04-12-201904-12-2019
Skinner Auctions
Skinner AuctionsMarlborough MA
April 12, 2019 10:00 AMCalender
138

Rolex "Red" Submariner Reference 1680 Stainless Steel Wristwatch with Box, and Papers

Sell one like this
$28,290$23,000
Auction: Clocks, Watches & Scientific Instruments - 3230MLocation: MarlboroughDate / Time: April 12, 2019 10:00AM

Description:

Rolex "Red" Submariner Reference 1680 Stainless Steel Wristwatch with Box, and Papers, original stainless steel screw-back Oyster case with bidirectional bezel aged to a nice blue/gray, original matte black feet first MKVI dial with light creamy markers, with a replaced stainless steel folded link bracelet with deployant clasp and fold-over safety link, cal. 1570 automatic movement, serial no. 3740277, with original box, punch paper dated "New York May 1975," cards, and hang tag, 40 mm.

Note: Harold Leavitt and his wife Erma vacationed in St. John, staying at Caneel Bay for many years. He got certified to dive there and dove extensively around the American Virgin Islands and British Virgin Gorda. He loved diving; the first thing he'd do upon arriving at Caneel Bay was to set up a schedule of dives. He encountered every predator fish the area had to offer including moray eels, barracuda, sting rays, and maybe a shark or two. His Rolex accompanied him wherever he went, whether on land or in the water. Picturing him in my mind, he's smiling with his arms folded just below his waist wearing his Rolex.

Sitting on a ledge off Tortuga sits the wreck of The Roan. Its bow is sixty feet down, but the stern is only thirty feet. It was the first and only time that I, his son, ever dove with him. Despite twenty years of diving experience my father broke a fundamental rule by skip breathing (holding his breath between inhales) in order to stay under the water longer. But at 60 feet your air is compressed, you use up your oxygen at twice the rate as at 30 feet. Half way up his assent, he ran out of air! Naturally, the first thing most people do when the get to the surface is to take a huge gulp of air. In the water everything is weightless and calm. But at the surface there are waves. He swallowed a lot of water and had to be pulled into the boat. I was still in the water and had no idea what was going on. Once in the boat, there was my dad looking as green as a pine tree lying on the floor of the boat. Typical of my dad, he went out with just his diving guide at six the next morning to get right back into the water. Man against the sea, usually the sea wins. He just couldn't leave it that way.--Robert Leavitt
Estimate $12,000-18,000

nicely aged bezel with small loss at the 10, currently, setting, winding and keeping time, case needs cleaning and has been polished, original crown, dial appears to be untouched, quality stainless steel bracelet marked Italy/Steelinox.


Items may have wear and tear, imperfections, or the effects of aging. Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

Keywords

Harold Leavitt, Robert Leavitt, Erma, U.S. Virgin Islands