8062

Rolex

Ref. 1665

Sea-Dweller “Great White” MK III

A well-preserved and attractive stainless steel diver’s wristwatch with center seconds, date, MK III dial, helium escape valve, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box

Estimate
HK$80,000 - 140,000
€8,800 - 15,400
$10,300 - 17,900
Current Bid (1 bid)
HK$70,000
Current Bid (1 bid)
HK$70,000
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Rolex
Year
Circa 1979
Reference No
1665
Movement No
D101’921
Case No
6’177’206, inside caseback stamped “1665”
Model Name
Sea-Dweller “Great White” MK III
Material
Stainless steel
Calibre
Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “93150”, endlinks stamped “585”, max length 190mm
Clasp/Buckle
Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “VE”, “93150”
Dimensions
40mm diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Accessories
Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Lugli & Zini, Italy dated 28 February 1981, a copy of official announcement letter to Italian retailers, 1980 calendar card, product literature, green wallet, anchor, hang tag, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Read Conditions of Sale
Catalogue Essay
- In 1977, around the 5.2 million serial number, production of Rolex's Double Red Sea Dweller ceased. Around the same time, a new generation of the reference 1665 was launched, omitting the red lettering on the dial and featuring differently inscribed casebacks. Due to its minimalist dial design, collectors refer to this model as the “Great White”.

- In the following years, various "Great White" dial variants were produced by Rolex, which are categorized today into five distinct MKs, with the present watch being a MK III example. This timepiece stands out for its exceptional preservation, with a case that remains very crisp and features sharp bevels.

- This watch ticks all the boxes in terms of desirability and condition, making it an exceptionally collectible piece. Additionally, the dial has aged beautifully, developing a warm patina that enhances its vintage appeal.

- Offered as a full set with the original hand written guarantee from 1981 stamped by an Italian retailer. The lot is accompanied with a copy of official announcement letter from 1991 issued to Italian retailers of Rolex indicating a new provision. Prior to 1991, most retailers provided hand written guarantees according to the serials of stocks during purchases. This letter states a new protocol to all retailers, requiring a new practice of having all guarantees punched moving forward, confirming a crucial piece of scholarship to vintage Rolex collectors of today.

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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