Rolex 1803 Datejust White Gold & Steel

Brand: Rolex

Model: 1803 Oyster Perpetual Day Date 

Movement: 1556, Automatic, 42hr power reserve.

Case: 36mm, white gold, acrylic crystal, not WR. (Fine Watches does not guarantee water resistance of any vintage watch and recommends that no vintage watch from anywhere be treated as such.)

Bracelet/ Strap: Aftermarket stainless bracelet. (See description for providence details.)

Box & Papers: Supplied with its original Rolex box & papers.

Features: Day, Date. 

Condition: Mint. This watch has sat unused after only a small handful of wears when new in 1970. The steel bracelet does show a light scuff on the clasp, although this could be buffed out easily, and would likely reappear on the first wear by the new owner!

Description: This piece offers a truly unique opportunity to own a mint condition vintage Rolex 1803.

During the 60s and 70s it was a well documented practice for dealers in Hong Kong, and elsewhere to offer deals on gold Rolex models by removing the gold bracelet and substituting steel copies, or leather straps. It is why so many contemporary gold 1803s and others are now only available on straps, most often without a signed Rolex buckle.

In this case, this change is even noted in the original guarantee booklet in the same handwriting and pen as all other details of the original sale in Kowloon in May of 1970.

Unused by its one owner since new, a true drawer find, the head (case, crystal and case-back of a watch without the bracelet or band) is in pristine condition and keeps good time for a watch of its age. The silver face is as clean as we’ve ever seen, with expected aging of the lume, and hands and day/date wheels are as new.

It will fit up to a 19.5cm wrist on the suppled bracelet, but could be enjoyed on a new strap or band, giving the piece a new look custom to its new owner.

This piece is offered as a full set (on the originally retailed steel bracelet) with its original Rolex box, papers and swing tag!