Rolex - RETROSPECTIVE: 2000 - 2020 Geneva Sunday, November 8, 2020 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 2008
    Reference No: 16600
    Case No: V'318'950 and further engraved "POLIZIA DI STATO SOMMOZZATORI 1958 - 2008 BREV.SMZ N.322" on the case back
    Model Name: Sea-Dweller Polipetto
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3135, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 210mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee dated December 2008, product literature, wallet, presentation box and outer packaging. Furthermore accompanied by copy Italian Navy scuba diving certificate issued to Andrea Poli with registration number 322.

  • Catalogue Essay

    To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Sommozzatori of Italy's Polizia di Stato, the Italian State Police asked Rolex to produce this rare special edition, one of the last examples of a cooperation between Rolex and a police/military corp. All bearing a serial number starting with "V", 78 pieces were made in total, of which only 25 bear the certification number of the diver to whom it was given and 3 bear the name of the recipient. In the case of this watch, this 'Brevet' number is 322.

    The emblem of the Italian Police Divers Corps - the octopus - is immediately apparent on the dial and is the origin of the "Polipetto" nickname for the model (Italian for "small octopus"). The caseback engraving is executed using high-voltage electro-gravure and displays "POLIZIA DI STATO SOMMOZZATORI 1958 - 2008 BREV.SMZ N.322".

    Issued to Mr. Andrea Poli, the watch is offered in absolutely new-old-stock condition, and comes with a Rolex guarantee with Mr. Poli's name and dated December 2008, product literature, wallet, presentation box and outer packaging. Furthermore accompanied by Marina Militare diving certificate made to Andrea Poli with registration number 322.

  • Artist Biography

    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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Ref. 16600
A fine and extremely rare automatic diver's wristwatch with center seconds, date, engraved caseback, bracelet, guarantee and box, made for the Italian Police Divers Corps

Circa 2008
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF55,000 - 100,000 
€51,000-92,700
$59,900-109,000

Sold for CHF176,400

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

 

Thomas Perazzi

Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2031

WatchesHK@phillips.com

RETROSPECTIVE: 2000 - 2020

Geneva Auction 8 November 2020