Important Watches
Important Watches
ROLEX | "DOUBLE RED" SEA-DWELLER, REFERENCE 1665 A STAINLESS STEEL WRISTWATCH WITH DATE AND BRACELET, PRESENTED BY ROLEX TO DIVER ALLAN E. WITCOMBE, CIRCA 1975" | 勞力士 | ""Double Red"" Sea-Dweller 型號1665 精鋼鏈帶腕錶，備日期顯示，由勞力士贈送予潛水員Allan E. Witcombe，錶殼編號3745847，約1975年製"
Auction Closed
July 11, 09:58 AM GMT
Estimate
160,000 - 240,000 HKD
Lot Details
Description
ROLEX
勞力士
"DOUBLE RED" SEA-DWELLER, REFERENCE 1665
A STAINLESS STEEL WRISTWATCH WITH DATE AND BRACELET, PRESENTED BY ROLEX TO DIVER ALLAN E. WITCOMBE, CIRCA 1975
"Double Red" Sea-Dweller 型號1665
精鋼鏈帶腕錶，備日期顯示，由勞力士贈送予潛水員Allan E. Witcombe，錶殼編號3745847，約1975年製
附帶資料文獻、剪報、信件、雜誌及照片存集
Dial: black
Calibre: cal. 1570 automatic, 26 jewels
Case: stainless steel, screw down case back
Case number: 3'745'847
Closure: stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet and folding clasp
Size: 40 mm diameter, bracelet circumference approximately 178 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Accessories: Document presented by Rolex to Allan E. Witcombe dated 3 August 1974, which gives documented facts about the test diving, re-printed document from the proceedings Canadian technology Congress, Toronto, 22-23 March 1984, titled Pisces IV Submersible Operations of Hydrothermal Vents, axial seamount, Juan de Fuca Ridge by S.D Scott, newspaper clippings, Rolex letter from H N Hudson dated 18 April 2006 confirming production of the present watch and supplied to Rolex New York on 1 July 1975, Underwater Photography magazine dated 1978 and various photographs of the original owner wearing the watch in many different circumstances
Toward the end of the 1960’s, the reference 1665, Sea-Dweller was introduced to the market by Rolex. Many variations of this reference were made, and the earliest variations known to the market were prototypes with either the word “SEA-DWELLER” written in red or the case without a helium escape valve. After such prototypes were released, 4 different variations of reference 1655 in double red lines were recognized by collectors.
This lot is fitted with its original and matching Mark III dial distinguished by the lining up of the 'D' of 'Sea-Dweller' and the 'R' of 'Submariner. The writing has a thinner font and has an open '6' for the meter depth.
The Mark III dial is found on Double Red examples with a serial number between 3.4 and 4 million, such as the present lot.
Furthermore, the inside case back is correctly engraved with the complete serial number of the watch, as opposed to the sole last three digits.
This watch presented in a thick and sharp case with cream like color luminous plots that have aged consistently with the hands is extremely appealing to any collector. However as important as the condition is to any watch, the provenance is nevertheless more significant. With the case back of the watch inscribed with “Presented by Rolex to Allan E. Witcombe Pisces V Dive No. 231 5000FT August 3 1974.” The documentations and photographs that was consigned with the watch provides evidence that this watch was given by Rolex to International Hydrodynamics Company LTD (HYCO), a commercial company that was contracted to lay transatlantic telephone cables between Canada and Europe. According to a letter written by Mr. Allan E. Witcome, the present Rolex on his final dive have recorded a breaked 1560 meters (5,200FT) of depth on August 3rd 1974.