Rolex Day-Date reference 1803: an in-depth look

History

The Rolex Day-Date, reference 1803, was first introduced in 1956. It was the first watch to display the day of the week spelled out in full on the dial. It was also the first watch to feature the now-iconic President bracelet, made of three-piece links with a concealed clasp. The 1803 was available in a variety of precious metals, including yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold, and was powered by the self-winding Caliber 1556 movement. It remained in production until the late 1970s and is considered a classic and highly sought-after vintage Rolex today.

Dials and date

The Rolex Day-Date was made with a lot of different dial variations, being in color/patters and/or index. It is also important to note that both the day and date indication were available in a variety of different languages. A typical aspect of the Day-Date 1803 is the pie-pan dial.

The Rolex "Pie-Pan" dial is a type of dial design that was primarily used on the brand's Day-Date model during the 1950s and 60s. The name "Pie-Pan" comes from the shape of the dial, which has a slight dome or "pan" shape to it, similar to the shape of a pie pan. The unique design of the Pie-Pan dial gives the watch a distinct vintage look and it's highly sought-after by collectors. The Pie-Pan dial was originally produced to be paired with the Caliber 1055 movement, which was used in the Day-Date model until the late 1960s. It's important to note that Rolex has produced many different types of dials over the years, and not all of them are considered "Pie-Pan" dials. True Pie-Pan dials are relatively rare and can command a premium over other dial variations.

Materials

The Rolex Day-Date 1803 was available in a variety of precious metals, including:

• Yellow gold: This is the most common metal used for the Day-Date 1803 and is the metal that most people associate with the model.
• White gold: This metal was less common than yellow gold, but was still available as an option.
• Rose gold: Also known as pink gold, this metal was less common than yellow gold, but was still available as an option.
• Platinum: The 1803 was also made in Platinum, which is the most rare and valuable of all the metals used, and considered as a very exclusive option.

It's important to note that the availability of the different metal options may have varied by location and time period. Not all versions of the Day-Date 1803 were made in all of these metals.

Movement

The Rolex Caliber 1556 was a self-winding mechanical movement used in the Day-Date model, reference 1803. It was first introduced in the mid-1960s and was in production until the late 1970s. The movement featured 17 jewels and had a power reserve of approximately 44 hours. It was also protected by Rolex's patented "Microstella" adjustment system, which allowed for precise timekeeping. The Caliber 1556 movement was considered a reliable and accurate movement during its time, and it was an important part of the Day-Date model's success. It was also used in other Rolex models such as the Datejust and the Precision. Today, the Rolex Caliber 1556 is considered a vintage movement and is highly sought-after by collectors. Due to its age, it's important to have it serviced by a professional watchmaker who is experienced in working on vintage Rolex movements.

Why go for reference 1803?

A vintage Rolex Day-Date 1803 is considered better by some collectors and enthusiasts for a number of reasons:

• Rarity: Vintage 1803s are relatively rare compared to later models, making them more desirable to collectors.
• Authenticity: Vintage 1803s are considered to be more authentic than later models, as they were made during the time period in which the watch was first introduced.
• Patina: Vintage watches develop a unique patina over time, which can be very attractive to collectors. This patina can give a vintage 1803 a unique character and charm that is not found in newer watches.
• Quality: Rolex has a reputation for producing high-quality watches, and many collectors believe that vintage 1803s are of higher quality than later models.

Investment: Many people also consider vintage 1803s to be a wise investment, as their value can appreciate over time.

It's important to note that these are just general reasons why some people may consider a vintage 1803 to be better than a newer model and it's a matter of personal preference.