Important Collectors Watches, Pocket ...

New York, Dec 11, 2008

LOT 275

Double-Red Tropical Dial Sea-Dweller Submariner Mark II Rolex, "Oyster Perpetual Date, Sea-Dweller, Submariner 2000, 2000 ft./610 m., Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified," Ref. 1665. Made in 1967, sold December 20, 1968. Fine and very rare, center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel diver's wristwatch with double red Sea-Dweller logo, helium escape valve, date and a stainless steel Rolex Oyster Fliplock bracelet. Accompanied by a box, various service records and 2 used bezel inserts.

USD 25,000 - 30,000

EUR 20,000 - 23,000 / CHF 30,000 - 35,000

Sold: USD 38,400

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, helium escape valve at 9, graduated bi-directional revolving black bezel for the decompression times, Triplock winding crown protected by the crown guard. D. Black with luminous round, triangular and baton indexes, aperture for the date, "Sea-Dweller Submariner 2000" in red letters. Luminous steel skeleton hands. M. Cal. 1570, rhodium-plated, oeil-de-perdrix decoration, 26 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 17 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3-12

Good

Worn
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

Ref. 1665 The "Sea-Dweller 2000", launched in 1967, was the first water-resistant watch to bear a helium valve for the decompression time indication. It is guaranteed water-resistant down to 610m./2000ft. The first generation of this reference had no helium gas escape valve, which caused great inner pressure to bear upon the case when the diver rose to the surface. This problem was solved by Rolex and the COMEX engineers.