Rolex - Racing Pulse New York Saturday, December 12, 2020 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1974
    Reference No: 1665
    Movement No: D709446
    Case No: 4’135’296, stamped to the case interior as well
    Model Name: Sea-Dweller "Double Red"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1520, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, stamped 93150, endlinks stamped 580, max overall length 210mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex flip lock deployant clasp stamped 93150, J1
    Dimensions: 39.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    In 1967 Rolex launched the Sea-Dweller dive watch for civilian use, which established a new standard in performance and technology, with an incredible depth rating of 2000 feet (610 meters), and the first ever helium escape valve (HEV). The earliest iterations engraved with “Patent Pending Rolex Oyster Gas Escape Valve” on their case backs are highly sought after, while later models like the present features the engraving “Rolex Patent Oyster Gas Escape Value” on the case back. Indeed, after compression dives at such depths, where divers would breathe a mixture of pressurized hydrogen-helium-oxygen, tiny helium atoms would penetrate normal dive watches and pop their crystals out during decompression. Rolex solved this problem by inventing the helium escape valve, which allowed the trapped helium to escape. Between 1971 and 1977, Rolex printed the words “SEA-DWELLER” and “Submariner 2000” in red on two lines on the watch’s dial resulting in the watch being dubbed the “Double Red” years later by aficionados.
    The present watch is fitted with a Mark IV dial with closed “6” numerals and is in excellent overall condition. Its dial is stunning, with its luminous hour markers having aged to a pleasing, warm beige color. The Sea-Dweller is a sporty and versatile watch that is both highly collectible and suitable for daily wear.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.

    One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.

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109

Ref. 1665
A fine and attractive stainless steel wristwatch with gas escape value, date “double red” Mk IV dial, and bracelet

Circa 1974
39.5mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
$15,000 - 25,000 
CHF13,700-22,900
€12,700-21,200
HK$116,000-194,000

Sold for $56,700

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas & International Strategy Advisor
Senior Vice President
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

Racing Pulse

New York Auction 12 December 2020