A Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day Date model, often referred to as the "President", in solid eighteen carat yellow gold. This is an exceptional, pristine example of the third reference of this iconic, and arguably game changing model for Rolex. The watch was first introduced into the Rolex line up under the reference 6511 in 1956, and a year later was re-modeled as the 6611 and featured the Rolex calibre 1055 movement. This model ran until 1959 when the 1803 reference was introduced with a new movement again. This time the 1555 calibre. This 1803 model is fitted with the updated 1556 calibre movement which was initially launched by Rolex in 1965.
This example is in excellent condition, with the movement and case and in superb, original condition, showing signs of only a very light polish on the sides of the case over the years. The dial featured on this example has both wider hands and wider hour markers than the classic dials seen on these watches. These have become known as the "wide boy" dials. They were found on both Datejust and Day Date models. The striking silver pie-pan dial with black printing is untouched, and shows no sign of wear or damage and has all of the lume plots still in tact. They match well with the hands to a rich milky coffee colour, and react equally under UV light. The day of the week wheel in this example is written in Spanish, which is less common. The watch is presented on its original President solid eighteen carat gold bracelet, which has some wear and only light "sag" to it. It features the folding deployant buckle found on a number of these earlier examples, it is also date stamped "2 69", making it the original bracelet from the second quarter of 1969 production.
The serial number of this watch is 2,115,XXX which dates it to circa 1969. The Swiss poinçon hallmark on the case lug is still crisp, as is the "18k" stamp on the other side, which illustrates that the case has received very little polishing over the years, and perhaps none to the case back itself. The lugs themselves are also quite thick highlighting the lack of polishing in now nearly fifty years. This also all points to the fact that this example was worn very infrequently. There is also the small, but interesting addition of the original solid gold spring bars. So many times these are taken and replaced with steel examples. A minor detail, but always a fun element to find when still in place.
Overall, this is a very unusual dial on a classic and iconic watch. There were many iterations of Rolex's flagship model over the years. This dial combination in this example is perhaps one of the most beautiful examples we have handled. There is something very special and warm with the combination of the vintage gold next to the silver dial. A beautiful and rare example.
The watch comes with a Foundwell one year warranty.
