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Two Rolex watches with an interesting backstory will appear at auction in New York City early next month. | Source: National Jeweller
Two Rolex watches with an interesting backstory will appear at auction in New York City early next month. | Source: National Jeweller

Love story: Rolex watches hit the auction block

Two Rolex watches with an interesting backstory will appear at auction in New York City early next month.

The two timepieces come from the collection of award-winning underwater cinematographer Alfred Giddings, best known as the co-producer for the 1997 film Titanic, directed by James Cameron.

A 1976 steel Rolex 'Red' Submariner (Ref. 1680) worn by Giddings on dives to the wreckage of the Titanic is expected to return between $USD20,000 ($AUD30,460) and $USD40,000 ($AUD60,910).

The second watch to hit the auction block is a 1984 yellow gold Rolex Submariner (Ref. 1680/8), which also appeared on the set of the Titanic, worn by actor Bill Paxton.

This timepiece enters the auction with an estimate of between $USD30,000 ($AUD45,680) and $USD60,000 ($AUD91,370).

Giddings later partnered with Cameron again for the 1989 film The Abyss. The Important Watches auction will be hosted by Sotheby’s on 6 December.

“There really was no competition; it was simply the best,” Giddings said, discussing his 1976 model.

“The appropriate diving watch was the thing to have, and this watch performed flawlessly, emphasis [on] flawlessly, for all those years, both underwater in different pressure environments and different submersibles: on Titanic, on the Andrea Doria, shipwrecks of Truk Lagoon, Bikini Atoll, the North Pole, Antarctica.”

As part of a storied career, Giddings filmed projects with National Geographic and the BBC and on films such as For Your Eyes Only (1981) and Never Say Never Again (1983).

Al Giddings wearing his Rolex “Red” Submariner watch during his adventures, including dives to the Titanic wreckage site.
Al Giddings wearing his Rolex “Red” Submariner watch during his adventures, including dives to the Titanic wreckage site.

Bill Paxton, an actor who played as a treasure hunter in James Cameron
Bill Paxton, an actor who played as a treasure hunter in James Cameron's movie Titanic, wearing the 1984 yellow gold Rolex Submariner watch.

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