Rolex 1803/9 doorstop from 1966

Rolex Day-Date 1803/9 – White Gold “Doorstop” Dial (1966)

There’s a certain purity to the early Day-Date references—before quickset, before widespread wrist presence became the point. The 1803/9 from 1966 belongs to that quieter lineage. In white gold, it was never made for flash. It was made for the collector who values weight, not noise.

This piece captures that balance precisely. Cased in solid 18K white gold and fitted with the rare “doorstop” dial layout—distinguished by its thick applied markers at 6 and 9—it embodies a discreet form of Rolex elegance. These markers, originally conceived for high visibility, now speak more to an era when form still followed function.

Powering the watch is the Rolex Calibre 1556, introduced just a year prior in 1965. It brought updated performance to the Day-Date line: 26 jewels, 19,800 vibrations per hour, and improved rotor mechanics. This example is from the second full year of 1556 production—an early run of what would become Rolex’s flagship movement for over a decade.

Offered head-only, the watch has been freshly serviced and is running to spec. It’s mounted on a new, high-grade Italian leather strap, black with a soft matte finish. The case retains full proportions, and the dial presents evenly aged tritium and clean printing. This is a serious piece from Rolex’s most serious era.

Specifications
Reference: 1803/9
Year: 1966
Case: 36mm, solid 18K white gold, fluted bezel
Dial: Silver sunburst with “doorstop” hour markers, tritium lume
Crystal: Acrylic
Movement: Rolex Calibre 1556 – automatic, 26 jewels, 19,800 bph
Bracelet: New Italian leather strap (non-Rolex)
Condition: Very good vintage condition. Strong case lines. Clean dial. Light even patina.
Warranty: Two-year mechanical warranty (independent service center)
Included: Watch head only – no box or papers