Important Collectors Watches, Pocket ...
Geneva, Mar 29, 2009
LOT 93
Double-Red Patent Pending Mark II, Color-Change Dial Rolex, "Oyster Perpetual Date, Sea-Dweller, Submariner 2000, 2000 ft. / 610 m., Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified", case No. 2247984, Ref. 1665. Made in 1967. Fine and extremely 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. To be sold without reserve
CHF 40,000 - 60,000
USD 35,000 - 50,000 / EUR 27,000 - 40,000
Sold: CHF 45,600
C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, case back engaved "OYSTER GAS ESCAPE VALVE (PATENT PENDING)", 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" printed in red. 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. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 40 mm. Thickness 17 mm. Approx. overall length 175 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: |
|
Case: 3 |
Good |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-02 |
Good HANDS Service hands |
Notes
The first version of the Double Red Sea Dweller (DRSD) was produced in 1967. It is believed that between 50 to 100 early versions were sent to dealers for promotional use. The helium valve had been developed and the patent applied, but Rolex had not yet received final approval. Therefore, the words "Patent Pending" were engraved on the case backs. There are several differences between the first version of ref. 1665 and the later production: (i) the case was thinner; (ii) the case back was engraved "Patent Pending" in parenthesis; and (iii) the diver's extension link was stamped "Pat. Pend". The double red writing was applied first in white on the black dial and red paint was then applied over the white, so as to highlight the red color. The two double red lines are similar in font and size. They read: "SEA-DWELLER" and below, "SUBMARINER 2000". On the few examples that subsist, the red writing has faded to pink, white or yellow. This was due to the reaction of the red paint over the white paint, hence the dial is often referred to as the "Double Pink". The coronet is quite sharp, with the five tips of the crown and oval at the base clearly defined. A very limited number of these dials was produced, and they had "patent pending" engraved on the case back and stamped on the diver's extension link of the bracelet.