bloodstone, coral and jade. The longer material list and the often-repeated cutting-waste percentage come from secondary sources and should be treated as examples, not a complete Rolex specification. A platinum case or unusual stone pairing needs direct case and dial evidence.		Stone dials attributed to Stern Frères or Stern Création occur in materials including onyx, lapis lazuli, malachite, tiger's eye, jasper, bloodstone, coral and jade. The longer material list and the often-repeated cutting-waste percentage come from secondary sources and should be treated as examples, not a complete Rolex specification. A platinum case or unusual stone pairing needs direct case and dial evidence.

	Hacking seconds ~~arrive across~~ the ~~1500 family~~ in 1972. ~~Cal~~ 1556 examples produced ~~1965-1971~~ do not hack; ~~1972-onward~~ examples do.		Hacking seconds were added to the 1556 in 1972. Caliber 1556 examples produced before that change do not hack; later examples may have the feature, subject to movement inspection.

	===Mid-1970s, Sigma transitional===		===Mid-1970s, Sigma transitional===
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	The caliber 1555 (1959 to c. 1965) is the early Day-Date specification: 18,000 vph (2.5 Hz), 25 jewels, 42-hour power reserve, free-sprung Microstella balance with Breguet overcoil, no hacking, no quickset, day-and-date complications via the 1055-derived architecture.		The caliber 1555 (1959 to c. 1965) is the early Day-Date specification: 18,000 vph (2.5 Hz), 25 jewels, 42-hour power reserve, free-sprung Microstella balance with Breguet overcoil, no hacking, no quickset, day-and-date complications via the 1055-derived architecture.

	The caliber 1556 (c. 1965 to end) is the longer-run movement. 19,800 vph (2.75 Hz), one frequency step up. 26 jewels, one more than the 1555. 42-hour power reserve. 28.50mm diameter. Free-sprung Microstella balance and Breguet overcoil carry over from the 1555. ~~Hacking~~ seconds ~~were added in 1972, a date the specialist literature agrees on across the whole 1500 family, so~~ pre-~~1972 cal 1556~~ examples do not hack. Quickset never arrives on the 1803; date and day advance only by running the hands through midnight.		The caliber 1556 (c. 1965 to end) is the longer-run movement. 19,800 vph (2.75 Hz), one frequency step up. 26 jewels, one more than the 1555. 42-hour power reserve. 28.50mm diameter. Free-sprung Microstella balance and Breguet overcoil carry over from the 1555. The 1972 revision added hacking seconds; pre-change examples do not hack. Quickset never arrives on the 1803; date and day advance only by running the hands through midnight.

	The Day-Date was sold as a chronometer line, but the certification and service history of an individual movement belong to that watch's papers and inspection. Service intervals are maintenance guidance, not a dating feature.		The Day-Date was sold as a chronometer line, but the certification and service history of an individual movement belong to that watch's papers and inspection. Service intervals are maintenance guidance, not a dating feature.
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	==Dial map==		==Dial map==

	The 1803 dial ~~taxonomy is the deepest in vintage Rolex~~. The catalogue below ~~documents what surfaces~~ in ~~the~~ auction ~~record~~, ~~the~~ print references, and ~~the~~ specialist ~~forum work~~.		The 1803 has a wide documented dial range. The catalogue below records variants that appear in auction material, print references and specialist research.

	===Production-volume dials===		===Production-volume dials===
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	===Wide-Boy (1963-1964 short run)===		===Wide-Boy (1963-1964 short run)===
	[[File:Ref 1803 wideboy phillips.webp\|thumb\|right\|300px\|alt=Rolex Day-Date 1803 Wide Boy dial — oversized applied baton markers and matching extra-wide "cigarette" hands. Phillips Geneva lot CH080515/215.\|1803 Wide Boy — oversized applied baton markers and matching "cigarette" hands. Short-run dial variant approximately 1963-1964. Phillips Geneva lot CH080515/215.]]		Oversized block indices paired with cigarette / wide-boy hands. The Wide-Boy dial sits in a narrow window of early-to-mid-1960s production. Documented examples include the Phillips Geneva lot CH080515/215 yellow-gold 1970 example sold in 2015. Non-luminous Japanese-market examples are one documented branch; the surfaced record does not establish how many were made.


	Oversized block indices paired with cigarette / wide-boy hands. The Wide-Boy dial sits in a narrow window of early-to-mid-1960s production. Documented examples include the Phillips Geneva lot CH080515/215 yellow-gold 1970 example sold in 2015. Non-luminous Japanese-market ~~Wide-Boys~~ are the ~~most-collected sub-variant~~.

