Rolex 1803

Rolex 1803 from 1977

This is my second 1803. I have one in early 2002 but has I have sold it away as it was with the gold braclet and is too bling bling for me to wear. I have never planned for this but came across this 18k Rolex 1803 pie pan dial non quick set with condition that is superb despite being a 39 years old watch. Moreover, it has the Rail dial.

To ensure that my total watch quantities are not growiung too quickly, I have traded my Tudor plus cash for it. The Rolex Day-Date was patented on 23rd July 1955 and officially released in 1956. The Day Date earned the nickname the "President" when Rolex reportedly gave one to the then 34th President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower. Since then, the Rolex President has been found on the wrists of many prominent celebrities and dignitaries worldwide. Several other U.S. presidents are known to wear the Day-Date including Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard M. Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan. These gold watches are a real bargain buy now as many people are chasing after the over prices sports models.  

There are a series of Day date. The first model of Day-Date (6511) with Day Date wording in red and dial markings include 50m-165 ft, (Superlative Chronometer by Official Test for 1st generation, Officially Certified Chronometer for 2nd), lasted just over a year before it was replaced by the externally identical 6611. This model featured the new caliber 1055 movement with its free sprung Micro-Stella balance and was the first to be labeled "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" on the dial. 

In 1959 caliber 1055 was replaced with caliber 1555 in model 1803 (18,000bph) and later in year 1965 - model 1803 received caliber 1556 (19,800bph). In 1977 caliber 3055 (quick-set) was introduced in model 18038 and in 1988 caliber 3155 (double quick-set) was introduced in model 18238.

My 1977 1803 non quick set was the last of the series before the launched of the 18038. Many vintage collector loves the Ref 1803 is that this model allows the use of leather strap versus the later model 18038 etc...

In Popular Culture (from Wikipedia)

• Arms-dealer Yuri Orlov from Lord of War wears a platinum Day-Date model.
• Alec Baldwin wears a Day-Date in Glengarry Glen Ross.
• Henry Hill, played by Ray Liotta in the classic crime flick Goodfellas owns a Rolex Day-Date.
• In Rain Man, the egotistic character played by Tom Cruise pawns a Day-Date.
• Sean Penn as lawyer David Kleinfeld wears a golden Day-Date in Carlito's Way.
• Tony Soprano wears a yellow gold Rolex Day-Date throughout the series, which is his trademark item.
• Rocky Balboa in Rocky II,
• Steven Seagal's character in Marked for Death
• Sonny Crockett of the vintage 80s series Miami Vice who wore a golden Day-Date
• John Candy as Buck Russell in the 1989 comedy Uncle Buck

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