ROLEX, LIMITED EDITION STEEL SEA-DWELLER , REF, 16600 - MADE FOR THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOMMOZZATORI OF ITALY’S POLIZIA DI STATO
Lot 100ROLEX
MADE FOR THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOMMOZZATORI OF ITALY’S POLIZIA DI STATO

ROLEX, LIMITED EDITION STEEL SEA-DWELLER , REF, 16600 - MADE FOR THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOMMOZZATORI OF ITALY’S POLIZIA DI STATO

CASE NO. V315’044

Closed29 October 2020

Price Realised

USD 118,750

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ROLEX, LIMITED EDITION STEEL SEA-DWELLER , REF, 16600 - MADE FOR THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOMMOZZATORI OF ITALY’S POLIZIA DI STATO
CASE NO. V315’044
CIRCA: 2008
CASE MATERIAL: Stainless steel
DIAMETER: 40 mm.
BRACELET MATERIAL: Stainless steel
BRACELET SIZE: Overall length approximately 190 mm.
DIAL: Black with Octopus emblem surrounded by the inscription Polizia Di Stato Sommozzatori
MOVEMENT: Automatic
FUNCTIONS: Date
WITH: Rolex Guarantee dated December 2008, service booklet, two extra links and one extensible extra link, Rolex decompression table card, four insigna, two large ornamental metal crests applied on wooden panels signed by Giuseppe Palmeri on the back, a Polizia di Stato - Sommozzatori baseball cap, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.

Specialist note

The so-called Sea-Dweller "Polipetto" (Italian for "small octopus", a nickname obviously inspired by the emblem on the dial) was made in 2008 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the diving corps of the Italian state police. The total output was 79 specimens, an outstandingly small production for Rolex, but one example was kept by Rolex, the remaining 78 were delivered. It immediately became an instant classic and one of the most recognized, talked about and sought after series of modern Rolex production. A further layer of appeal is given by the rare V serial number, which all the Polipettos bear. It is estimated that only around 500 Sea-Dwellers in total bear a V serial.

The 78 examples produced can be split into 3 different "tiers" of rarity:
- The less uncommon version is the one with the commemorative engraving to the case back and no additional information: 50 Polipettos bear such a case back.
-The second tier of rarity, were engraved with the military scuba diving brevet number of the original owner – 25 watches
-The final, virtually unapproachable level of rarity is represented by 3 watches, each one unique in its own right, with engraved the name of the owner.