Need Help Identifying a Rolex 1803 Presidential

[al.so.fresh]

Hey everyone,

I recently came across a Rolex 1803 Day-Date and I was hoping to get your thoughts on it. I'm trying to figure out it’s year (case #4236437) and get some general opinions about the watch and its authenticity.

For those of you familiar with vintage Rolexes, does this look legit? Are there any red flags I should watch out for?

Would really appreciate any advice or feedback.

[KY..]

Those diamond markers are not authentic to an 1803.
T Swiss Made T dial not normal on 1803.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Correct, diamonds were added to this dial and not factory.

As far as case and bracelet are concerned - Case is overpolished and uneven (not great...). Winding crown appears overpolished as well given that it is incorrect in shape. Bracelet looks wearable, but there is some stretch in it.

[ronricks]

Case is way over polished. More concerning is the clasp prongs are extremely worn down and eventually the clasp will stop closing because prongs will be too worn down. I’d avoid this watch based on that alone.

[miamiclay]

Agree with all the issues mentioned above.

With that serial number, the watch is likely from 1975, and the dial has either been modified or is wholly aftermarket. Rolex did not use that type of diamond settings on the 1803s’ pie pan dials (which were used until 1977).

[al.so.fresh]

Thanks for all your input on this! The seller actually brought up everything you mentioned, except that the watch is from 1976—what a surprise! Anyway, I decided to go for it and bought the watch. It was an offer I just couldn’t pass up, and I couldn’t be happier with it!

I’ll probably swap the dial to match the correct time period and enjoy it for a while. Fingers crossed the prongs hold up, lol. Maybe down the line, I’ll think about trading up. Appreciate all your advice—it really helped a ton!

[geoach]

Originally Posted by ronricks

Case is way over polished. More concerning is the clasp prongs are extremely worn down and eventually the clasp will stop closing because prongs will be too worn down. I’d avoid this watch based on that alone.

you can gently open them I've done it

[crowncollection]

The watch is full of concerns, dial incorrect. Over polished, you need to check that band links section has not been replaced also. Better pics of the band and clasp needed and end links


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[ronricks]

Originally Posted by geoach

you can gently open them I've done it

The material has worn away and is only going to continue to wear away. Eventually the special Rolex tool that is used for this won't work. That's different than one that needs the prongs adjusted for friction. Look at them. They've lost at least 50% of their size.