Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: TWO Hong Kong Monday, May 30, 2016 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1977
    Reference No: 1665
    Movement No: D951319
    Case No: 5'216'950
    Model Name: 'Great White' Seadweller
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, 160 mm. maximum length, end link stamped 580
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex folding twinlock deployant clasp stamped Rolex A
    Dimensions: 39 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Literature: For another example of a reference 1665, please see 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, page 191.

  • Catalogue Essay

    During the late 1970s, Rolex stopped production of the Double Red Seadweller and introduced a new design that featured four lines of white text. Collectors aptly named this new dial the 'Great White'.

    This present watch is fitted with a MK I dial, with very charismatic aged lumes and hands. MK I dials differ from MK 0 dials as the 'Sea-Dweller' signature is the same length as the '2000ft=610m' line. In MK 0 dials, the 'Sea-Dweller' signature is longer than the '2000ft=610m' line. The number '6' on the present watch is also open, unlike the '6' on MK 0 dials which is closed. Launched in 1977, the 'Great White' was in production for 5 short years only, which increases the rarity of the present model.

  • 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 and attractive stainless steel wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, date, gas helium escape valve and bracelet

1977
39 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$100,000 - 200,000 

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: TWO

Hong Kong Auction 31 May 2016