	===Underline (early 1960s, 1963 documented)===		===Underline (early 1960s, 1963 documented)===
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	===Buckley Roman (c. 1965 onward)===		===Buckley Roman (c. 1965 onward)===

	Printed Roman numerals on lacquered ground, in champagne, silver, white, blue, grey, and olive grey variants. Named for New York vintage dealer John Buckley. Thin-Buckley dials are a documented sub-variant per Oliver & Clarke. The Buckley is ~~among the most-collected~~ non-special 1803 dial ~~families~~.		Printed Roman numerals on lacquered ground, in champagne, silver, white, blue, grey, and olive grey variants. Named for New York vintage dealer John Buckley. Thin-Buckley dials are a documented sub-variant per Oliver & Clarke. The Buckley is a recurring non-special 1803 dial family in the auction and specialist record.

	===Red Quarters (late 1960s through early 1970s)===		===Red Quarters (late 1960s through early 1970s)===

	Arabic minute track with red 15/30/45/60 numerals. Yellow gold ~~dominant~~, pink-gold ~~rarer~~. A Red Quarters 1803 is documented in the Rolex Passion Market named-collector archive.		Arabic minute track with red 15/30/45/60 numerals. Yellow-gold examples dominate the surfaced record, with pink-gold examples also documented. A Red Quarters 1803 is documented in the Rolex Passion Market named-collector archive.

	===Sigma (c. 1973 transitional)===		===Sigma (c. 1973 transitional)===
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	Fabric-like surface pattern in silver or champagne. Scarce. Period-correct production but uncommon in surfaced examples.		Fabric-like surface pattern in silver or champagne. Scarce. Period-correct production but uncommon in surfaced examples.

	===Stella lacquered (c. ~~1970 to late 1980s~~)===		<span id="Stella_lacquered_(c._1970_to_late_1980s)"></span>
	[[File:Ref 1803 coral stella phillips.webp\|thumb\|right\|300px\|alt=Rolex Day-Date 1803 with flamboyant coral Stella lacquer dial, yellow gold case and President bracelet. Phillips Geneva Watch Auction FIVE, 13-14 May 2017, Lot 18.\|1803 coral Stella — Phillips Geneva Watch Auction FIVE Lot 18 (May 2017). The 1803 anchors the Stella-era production window 1970-1977.]]		===Stella lacquered (c. 1970s)===


	Secondary sources attribute the lacquered dials to Stella S.A. of Châtelaine, Geneva. They appear on 1803 examples from roughly the 1970s; no factory count by reference or colour has been established.		Secondary sources attribute the lacquered dials to Stella S.A. of Châtelaine, Geneva. They appear on 1803 examples from roughly the 1970s; no factory count by reference or colour has been established.

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	===Diamond and gem-set===		===Diamond and gem-set===

	Pavé, baguette-indices, and mixed-cut configurations. Factory examples often pair with the 1804 sub-reference's diamond bezel. Baton-and-diamond Buckley-adjacent 1803 dials exist, including the "Break Point" 1803 (Pucci Papaleo), a pink-gold 1962 example with baton pink-gold indexes alternating with round-cut diamonds at the 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 positions. Aftermarket gem-setting ~~on 1803s~~ is ~~rampant~~; factory gem-set examples ~~carry Rolex~~ paperwork ~~confirmation~~.		Pavé, baguette-indices, and mixed-cut configurations. Factory examples often pair with the 1804 sub-reference's diamond bezel. Baton-and-diamond Buckley-adjacent 1803 dials exist, including the "Break Point" 1803 (Pucci Papaleo), a pink-gold 1962 example with baton pink-gold indexes alternating with round-cut diamonds at the 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 positions. Aftermarket gem-setting is common in the market record; factory gem-set examples need watch-specific paperwork or other direct evidence.

	===Wood-marquetry, doorstop, grey ghost, café-au-lait===		===Wood-marquetry, doorstop, grey ghost, café-au-lait===
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	Day discs appear in multiple languages. The exact number available at one time is not established here. Language, wheel font and case markings should be checked together because day wheels can be replaced during service.		Day discs appear in multiple languages. The exact number available at one time is not established here. Language, wheel font and case markings should be checked together because day wheels can be replaced during service.

