Some well-established dealers have noted that early Day-Dates, like the 1803 slow-sets, have recently been selling briskly and have experienced a significant price bump. Is the pendulum swinging back...is the luxury watch gaining ground again on sport models?

Early, non-lume, claw dial ref. 1803. Unobstrusive on a strap:

 

Not a minute to late IMO, it's crazy that a modern steel Rolex made in millions costs more than 4/5-digit DD's on bracelet.

About the increase in 1803 per se is probably more about condition, good early examples are harder and harder to find each day. Also the 4-digit DD's did have some really fun dials compared to the newer ones.

 

Maybe a little, but, overall, I'd so no, as it's all about supply and demand. Rolex has always manipulated the laws of supply and demand when it comes to their sport models, especially the Daytona. Walk into any Rolex Boutique today and there will be no shortage of Datejusts and Presidents, but ask for a stainless steel Daytona and you'll be lucky if you even get on a list. There have always been a higher volume of "luxury" Rolex watches on the market, vintage or otherwise, and I do see prices increasing, especially for those in mint condition, but never to the extent of some of the sport models.

 

Yes, some interesting dials as above, plus very wearable at 35mm.

 

But is that true to 60/70/80s Rolex as well?
I can imagine Datejust being sold in higher numbers than Sub/GMT/Daytonas but my guess would be that DD was never sold in that large quantities though.

 

I like this one too, the “door-stop” dial. On the much harder to find smooth bezel ref 1802, which makes it look Uber understated:

 

The so-called “Fat-Boy.” The aesthetics on this one I find a tad lacking:

 

Yep, there were some cool dials back then!

 

Yes! How could I forget the wood, and very cool Stella dials.

 

FIFY

 

And how could I forget the two little dots? But, being a crass, under-educated, flag-waving, knuckle-dragging, red-blooded American, you gotta cut me some slack...

 

having just purchased 2 of these. . .hopefully i am not contributing to the price pressure. but given how much the new ones are. . some of the vintage models seem very very undervalued to me

 

Excellent point.

 

And... Some pics!