Important Watches: Part I

Important Watches: Part I

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 9. Retailed by Tiffany & Co.: 'Great White' Sea-Dweller, Ref. 1665, Stainless steel wristwatch with date, helium escape valve and bracelet Circa 1978 | 勞力士 | 零售商為蒂芙尼:1665型號「'Great White' Sea-Dweller」精鋼鍊帶腕錶備日期顯示及排氦閥,約1978年製.

Rolex

Retailed by Tiffany & Co.: 'Great White' Sea-Dweller, Ref. 1665, Stainless steel wristwatch with date, helium escape valve and bracelet Circa 1978 | 勞力士 | 零售商為蒂芙尼:1665型號「'Great White' Sea-Dweller」精鋼鍊帶腕錶備日期顯示及排氦閥,約1978年製

Auction Closed

November 10, 02:59 PM GMT

Estimate

40,000 - 60,000 CHF

Lot Details

Description

Rolex


Retailed by Tiffany & Co.:

'Great White' Sea-Dweller, Ref. 1665

Stainless steel wristwatch with date, helium escape valve and bracelet

Circa 1978


Dial: black

Calibre: cal. 1570 automatic, 26 jewels

Movement number: D'603'948

Case: stainless steel, screw-down back

Case number: 5'714'574

Closure: stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet and folding clasp

Dimensions: 39 mm, bracelet circumference approx. 215 mm

Signed: case, dial and movement

Box: no

Papers: no

Accessories: none

Launched in 1967, the celebrated Sea-Dweller reference 1665 was the first wristwatch designed for use in saturation diving. The firm fitted the model with a gas escape valve and guaranteed waterproof to 610 meters depth. The valve was first developed on the Submariner model and allows helium and other gases to escape, enabling the watch to withstand compression during saturation diving. 


Around 1977, a new version of the dial was introduced. Rolex replaced the famous red Sea-Dweller inscription for a white one and removed the Submariner 2000 text. This version was nicknamed 'Great White' for its white dial and as a reference to the great white shark. Four iterations of this type of dial are known and the present lot is equipped with a Mark I dial which also bears the rare and sought-after Tiffany & Co signature. Making it instantaneously more collectible, this watch would be a great piece to add to any collection.