Rolex Day-Date 18039

Rolex Day-Date Ref. 1803/9 - Sunburst Silver 'Wideboy' Dial Unpolished

When the Day-Date was released in 1956, Rolex had made numerous attempts to capture the market with more complicated timepieces such as the Ref. 6036, the Ref. 8171, and the Ref. 6062, but it seemed like buyers were not particularly fond of complicated Rolexes. All of that changed when President Dwight D. Eisenhower was spotted wearing one Rolex in particular: a Day-Date. The model has since become known worldwide as ‘The President’ and as a symbol of success and prestige. Simply put, this one stuck. The Day-Date was available for many years on a leather strap with a matching gold buckle, but also on a solid gold bracelet (called a 'President' bracelet), like the example that we have here. The piece that we have here, a Reference 1803 from circa 1973, is an excellent example finished in solid white gold with an immaculate silver dial within. The case remains unpolished, retaining thick and symmetrical lugs at all four corners and showing normal signs of wear throughout. The 'fluted' white gold bezel is in matching condition. Inside, the silver dial features applied 'wideboy' indices and the correct 'wideboy' handset to compliment them. The sunburst surface is immaculate and the Tritium plots remain fully intact and exhibit a light, uniform patina. It comes fitted to its correct white gold 'President' bracelet with a signed adjustable blade clasp, which is in matching condition to that of the case. It even retains it's original white gold crown. This is a phenomenal example of an icon with some nice features found only Day-Dates from this era. An 'elevated' piece that remains very much under-the-radar If you know, you know. This is a phenomenal example of an icon with some nice features found only Day-Dates from this era. An 'elevated' piece that remains very much under-the-radar If you know, you know. Movement: Automatic-winding chronometer certified caliber by Rolex. Bracelet/Strap: Correct Rolex white gold 'President' bracelet with 19 links and signed blade clasp (unstamped). Unpolished, showing matching normal wear throughout with mild stretch. Sized for ≈7.5" wrist.