Let’s talk about the dial—because that’s where the magic is. This white gold Day-Date reference 1804 from 1970 is fitted with a fiery red-orange lacquered dial that completely steals the show. These Stella dials, produced in small batches for niche markets, were way ahead of their time—and most buyers back then weren’t ready for them. That’s exactly why finding one today, especially in a colour this bold, is such a rare treat. Even more special is the fact that this dial sits in a white gold case—a much less common choice compared to the more frequently ordered yellow gold versions. Actually, a Stella dial in a white gold case is a bit of a contradiction—pairing Rolex’s most flamboyant dial with its most understated precious metal. Of course, this example also features a factory diamond-set bezel and matching diamond hour markers, which only crank up the opulence. As with many original Stella dials, this one shows a bit of honest aging. You’ll spot some light craquelé in the lacquer around the diamond markers—nothing dramatic, and something we often see on untouched examples. A few lume plots have partially flaked away, which is typical for these dials. The important thing: it's all original, and completely unrefinished. The condition is fair for its age. The white gold case still presents well, retaining good lugs and decent definition. The factory-set diamond bezel is in clean condition, with all stones securely in place and still catching the light nicely. It comes on an 18 carat white gold President bracelet with the concealed clasp — Rolex’s more streamlined clasp design introduced in this era. Both folding and hidden clasps were available in the early ‘70s, and this example features the hidden version. The bracelet itself has minimal stretch and wears beautifully on the wrist. This isn’t your average Day-Date—it’s a bold, collectable slice of Rolex history in one of its rarest and most charismatic executions. One for the real heads.
- extrasRed Stella
- year1970
- reference1804
- modelDay-Date
