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Lot Essay
Among the most celebrated and collectible Rolex dial variations are the brightly coloured lacquered dials commonly known as ‘Stella’ dials. Produced principally during the 1970s and early 1980s, they are distinguished by their intense colours and rich, glossy surfaces. A similarly captivating approach can be found in Rolex’s dégradé dials, which replace the uniform colour of the ‘Stella’ aesthetic with a graduated effect that becomes progressively darker towards the edge of the dial.
The present example displays a particularly striking transition from a deep green centre to an almost black outer edge, creating remarkable depth and changing character according to the light. Diamond-set hour markers provide a brilliant contrast to the rich lacquered surface, adding a discreet touch of opulence to an already highly distinctive dial.
Reference 1803
Produced starting from 1959, reference 1803 is one of the defining iterations of the Rolex Day-Date. Its beautifully proportioned case combines an elegant profile with a reassuring presence on the wrist, while the characteristic fluted bezel has become one of the most immediately recognisable signatures of the collection. With its enduring proportions and quintessential Day-Date design, reference 1803 established an aesthetic that would influence successive generations of the model.
The present example displays a particularly striking transition from a deep green centre to an almost black outer edge, creating remarkable depth and changing character according to the light. Diamond-set hour markers provide a brilliant contrast to the rich lacquered surface, adding a discreet touch of opulence to an already highly distinctive dial.
Reference 1803
Produced starting from 1959, reference 1803 is one of the defining iterations of the Rolex Day-Date. Its beautifully proportioned case combines an elegant profile with a reassuring presence on the wrist, while the characteristic fluted bezel has become one of the most immediately recognisable signatures of the collection. With its enduring proportions and quintessential Day-Date design, reference 1803 established an aesthetic that would influence successive generations of the model.