A Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day Date model, often referred to as the "President", in solid eighteen carat yellow gold with factory burled wood dial. This is a very rare example of the always advertised "flagship" Rolex watch in the line. Even when this watch was made, at the turn of the 1980's, the President was THE Rolex to own. The watch was first introduced into the Rolex line up under the reference 6511 in 1956 and has been included in the Rolex new line up for the 2025 range at this year's "Watches & Wonders" in Geneva. A testament to the original design, and the overall affection people have for this iconic reference.
Arguably, the Rolex Day Date is the ultimate status symbol. It was always portrayed to the public this way by the media team at Rolex, and it was always promoted to world leaders, titans of industry and the sports and movie stars around the globe. Although much has changed with regards to Rolex's offering, and the special variations that are on offer, it was always the "President" that led the way in rare, unusual and gem set variants. This is very much true in this case with the rare burled wood dial.
In 1959 the 1803 reference was introduced with a new movement; the 1555 calibre. The 1803 model with this calibre only ran until 1965 until. It was again updated with the 1556 calibre. The 1803's were replaced by the 18030, five digit references. Compared to the predecessor with the caliber 1500 movement, the new caliber 3035 was a big improvement. The balance speed was increased from 19,800 to 28,800 A/h and it gained a "quick set" date feature, though it only advances the date wheel, as opposed to the "double quick" watches that were introduced around 1988 moving the day of the week as well. The hacking balance wheel features a free-sprung Breguet overcoil hairspring and Microstella regulation. It is a 28,800 A/h 12.5 ligne movement with bi-directional automatic winding and chronometer certification. The movement is a twenty seven jewels movement with a power reserve of 48 hours, when it was new. Being now over forty years old, this has slightly diminished.
This example overall is in superb original condition. The case is only very lightly polished over the years, with only signs of light wear, and very sharp case lines throughout, along strong and thick case feet. When looking at the back of the watch, this shows no polishing with all the Rolex stamps for 18K and Swiss poinçon control marks crisp, deep and visible. The original Rolex President bracelet is fully signed on the deployant with all the correct marks and the eighteen carat gold marks, along with correct model numbers on the inside of the end links. The bracelet is tight with little sag.
The crowning feature to the watch is this spectacular burled wood dial. These specialty dials were mainly reserved for the Day Date models during this time. Rolex would fit exotic dials to these watches ranging from a variety of factory set gem dials, stone dials and these, wood dials. The dial is untouched, and shows no sign of wear or damage. It has the classic gold, stick, hour markers pinned into the wood. This dial is a "T Swiss T" dial meaning it features Tritium luminous material, although this is only reserved for the hand set, as there are no Tritium lume plots on the hour markers themselves, as per leaving the factory. The printing of the text is gold, which balances beautifully against the wood, almost blending in with the rich colour it sits upon. It is encircled by a quite enlarged, although not quite radial, outer minute track which mimics the size of the hour markers. The serial number of this watch dates it to circa 1980. All serial and model numbers are clear and present between the lugs on the case.
This is an exceptional watch, quite rare today, especially in condition such as this. Even the original factory, solid eighteen carat gold, spring bars are present. Which although a minor detail, confirms this watches originality. Given the look of the new model, this now 'vintage' example has much more charm and a beautiful feel to it.
