1973 Rolex Day-Date 18K YG (Ref. 1803) Havana "Ghost" Minute Track Dial

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 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.

This 1973 Rolex Day-Date ref. 1803 retains its original and sought-after satin taupe, "Havana" minute track dial, which features a beautiful "ghost" effect with the dial. The "Ghost" dial phenomenon is one of the most unique and celebrated dial variants that exist within the Rolex dress models. Depending on the lighting conditions, the tonal printing of the text can disappear into the dial completely or be vividly contrasted against the dial, hence the "ghost" nickname. These dials can be seen in several dial configurations though the most common are grey and taupe dials from the plastic crystal era of Rolex 34mm and 36mm dress models.