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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