The Watch
The Rolex 1665 is an all-time great if-you-know-you-know Rolex, the "Great White".
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The Sea-Dweller ref. 1665 first debuted circa 1967 and was designed for use during saturation diving. The main differences between the 'Red' Submariner and Double Red Sea-Dweller are the thicker case, the helium escape valve (HEV), the Sea-Dweller moniker on the dial, and the domed crystal without the Cyclops date lens. The origin of the nickname "Great White" comes from the lack of red text on the dial, rather all of the text is white.
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Today's example is from 1979 and features a "Mark I" dial. This was the second white dial variation after Rolex made the switch away from the "Double Red" to the "Great White." This example is in lovely unpolished honest condition. Sea-Dwellers were typically used for diving, so not many survived intact. This Dial has aged beautifully and has developed a lovely lume colour.
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The Watch is accompanied by the original cardboard outer and leather Box. The Cardboard box has the sticker "1665/0" on the side. The Leather Box does not have any innards. Original "1665" Caseback sticker and a Rolex Wallet.
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The Specs
Age: 1979.
Reference: 1665.
Serial Number: 605XXXX
Movement: Automatic with Hacking Centre Seconds and Date Function.
Calibre: 1575.
Timekeeping: Keeping Excellent time.
Service History: Last Known Service 2020, Privately by a Rolex Watchmaker.
Dial: All Original Rolex Tritium MK1 Dial.
Case: All Stainless Steel
Case Size: 39mm.
Bezel: Wonderful Original Bezel and Insert.
Water Resistant?: Not Tested.
Hands: Original Handset.
Crystal: Original Crystal.
Crown: Original.
Strap/Bracelet: Rolex stainless steel Oyster No. 93150 bracelet with 585 end links and divers extension. Fits up to approx 7.5in with no spare links. The Bracelet has the code "I" which is from 1984, it's not uncommon for the bracelet to be a bit later than the Watch for numerous reasons.
Hands: Original Handset.
Crystal: Original Crystal.
Crown: Original.
Strap/Bracelet: Rolex stainless steel Oyster No. 93150 bracelet with 585 end links and divers extension. Fits up to approx 7.5in with no spare links. The Bracelet has the code "I" which is from 1984, it's not uncommon for the bracelet to be a bit later than the Watch for numerous reasons.
Lug Width: 20mm
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- In lovely honest unpolished condition.
- The lume has aged to an insanely beautiful colour.
- Mark I "Great White" Dial.
-Original Superdome Crystal.
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Nitty Gritty:
-Some minor Scratches throughout the Original Bezel and Crystal.
Nitty Gritty:
-Some minor Scratches throughout the Original Bezel and Crystal.
-Scratches and marks throughout the Case and Bracelet.
- Crack to Bezel behind the Lume Pip.
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Overall the Sea-Dweller is in very nice original condition.
The Case has some marks and scratches throughout. It is unpolished and strong.
The crown is original and screws to the case nicely.
Crystal is in very good shape, its original and was lightly polished during the last service.
The Bracelet is in good order with marks throughout.
The Dial is in very nice condition.
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Photographed on a 7in Wrist.
Photographed on a 7in Wrist.