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Lot Essay
Offered in 'like new' overall condition with the original protective stickers on the case and bracelet, the present timepiece is number 42 of a limited edition of 50 pieces only. Part of an Important Private Collection, the present reference 116660 is sold with its full set of accessories and a bound volume of the original owner's dive logs.
To commemorate the formation of the Royal Navy Clearance Diver Branch over 60 years ago, and to celebrate the numerous operations that the Branch has most successfully conducted, both at home and overseas, past and present, Rolex agreed to produce a limited series of only 50 'Royal Navy Clearance Diver Special Edition' Sea Dweller Deepsea Watches. To reflect the heart of the operational community, the case backs feature a high relief representation of the Royal Navy Clearance Diver's crest.
Following his career as a Royal Navy first class diver and bomb disposal officer, the original owner of the watch left the Navy in 2000 but was still actively involved with diving and bomb disposal. His latest missions included clearing WWII sea mines in the North Sea, recovering sunken warships filled with munitions off the Iraqi coast, clearing minefields for the United Nations in Libya and conducting missile disposal in Cameroon for the Government. A bound volume of his extensive dive logs is sold with this watch.
Considered 'the most dangerous underwater job in the world', clearance divers originated as underwater specialists dedicated to the removal of underwater obstructions from channels or harbors. Later the job evolved to include many other activities. Among these, the British Royal Navy – one of only three Navy worldwide – counts also the ghastly task of 'human minesweeper', highly trained individuals whose initial role was to clear sea-lanes to allow landing crafts to approach enemy beaches safely.
To commemorate the formation of the Royal Navy Clearance Diver Branch over 60 years ago, and to celebrate the numerous operations that the Branch has most successfully conducted, both at home and overseas, past and present, Rolex agreed to produce a limited series of only 50 'Royal Navy Clearance Diver Special Edition' Sea Dweller Deepsea Watches. To reflect the heart of the operational community, the case backs feature a high relief representation of the Royal Navy Clearance Diver's crest.
Following his career as a Royal Navy first class diver and bomb disposal officer, the original owner of the watch left the Navy in 2000 but was still actively involved with diving and bomb disposal. His latest missions included clearing WWII sea mines in the North Sea, recovering sunken warships filled with munitions off the Iraqi coast, clearing minefields for the United Nations in Libya and conducting missile disposal in Cameroon for the Government. A bound volume of his extensive dive logs is sold with this watch.
Considered 'the most dangerous underwater job in the world', clearance divers originated as underwater specialists dedicated to the removal of underwater obstructions from channels or harbors. Later the job evolved to include many other activities. Among these, the British Royal Navy – one of only three Navy worldwide – counts also the ghastly task of 'human minesweeper', highly trained individuals whose initial role was to clear sea-lanes to allow landing crafts to approach enemy beaches safely.