Rolex Sea-Dweller (1665)

Vintage Rolex 40mm Sea-Dweller, Black Dial, Oyster Bracelet, Ref. 1665

Vintage Rolex watches are first and foremost, beautiful iconic watches that are highly sought after.  They can also be a minefield of minutia, making them intimidating to approach.  Let us present an authentic and highly desirable watch, as well as share with you why it is so.

Rolex Submariners are widely known and respected dive watches.  A perhaps lesser known but more capable dive watch is the Rolex Sea-Dweller, dive watches that are similar to the Submariner with the exception of a helium escape valve at 9 o’clock.  Similar in size to the Submariner, they are slightly thicker while still being very comfortable to wear.  Once shown a Sea-Dweller, they often become a favorite.

Sea-Dwellers were made available to the public in about 1971.  The reference presented here has a serial number indicating production in about 1972, with a sales receipt from June, 1975.  It is amongst the earliest Sea-Dwellers produced with a helium value.  This watch is unusual in that it has a dial with white script, as opposed to the double red Sea-Dweller script that was on these early references.   Because this watch was purchased from the original owner and because the owner kept the box and papers, as well as the sales receipt and service papers, we know that he had the Rolex company service the watch in 1996, at which time Rolex installed a service dial with tritium and white script.  The watch also received a new bracelet from Rolex in 1996.  This watch still has the thick domed acrylic crystal for which Sea-Dwellers are known for and appreciated that the crystal does not include a cyclops window over the date.  What’s more, this case is in excellent condition and does not show signs of inexpert polishing, as is often the situation.  And while we mentioned the history of the dial, most importantly, the dial is also in excellent condition with absolutely beautiful manilla colored lume that has evenly faded over time.

While finding a vintage Rolex in excellent condition from the original owner is infrequent at best, this watch has more left to give.  The watch was originally purchased and owned by a Sergeant First Class who served in the 12th Special Forces and has his name and service number engraved on the case back, (which is also in excellent condition.)  This is in all respects, a very attractive watch that should be the highlight of anyone’s collection.