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1970 Rolex Day-Date 1803 - Stella Oxblood Dial

Details

This Is Not A Variation. This Is The Watch

There are Day-Dates, and then there are Stella Day-Dates. This 1803 from 1970 sits at the very top of that hierarchy. The oxblood dial stops the conversation immediately. Deep, saturated, and unmistakable, Stella dials are incredibly uncommon and highly sought after.

This example was originally sold November 24, 1970. It comes from the period when these dials were still being ordered by clients who wanted something radically different, not by people chasing future value.

Why This Configuration Matters

Stella dials were not standard production. They were special orders, produced in very small numbers, and many did not survive intact. The oxblood dial is darker, moodier, and far less forgiving than brighter Stella colors. Any flaw shows immediately. That is why condition matters so much here.

This dial is excellent. The enamel surface is strong and intact. The color is rich and even. The date and day wheels have taken on a subtle gold tint over time, which only reinforces the warmth of the dial rather than distracting from it. Full yellow gold case, fluted bezel, and matching bracelet is the only way this dial makes sense. 

What You Need To Know Before Wearing It

Condition is very good. The case is well preserved. The bracelet shows light stretch, which is expected and honest for a gold Day-Date from this era. The dial is excellent. The crystal is clean. The watch is running well with strong amplitude and minimal beat error. It comes with its original box and papers after passing by our test bench. 

Why This Sits At The Top

This is not a watch you upgrade into. It is one you land on. A factory Stella oxblood dial, early 1970s production, full gold execution, and complete with box and papers.

It is for someone who understands that the Day-Date story peaks here. Bold without being loud. Rare without explanation. A watch that does not come back once it leaves.

 

Every watch we offer has been authenticated and mechanically looked over to ensure immediate usability.

Bracelet extension, cutting, or sizing is available upon request through our professional in-house jewelers.

Key Specs

Reference: 1803

Model: Day-Date

Year: 1970

Movement: Automatic

Case Size: 36mm

Bezel: 18k yellow gold

Dial: Stella Lacquer Ox Blood

Wrist Size: Fits 7–7.5 inches

History

When Rolex introduced the Day-Date in 1956, it did two things no watch had done before: it displayed the day of the week spelled out in full at 12 o'clock, and it did so only in 18-karat gold or platinum — never steel, never silver. The message was clear. This was the watch for people who had arrived.

The President bracelet, created exclusively for the Day-Date, added another layer of distinction: a three-piece link design in solid precious metal that became so associated with power that the watch earned the unofficial name "the President's watch." Dwight Eisenhower was among its earliest recipients; the list of heads of state, CEOs, and cultural figures who followed runs long.

References 1803 and 18038 define the classic era — the 1803 from the late 1960s through mid-1970s, and the 18038 through the 1980s. Dial options across these years are staggering: champagne, black, onyx, diamond-set, baguette, wood, and stone dials all appeared in regular production. The Day-Date is the watch Rolex made to prove that Swiss precision and genuine luxury were not mutually exclusive. Fifty years later, that argument has never been made more convincingly


What Our Clients Say About Us

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!!!