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THIS LOT IS TO BE SOLD WITH NO RESERVE
No Reserve

958

Rolex

Ref. 1665

Sea-Dweller, “Double Red”

A rare and highly attractive stainless steel wristwatch with double red "MK III" dial, date, bracelet and helium escape valve

Estimate
HK$160,000 - 300,000
€17,700 - 33,100
$20,500 - 38,500
HK$237,500
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Rolex
Year
Circa 1974
Reference No
1665
Movement No
D396’886
Case No
4’030’340, also repeated inside the caseback
Model Name
Sea-Dweller, “Double Red”
Material
Stainless steel
Calibre
Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, stamped 93150, endlinks stamped 580, max length 180mm
Clasp/Buckle
Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp, stamped 93150 S CL1
Dimensions
40mm diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed, outer caseback signed “Rolex Patent Oyster Gas Escape Valve”
Catalogue Essay
The present example with Mk III dial features the “D” in Sea-Dweller lining up with the “R” in Submariner 2000. The Sea-Dweller has always been one of the cornerstones of Rolex’s continued success. Its technical prowess and masculine appeal make it a robust timepiece that has an intriguing historical background.

Rolex

Swiss | 1905
Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.
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