What Is a Replica Rolex 1803 Day-Date?

A replica Rolex 1803 Day-Date is a copy of the vintage Rolex Day-Date reference 1803. Rolex made the genuine 1803 from 1959 to 1977. The watch has a 36 mm case, 18k gold, a day display at 12 o'clock, and a date at 3 o'clock. Replicas copy this layout. Most replica 1803 watches use gold-plated steel. Movements differ from the original.

Genuine Rolex 1803 Specs

  • Reference: 1803
  • Production: 1959 to 1977
  • Case: 36 mm, 18k yellow, white, or rose gold
  • Movement: Caliber 1555 or 1556, automatic, 26 jewels, 18,000 vph
  • Crystal: Acrylic
  • Bracelet: President, 20 mm lug width
  • Dial: Many colors, pie-pan dials on early models

Replica 1803 Differences

  • Case material: 316L stainless steel with gold plating, not solid gold
  • Weight: Replica 80 to 100 grams, genuine 120 to 140 grams
  • Thickness: Replica 12.5 to 13 mm, genuine 11.5 mm
  • Movement: Chinese 2813, ETA 2834, or clone 1556
  • Beat rate: 21,600 vph or 28,800 vph, not 18,000 vph
  • Dial printing: Fonts can be off, day wheel language options vary
  • Bracelet: President style, hollow center links on lower-cost models

What to Check on a Replica 1803

  1. Day and date alignment. The day should center at 12 o'clock. The date should center at 3 o'clock.
  2. Crown position. The crown sits at 3 o'clock. It should not touch the case edge.
  3. Caseback engravings. Genuine 1803 has reference and serial numbers between the lugs.
  4. Gold plating thickness. Plating ranges from 2 to 10 microns. Higher microns last longer.
  5. Movement beat rate. A 2813 movement beats at 21,600 vph. An ETA 2834 beats at 28,800 vph.

Price Ranges for Replica 1803

Replica 1803 prices run from $50 to $400. Low-cost models use a 2813 movement and thin plating. High-end replicas cost $300 to $500. They use an ETA 2834 or a clone 1556 movement. They have thicker plating and better dial printing.

Day and Date Function

The genuine Rolex 1803 has a day wheel in 26 languages. The day changes at midnight. The date changes with the crown. Replica 1803 watches often have day wheels in English or Chinese. Some replicas have a quick-set date. The genuine 1803 does not have a quick-set date. You set the date by turning the hands past midnight.

Case and Bracelet Materials

Genuine 1803 cases are 18k gold. Replica cases are 316L stainless steel. Gold plating covers the steel. The President bracelet on a replica often has hollow center links. Genuine bracelets have solid links. The clasp on a replica may have a stamped logo. Genuine clasps have a raised crown.

Movement Options

Three movements appear in replica 1803 watches. The Chinese 2813 is the cheapest. It beats at 21,600 vph. The ETA 2834 is a Swiss movement. It beats at 28,800 vph. The clone 1556 copies the Rolex caliber. It beats at 18,000 vph. The clone 1556 costs more. It fits closer to the genuine case thickness.