Rolex
Reference 1804 Day-Date 'Octopussy' | A white gold, diamond, and sapphire-set automatic wristwatch with day, date, and bracelet, Circa 1978
Session begins in
June 15, 06:00 PM GMT
Estimate
100,000 - 200,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Dial: silvered and diamond-set
Caliber: cal. 1556 automatic, 26 jewels
Movement number: DD'349'749
Case: 18k white gold and diamond-set, screw down case back
Case number: 5'296'961
Closure: 18k white gold, diamond, and sapphire-set Rolex President 'Octopussy' bracelet with folding clasp
Size: 36 mm diameter, bracelet circumference approximately 185 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: no
The Rolex Day‑Date Reference 1804, produced circa 1978, is one of the most charismatic and lavish expressions of the classic “President,” distinguished here by its 18k white‑gold case, diamond‑set bezel, and a striking ring of blue sapphires that gives rise to the collector‑coined nickname “Octopussy.” The combination of precious stones, crisp white metal, and the model’s signature day and date displays creates a dramatic, almost theatrical presence on the wrist—far removed from the more restrained configurations of the period.
Equipped with the reliable Caliber 1556 and fitted with its matching President bracelet, the present example embodies the bold, gem‑set design language that defined Rolex’s late‑1970s and early‑1980s high‑luxury creations. Produced in extremely limited numbers and seldom encountered at auction, the 1804 “Octopussy” remains one of the most distinctive and collectible variants within the Day‑Date lineage, prized for its rarity, personality, and unmistakable visual impact.