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 commericial 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
V 8.5
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Watch Only
Est. value range
$10,000 – $15,000
The Details
Brand
Rolex
Dimensions
40mm
Model
Sea-Dweller
Movement
Automatic cal. 1575
Reference
1665
Bracelet
Stainless steel Oyster bracelet
Year
1981
Condition
Excellent
Material
Stainess steel
Included
Watch and box
Dial Color
Black
Condition
Watch is in excellent overall conditinon. Case exhibits some minor surface wear, with some scratches and marks visible. Wear and small scratches visible near the lug-holes due to bracelet removal. The lugs retain a crisp chamfered edge as seen in the images. Bezel teeth have minor wear, and the insert shows little visible damage. Original tritium pearl matches the luminous hands and indexes. The dial is in excellent condition with little wear. The original luminous dots have aged to a strong dark yellow/orange color. There are some minor marks visible on some of the indexes. Watch comes on a 91350 oyster bracelet with 11 linsk total. It shows minor stretch and fits an approx 7" wrist.
Our Perspective
First introduced in 1977 and in production until approximately 1983, the "Great White" was so-called due to the all-white text of the dial that replaced the ref. 1665 dials that featured red text, making them a unique transitional oddity.