ROLEX. A VERY RARE AND HIGHLY ATTRACTIVE 18K PINK GOLD AUTOMATIC WRISTWATCH WITH SWEEP CENTER SECONDS, GREEN LACQUERED 'STELLA' DIAL AND BRACELET
Lot 70 ROLEX
DAY-DATE 'STELLA' DIAL REF. 1803

ROLEX. A VERY RARE AND HIGHLY ATTRACTIVE 18K PINK GOLD AUTOMATIC WRISTWATCH WITH SWEEP CENTER SECONDS, GREEN LACQUERED 'STELLA' DIAL AND BRACELET

SIGNED ROLEX, DAY-DATE MODEL, REF. 1803, CASE NO. 3'601'002, CIRCA 1974

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USD 40,000–60,000

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ROLEX. A VERY RARE AND HIGHLY ATTRACTIVE 18K PINK GOLD AUTOMATIC WRISTWATCH WITH SWEEP CENTER SECONDS, GREEN LACQUERED 'STELLA' DIAL AND BRACELET
SIGNED ROLEX, DAY-DATE MODEL, REF. 1803, CASE NO. 3'601'002, CIRCA 1974
Movement: Automatic
Dial: Green lacquered 'Stella'
Case: 36 mm. diam.
With: 18k pink gold Rolex Oyster Rivet bracelet and deployant clasp, overall length approximately 190 mm.

Specialist note

Rolex introduced glossy lacquered dials known as 'Stella' dials on their Day-Date and Datejust models in the 1970s and produced them through the 80s. These lacquered dials had a high gloss finish and were available in a riot of colors and were tones one wouldn’t expect to see from the traditional manufacture.

Flamboyant, whimsical, and in stark contrast to Rolex’s tool watch aesthetic, they were not initially popular but have been largely collectible today. Some believed the name is a reference to artist Frank Stella, who specialized in bright colors. However, it is now widely accepted that Stella is the name of the Swiss company that provided the special lacquer to Rolex’s dial makers. The pigment tones were created by legendary dial manufacturer Stern Frères. Furthermore, it is believed that these dials were originally produced for a few markets including the Middle East and Asia, but found their way to other regions as well.