Day-Date · Nickname guide
The vivid lacquer dials of the 1970s Day-Date — turquoise, coral, oxblood.
Reference
1803 / 18038
Years
1970s–1980s
Also called
Stella dial
Bezel / dial
Lacquer colour dials
Below: what makes the Stella (1803 / 18038) distinctive, what to verify before buying, and how it fits the Naples collector scene.
Against the gold formality of the Day-Date, the Stella dials were daring: flat, opaque lacquer in bold colours, often paired with applied baton markers. Many sold slowly and were swapped for conventional dials, which makes surviving original Stellas rare.
They appear chiefly on references like the 1803 and 18038. Colour, condition, and originality drive enormous value differences between examples.
What to verify
In Naples
An original Stella is a connoisseur's piece — the kind of vintage Day-Date that trades through specialists and serious private collections rather than display cases. Dial authenticity is everything, so verification by an expert should precede any Naples purchase.
We are an independent reference, not a dealer: we cannot sell you a Stella or appraise one. What we can do is help you read the reference and know what separates a correct example from a cobbled-together one.
Stella FAQ
A vivid single-colour lacquer dial Rolex made mostly in the 1970s and 80s for the Day-Date and some Datejusts, in colours like turquoise, coral, and yellow. Originals are scarce and collectible.
They sold poorly when new and many were replaced with conventional dials, so few original examples survive. Bright, uncracked originals in desirable colours are especially hard to find.
Yes. Because originals command high prices, refinished and aftermarket lacquer dials are common. Expert authentication is essential.
Naples has an active Rolex market through retail, boutiques, and private sales — but Naples Rolex is an independent reference, not a dealer. We don't sell or broker watches. Use this guide to verify a Stella before you buy, wherever you find it.