Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: ONE Hong Kong Monday, November 30, 2015 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1972
    Reference No: 1665
    Movement No: D798284
    Case No: 3'118'033
    Model Name: Double Red Seadweller
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, 210 mm. maximum length, end links stamped 585
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex folding twin lock deployment clasp stamped Rolex 9315
    Dimensions: 40 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Literature: For another example of a Mark III Double Red Seadweller, please see 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, page 190.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Mark III Double Red Seadweller was manufactured between 1970 and 1973. The red printing on the dial is generally darker in appearance than that of Mark I and Mark II. The coronet on the Mark III dial is much more defined with long spikes and an oval base in better proportion than its predecessors.

    The present watch is an extremely appealing Mark III, the numerals have aged consistently with the hands and overall gives a very warm aged look. The bezel insert has also aged and gives great character to the watch. The case is in exceptional condition with sharp beveled edges that can be seen clearly with the naked eye.

    Watch connoisseurs strive to find great quality sport Rolex watches with even patina aged dials. This Mark III is such an example.

  • 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. 1665
A rare stainless steel calendar wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, gas helium escape valve and bracelet

1972
40 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$120,000 - 180,000 

Sold for HK$187,500

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