Rolex Ghost Dial Day Date Full Set 1973 - Reference 1803

Name: Rolex Ghost Dial Day Date Full Set 1973 - Reference 1803
Brand: Danny's Vintage Watches
Price: 39900.00 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

Details

Manufacturer-Rolex

Model-Day-Date

Reference Number-1803

Dial-Ghost

Case Size-36mm

Lug Width-20mm

Year- 1973

Case Material-18K White Gold

Bracelet-18K White Gold Presidential

Bezel-18K White Gold

Movement-Automatic

Box-Yes

papers-Yes

This Watch is running well and keeping time!

When you start collecting vintage Rolex Day Dates you slowly realize how many variants are available. So many different reference numbers and variations from dial colors/finishes, case colors/finishes, bracelet textures/designs, and so much more. The Day Date model was introduced in 1956, it was the first watch to display both the day and date in full which was an innovation ahead of its time. The day date model was mainly created in precious metals and today we have an exceptional time capsule to offer.

Here we have the vintage Rolex Day Date with an ultra-rare ghost grey dial in 18kt white gold from 1973. What makes this dial so special is how all the white text disappears into the light grey dial when turned slightly on an angle with only the Rolex coronet showing at 12 O’clock which gives it that ghost effect.

It is a very under-the-radar Day Date and as everyone likes to say, stealth wealth. It is the reference 1803 which signifies its non-quickset day and date functions as well as the acrylic crystal. The bracelet fits wrist sizes of 6.5-7.5 inches. Nice creamy lume on the white gold hands and the dial. 18kt white gold case, bracelet, crown, and case back. 20mm lug width and 36mm case size. All parts are original including dial, movement, and caseback. Both the dial and case are in great cosmetic, untouched condition.

Ready to wear

History

Founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf in London, Rolex began with a simple idea: make wristwatches that were as precise as pocket watches. At the time, wristwatches were seen as fragile and unreliable. Wilsdorf partnered with Alfred Davis and focused on sourcing high-quality movements from Switzerland, casing them in durable designs, and relentlessly pursuing chronometric accuracy. By 1910, a Rolex became one of the first wristwatches to receive a Swiss Certificate of Chronometric Precision, and in 1914 it earned a Class A precision certificate from Kew Observatory in England, a standard usually reserved for marine chronometers.

In 1919, Rolex moved its headquarters to Geneva, positioning itself at the center of Swiss watchmaking. The brand’s defining breakthrough came in 1926 with the launch of the Oyster case, the world’s first waterproof wristwatch case. The design used a screw-down crown and caseback to create a hermetically sealed shell. To prove the point, Rolex had swimmer Mercedes Gleitze wear an Oyster while crossing the English Channel in 1927. The watch survived, and the Oyster name became synonymous with durability.

Rolex continued to build tool watches that pushed technical boundaries. In 1931, it introduced the Perpetual rotor, a self-winding mechanism that became the foundation for modern automatic movements. Over the following decades, Rolex released purpose-built models that defined entire categories: the Datejust in 1945 with its automatically changing date window, the Submariner in 1953 for divers, the GMT-Master in 1955 for international pilots, and the Day-Date in 1956 displaying both the date and the day spelled out in full. Each model was designed for real-world use, then refined into a luxury standard.

Today, Rolex remains one of the most recognized and vertically integrated watch manufacturers in the world. Still based in Geneva and owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, the brand controls everything from foundry work to movement production and final assembly. While trends shift, Rolex has stayed close to its core formula: incremental innovation, industrial reliability, and designs that evolve without losing identity. For collectors and historians alike, that consistency is what makes vintage Rolex pieces so compelling decades later.

Danny's Vintage Watches Guarantee

At Danny's Vintage Watches, we rigorously authenticate and inspect every watch to guarantee both its authenticity and exceptional quality. Your complete satisfaction is our utmost priority. We are dedicated to guiding you to the ideal timepiece that meets your desires. Should you have any inquiries, our team is ready to provide swift and comprehensive assistance.

Our Guarantee:

Each timepiece is thoroughly evaluated, authenticated, and approved by our expert team before it is offered for sale.
We guarantee the period-correctness of all components unless otherwise stated.
The authenticity of each watch is guaranteed in perpetuity.

Questions?

To get in contact directly with the team send us a text for the quickest response! 917-887-1584

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What Our Clients Say About Us

Danny's Vintage Watches

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Dan Young

4 months ago

I knew I was gonna like Danny, based on his name, but nothing could’ve prepared me for how great of an experience this was. He had the most beautiful 70s Seamaster Cosmic on his website and I was set to be married 2 days later - I arranged to buy it but before leaving we both realized it needed to be serviced. I panicked, because I was literally buying this for my wedding, and Danny being the legend he is, loaned me a nearly identical Seamaster to make sure I could get through the event Never have I had someone go so above and beyond for me, especially while purchasing one of the lesser priced items in their inventory. He serviced my watch and exchanged it with me after the wedding on a super fast turnaround timeline. I would sincerely recommend you visit this guy, you will not be disappointed Edit: adding a pic of the loaner (two tone) and the owner (crosshair)

Patrick Farella

5 months ago

Great service and shop. Danny and his team were incredibly accommodating, professional, and kind. Great selection of vintage watches. Their store is the hidden gem in the diamond district.

Zee06

2 months ago

This was my first real luxury watch purchase, a Rolex 15200 Date 34mm, I own Tissots and a Laco, but those are entry level luxury watches. I found Danny’s Vintage Watches online, and had great feedback both on Google, Chrono24 and the Reddit watch community. So decided to give him a shot as buying online can be a crap shoot. Ordered Monday night, was at my doorstep Friday morning. Despite the watch being over 30 years old, serial number says it’s from 91, the watch looked new. Didn’t come with box or papers, and was shipped in a plastic sleeve wrapped in bubble wrap. Danny was always available to answer questions. I’ll be buying from Danny again for the next purchase…saw a couple of Speedmasters on his site I liked….

Mohammed Islam

4 months ago

Can't recommend Danny's vintage watches enough!!! My first Omega ever and im in love have been wearing every day since I purchased it. Danny's shop is a must visit if you are in NYC looking for a watch!!!

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