Rolex - The New York Watch Auction: EIGHT New York Saturday, June 10, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1979
    Reference No: 1665
    Movement No: D913’453
    Case No: 6’014’693, repeated inside case back and stamped 1665
    Model Name: Sea-Dweller, “Rail Dial”
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped 93150, end links stamped 585, max overall length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped 93150, R2
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex Guarantee dated December 3, 1981, Rolex Taiwan service receipt dated March 18, 2013, green leather presentation box, wallet, hang tags, product literature and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    In 1967, Rolex officially introduced the first ever Sea-Dweller reference 1665. Early examples featured a dial with two red lines of texts “SEA-DWELLER” and “SUBMARINER 2000”, earning its nickname the “Double Red” Sea-Dweller. By the mid-1970s, Rolex replaced the double red dials with the “Great White” dial, removing the two lines of red text. Without a doubt, early examples of the “Great White” Sea-Dweller are rare. In production for a mere two years, examples with a “Rail Dial” are certainly elusive and highly sought-after. Manufactured by the Stern company (now owned by Patek Philippe), these rail dials differ from traditional dials manufactured by Singer.

    Most notably, the last “E” of “Superlative” and the “Y” of “Officially” are perfectly aligned, as are the “C” of “Chronometer” and “Certified”. This creates a very pleasing and unusual vertical “corridor” (or rail) of space between the last two lines of the designation. Another detail unique to the “rail dial” is the Swiss designation reading “T Swiss T < 25”. No other Sea-Dweller dial presents this designation.

    This Rolex Sea-Dweller from 1979 is sure to please discerning collectors, boasting a well-preserved dial with luminous hour markers that aged to a warm yellowish hue. The case is in outstanding original condition with all of its original proportions and lug bevels intact, as it left the factory. From the collection of an important American collector, this exceptional example is offered complete with its boxes, hang tags, and original guarantee dated December 3, 1981.

  • 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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Ref. 1665
An extremely well-preserved and attractive stainless steel diver’s wristwatch with “rail dial”, helium escape valve, date, bracelet and guarantee

1979
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement clasp signed

Estimate
$12,000 - 24,000 
CHF10,800-21,600
€11,100-22,200
HK$93,800-188,000
S$16,100-32,300

Sold for $17,780

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas
+1 (212) 940-1293
WatchesNY@Phillips.com
 
Isabella Proia
Head of Sale, New York
+1 (212) 940 1285
iproia@phillips.com

The New York Watch Auction: EIGHT

New York Auction 10 - 11 June 2023