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Lot Essay
With Rolex fitted green presentation box.
The present Rolex Sea-Dweller reference 1665 is extremely rare and special in several ways. Firstly, it comes with what collectors refer to as Mark I or MK1 dial. Secondly, it has the rare engraving on the back "Oyster Gas Escape Valve (Patent Pending). Thirdly, it comes with a rarer prototype Rolex bracelet and clasp.
The Sea-Dweller Double Red writing series is divided into four different types of dials. The first one, as found on this watch, is the rarest of them all and thus will send shivers of joy through the most avid watch collectors. The Mark I dial for Double Red writing has both the word Sea-Dweller and Submariner 2000 written in the same size, which on most watches will have faded over time from red to pink, changing further to yellow and becoming almost white. The double red lines on this watch are in as strong a red as it would have been when leaving the manufacture and are, therefore, few and far between. The Mark I dial is also characterized by having the "S" of the Sea-Dweller placed in perfect alignment to the "B" of the Submariner 2000.
The honest and original condition of the watch is further underlined by the fact that it has the much sought-after engraving on the back "Oyster Gas Escape Valve (Patent Pending)". Furthermore, the inside of the case back carries exactly what the collector would wish for, i.e. not only the correct reference number 1665, but also the last three digits of the serial number.
The watch also has an uncommon prototype Rolex bracelet with the company's iconic crown on the edge of the deployant clasp and with two extension pieces marked Rolex.
Combining all these exciting elements, the watch is a sight for sore eyes and will definitely accelerate the pulse rate of the aficionado. Its beautifully preserved dial and the still crisp milling and "Patent Pending" writing on the back, as well as the correct repetition of the three last digits on the inside of the back, may just seal the deal to make this watch a "must have."
A similar Sea-Dweller Submariner with "Patent Pending" and only seven numbers apart from the watch above is illustrated in 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, p. 190.
The present Rolex Sea-Dweller reference 1665 is extremely rare and special in several ways. Firstly, it comes with what collectors refer to as Mark I or MK1 dial. Secondly, it has the rare engraving on the back "Oyster Gas Escape Valve (Patent Pending). Thirdly, it comes with a rarer prototype Rolex bracelet and clasp.
The Sea-Dweller Double Red writing series is divided into four different types of dials. The first one, as found on this watch, is the rarest of them all and thus will send shivers of joy through the most avid watch collectors. The Mark I dial for Double Red writing has both the word Sea-Dweller and Submariner 2000 written in the same size, which on most watches will have faded over time from red to pink, changing further to yellow and becoming almost white. The double red lines on this watch are in as strong a red as it would have been when leaving the manufacture and are, therefore, few and far between. The Mark I dial is also characterized by having the "S" of the Sea-Dweller placed in perfect alignment to the "B" of the Submariner 2000.
The honest and original condition of the watch is further underlined by the fact that it has the much sought-after engraving on the back "Oyster Gas Escape Valve (Patent Pending)". Furthermore, the inside of the case back carries exactly what the collector would wish for, i.e. not only the correct reference number 1665, but also the last three digits of the serial number.
The watch also has an uncommon prototype Rolex bracelet with the company's iconic crown on the edge of the deployant clasp and with two extension pieces marked Rolex.
Combining all these exciting elements, the watch is a sight for sore eyes and will definitely accelerate the pulse rate of the aficionado. Its beautifully preserved dial and the still crisp milling and "Patent Pending" writing on the back, as well as the correct repetition of the three last digits on the inside of the back, may just seal the deal to make this watch a "must have."
A similar Sea-Dweller Submariner with "Patent Pending" and only seven numbers apart from the watch above is illustrated in 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, p. 190.