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Reference: 1803
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Movement: Automatic Rolex Cal. 1556
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Age: 1978
- Case Size: 36mm
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Case Condition: Very good.
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Bracelet Condition: Very good.
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Box & Papers: Watch only
- Case Material: 18k white gold
Two things make this Day-Date worth stopping for: the white gold case and the linen dial. Either one alone would make it more interesting than a standard 1803. Together they make it genuinely rare.
White gold ref. 1803s carry all the presence and weight of the Day-Date in a far more discreet package than yellow gold. The watch announces itself quietly, which for many collectors is exactly the point. The 1803/9 designation confirms the white gold specification, and the case here retains an attractive overall shape and strong wrist presence consistent with careful ownership over its forty-plus years.
The linen dial is the main event. The woven, fabric-like texture catches light differently at every angle, giving the dial a depth and movement that a plain champagne or silver surface simply cannot replicate. It is one of those details that photographs reasonably well and looks considerably better in person. Clean, balanced, and beautifully suited to white gold.
Inside runs the Calibre 1556 automatic, inspected and running well. Fitted with a blue handmade leather strap. Sold as watch only.
Why this one
White gold and linen dial is an uncommon combination on the ref. 1803 at any point in the production run. On a 1978 example with an honest case and an intact, attractive dial, it becomes a watch that appeals both to collectors who understand the nuances of the reference and to anyone who simply wants a vintage Day-Date that does not look like every other vintage Day-Date.
