製造商: Rolex 年份: Circa 1976 型號: 1665 機芯編號: D154'628 錶殼號碼: 4'223'569 型號名稱: Sea-Dweller 材料: Stainless steel 機芯: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels 錶帶/ 錶鏈: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 203mm 錶扣: Stainless steel Rolex twinlock folding deployant clasp 尺寸: 40mm Diameter 簽名: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed 配件: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee March 10, 1977, product literature and fitted presentation box
圖錄文章
Originally conceived for dive expeditions, the Sea-dweller is the ultimate tool watch. It was officially introduced for "civilian" use in 1967. While the earliest prototype examples featured only a single line of text, "Sea-Dweller", in red, Rolex later printed both the depth rating and Sea-Dweller signature in a bold, scarlet hue, which we see on the present watch.
The Sea-Dweller's biggest technical innovation was the helium escape valve. During the 1960s, most watches did not have the capacity to submerge into great depths without breaking. The Helium Escape Valve allowed helium gas, which built up underwater, to be released during decompression.
This example is fitted with a Mk4 dial, evidenced by the large and spiky coronet. Correct for a 4.223 million serial number, it is the most classic dial iteration found on the market. The dial has aged gracefully, exhibiting warm and all-matching patina on the hands and numerals. The case is offered in crisp condition, still showing bevels on the side of the lugs.
This lot is accompanied by its original punched guarantee, as well as the fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
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.
