CIRCA: 1970
CASE MATERIAL: Stainless steel, steel caseback with Mk 1 “Patent Pending” engraving.
DIAMETER: 40 mm.
BRACELET: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped 9315 with the end-links stamped 285
DIAL: Mk 1 dial
MOVEMENT: Cal. 1575, automatic
FUNCTIONS: Time, date, helium escape valve
CLASP: Stainless steel Rolex fold-over clasp

These lots have been imported from outside of the UAE for sale. Should the lots be released into GCC/UAE free circulation, duty will be payable at 5% on the low estimate. Duty paid in Dubai is treated as final duty payment as per GCC''s customs laws. VAT at 5% will be applied to the hammer and buyer’s premium.

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This lot is offered by Christie's Dubai Ltd.

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Lot Essay

Rolex produced the Ref. 1665 Sea-Dweller from 1967 to 1983, it was the first watch from the brand designed specifically for saturation diving. The experimental early 1665 models had “patent pending” engraved on the caseback. This is a Mk1 dial, the rarest of the lot – the words SUBMARINER and SEA-DWELLER are printed in the same font and the colour fades to white from red via pink and yellow. The S of the SEA-DWELLER is also aligned perfectly with the B of the SUBMARINER. The bracelet (stamped 9315) and end-links (285) are period-correct for this particular model. Though this watch is powered by the self-winding Cal. 1575, the rotor is stamped 1570, another quirk of the early 1665 models.

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