Important Collectors Watches, Pocket ...

New York, Oct 17, 2008

LOT 218

Ref. 16610 Panama Canal Rolex, Oyster Perpetual Date, "Submariner, Panama Canal" Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified, No. 38/75, Ref. 16610. Made in a limited edition of 75 pieces in 1999. Fine and extremely rare, center seconds, self-winding, water resistant, stainless steel diver?s wristwatch with a stainless steel Rolex Fliplock Oyster bracelet. Accompanied by the original box, Guaranty Certificate (now void), instruction booklets and anchor.

USD 20,000 - 30,000

EUR 14,000 - 21,000 / CHF 22,000 - 33,000

Sold: USD 48,000

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, Triplock winding crown protected by the crown guard, graduated unidirectional revolving black bezel for the decompression times, sapphire crystal with cyclops lens. D. Black with applied luminous round, baton and triangular steel indexes, aperture for the date, special Panama Canal logo imprint. Luminous steel skeleton hands. M. Cal. 3135, rhodium-plated, oeil-de-perdrix decoration, 31 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating free-sprung Breguet balance spring, Microstella regulating screws, hack mechanism. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 40 mm. Thickness 13 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

This very rare collector watch has been produced by Rolex Geneva to commemorate the transfer of the Panama Canal from US to the Republic of Panama on December 31, 1999. Only 75 units have been manufactured and sold worldwide. This watch is illustrated in ?1908-2008, 100 Years of Rolex?, by Franca and Guido Mondani, Guido Mondani Editore, Genova (Italy), 2008 Edition, p 199.