The Rolex ‘Double Purple’
Rolex is a reputation that has turn into synonymous with ‘device’ watches, designed to hold out a activity. Their iconic fashions embrace the Submariner, the GMT and the Explorer. One among these device watches that’s not so well-known, however extremely wanted amongst collectors is the Sea-Dweller. This was launched again in 1967 (reference 1665), the Rolex ‘Double Purple’ and continues to be a mannequin title used right this moment. It was an evolution of Rolex’s famed dive watch, the Submariner. The Submariner at the moment had a depth ranking of 200m/660ft, nevertheless, the Sea-Dweller was aimed toward those that went deeper and had a depth ranking of 610m/2000ft!
Variations Between the Sea-Dweller and the Submariner
There have been a couple of variations that separated the Sea-Dweller from the Submariner. One among which was the addition of a helium escape valve on the aspect of the case. Saturation divers would typically discover a wierd phenomenon with their Submariners, the crystal would typically come out within the decompression chamber after a dive! Saturation diving requires helium within the respiration gasoline combine and after extended publicity, helium particles would kind contained in the watch’s case. These particles would escape from the weakest level, which was the plexiglass. Rolex solved this concern by patenting their helium escape valve (Swiss patent reference CH492246 should you’re !!) which let these helium particles escape through this mechanism. The Sea-Dweller additionally has a thicker domed crystal and a thicker case than the Submariner. Additionally, this 1665 reference is likely one of the few watches the place Rolex engraved on the case again.
One other distinction between the Sea-Dweller and the Submariner was the pink writing on the first-generation Sea-Dweller dial. The textual content ‘Sea-Dweller’ and ‘Submariner 2000’ is in pink giving the dial a stunning pop of color and has been given the nickname ‘Double Purple’ amongst Rolex collectors. These early Sea-Dwellers are massively wanted amongst Rolex collectors and barely come to market as they didn’t promote in large numbers and people who had been bought had been typically utilized in saturation diving which additional diminished their numbers. The ‘Double Purple’ Sea-Dweller was actually produced for 10 years between
1967 to 1977 earlier than being changed by the ‘Nice White’ which was technically very less complicated however did away with that pretty pink textual content.
Rolex ‘Double Purple’ at Public sale
Lot 129
Rolex – a Sea Dweller ‘Double Purple’ watch, 39mm.
Worth Realised: £21,450.00
Lot 140
Rolex – Submariner ‘Double Purple’
Estimate: £18,000 – £22,000
Viewing occasions (ID required):
Birmingham
Tuesday fifteenth October 10:00-16:00
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Steven Yambo | Watch Specialist
