Rolex Day-Date 18K YG (Ref. 1803) Sequoia Wood Dial, 1973

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

The Rolex Day-Date is one of the most iconic and beautiful watches in the Rolex catalog. The Rolex Day-Date earned the nickname "President" after it was rumored that President Dwight Eisenhower wore one, but Eisenhower actually wore a Rolex 18K yellow gold Oyster-Perpetual Datejust, which Rolex gifted to him in 1953. However, the nickname "President" is quite fitting for the Day-Date, as Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Ford, Reagan, Nixon, and Roosevelt all wore the Rolex Day-Date. Apart from its executive affiliation, the Day-Date is a symbol of status and luxury, only produced in highly refined precious metals, including 18K yellow, white, and rose gold, and also platinum, featuring both the day and date complications within the movement. On an extremely limited basis, Rolex manufactured timepieces featuring exotic materials. Such as dials made from various minerals, woods, and stones, including black onyx, wood, lapis lazuli, birch, malachite, fossil, coral, aventurine, and ferrite, among others… These exotic variants are always strikingly vivid with a minimalist design, and each exotic variant was produced in very limited numbers. With rarity varying between materials, the rarer the material was, the fewer Rolex produced. The “Sequoia” dial represents the earliest iteration of Rolex’s wood dials for the Day-Date. These first-generation examples possess a distinctly raw, prototype-like character, defined by the absence of the lacquer finish later applied to Birch and Burlwood dials. Without this refined topcoat, the natural grain and organic texture of the wood remain fully visible, lending the dial an almost “living-edge” appearance, particularly around the day and date apertures. Unusually, these dials were also fitted with luminous plots—something never again seen on later exotic wood or stone variants—adding another layer of intrigue and charm to their already unique aesthetic. Each Sequoia dial is inherently one-of-a-kind, its individuality amplified by the natural variation of the wood and the experimental spirit of its creation. This rare dial type stands as a testament to a fascinating period in Rolex’s history when the brand dared to push design boundaries, even offering such experimental watches for public sale, albeit in extremely limited numbers. SPECS Stock # RLXDD180373SEQ Brand Rolex Style Day-Date Model 1803 Serial 32XXXXX Size Men's Material 18K Yellow Gold Dial Wood "Sequoia" Millimeters 36 Bracelet Rolex 18K YG President Bracelet CASE & BRACELET The excellent 18K yellow gold case has thick and even lugs that show only gentle signs of use, with minimal evidence of being previously polished present. The 18K yellow gold fluted bezel retains defined lines and edges with minimal signs of use present. The original 18K yellow gold President bracelet retains 21 links that show light stretch and will fit up to an 8.25-inch wrist. DIAL & HANDS The original and simply stunning "Sequoia" wood dial is in truly marvelous condition. The one-of-a-kind dial displays the organic grain of the wood in an unrefined and raw state, while also remaining in virtually perfect condition, with no damage or notable age present. The tritium lume plots all remain fully intact, with no degradation present, and have achieved a charming creamy patina. The original tritium hands match the dial perfectly and exhibit no degradation when inspected under UV light. ACCESSORIES The watch comes as a complete set with its original leather "President" Rolex box, Rolex guarantee paper, and booklets. The watch is keeping time, but the service history is unknown. A movement service can be provided upon request.