Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 12, 2013

LOT 246

ROLEX REF. 1665 SINGLE RED SUBMARINER SEA DWELLER Rolex, Oyster Perpetual Date, Submariner, Sea-Dweller, Submariner, 2000 ft./610 m., Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified, case No. 4160643, Ref. 1665. Made in 1975. Fine and rare, center seconds, self-winding, water resistant, stainless steel diver?s chronometer wristwatch with single red Submariner logo, helium escape valve and date.

CHF 30,000 - 50,000

HKD 250,000 - 415,000 / USD 32,000 - 53,000

Sold: CHF 37,500

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screw-down case back and crown, helium escape valve at 9, graduated bidirectional revolving black bezel for the decompression times, Triplock winding crown protected by the crown guard, inner case stamped with S/N 4160643. D. Black with luminous round, triangular and baton indexes, outer minute/ seconds track, aperture for the date, Submariner in red letters. Luminous steel skeleton hands. M. Cal. 1570, rhodium-plated, oeil-de-perdrix decoration, 26 jewels, straightline lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating free-sprung Breguet balance spring, Microstella regulating screws, hack mechanism. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 40 mm. Thickness 17 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

Unknown until now, this newly discovered version of the SeaDweller continues to puzzle and intrigue collectors worldwide. After having had the pleasure of selling the prototype Single Red Seadweller (Lot 126, November 2011 for the world record sum of Sfr 490?900), this version is another interesting evolution. Bearing an early serial number dating to 1975 and bearing the serial numbers stamped inside the case, it marks a transition period between the double reds and the great white. Similar to the prototype Seadwellers that had various dial configurations and depth indications, this example was probably experimental testing the wording on the dials as the double red was getting discontinued and chose to leave a single line in red which was the word Submariner.