Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: ONE Hong Kong Monday, November 30, 2015 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1968
    Reference No: 1665
    Movement No: D101680
    Case No: 1'758'253
    Model Name: Double Red Seadweller
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster flip lock bracelet, 205 mm. maximum length, end links stamped 580
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex twin lock folding deployant clasp stamped Rolex 9315
    Dimensions: 39 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: With undated Rolex punched Attestation de Chronomètre Officiel, instruction manual, leather wallet, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
    Literature: For another example of a Double Red Seadweller, please see 100 Superlative Watches by John Goldberger, page 90.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Rolex has always had a talent for captivating collectors. The Rolex Seadweller, first introduced in 1967, combined all of the firm's knowledge to present the ultimate diver's watch.

    The present example is fitted with the Mark II dial, which was in production from 1967 to 1970. The Seadweller, Submariner 2000, is printed in red directly onto the dial and is typically a very vibrant red colour. The coronet spikes on the Mark II dial are usually distorted looking and the oval at the base of the coronet is very small and difficult to see. This particular Mark II dial features a "tropical" dial aged to a beautiful and uniform shade of chocolate brown. The luminous hour markers, perfectly matching its luminous hands have similarly aged to a beautiful warm orange.

    The case still retains sharp beveled edges, the bezel has aged in an attractive and consistent manner and the reference and case numbers can be read without the use of a loupe.

    Offered with its original punched guarantee and fitted box, this superb example is a highly desirable collector's watch, captivating collectors almost 50 years later.

  • 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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172

Ref. 1665
A very fine, rare and attractive stainless steel calendar wistwatch with sweep centre seconds, helium gas escape valve, "tropical" brown dial, bracelet, original punched guarantee and fitted presentation box

1968
39 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$250,000 - 400,000 

Sold for HK$437,500

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
thomasperazzi@phillips.com

Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
ziyongho@phillips.com

Jill Chen
Specialist
+852 2318 2033
jillchen@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: ONE

Hong Kong Auction 1 December 2015 11am