One of the most wearable vintage Sea-Dwellers available! Stainless steel Rolex Sea-Dweller 1665 from around 1975 with 408xxxx case number and straight “ROLEX” text across the case-back. Yes, those in the know will realise that the case number and case-back style prove that this watch was originally an even more highly desirable “Double Red” Sea-Dweller, but in 2004 it was serviced by Rolex UK who fitted this new “Great White” service replacement dial with Luminova markers. They also appear to have fitted a new Oyster Fliplock 93150 bracelet with 585 end-links (its “S DT4” clasp code identifying it as a service part, manufactured in April 2002). The main 1665 case and 1665 case-back both show the same, matching 408xxxx case number in full. It has a Rolex 1575 calibre movement, the bridge marked 1570 as normal, and its unique movement number D952xxx is shown in the photo-essay linked below. The movement is running well, testing on average to be + 4 seconds per day in July 2023, although this will vary slightly depending on the individual wearer. Its case, bracelet, crown and glass are in excellent condition, the case numbering is crisp and clear, the bezel insert is is excellent and the bezel rim is very good – we note a small bump on its inner rim, near the 3 minute marker. The watch appears to have had little wear after the 2004 service by Rolex and since April 2016 has simply sat in one of the Miltons’ safes! Offered with a period-correct Rolex box (ref 67.00.03), our own warranty card and a certificate from the ALR Watch Register confirming that we checked it with them. It is interesting to note that the case numbers of this batch of 1665s appear to sit adjacent to a batch of rare Submariner 5514s made for the French diving company COMEX. A photo-essay of this watch with many more photographs is available by clicking here. While we might have preferred that it retained its original and much more valuable dial, this watch in its refurbished form and with the extremely good bracelet offers much of the charm of a vintage Sea-Dweller combined with the smart look and wearable nature of a later model. Please note that while we have successfully tested water resistance for normal use including recreational swimming etc, we would advise that more extensive pressure testing be carried out before any significant underwater diving is considered.
Our extensive research and record-keeping over many years leads us to conclude that Sea-Dweller 1665s featured the word “ROLEX” written straight across the case back on all watches with case numbers below c. 520xxxx, after which “ROLEX” was written in a conspicuously curved style. That same research allows us to determine that Double Red dials were fitted in Sea-Dweller 1665s until at least the high 529xxxx range of case numbers, after which they fitted dials with text all in white. More is written about this in our photo-essay, available through the link above.
We cannot accept cash for items of such high value. Please ask for one of our watch specialists if you would like to view the watch in our private / secure sales facility or to enquire about acceptable payment methods.
