SPECIFICHE
Rare and incredible Rolex “President” ref. 1803 from 1969 with a solid 18K rose gold case and bracelet and a self-winding Rolex 1556 movement.
Cassa in oro rosa massiccio 18 carati di 36 mm
Corona con logo originale
Cristallo originale
Original solid 18K rose gold bracelet
Rolex 1556 automatic movement inside
ANALISI
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date was introduced in 1956 as an expression of Rolex’s greatest technical and symbolic expertise. Designed from the outset as the pinnacle of Rolex production, the Day-Date combines three fundamental elements of Rolex’s identity: the waterproof Oyster case, the self-winding Perpetual rotor, and a complete calendar complication, with a simultaneous full day display at 12 o’clock and a date display at 3 o’clock. It was the first self-winding, waterproof wristwatch to offer this integrated configuration.
From its launch, the Day-Date was crafted exclusively in precious metals—yellow, white, and rose gold, and later platinum—underscoring its position as a flagship model within the Rolex catalog. Functionally, the display of the day of the week—available in numerous languages—and the instantaneous date fulfilled both a practical and symbolic need, reinforcing the Day-Date’s image as a tool designed for decision-makers. It’s no coincidence that the model has become universally known as the “President,” a nickname derived both from the famous President bracelet introduced with this model and from its adoption by heads of state, political leaders, and prominent figures in business and culture.
This particular Day Date in full rose gold is among the most desirable. It has a very light and clean dial, with a sunray finish on the surface, which creates wonderful changes in light beneath the crystal. The large semi-circular window displays the day of the week in English; the date window, which emerges from beneath the “cyclopean” lens, is conically placed at 3 o’clock.
The minute track runs along the slightly sloping outer section of the dial, while the innermost circumference features applied gold baton indexes flanked by small, “soft” tritium dots. The hands, typical of this model, are baton-shaped and also feature the original luminescent paste inside.
Classically, the dial is accented by the splendid fluted gold bezel, which, along with the dial finish, enhances the watch’s entire surface’s response to the impact of light.
The solid 18K rose gold Oyester case, produced by Genex SA, is as stunning to the touch as it is to the eye. Its weight, combined with the precious metal’s vivid color and the refined, still-intact finishes, makes this timepiece truly elegant in its opulent understatement (an oximeter, of course, but it’s the strength Rolex has imbued with this unconventional model).
The watch is finished with a solid 18K rose gold President bracelet with a Crownclasp, which utilizes the curvature of the link design and is a hallmark of this highly successful Rolex model.
This rare 1969 watch houses the Rolex 1556 movement, which reworked the 1555 caliber, bringing it from 18,000 to 19,800 Vph. This automatic movement with a bidirectional rotor was designed and launched in 1965 and is derived from the base caliber 1530, to which the date and day of the week functions were added.
