A very fine and rare, stainless steel, made for the 50th anniversary of the diving corps of the italian polizia di stato, individually engraved caseback, self winding wristwatch with black dial, dial with the logo of the "sommozzatori Polizia di stato" Italiana
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If the lot is delivered outside the USA: USD 180 for the termination of the temporary import is due, at the Buyer’s expense.
The Sea-Dweller “Polipetto” is one of the most distinctive special series created by Rolex in the modern era. Produced in 2008 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Diving Corps of the Italian Polizia di Stato, the watch takes the uncompromising architecture of the reference 16600 Sea-Dweller and gives it an unmistakable institutional identity. Only 78 examples were ultimately delivered, making the series exceptionally small by Rolex standards. At first glance, the watch retains the purposeful appearance of the classic Sea-Dweller: a 40 mm stainless steel Oyster case, black rotating diving bezel, helium escape valve, black dial and Oyster bracelet. Yet at 9 o’clock appears the detail that completely transforms its character, the octopus emblem of the Polizia di Stato Sommozzatori surrounded by the unit’s name. This small graphic device gave the watch its now celebrated “Polipetto”, or “small octopus”, nickname.
The present example is particularly compelling because its connection to the diving corps continues beyond the dial. Its caseback is engraved “POLIZIA DI STATO SOMMOZZATORI 1958-2008 BREV. N.151”, identifying it as one of the examples individually associated with a diver’s brevet number. Contemporary auction research indicates that only a minority of the delivered watches received such personalized brevet engravings, adding another layer of specificity to the present piece. Beneath the caseback is Rolex’s automatic calibre 3135, the robust 31-jewel movement that powered the reference 16600. The combination of the Sea-Dweller’s professional diving construction with a genuine institutional commission gives the Polipetto an identity quite different from a conventional limited edition. It was created for a specific corps, for a specific anniversary, and was never conceived as a regular commercial model.
The present watch, case no. V315044 and movement no. 6480952, is fitted with its stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet. Its engraved brevet number, special octopus dial and documented 2008 production place it among the most unusual professional Sea-Dwellers of its generation.
