Beschreibung:

Rolex Follow Ref. 1665 An extremely rare and historically important stainless steel prototype wristwatch with “Single Red” dial, no helium valve case, formerly property of Robert Palmer Bradley 1967 40mm Diameter Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
Condition Report Sign up or Log in Manufacturer : Rolex Year : 1967 Reference No : 1665 Movement No : D73'158 Case No : 1'602'913 inside caseback stamped II.67 Model Name : Sea-Dweller "Single Red" Material : Stainless steel Calibre : Automatic, Cal. 1570, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap : Stainless steel Oyster Rolex bracelet reference 9315, endlinks stamped 380 measuring 220mm max Clasp/Buckle : Stainless steel Rolex flip lock with extendable deployant clasp, stamped 9315 Dimensions : 40mm Diameter Signed : Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Provenance : Robert Bradly Literature : This exact timepiece is featured in A Journey Into the Deep by John Goldberger and Daniel Bourn pp. 24-27. Provenance Robert Bradly Catalogue Essay The Rolex Sea-Dweller is one of the world’s most eminent dive watches. Launched in 1967, it was originally conceived for dive expeditions. The Sea-Dweller's biggest technical innovation was the helium escape valve. During the 1960s, most watches did not have the capacity to submerge into great depths without breaking. The Helium Escape Valve allowed helium gas, which builds up underwater, to be released during decompression. As with all innovations, Rolex created a certain number of prototypes to trial test the watches in “the field” or rather underwater by delivering these to the world’s leading dive companies and US Military. These prototypes were housed in Submariner style cases with and without a Helium Escape Valve and with a new reference number engraved between the lugs and inside the case back: 1665. Furthermore, the dials bore the new model name Sea-Dweller printed in red on one line and followed by the depth rating. It is interesting to note that on the dial of these “Single Red” prototypes the depth rating is indicated in meters first whereas later production models would have the rating indicated first in feet. Furthermore the depth rating was 500m/1650ft whereas subsequent models would have a depth rating of 600m/2000ft. The present model without Helium Escape Valve features a case slightly thinner than the later production models. This watch was tested by American diver Robert Palmer Bradley, a naval pilot and marine biologist. He was a pilot of the Deepstar-4000, a deep sea submersible designed by the famous ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau. The US Naval Oceanographic Office used the Deepstar-4000 for numerous dives along the East Coast of the United States and in the Caribbean to study marine geology, biology and the physical properties of the water column. It is believed that Rolex offered this watch to Robert Palmer Bradley in November 1968 to commemorate the 500th dive of the Deepstar-4000. In fact the caseback shows traces of an engraving that has mostly rubbed off but where the name Bob and a date 11.08 can be distinguished. As these watches were prototypes and used for intense testing, few have actually survived. Scholarship has found twelve existing “Single Red” Sea-Dwellers, seven of which do not have a Helium Escape Valve. The known "Single Red" Sea-Dwellers have the following serial numbers (in increasing order): - 1'602'913: the present watch - 1'602'91x (without helium escape valve) having belonged to Ian Koblick - 1'602'920 (with helium escape valve) having belonged to Philippe Cousteau - 1'602'922 (with helium escape valve) - 1'602'928 (without helium escape valve) - 1'602'931 (with helium escape valve) - 1'603'xxx (without helium escape vale) having belonged to Richard A. Waller - 1'759'659 (without helium escape valve) - 1'820'177 (with helium escape valve) having belonged to Dr. Ralph W. Brauer Three other "Single Red" Sea-Dwellers are known but we do not have the serial numbers. Taking in account these serial numbers it is therefore quite possible that the present “Single Red” is the earliest made example. It is interesting to note that for the 50th anniversary of the Sea-Dweller in 2017, Rolex introduced a model with a “Single Red” signature. Fresh to the auction market,