Exclusive Timepieces 22 –⁠ 23 April 2023 | Monaco

Auction Details

The Monaco Legend Group team has put together an astonishing selection of rarities in the horological field. From the Unique Piece Rolex Yachtmaster, former property of the late President of Rolex Patrick Heiniger, to an outstanding example of the Patek Philippe 2523-1. Not to mention the great selection of rarities destined for Middle Eastern market, such as a Rolex Submariner and Daytona from the Sultanate of Oman and a steel Daytona with UAE emblem on the dial.
Many thanks to Auro Montanari, alias John Goldberger, Roberto Randazzo and George Pakkos for their significant help in supervising the catalogue and to Eric Tortella for his assistance in searching for some of our rarest Patek Philippe watches in his database and releasing his passport of authenticity for them.

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Session I: Saturday 22 April, 2:30 PM – lots 1 to 100
Session II: Sunday 23 April, 10:30 AM – lots 101 to 164
Session III: Sunday 23 April, 2:30 PM – lots 165 to 261

257 Rolex Very Rare and Sought After, Sea Dweller, Automatic Wristwatch in Steel, Black Dial, Made for Hafiz al-Asad, With Rolex Service, Reference 1665

Estimate: € 70,000 –⁠ 140,000

Sold € 89,700

Model: Sea-Dweller
Reference: 1665
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Bracelet Material: Stainless Steel
Year: 1978
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 1570
Case N°: 5608754
Dimensions: 40 mm
Signed: Dial, Case and Movement
Accessories: Service

Rolex has always had water as a favorite element for new and increasingly efficient watch tools since, in 1927, it put the first completely waterproof watch on the wrist of the British swimmer Mercedes Gleitze. From that moment on, the capacity of the immersion of Rolex timepieces increased more and more and in 1967 was presented the first evolution of the Submariner 5514 and was created by the Sea-Dweller model reference 1665, one whose exponent is the lot offered here. The case has the same characteristics as the Submariner with the exception of helium and gas escape valve at 9 o’clock to withstand the compression and allow a greater immersion capacity up to 2000 feet (610 meters). “Rolex patented” Oyster Gas escape valve is also visible on the case back, exactly as the present lot. The dial has a matte black color with white text and most important is the presence of a red writing under the hands: the Syrian Dictator Hafiz al-Asad’s Personal signature. Syrian air force general and senior Ba’athist, Hafiz al-Asad was Syria’s president and dictator from 1971 until his death in 2000. He was the longest president in power in Syria, and thanks to him the country has experienced a stable and consolidated phase of institutional life after decades of coups. Assad himself wore this watch for several years and then, gift it to one of his closest collaborators. The case is beautiful and keeps its charm intact and offers the chance of owning one of the most legendary and iconic dives watches ever produced.