Important Collectors Watches, Pocket ...

New York, Dec 11, 2008

LOT 515

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. 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 buckle.

USD 20,000 - 30,000

EUR 16,000 - 23,000 / CHF 23,000 - 35,000

Sold: USD 31,200

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, created as a tool watch in 1967, has captivated Rolex collectors like no other watch. The French diving company COMEX had successfully used Helium Escape Valves (HEV) in the 5513 and later 5514 Submariners made for them. In late 1967, before the HEV patent had been accepted, a distinctive Rolex went into production as a specialized diving watch. Initially based on a thin submariner case, it led to the very desirable patent-pending Sea Dweller which was able to withstand depths of over 2000 feet or 610 meters. Regular production soon followed and the watch was produced with several different variations for the next forty years as model 1665, 16660 and 16600