			<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
			File:Ref 1803 wideboy phillips.webp\|1803 Wide-Boy — oversized applied baton markers and matching "cigarette" hands. Phillips Geneva lot CH080515/215.
			File:Ref 1803 coral stella phillips.webp\|1803 coral Stella — Phillips Geneva Watch Auction FIVE, lot 18, May 2017.
			</gallery>

	==Case, bezel, crystal, and crown notes==		==Case, bezel, crystal, and crown notes==
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	===Khanjar Oman / Sultan Qaboos===		===Khanjar Oman / Sultan Qaboos===

	Crossed sheathed khanjar daggers, sometimes under a kuma hat, in red, white, green, or gold, the Omani flag colours. Commissioned through Sultan Qaboos bin Said (reigned 1970-2020). Qaboos signature dials (the Sultan's hand-printed signature) and Royal Oman Police insignia variants also appear. ~~The Khanjar branch is~~ the ~~most-priced retailer-signed 1803 category~~, ~~trading at three to five times standard equivalents~~.		Crossed sheathed khanjar daggers, sometimes under a kuma hat, in red, white, green, or gold, the Omani flag colours. Commissioned through Sultan Qaboos bin Said (reigned 1970-2020). Qaboos signature dials (the Sultan's hand-printed signature) and Royal Oman Police insignia variants also appear. Prices vary with the dial, metal, marks, provenance and condition; the surviving sales record does not support a fixed premium for every example.

	===Saudi Khanjar / crossed swords===		===Saudi Khanjar / crossed swords===

Admin: Audit 1803 prose, dating, source claims and auction table

2026-09-18T14:23:17Z

Audit 1803 prose, dating, source claims and auction table

Show changes

Admin: Layout: restore the original lead caption

2026-09-06T22:59:06Z

Layout: restore the original lead caption

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:59, 6 September 2026
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	<div class="rp-lead">		<div class="rp-lead">
	[[File:Ref 1803 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Rolex 1803 Day-Date\|Rolex 1803 Day-Date]]		[[File:Ref 1803 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Rolex Day-Date 1803 — 36mm 18k yellow gold President, champagne stick-index dial, fluted bezel. Eighteen-year run on cal 1555 then cal 1556, the volume reference of the vintage Day-Date era. Image via Monochrome.\|Rolex Day-Date 1803 — 36mm 18k yellow gold President, champagne stick-index dial, fluted bezel. Eighteen-year run on cal 1555 then cal 1556, the volume reference of the vintage Day-Date era. Image via Monochrome.]]
	</div>		</div>

Admin: Layout: hero refreshed

2026-09-06T22:53:29Z

Layout: hero refreshed

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:53, 6 September 2026
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	<div class="rp-lead">		<div class="rp-lead">
	[[File:Ref 1803 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Rolex ~~Day-Date~~ 1803 ~~— 36mm 18k yellow gold President, champagne stick-index dial, fluted bezel. Eighteen-year run on cal 1555 then cal 1556, the volume reference of the vintage~~ Day-Date ~~era. Image via Monochrome.~~\|Rolex ~~Day-Date~~ 1803 ~~— 36mm 18k yellow gold President, champagne stick-index dial, fluted bezel. Eighteen-year run on cal 1555 then cal 1556, the volume reference of the vintage~~ Day-Date ~~era. Image via Monochrome.~~]]		[[File:Ref 1803 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Rolex 1803 Day-Date\|Rolex 1803 Day-Date]]
	</div>		</div>

Admin: Layout: hero promoted to lead

2026-09-06T22:28:41Z

Layout: hero promoted to lead

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:28, 6 September 2026
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	<small>[[Reference:day-date\|Day-Date]] › '''1803'''</small>		<small>[[Reference:day-date\|Day-Date]] › '''1803'''</small>

			<div class="rp-lead">
			[[File:Ref 1803 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Rolex Day-Date 1803 — 36mm 18k yellow gold President, champagne stick-index dial, fluted bezel. Eighteen-year run on cal 1555 then cal 1556, the volume reference of the vintage Day-Date era. Image via Monochrome.\|Rolex Day-Date 1803 — 36mm 18k yellow gold President, champagne stick-index dial, fluted bezel. Eighteen-year run on cal 1555 then cal 1556, the volume reference of the vintage Day-Date era. Image via Monochrome.]]
			</div>

