Rolex

• cal. 1570 nickel lever movement, 26 jewels, mono-metallic compensation balance, adjusted to five positions and temperature • black matte dial, luminescent triangular, dot and baton indexes, aperture for date at 3 o'clock, Sea-Dweller Submariner 2000 printed in red, rotating black bezel calibrated for 60 units • tonneau water-resistant-type case with no gas escape valve in the band, plain screw back, screw-down crown • case, dial and movement signed • with stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet and deployant flip-lock clasp

The movement is running, however we recommend service soon. It is numbered D831617. The dial is in nice overall condition. It is a Mark I version and is generally very clean with nice color to the luminescent paint. The case shows general wear with some light scuffs and marks to the outside of the case back, lugs and band. The outside of the back appears to have a social security number engraved to the outer edge. The numbers between the lugs are 1665 and 1719785 and inside the back is stamped 1665 and IV.67, The heavy bracelet is probably not the original bracelet to the watch, however it is generally in nice condition. It is numbered 580 to the ends and 93150 to the end links.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

For a note on the creation of the Rolex Double-Red Sea-Dweller, see the following lot.

The present example is an especially unusual example of the Rolex Ref. 1665 as it has a plain case with no gas-escape valve and no factory engraving to the outside of the case back.

When this model was about to be released in 1967, it is believed that Rolex produced a limited amount of pieces that did not have the helium escape valve in the band and had a slightly thinner case profile. Rolex sent these out to divers for in-the-field testing.

As most of them did not survive the pressure of deep-sea diving, there are only a handful of them that survive today. 

Ultimately, Rolex would use their patented valve on all examples in this series, making the present watch a very rare early variation.

These early versions are commonly seen with unusual dials that simply have the word 'Sea-Dweller' printed in red, or have 'Sea-Dweller Submariner' in red. The present example has a so-called 'Mark I' dial, with the words 'Sea-Dweller Submariner 2000' in red.

It is not clear how this dial came to be on this watch. It is possible that the dial was changed at some point during service, possibly in the late 1960s or early 1970s. It is also possible that this dial and case left the factory together. In any case, the combination is unusual on an already rare model.