Exceptional Horological Works of Art

Geneva, Oct 19, 2002

LOT 39

Rolex Oyster "Deep Sea Special", No. 35., movement No. 641867. Produced in a limited edition following the Jacques Piccard expedition in 1960. This watch is dated January 23, 1960. Extremely rare and important, highly waterproof down to 10908 m/35789 ft, able to resist pressures of one ton per square centimeter, center-seconds, stainless steel and yellow gold diver's wristwatch with a stainless steel and yellow gold riveted Oyster bracelet.

CHF 1 - 1

EUR 1 - 1

C. two-body, thick, bicolored, polished and brushed, heavily screwed-down case back and special waterproof winding-crown, bicolored brushed steel and polished gold elongated hooded lugs, polished bezel, deeply domed crystal. D. black with tritium-coated Bâton, round and dart indexes. "Epée" tritium-coated gold hands. M. cal. 1570, rhodium-plated, 18 jewels, lever escapement, monometallic balance and self-compensating flat balance spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Dim. 42 x 62 mm. Approx. overall length 195 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

This watch is one of the very few known examples still in private hands. It was given by Rolex to a privileged client in the early 1970?s. Jacques Piccard A famous Swiss oceanographer born in Brussels in 1922 who came from a family of world-renowned Swiss scientists. His father Auguste (1884-1962) was the first to explore the stratosphere, going up to 16000 m. with a balloon of his own conception; he also made the first bathyscape. His son Bertrand (born 1958) accomplished the first non-stop balloon world tour, with Brian Jones, in 1999. Jacques Piccard won the world diving record in January 1960, reaching the depth of 10916 meters in the "Fosse des Mariannes" on board the bathyscape "Trieste". The Deep Sea Special Specially designed to resist the extreme pressures - of up to a ton per square cm.- experienced during deep sea dives, three versions of the "Deep Sea Special" were developed between 1950 and 1960. This watch is the same model as the one worn by Jacques Piccard, and belongs to the latter of the three versions, being made in a small series immediately after the expedition. Piccard confirmed the watch?s performance in a telegram to Rolex: "Pleased to inform you your watch as precise at 10,916 m. as at surface."