Superb 1972 Rolex Day-Date Ref. 1803 "Silver Wide Boy"

Introduced in 1956, the Rolex Day-Date – nicknamed "the presidents' watch" – is an international symbol of success and an iconic Rolex design, produced continuously since its introduction 70 years ago.
This 1972 example is equipped with a rare and sought-after so-called "Wide Boy" dial: oversized markers, matching extra-wide hands and "DAY DATE" inscription without a hyphen – a configuration produced for a short period and particularly sought after by collectors.
The sunburst silver dial is superb. The tritium dots – all present, whole, and round – have developed a uniform orange patina, harmonizing with the hands. The 18-carat yellow gold case, acquired unpolished, has been refurbished to the highest standards: sharp lines between brushed and polished surfaces, crisp edges, and perfectly legible hallmarks. The fluted bezel is also in excellent condition.
The Rolex calibre 1556, equipped with the stop-seconds function introduced in 1972, has been serviced by an experienced watchmaker and is working perfectly.
A sublime Day-Date 1803 "Silver Wide Boy" in excellent overall condition.

Introduced in 1956, the Rolex Day-Date was the first wristwatch to display the day of the week spelled out and the date in two apertures. Worn by American presidents such as Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon, it quickly earned the nickname "the presidents' watch" and became an international symbol of success and power. Reference 1803, produced from 1959 to 1977, represents the third generation of this iconic model and, for many collectors, constitutes the purest expression of the vintage Day-Date with its characteristic pie-pan dial and plexiglass crystal.

The example we are offering, produced in 1972 (serial number 313xxxx), is also equipped with a special dial, highly sought after by collectors: the so-called "Wide Boy" variant. This nickname refers to a rare configuration, produced by Rolex for a short period between the late 1960s and early 1970s, characterized by oversized baton hour markers and extra-large hands with matching design. Wide Boys are also recognizable by the "DAY DATE" inscription on the dial – without the usual hyphen. This type of dial, offered on both the Day-Date and the Datejust, gives the watch a strong visual presence that immediately distinguishes it from the standard versions.

The sunburst silver dial of this example is in superb condition. The large applied hour markers are intact, without oxidation or scratches. The tritium-based luminescent dots have developed a beautiful, uniform orange patina – all are present, complete, and perfectly round. The matching Wide Boy hands display the same harmonious patina. The date and day discs are entirely original, with a champagne background and open 6s and 9s, and are in perfect condition. When we acquired this Day-Date, it had never been polished since its initial sale over half a century ago and possessed exceptional proportions. We decided to refurbish the 18-carat yellow gold case, which underwent a unique polishing to the most exacting standards. The result is remarkable: the boundaries between matte brushed/satin and glossy/mirror-polished surfaces are sharp, the edges are crisp, and the hallmarks on the back of the lugs remain perfectly legible. The original and unrestored fluted bezel, also in yellow gold, is in excellent condition and retains its defined grooves.

The caliber 1556 powering this Day-Date beats at 19,800 vibrations per hour. This version, introduced in 1965 as a replacement for the caliber 1555, benefits from a higher frequency offering greater shock resistance. Our 1972 example also features the "hack" (stop-seconds) function introduced that year, allowing the seconds hand to be stopped when setting the time for improved accuracy. The movement has undergone a complete overhaul by an experienced watchmaker and operates within the strictest tolerances.

A sublime Day-Date 1803 "Silver Wide Boy" in perfect overall condition, which features a dial sought after by collectors, a remarkable orange tritium patina, and a case in close to new condition – a rare find!

This Rolex Day-Date reference 1803 is presented in superb overall condition.
When we acquired it, it had never been polished since its initial sale over half a century ago and thus came with exceptional proportions. We decided to refurbish the 18-carat yellow gold case, which underwent a unique polishing, to the most exacting standards. The result is remarkable: the boundaries between the brushed/satin matte and mirror-polished surfaces are sharp, the edges are crisp, and the hallmarks on the back of the lugs remain perfectly legible. The unrestored original fluted bezel, also in yellow gold, is in excellent condition and retains its defined grooves.
The "Silver Wide Boy" dial is in excellent condition, and the luminescent dots (tritium-based), all present, intact, and perfectly round, have developed a superb, uniform orange patina. The date and day discs are entirely original, with a champagne background and open 6s and 9s, and are in perfect condition.
The self-winding mechanical movement, Rolex caliber 1556, has been fully serviced by one of our experienced watchmakers and operates within the strictest tolerances.
The grained calfskin leather strap is new, and complemented by a Rolex gold-plated pin buckle in very good condition.
A reference example.

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