Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV Hong Kong Friday, May 27, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1981
    Reference No: 1665
    Movement No: D’881’576
    Case No: 6’675’638 and issue number: 2257
    Model Name: Sea-Dweller "COMEX"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal.1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped "93150’" endlinks "585", max length 185mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped "A"
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex Japan service papers and fitted presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Rolex produced a batch of approximately 300 ref. 1665 Sea-Dwellers for COMEX in a range of case numbers range between 2000 to 3000 from 1977 to 1981. Their dials featured the COMEX logo with case backs that were engraved with a prominent issue number and inside, the full serial numbers are repeatedly engraved. The present example includes its original COMEX dial noted by the 600 m depth rating and prominently engraved case-back with issue number 2257. Never available for the public, these watches manufactured were often subject to extreme conditions used by the Divers.

    The dial’s luminous hour markers have gracefully aged to a pleasing ivory-coloured tone, identically matching the colour of the hands over the years and preserved in a overall wonderful condition, the reference 1665 COMEX is quintessentially regarded by many collectors as the ‘COMEX Rolex’.

  • 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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913

Ref. 1665
An extremely rare and desirable stainless steel automatic diver's wristwatch with center seconds, date, gas escape valve and bracelet, made for COMEX

Circa 1981
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$470,000 - 780,000 
€59,900-99,400
$60,300-100,000

Sold for HK$819,000

Contact Specialist

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

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV

Hong Kong Auction 27 - 28 May 2022