Introduction
Debuting in 1967, with the specific aim of bolstering Rolex's dive watch offering, the Rolex Sea-Dweller built upon the industry-leading dive watch credentials that the Submariner had earned Rolex over the previous 14 years. Created specifically with professional divers in mind, Rolex collaborated with diving companies like COMEX to perfect the Sea-Dweller's design and ensure it would be the ultimate dive watch. Featuring the ingenious Helium-Escape Valve that Rolex had patented the same year, a hugely impressive water resistance, and a sizeable case design, the Sea-Dweller rightfully toppled the Submariner as Rolex's most hardcore dive watch. Today offered in a few separate styles such as two-tone, with various dials, and in two different case sizes (43mm and 44mm), the Sea-Dweller has taken a leaf from the rest of Rolex's offerings and merged its tool-watch focused design with tasteful aesthetics, to create one of the most sought-after and best-equipped dive watches that any diver might ever need.
The 1665 Sea-Dweller was the first watch manufactured by Rolex to include the HEV. Made specifically with commercial divers in mind, it had a depth rating of 2000 feet, as opposed to the 660 feet of the standard Submariner. At first commercially introduced with the text "SEA-DWELLER SUBMARINER 2000" in red, the all-white variant appeared around 1979.
Loupe This Scorecard
Grade
M 9
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Box and Papers
Est. value range
$25,000 – $35,000
The Details
Brand
Rolex
Dimensions
40mm
Model
Sea-Dweller
Movement
Automatic cal. 1575
Reference
1665
Bracelet
Stainless steel bracelet
Year
1981
Condition
Near-Mint
Material
Stainless steel
Included
Watch only
Dial Color
Black
THE DIAL
An excellent example of the collector-favorite matte black dial, this example's wonderfully aged tritium hour markers and hands have developed a stunning yellow patina.
THE CONSTRUCTION
Featuring a famously robust construction, the ref. 1665 was a large watch when it was first released, but today, it wears like a modern diver with its 40mm diameter filling the wrist like so many other contemporary timepieces.
TIMING MACHINE READOUT
This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
Condition
Watch is in near-mint condition. Case is thick and full, and caseback still retains some of the original black enamel. The dial has a beautiful yellow patina and matching hands that are frosted with some oxidation. The original 91350 oyster band has the correct 585 end pieces. The band shows little stretch and has 11 links total. (One removable link). The watch comes with an original sales invoice and hand written guarantee dated 1981, as well as a calendar from 1977 and various booklets. The box that comes with the watch is a later addition, and is from the late 1990s.
Our Perspective
Nicknamed "Great White" due to the all-white text of the dial, the present example belongs to the production of Sea-Dweller that replaced the ref. 1665 dials that featured red text. This is one of the nicest examples we've seen, and comes with its original papers and sales invoice.
Sam Hines
Managing Director
