49 Rolex In New Old Stock Condition, Highly Important and Limited Edition, Sea-Dweller, Automatic Wristwatch in Steel, Made for the 50th Anniversary of the Italian Polizia di Stato, With Box, Warranty, Tag and Diving Table, Reference 16 600

Estimate: €100,000 –⁠ 200,000

Model: Sea-Dweller
Reference: 16600
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Bracelet Material: Stainless Steel
Year: 2008
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 3135
Case N°: V315052
Dimensions: 40 mm
Signed: Dial, Case and Movement
Accessories: Box, Warranty, Tag and Diving Decompression Table

In 2008, upon the initiative of some agents to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the unit, the Italian Scuba Diving Corps of Polizia di Stato contacted Rolex Italy through the La Spezia dealer Montre et Bijoux in order to make a special edition watch. After being authorized by Rolex Geneva and obtaining all the clearance from the Ministry and their Command, to be able to use the Police logo, everything was ready to go. The model chosen was, of course, the Sea-Dweller reference 16 600: a total of 79 specimens were produced and consigned in December 2008, an outstandingly small production for Rolex that decided to keep one of them for herself. At the time of the order confirmation, demonstrating how exceptional this event was, Rolex requested a written referral in which the agents committed themselves to not commercialize the watch. The watch immediately became an instant classic and one of the most recognized, talked about and sought after a series of modern Rolex production. A further layer of appeal is given by the rare V serial number, which all the Polipettos bear. It is estimated that only around 500 Sea-Dwellers in total bear a V serial. Also so-called Sea-Dweller “Polipetto” (Italian for “small octopus”), its nickname obviously comes from the emblem on the dial and located at 9 o’clock. The present specimen is offered in basically unworn conditions, retaining all the factory stickers and even sports its unmolested QR code—which often tends to partly or totally rub off—to the left band sticker. Personalization was on both dial and rear. As previously said, the dial has the logo at the nine o’clock position: an octopus surrounded by a double circle with the writing “Polizia di Stato-Sommozzatori”, and it is the same on each watch. The bottoms have been engraved with specific requests. All the watches have been engraved in the middle section: “Polizia di Stato-Sommozzatori-1958–2008”, and for those who requested it was engraved the brevet number (not in this case). Reuniting flawless condition, presence of original box and papers, absolute rarity, an unmistakable dial and remarkable historical relevance, one can unarguably say that the present piece is part of the most important Rolex Sea-Dweller batch of the 21st century.