Rolex Sea-Dweller 1665

Rolex Sea-Dweller Ref. 1665 - 'Great White'

The first Sea-Dweller, the Reference 1665, debuted in circa 1967 and was designed with saturation divers in mind. The key differentiator between a Sea-Dweller and its little sibling, the Submariner, is that the SD always has a helium escape valve (or 'HEV') on the left case profile and a higher domed crystal with no cyclops magnifier. The earliest prototypes were actually Submariners with the added HEV on the left case profile, but it was the 1665 that first bore the Sea-Dweller name on the dial. The piece that we have here comes from the very end of production prior to being replaced by the subsequent Ref. 16660. These pieces feature what we call 'rail dials' for the spacing between the unusual spacing within the "superlative chronometer officially certified" text on the lower half of the dial. While not unique to this reference, these only turn up from a small serial number range and are worthy of the recognition. Dating to circa 1978, this piece remains in excellent overall condition. The case has been very lightly polished at a previous time, with preserved factory proportions and showing normal signs of wear throughout. The bezel assembly is seemingly unpolished, with crisp finishing and a correct 'fat font' inset that has begun to change to a deep navy blue color. Inside, the matte black dial is beautifully preserved, with a clean surface, excellent text, and gently patinated Tritium plots throughout and a beautifully matching handset. It comes fitted to its correct Oyster bracelet with a signed fliplock clasp. Sea-Dwellers are amongst first 'enhanced' dive watches made for saturation diving with a number of technical firsts, were produced in far smaller numbers than its Submariner and Submariner Date siblings, and feature a very similar wearing experience, yet, we think, remain bargains. This example surely has multiple lifetimes left of wrist time, and is ready for its next owner. Sea-Dwellers are amongst first 'enhanced' dive watches made for saturation diving with a number of technical firsts, were produced in far smaller numbers than its Submariner and Submariner Date siblings, and feature a very similar wearing experience, yet, we think, remain bargains. This example surely has multiple lifetimes left of wrist time, and is ready for its next owner. Movement: Automatic-winding chronometer certified caliber by Rolex. Bracelet/Strap: Rolex stainless steel Oyster Bracelet with 9 links and signed fliplock clasp stamped 'VC.' Very lightly previously polished, showing light signs of wear with no stretch. Sized for ≈7.5" wrist.