	The 1803 is the canonical 4-digit Day-Date. Physical production begins in 1959, catalogue presence runs from 1961 per Mondani's printed-archive research, and the line ends in 1977-78 when the 5-digit 18038 takes over. Eighteen years on a single reference, the longest run in the 4-digit Day-Date era. The fluted bezel is the visual signature that separates the 1803 from its catalogue siblings: the 1804 with gem-set bezel, the 1807 with bark finish, the 1811 with Morellis (moiré) finish. Inside that bezel sits the most dial-variant-dense Rolex reference in the modern catalogue. The production-volume silver and champagne stick share the case with the Buckley Roman, the Wide-Boy, the Underline, the Red Quarters, the Sigma, Stella lacquered colours from oxblood through Bart Simpson yellow, Stern Frères stone dials from onyx to malachite to coral, diamond-pavé and mother-of-pearl, the Khanjar Oman, and the Tiffany double-signed. The Marlon Brando "Apocalypse Now" Rolex routinely attached to the 1803 in casual press is a GMT-Master 1675, not a Day-Date. The presidents who actually wore the watch, with Lyndon B. Johnson on top, gave the line its "President" advertising nickname from 1966 onward.		The 1803 is the canonical 4-digit Day-Date. Physical production begins in 1959, catalogue presence runs from 1961 per Mondani's printed-archive research, and the line ends in 1977-78 when the 5-digit 18038 takes over. Eighteen years on a single reference, the longest run in the 4-digit Day-Date era. The fluted bezel is the visual signature that separates the 1803 from its catalogue siblings: the 1804 with gem-set bezel, the 1807 with bark finish, the 1811 with Morellis (moiré) finish. Inside that bezel sits the most dial-variant-dense Rolex reference in the modern catalogue. The production-volume silver and champagne stick share the case with the Buckley Roman, the Wide-Boy, the Underline, the Red Quarters, the Sigma, Stella lacquered colours from oxblood through Bart Simpson yellow, Stern Frères stone dials from onyx to malachite to coral, diamond-pavé and mother-of-pearl, the Khanjar Oman, and the Tiffany double-signed. The Marlon Brando "Apocalypse Now" Rolex routinely attached to the 1803 in casual press is a GMT-Master 1675, not a Day-Date. The presidents who actually wore the watch, with Lyndon B. Johnson on top, gave the line its "President" advertising nickname from 1966 onward.

	[[File:Ref 1803 hero.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|alt=Rolex Day-Date 1803 — 36mm 18k yellow gold President, champagne stick-index dial, fluted bezel. Eighteen-year run on cal 1555 then cal 1556, the volume reference of the vintage Day-Date era. Image via Monochrome.\|Rolex Day-Date 1803 — 36mm 18k yellow gold President, champagne stick-index dial, fluted bezel. Eighteen-year run on cal 1555 then cal 1556, the volume reference of the vintage Day-Date era. Image via Monochrome.]]

	==Core facts==		==Core facts==

Admin: site-wide: layout classes (core-facts card, breadcrumb, entry-point cards)

2026-09-05T01:20:40Z

site-wide: layout classes (core-facts card, breadcrumb, entry-point cards)

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:20, 5 September 2026
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	}}		}}

	<small>[[Reference:day-date\|Day-Date]] -> '''1803'''</small>		<small>[[Reference:day-date\|Day-Date]] › '''1803'''</small>

	The 1803 is the canonical 4-digit Day-Date. Physical production begins in 1959, catalogue presence runs from 1961 per Mondani's printed-archive research, and the line ends in 1977-78 when the 5-digit 18038 takes over. Eighteen years on a single reference, the longest run in the 4-digit Day-Date era. The fluted bezel is the visual signature that separates the 1803 from its catalogue siblings: the 1804 with gem-set bezel, the 1807 with bark finish, the 1811 with Morellis (moiré) finish. Inside that bezel sits the most dial-variant-dense Rolex reference in the modern catalogue. The production-volume silver and champagne stick share the case with the Buckley Roman, the Wide-Boy, the Underline, the Red Quarters, the Sigma, Stella lacquered colours from oxblood through Bart Simpson yellow, Stern Frères stone dials from onyx to malachite to coral, diamond-pavé and mother-of-pearl, the Khanjar Oman, and the Tiffany double-signed. The Marlon Brando "Apocalypse Now" Rolex routinely attached to the 1803 in casual press is a GMT-Master 1675, not a Day-Date. The presidents who actually wore the watch, with Lyndon B. Johnson on top, gave the line its "President" advertising nickname from 1966 onward.		The 1803 is the canonical 4-digit Day-Date. Physical production begins in 1959, catalogue presence runs from 1961 per Mondani's printed-archive research, and the line ends in 1977-78 when the 5-digit 18038 takes over. Eighteen years on a single reference, the longest run in the 4-digit Day-Date era. The fluted bezel is the visual signature that separates the 1803 from its catalogue siblings: the 1804 with gem-set bezel, the 1807 with bark finish, the 1811 with Morellis (moiré) finish. Inside that bezel sits the most dial-variant-dense Rolex reference in the modern catalogue. The production-volume silver and champagne stick share the case with the Buckley Roman, the Wide-Boy, the Underline, the Red Quarters, the Sigma, Stella lacquered colours from oxblood through Bart Simpson yellow, Stern Frères stone dials from onyx to malachite to coral, diamond-pavé and mother-of-pearl, the Khanjar Oman, and the Tiffany double-signed. The Marlon Brando "Apocalypse Now" Rolex routinely attached to the 1803 in casual press is a GMT-Master 1675, not a Day-Date. The presidents who actually wore the watch, with Lyndon B. Johnson on top, gave the line its "President" advertising nickname from 1966 onward.
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	==Core facts==		==Core facts==

	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable rp-facts"
	\|-		\|-
	! detail		! detail