Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date Cal.1556 18ct, Gold Dial, 36mm, 1968

£6,500

100% Genuine & All Original

Fully Inspected, Serviced and Guaranteed

A Beautifully Well Cared For And Lightly Used Example

Rolex Model Ref. 1807, Cal.1556, 26 Jewels, Automatic Movement

Officially Certified Day Date Highly Accurate Chronometer Movement

Superbly Restored ‘Sunburst Dial’ with Original Restored Hands & Batons

Large Sized 36mm, 18ct Solid Gold Case, Excluding the Rolex Screw-down Crown

Immaculate Lightly Polished Case with Excellent Definition and Bark Bezel

New Light Brown Italian Suede Style Strap & Rolex Gold Plated Buckle

All in Absolutely Top Grade & Simply Stunning Condition

Rolex Oyster Inner & Outer Presentation Boxes Included

VGWL 12 Months Written Warranty Included*

VGWL Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee

Free Worldwide FedEx Delivery

Free UK Special Delivery

Sold 2nd June '20
VGW Reference: R948
Price £6,500

£6,500

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Highly Recommend
The service from Vintage Gold Watches was as per usual Fantastic, the watch arrived when expected and was extremely well packaged as usual. The watch was even nicer than the photos and went straight onto my wrist. Another fantastic acquisition for my growing collection. VGW is the first and so f
Andrew S via Feefo 29/1/2024
Verified Buyer
I have no hesitation in recommending.
From start to finish the service I have received has been excellent. Kirsty has kept me informed all the way and the level of the finished repair to a very old and worn vintage watch was exemplary.
Bryn H via Google Review 23/2/2024
Verified Buyer
Even better in real life
My watch has just arrived and it looks even better in real life! Just wanted to say a massive thank you to John and everyone there for the help you gave me in securing my dream watch. Cannot recommend your company highly enough. Thank you so much. Mike
Mike G via email 29/11/2023
Verified Buyer
New Vacheron
The watch arrived safely together with all its paperwork and looks lovely both on and off the wrist. It is very beautiful and understated. So a definite “yes” from all of us. Happy Christmas to you all Very best wishes Stephen
Stephen R via Email 6/12/2023
Verified Buyer
ABOUT THIS WATCH

Rolex

Founded in 1905 in England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, the company became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving to its new Geneva headquarters in 1919. The success of the wristwatch can be largely attributed to many of Rolex’s innovations which made the company one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These have included its famous “Oyster” case — the world’s first water-resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and its “Perpetual” — the world’s first reliable, self-winding movement for the wristwatch, launched in 1933. These would form the foundation for Rolex’s Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956. Also and equally importantly, Rolex is known for its sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.

During the 1930s and ’40s, Rolex also became quite masterful at courting tremendous publicity and excitement through literally being ‘on hand’ during numerous record-breaking events. These were, for example, swimming the English Channel (1927), breaking the world automobile speed record (300mph, 1935), breaking the sound barrier (1947) and climbing Everest for the first time in 1953. No matter how well orchestrated these events came to be, we have to admire Rolex for becoming masters of self-promotion and capitalising on every opportunity with simultaneous worldwide marketing campaigns.

Of course, Rolex is now so ubiquitous it is almost its own kind of its currency. A Rolex is the watch you want on your wrist when you’re in a Third World country when revolution breaks out and there’s only one seat on the plane, and there’s a guy standing there with a machine gun! You give him the Rolex, and he’ll give you the seat!

Description

The Rolex Day Date has been Rolex’s range-topping, gentleman’s dress watch for over 60 years! First released in 1956, the reference 1803 soon became one of the most desirable “luxury” watches to own at the time.

The Day-Date, is also referred to as the President or President’s watch, after a gift of the 150,000th Officially Certified Rolex Chronometer was accepted by General Dwight D. Eisenhower and of course, in 1952, Eisenhower won the presidential race, becoming the 34th president of the United States. A famous image shows Eisenhower wearing his Rolex while waving on the way to his inauguration in 1953. This was of course a master-stroke of marketing by Rolex who would later claim in successive advertising campaigns that the Rolex Day-Date was ‘the watch worn by Presidents everywhere’, which later, of course, became true.

Winston Churchill also wore a Rolex after he accepted his gift of the 100,000th Officially Certified Rolex Chronometer a few years earlier in 1947.

When the Day-Date was unveiled by Rolex in 1956, the watch immediately broke two records. It was the first watch to display the date, as well as the day, in its entirety and of course, it was therefore the first waterproof watch to display the date, as well as the day, in its entirety.

The example here also has the much rarer Bark bezel of which we have only seen one other example in stock in the past.

This is a rare example of a Rolex Model Reference 1807, with the Cal.1556, 26 Jewel movement. The ‘sunburst’ dial has been superbly restored and looks incredible in the yellow gold case. Early vintage Rolex Day-Date watches of this quality and condition are highly sought after and rarely seen.

The Dial

This sunburst gold Day Date dial is one the most iconic of all Rolex Dial designs and one which has remained almost unchanged since its introduction in 1956, through to this present day.

The dial carries the Rolex Coronet at 12 and is signed ‘Rolex Oyster Perpetual’, ‘Day Date’ with ‘Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified’ below and ‘Swiss’ at the very bottom of the dial.

The lens has been replaced with a new original as part of the restoration which of course carries the trademark cyclops date window, and the day window showing the days in Italian, which we feel adds some extra style to the watch.

