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Lot 60
Rolex. An extremely rare and fine stainless steel automatic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, date, bracelet, gas escape valve, tropical dial, original guarantee and box
SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER PERPETUAL DATE, BUCHERER, SEA-DWELLER, SUBMARINER 2000, 2000FT=610M, SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED, REF. 1665, CASE NO. 1'721'721, MANUFACTURED IN 1968 AND RETAILED BY BUCHERER IN 1971
Closed14 May 2012
Price Realised
CHF 62,500
More Information
Specialist note
With Rolex guarantee dated 5 August 1971 and stamped Bucherer, Lucerne, a map of Lucerne with Bucherer adverts, a Bucherer promotional and welcoming clients letter, a Rolex, Japan, service invoice dated 22 May 2001 and a Bucherer blue presentation box.
The present watch is from the very first batch of the legendary model, made in 1967, featuring a serial number in the 1.7 million range and the extremely charismatic "colour change" dial, displaying a homogeneous ebony or dark brown colour. It is also known as "Mark II" or "Mk 2" dial, distinguished by the printing: the "double red" designation is crisp and bright red and different in size; the second line, "SUBMARINER 2000", is smaller than the first line "SEA-DWELLER". The Rolex crown has a rather indistinct or smudged appearance, the spikes are slightly distorted and the small oval to the base is hardly visible.
The overall appeal of this exclusive trophy is enhanced by the retailer's signature Bucherer, Rolex's distinguished retailers in Lucerne, Switzerland, the faintly bleached colour of the bezel, beautifully harmonizing with the dial, the very good, genuine overall condition and the presence of the original paperwork and box, all rarities by themselves.
Launched in 1967, the celebrated Sea-Dweller reference 1665 was the first wristwatch designed for use in saturation diving, fitted with a Rolex patent valve in the band and guaranteed waterproof to 610 meters depth. The valve was first developed on the Submariner model and allows helium and other gases to escape, enabling the watch to stand compression.
The present watch is from so-called "Mark II" or "Mk2" series of the "double red" Sea-Dweller, distinguished by the different sizes of the two red designations: the "SUBMARINER 2000" is smaller than the first line "SEA-DWELLER". The oval at the base of the Rolex crown is almost closed.
The present watch is from the very first batch of the legendary model, made in 1967, featuring a serial number in the 1.7 million range and the extremely charismatic "colour change" dial, displaying a homogeneous ebony or dark brown colour. It is also known as "Mark II" or "Mk 2" dial, distinguished by the printing: the "double red" designation is crisp and bright red and different in size; the second line, "SUBMARINER 2000", is smaller than the first line "SEA-DWELLER". The Rolex crown has a rather indistinct or smudged appearance, the spikes are slightly distorted and the small oval to the base is hardly visible.
The overall appeal of this exclusive trophy is enhanced by the retailer's signature Bucherer, Rolex's distinguished retailers in Lucerne, Switzerland, the faintly bleached colour of the bezel, beautifully harmonizing with the dial, the very good, genuine overall condition and the presence of the original paperwork and box, all rarities by themselves.
Launched in 1967, the celebrated Sea-Dweller reference 1665 was the first wristwatch designed for use in saturation diving, fitted with a Rolex patent valve in the band and guaranteed waterproof to 610 meters depth. The valve was first developed on the Submariner model and allows helium and other gases to escape, enabling the watch to stand compression.
The present watch is from so-called "Mark II" or "Mk2" series of the "double red" Sea-Dweller, distinguished by the different sizes of the two red designations: the "SUBMARINER 2000" is smaller than the first line "SEA-DWELLER". The oval at the base of the Rolex crown is almost closed.