Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVI Hong Kong Wednesday, May 24, 2023 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1968
    Reference No: 1665
    Movement No: D’388’296
    Case No: 1’760’311, inside caseback stamped "311", “IV.67”
    Model Name: Sea-Dweller, “Double Red MK II”
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “9315”, endlinks stamped “380”, max length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 40mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Attractive, durable and capable, it is no wonder why the Double Red Sea-Dweller has been dubbed a cult favourite, not only among vintage Rolex collectors, but also diving professionals. Designed to be worn at great depths, it is equipped with an exclusive helium expulsion valve that is indispensable during the decompression process after surfing the deepest parts of the ocean. While the ref. 1665 was officially released in 1971, the first examples of the reference were unofficially produced since 1967. The highly coveted “double red” lines were ceased in 1977 and subsequently replaced by white writing on the dial until the end of the reference’s production in 1981.

    Of all the dial configurations seen on the ref. 1665, the “Mark II” dials are perhaps the most coveted, thanks to a few distinctive desirable features. The most apparent characteristic of this dial is the crisp and well-defined print of the lines “Sea-Dweller, Submariner 2000” in bright red. The font is also smaller on the second line. Another interesting nuance is that the coronet spikes are distorted and the "O" under it is almost non-existent.

    Bearing a 1.7 million serial, the present Double Red Sea-Dweller is offered in excellent condition for its age, and has been well looked after over the last five decades. While the bezel has developed into an attractive light grey hue, the dial captured within has aged with a beautiful tropical hue further enhancing the vintage aesthetic collectors look for.

  • 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.

    View More Works

907

Ref. 1665
A fine, rare and early stainless steel diver’s wristwatch with center seconds, date, gas escape valve, MK II tropical dial and bracelet

Circa 1968
40mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$260,000 - 550,000 
€30,800-65,100
$33,300-70,500

Sold for HK$355,600

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVI

Hong Kong Auction 24 - 25 May 2023