This is the original Rolex dial which has been restored to the very highest standards by the best dial restorers in the UK. Please take a close look at the beauty of the dial and the quality of the restoration.

The Watch Movement

The original, high grade “Officially Certified Superlative Chronometer”, 26 Jewel, Calibre 1556 Day Date movement is highly regarded for being highly accurate, reliable and strong. As can be seen in the photographs, it is in sparkling condition and it is working perfectly following a thorough overhaul and service by our vintage Rolex specialist watchmaker. This means the movement has been completely disassembled to each of its component parts, cleaned and inspected under high magnification and then rebuilt using only original Rolex parts where required, before testing and careful calibration. The watch has just been re-tested (as it will be prior to delivery) and is running to within +9 seconds per day, which is outstanding for a vintage watch of this age! The movement also has a 48-hour power reserve when fully wound.

These movements are strong, accurate and very reliable making the watch appropriate for regular everyday use. This particular movement is in top condition and with regular servicing every 2 to 3 years we would fully expect this watch to run very happily for many more decades to come! We are therefore pleased to offer a 12-month warranty on this watch movement* and servicing in the future. Signed ‘MONTRES ROLEX SA GENEVA’ and ‘TWENTY SIX JEWELS’, ‘ADJUSTED to FIVE POSITIONS’, the movement carries the movement reference number DD848609 and the calibre number 1556.

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the full list price is paid.

The Watch Case

The 18ct yellow gold case measures 36mm, excluding the Rolex Oyster screw-down crown. The case has been carefully inspected inside and out and then restored to ‘as new’ condition by gentle cleaning and hand-polishing by our professional watch case restorer. Even though this is an early example, no definition has been lost and all the lines, including the bezel, remain sharp. It is therefore in superb condition with no scratches, dings or similar marks visible to the naked eye.

This watch is also complete with its original bark bezel. This adds considerable rarity to this watch as well as interest. Bark bezels were available over a number of years although this is a rarely seen option and hard to find. As can be seen, the bezel remains in excellent condition and is free from any damage, which is unusual as the bezel is the most prone part of the watch case and most easily damaged through nicks and scratches. The bezel is still well defined which shows that the case has not been over-polished, and well cared for.

The screw-down case-back is of full-thickness, having never been inscribed. The inside of the case-back carries the model reference no. 1803 with 18ct Swiss Geneva hallmarks and is signed ‘Montres Rolex SA Geneva Switzerland’. Importantly, the case also carries its clearly defined serial number 2685981 between the lugs at ‘6’, along with the Rolex model reference number 1807* at ’12’. The case serial number confirms the date of manufacture of the watch, which is 1968.

*Note – It was quite common for Rolex to use case-backs with reference numbers which differ from the actual case number, as it’s known, Rolex would occasionally use earlier or later case backs on certain cases.

Although the waterproof seals have been replaced and this watch was originally specified as waterproof when new, this has not been tested and it is not guaranteed. As always, our standard advice applies: vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Strap & Buckle

A new, Italian style, suede strap is fitted along with a gold plated Rolex buckle. However, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown and black in stock in plain padded leather, crocodile skin or lizard skin. We can also obtain most types and colours from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their huge range of 20mm straps.

The Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, all the numbers and markings on the watch are correct, dating the watch to 1968.

Our detailed ‘Particulars’ document will be included in the sale, along with our detailed receipt and 12 months warranty*. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will also be provided at the time of sale, along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If at any time, this watch proves to be anything less than totally authentic, or not as described, Vintage Gold Watches of London will offer you a full refund at any time”.

The matching Rolex Oyster Inner and Outer presentation boxes shown in the photographs will be included with this watch.

In Conclusion

To summarise, this is an iconic, top quality and highly practical vintage watch from horology’s most famous name which will provide an excellent financial investment as well as be something to wear, treasure and enjoy! It will make the perfect evening wear dress watch as well as a practical, highly accurate and reliable timepiece to use on an everyday basis. Although this is one of our more expensive watches, its quality will be remembered for long after its purchase price will be forgotten.

Vintage gold Rolex ‘Day Date’ watches are highly collectable and the rarity of this particular watch means the value will always remain strong. It will therefore will also make an excellent investment and family heirloom piece. Even though vintage Rolex prices have risen strongly in recent years, we feel high-quality fine examples such as this still remain undervalued. As each year goes by and the world market for vintage watches expands, availability will become more limited, so prices are surely destined to climb ever higher.

A word about our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before restoring them to the highest possible standards. We then offer these for sale at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post-sales care and service. This approach, inevitably, means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are a number of well-known stores in West London which are very successful, charging between two to three times the price you see here. We therefore consider our prices to be fair, given the quality of watches we have to offer.

We are happy to accept PayPal as this is the quickest method of payment. However, if you would wish to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to pass on a 3% transaction saving to you. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or International Bank Wire Transfer, we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

Please note, we also welcome part exchanges and if you have a watch or small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss.

We will be happy to Service your watch, Repair your watch or Fully Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.

If you have any questions, we welcome your call on: 020 7727 7095 or if calling from overseas on: +44 207 727 7095.

We are ready and available and awaiting your call! We will be happy to answer any questions and offer advice about this or any of our watches listed for sale. If you would like some general advice regarding any aspect of vintage watches, including buying, selling, or collecting vintage watches, we will also be happy to hear from you.

Finally, please enjoy some time spent viewing our other fine vintage gold watches.

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