224
Rolex
Ref. 1665
Sea-Dweller "Great White" Mark II "Rail"
A fine and very attractive stainless steel wristwatch with date, bracelet, gas escape valve and "Rail"-dial
- Estimate
- CHF8,000 - 12,000€7,300 - 11,000$8,200 - 12,400
CHF15,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- 1978
- Reference No
- 1665
- Movement No
- D593'559
- Case No
- 5'746'092
- Model Name
- Sea-Dweller "Great White" Mark II "Rail"
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal.1570, 26 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, reference 93150, end links stamped 585, max length 210mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Folding deployant clasp with diver extension
- Dimensions
- 39mm. Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Referred to by collectors as the “Great White”, to enhance the soberness created by the lack of bright colors on the dial, the present watch is the successor of the “Double Red” Sea-Dweller. Launched in 1977 when Rolex stopped using red lettering, the “Great White” dials like its predecessor underwent several evolutions. The present dial with the "C" of Chronometer lined up with the "C" of Certified of the line below is part of the second generation of dials knowm as the the Mark II Rail Dial.
The present example is overall excellent condition, and stands out by its homogeneously aged luminous material on the hour markers and hands. Both have turned to the warmest “crème brulée” color possible, giving the watch its stunning vintage appearance.
The present example is overall excellent condition, and stands out by its homogeneously aged luminous material on the hour markers and hands. Both have turned to the warmest “crème brulée” color possible, giving the watch its stunning vintage appearance.
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded 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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