Rolex Day-Date

Why We Love It The 1803 came in a panoply of case materials, from warm red gold to white gold. As for the dial, well, we’ve seen everything from oxblood to mint green and everything in between. But for a refined, elevated everyday dress watch, we don’t think you can go wrong with a yellow gold case paired with a champagne gold tone 'Wide Boy' dial as offered here. Featuring a strong case, fluted bezel, and a rare non-luminous dial with double-wide indices and matching handset, and strapped up to one of our new elegant leather straps, this piece offers a subtle nod to the collector while flying under the radar in most settings. Dating to circa 1968, this Day-Date will certainly make your day every time you strap it on your wrist! The Story At the time of the Day-Date’s release in 1956, it was Rolex’s only complicated wristwatch. All previous attempts had failed to resonate with consumers. But as soon as Rolex secured the patent in July of 1955, production of the Day-Date was rushed for a debut at the Basel Fair the following spring. After President Eisenhower sported one (a gift from the manufacture), its success was secured, and led to the model's nickname: the President. The model would be tweaked and improved throughout the 1950s and on into the 60s, until the addition of a hacking capability to the movement saw the introduction of the Reference 1803 in 1965. Due to its long production run—over a decade—the 1803 is, for many collectors, the reference of Day-Date to own.