Whoever came up with the stupid Hulk nickname for the green ceramic Submariner must be colorblind. If there’s any watch that deserves that moniker, it’s the vintage green vignette dial. And not only because the color actually resembles Bruce Banner’s alter ego (unlike the Submariner) but also because this watch is a true heavyweight.
Executed with a magnificent green vignette effect, the dial on this ref. 1803/9 transitions from a verdant forest green in the center to deep black at the rim. On top of that, the traditional gold indices are replaced by brilliant cut diamond markers with alternating baguette cut diamonds on the quarters.
More importantly, though, this green dial is quite the rare bird. Most vignette dials came in yellow gold Day-Dates, but this vignette is one of the few ones executed in white gold. And no, you can’t just put any vignette dial in a white gold case and call it a day as the color of the text on the dial has to match the case color.
The 36 mm 18K white gold case is in exceptional condition, with thick lugs and sharp lines. The matching 18K white gold President bracelet is exceedingly tight and sharp as well, indicating that this watch has barely been used since its production in 1973. If all this weren’t enough, the watch features yet another special detail. Close inspection of the inside of the clasp, namely, reveals that the bracelet is a rare ‘Made in Japan’ execution which also matches the original Japanese papers that also come with this exceptional piece.