Short answer
A fake Rolex 1803 President copies the vintage Day-Date reference 1803: a 36 mm gold watch that Rolex made from about 1959 to 1977. Replicas sell from about $120 to $700. The case is plated steel or gold-filled brass, not 18k gold. The movement is an Asian copy or a Swiss ETA clone, not a Rolex calibre 1555 or 1556. No replica leaves the factory with a Rolex warranty, and Rolex will not service one.
Reference 1803 specs
- Made: about 1959 to 1977. Replaced by the 18038, which added a quick-set date.
- Case: 36 mm. 18k yellow, white or rose gold. Fluted bezel.
- Movement: calibre 1555, later 1556. Automatic. No quick-set date.
- Dial: pie-pan dial on early watches, flat dial later. Day aperture at 12, date at 3.
- Crystal: acrylic.
- Bracelet: President, three semi-circular links, hidden clasp.
- Water resistance: rated to 30 m when new. Gaskets on 50-year-old watches are often perished.
Where replica 1803s differ
Gold content is the largest gap. An 18k case has a density near 15.5 g/cm3. Steel is near 7.9 g/cm3. A plated steel case of the same size weighs about half of a gold one. Ask the seller for the head weight in grams and for a photo of the caseback stamps.
Dial printing is second. Original 1803 dials use a serif for the brand name and specific day and date fonts. Copies show a thin font, a wrong "T Swiss T" mark at 6 o'clock, or a sigma mark placed off center.
Top Pick: Replica Rolex 1803 President Imitation
Bracelet end links fit loose on most replicas. The clasp stamp and the crown on the clasp are shallow. A solid 18k President bracelet flexes with a tight, even curve. Plated links rattle.
Checks before you pay
- Weight in grams, head alone and full watch.
- Caseback photo with reference and serial stamps.
- Movement photo. Look for a 1555-style layout or a 2824/2836 clone.
- Date change test. Non-quickset means the hands roll past midnight to advance the date.
- Crown threads and gasket condition.
- Written return terms and a payment method with chargeback rights.
Price tiers
- Under $150: plated case, low-grade movement, printed dial.
- $150 to $350: better case shape, ETA clone or Miyota movement, cleaner dial print.
- $350 to $700: gold-filled or thick plated case, cloned 1555-style movement, closer fonts.
The scrap value of the 18k gold in a real 1803 case and bracelet runs several thousand dollars. Treat any claim of solid gold under $1,000 as false.
Legal facts in the US
Trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 2320. Selling a replica as a real Rolex is also trademark infringement and fraud. CBP can seize counterfeit watches at the border. A replica stamped "Swiss Made" also conflicts with Swiss watch labeling rules, which require 60 percent of production cost in Switzerland.
Bottom line
A replica 1803 is a copy of a design, not an investment. Get the weight and movement photos first, keep the receipt, and expect no service support. Parts on the watch will not match original Rolex parts, so repairs cost the same as work on a modern watch with none of the resale value.