Rolex Day-Date Ref. 1803 'Doorstop' Dial 1968

$17,250.00 NZD

The Rolex Day-Date Ref. 1803 was produced from 1956 through to 1978, and this 1968 example arrives from the heart of the reference's golden era — the period in which the Day-Date's design language was at its most considered and its dial configurations at their most varied.

What distinguishes this example from the broader Ref. 1803 catalogue is its dial. The 'Doorstop' variant — named for the distinctive inverted block form of the 6 and 9 o'clock hour markers, which broaden at their base in a manner that evokes the profile of a traditional doorstop. Paired with the early 'Obelisk' style hands — this example presents a dial and hand combination that is immediately recognisable to serious Day-Date collectors and increasingly difficult to encounter in good condition.

Rolex Day-Date Ref. 1803 'Doorstop' Dial 1968

The Rolex Day-Date Ref. 1803 was produced from 1956 through to 1978, and this 1968 example arrives from the heart of the reference's golden era — the period in which the Day-Date's design language was at its most considered and its dial configurations at their most varied.

What distinguishes this example from the broader Ref. 1803 catalogue is its dial. The 'Doorstop' variant — named for the distinctive inverted block form of the 6 and 9 o'clock hour markers, which broaden at their base in a manner that evokes the profile of a traditional doorstop. Paired with the early 'Obelisk' style hands — this example presents a dial and hand combination that is immediately recognisable to serious Day-Date collectors and increasingly difficult to encounter in good condition.

Details
- Maker
  
  Rolex
- Model
  
  Day-Date
- Reference
  
  1803
- Year
  
  1968
- Serial
  
  101XXXX
- Box & Papers
  
  No
- Movement
  
  Caliber. 1555, automatic w/ 48-hour power reserve
- Dial & Hands
  
  Champagne 'Doorstop' pie-pan dial w/ tritium lume, hour markers & hands w/ tritium lume
- Bezel
  
  Fluted, 18k yellow gold
- Crystal
  
  Plexiglass
- Bracelet/Strap
  
  Artisan Straps brown epsom leather strap w/ gold plated buckle
- Performance
  
  Watch is fully functioning and running at +6 seconds per day
Dimensions
- Diameter: 36mm
- Thickness: 12.6mm
- Lug width: 20mm
Materials

18k yellow gold

The 'Doorstop' dial variant is among the most sought-after early production configurations in the Ref. 1803 family — the distinctive inverted block form of the 6 and 9 o'clock hour markers, broadening at their base, is a detail confined to a narrow window of production and immediately identifiable to the attentive collector
Both the dial and hands retain their tritium lume with UV glow confirmed — fading quickly once the light source is removed, as is consistent with tritium that retains its residual use
The case presents in excellent condition with minimal polishing history — the lugs retain strong definition and the proportions read close to original throughout. On a 1968 18k yellow gold Day-Date, an unpolished or lightly polished case with hallmarks present and legible is a combination that becomes harder to find with each year that passes

Minor scratches on the case, and bezel
Minor scratches on the crystal
Minor bubbling on dial
Minor damage around 1 o'clock hour marker

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