Rolex Day-Date 1803 'Sigma Linen Dial' (1973)

The Rolex Day-Date, reference 1803, was launched shortly after the model’s introduction and produced until around 1978. To this day, the 1803 remains one of the most beloved versions among collectors.

The Day-Date 1803 features a 36 mm case crafted from solid 18-carat gold and is fitted with plexiglass. What makes this model particularly special is the well-known pie-pan dial. The edge of the dial slopes gently downwards, creating a subtle sense of depth, something that later disappeared in newer models.

The Day-Date 1803 was delivered with various dial colours and day displays in several languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Arabic and even Dutch. The dials ranged from classic white and black to more unusual colours such as the brightly coloured “Stella” dials. Inside beats the automatic Rolex calibre 1556, renowned for its reliability.

The beautiful vintage Rolex Day-Date 1803 we have here dates from 1973, making it one of the last pieces produced in the 1803 series. This watch has something that truly excites us: the stunning golden ‘linen’ dial, still in perfect condition. A wonderful combination, if you ask us! The tritium on both the dial and the hands is still completely original. In the photo, the tritium at positions 5, 6, and 7 appears darkened. This is caused by the lighting and the angle of the camera. However, to the naked eye, the tritium at these positions is of normal colour and blends evenly with the rest of the dial!

With vintage watches, small details are incredibly important; in fact, they are everything. You may also be wondering what Sigma means. This can be recognised by the two small round markings next to the “T-Swiss-T” inscription. These symbols often appear on dials from the 1970s and are actually the small Greek letter sigma. Dials featuring these symbols are therefore referred to as “Sigma dials”. The sigma symbols were a trademark and indicated that the hands and indices of a watch were made of solid gold.

Of course, we must not forget the watch’s condition: just look at the razor-sharp 36 mm case and the 18K gold fluted bezel, both of which are in wonderful shape and give the watch a beautiful sparkle. This vintage Day-Date 1803 is exactly how we like to see it and is a true collector’s item!

We have fitted the watch with a lovely new brown suede leather strap, which gives a warm look in combination with the gold case. Naturally, it is attached to the case with two original gold Rolex spring bars, and the strap is equipped with a brand-new original gold Rolex buckle.

The reliable Rolex 1556 movement underwent a professional full service in October 2024 and has not been worn since! Of course, this vintage Rolex Day-Date 1803 with linen Sigma dial comes with a one-year mechanical warranty.

Would you like to view this watch in person, while enjoying a good cup of coffee? Click here to explore the options for booking an appointment.

What you need to know:
- Linen Sigma pie-pan dial
- Razor-sharp 18K gold 36 mm case and fluted bezel
- Fitted with a new brown suede leather strap
- Original gold Rolex spring bars
- New original Rolex-buckle
- Rolex 1556-calibre serviced
- One-year mechanical warranty
- Free insured shipping within the EU

Rolex Day-Date

The first Rolex Day-Date, also known as the 'President', was introduced in 1956. To this day, it has remained the iconic status watch of Rolex. When Rolex launched the Day-Date, it was the first wristwatch to display both the full day of the week at the 12 o'clock position and the date at the 3 o'clock position. Another feature of the Day-Date is the famous President bracelet, which was specially designed for this model and has been supplied since its introduction. This bracelet has become almost as famous as the watch itself. The nickname 'President' became particularly popular after prominent world leaders, including U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson, were seen wearing a Day-Date.