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
Guarantee Paper and Hangtag
Est. value range
$15,000 – $25,000
The Details
Brand
Rolex
Dimensions
40mm
Model
Sea-Dweller
Movement
Self-Winding cal. 1575
Reference
1665
Bracelet
Stainless steel Oyster bracelet
Year
1983
Condition
Excellent
Material
Stainless steel
Included
Watch, guarantee papers, hang tags and Rolex booklet
Dial Color
Matte Black
THE DIAL
Boasting a beautiful matte black dial, this example's original tritium hands have aged to the exact same tone as the tritium indexes of the dial. Although the hands exhibit some light oxidation (as shown above), no marks or scratches can be found on the dial.
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 excellent overall condition. The case shows crisp edges and surfaces having likely been recently detailed. Caseback engravings are fully visible but slightly worn. Original tritium dial in near-mint condition, with an even yellow patina. Hands are discolored and the luminous material appears to have been re-done. Bezel insert is slightly faded as seen in images. Bracelet comes with 10 links, 1 of which is removable. There is little stretch, and it is currently sized to fit a small sized wrist.
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. The "Great White" Sea-Dweller was first introduced in 1977 and was in production until approximately 1983, meaning this example was one of the last to be produced.
Sam Hines
Managing Director
