Rolex

• cal. 1570 automatic movement, 26 jewels • black dial, luminous triangle, baton and dots indexes, aperture for date • stainless steel Oyster case, revolving black bezel calibrated for 60 units, screw down crown and case back, gas escape valve to the band • case, dial and movement signed • with a stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet and folding clasp

CASE The case is in excellent overall condition, and in our view, has never been polished. There are minor light surface scratches present, indicative of seldom wear. The bevels are crisp and well defined. There is a minor scratch near the lug hole on the bottom right side. The case back still retains the original Rolex sticker that has faded slightly from age. The bracelet has some minor surface scratches throughout from careful wear, and is in overall very good condition. DIAL Dial in overall very good condition. The hands are original, and the luminous material has aged to a lovely caramel color. The printing on the dial is crisp. The dial shows no signs of prior restoration. MOVEMENT The movement is running at time of cataloging, however it was not tested for the accuracy of time or duration of the power reserve and may need service at the buyer's discretion. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement. Please note that the presentation box has wear and some corners with tearing to the material.
"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."

Accompanied by a Rolex Guarantee and Chronometer Certification. Together with a Rolex reference sticker to the case back, a sales tag, a bi fold, and a presentation box.  Rolex watches are synonymous with use and specific purpose, and the Sea-Dweller was designed to be used in the most inhospitable and dangerous environments of deep-sea diving. That is why it is so remarkable to find a tool watch, such as the present Ref. 1665, in such impeccable original condition. Bearing a 3.4 million serial number, dating the watch to 1972, the watch has the Mark III version of the dial, identifiable by the similar coronet to the Mark I (Patent Pending) version, different sized double red signature, and alignment of the words within that designation. The dial has survived in exceptional condition with an even matte black finish, matching hands and large lume plots which have aged to a creamy orange along with the pearl to the bezel. 

The case bears no signs of being worn whatsoever: there is no wear to the edges where rubbing would occur with a shirt cuff, extremely defined chamfers to the lugs and perfect definition to the brushed finish. The lugs and crown guards remain thick and robust, and the case back with preserved engraving is topped by an original case back sticker. Even between the lugs, the serial numbers remain crisp with no sign of any wear from the bracelet, further evidence that the watch was not worn and therefore no rubbing between the end-links and the case occurred. The bracelet itself, Ref. 9315, features folded links and a clasp dated to 1971. The present lot provides a unique opportunity for the connoisseur to add a superlative trophy watch to their collection.