Important Collectors Wristwatches, P...
Geneva, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Du Rhône, Oct 15, 2006
LOT 424
"Sanae 27 Explorer? Rolex, ?Oyster Perpetual, Explorer, Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified?, Ref. 1016. Case No. 5721186. Presented to Mr. Graham Blyth after the fourteen-month ?Sanae 27? expedition in the Antarctic in 1986-1987. Fine, center-seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel gentleman's wristwatch with a stainless steel Oyster bracelet.
CHF 35,000 - 45,000
EUR 22,000 - 28,000 / USD 28,000 - 37,000
C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, case back engraved ?Antarctic Expedition 1986-1987 Sanae 27?. D. Black with luminous Arabic numerals and baton indexes, outer minute/seconds divisions. Luminous "skeleton" hands. M. Cal. 1570, rhodium-plated, 26 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, Microstella regulating screws. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 36 mm. Thickness 12.5 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AAA |
Excellent |
Case: 3 |
Good |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-01 |
Good HANDS Original |
Notes
Was called ?the reinforced Rolex? in period advertising. The reference 1016 was available in stainless steel only and appeared in the Rolex catalogues from the early 1960s through 1990.
Graham Blyth
a meteorologist, participated in the 27th South African Antarctic Expedition, Sanae 27, which took place in 1986-1987. During the fourteenmonth long expedition, Blyth wore a Rolex Explorer that he had acquired just days beforehand. He testified later to the watch?s outstanding performance under extremely rugged conditions, particularly when he photographed the beauty of the Southern Lights: ?It was here that my Rolex Explorer really came into a class of its own. Capturing the Southern Lights on film is extremely difficult, requiring long exposures in freezing conditions. I attached my Rolex to the tripod and the luminous numerals and watch hands made it easy for me to take accurate exposures. In fact, mine was the only watch to work satisfactorily in that extreme cold.?