Rolex Day-Date President 1804

The Rolex Day-Date reference 1804 stands as the pinnacle of opulence within the vintage 180x series, produced from the early 1960s until approximately 1978. This reference’s sole and defining characteristic is its magnificent factory-set diamond bezel, typically featuring 44 to 48 brilliant-cut diamonds. Historically, the 1804 was the premier luxury offering in the Day-Date collection, transforming the already prestigious “President’s watch” into an explicit statement of high jewelry. Its significance lies in its status as a factory-gem-set timepiece, which guarantees the quality of the diamonds and the craftsmanship of the setting, making it far more desirable and valuable than aftermarket modifications. The reference 1804 is most famous for its production in platinum (Pt), a material rarely used by Rolex at the time, making the platinum 1804 an exceptionally scarce and sought-after “grail” watch for serious collectors. In addition to platinum, the 1804 was also crafted in 18k yellow, white, and rose gold. Variations often included equally luxurious dials, which could be factory-set with diamond hour markers to complement the bezel, or feature exotic materials. Mechanically, the 1804 shares its architecture with its contemporaries. It is built upon the classic 36mm Oyster case with an acrylic crystal and houses the non-quickset day-date movement, beginning with the Caliber 1555 and transitioning to the higher-beat Caliber 1556 around 1965. A hacking seconds function was added in 1972. The reference 1804 is a testament to Rolex’s legacy in haute joaillerie, combining the robust functionality of the Day-Date with the ultimate expression of luxury.