1961 Rolex Day-Date Ref. 1803

Why This Watch Matters

Any Day-Date will do but this example with a concentric-finish dial and early bezel is hitting all the right notes.

The Full Story

Ask anyone to close their eyes and picture a Rolex, and that image in their head will look a lot like a solid yellow-gold Day-Date. The quintessential Oyster-cased dress watch, the Day-Date was first unveiled in 1956 and quickly became one of the most popular luxury watches in the world. This watch is a perfect expression of the Crown's elegant style, while never at the sacrifice of usability or reliability. The day function is discreetly cut in at noon, in a design-matching arch, while the date is found in its familiar location at three o’clock.

As an earlier example dating to 1961, this particular watch boasts a few early details that should excite even the most discerning Rolex aficionados. The bezel is what collectors refer to as an early bezel that features more fluted edges than that of later watches. The champagne dial, usually finished in a sunburst manner, emanates circles from the handstack in a concentric finish for a resulting look that is actually quite differentiated. Furthermore, the watch is fitted with the more unusual alpha hands, which were carried over from previous decades, as they appeared in some of the Bubbleback models and chronographs from the 1940s and 1950s, such as the reference 6234. A final, yet important, detail are the points towards the center of the hour markers. Rather than blunt edges as is more commonly seen, these points add a nice bit of flair to the Day-Date's look.

With spring in full swing, we paired this classic Rolex with our Holland strap in a magenta tone that we dub Mulberry – a street near the office here in NYC.

The Fine Print

Maker: Rolex
Model: Day-Date
Reference: 1803
Year: 1961
Case No: 721614
Material: 18k yellow gold
Dimensions: 36mm diameter; 13mm thickness
Crystal: Plexiglass
Lume: Yes, tritium
Caliber: Rolex self-winding caliber 1555
Bracelet/Strap: HODINKEE The Holland Calfskin Watch Strap In Mullberry
Lug Width: 20mm
Box/Papers: No

What We Love And What You Should Know

Things We Love:

- Concentric dial finish
- Alpha hands
- Strong case condition
- Early bezel variant

Things To Know:

- Scratches on case
- Non-lume dial

This Day-Date is in overall great condition. The case is strong with very light scratches. The hallmarks on the back of the lugs are clearly visible and crisp. The back of the lugs have some scratches from strap changes. 

The dial is in overall excellent condition with no major flaws to note. The dial is free of lume and appears to have been manufactured without it. The lume in the alpha hands has developed patina and aged to a dark tone overall. The hands and hour markers have developed a light patina.

The crystal has some very light scratches. The dial, crown, case, and movement are all signed by Rolex. This watch was photographed on a 160mm/6.3inch wrist.