Rolex Sea-Dweller Ref. 1665 'Double Red' - Patent Pending 'Thin Case' With 'Tropical' Dial

Rolex Sea-Dweller Ref. 1665 'Double Red' - Patent Pending 'Thin Case' With 'Tropical' Dial

Name: Rolex Sea-Dweller Ref. 1665 'Double Red' - Patent Pending 'Thin Case' With 'Tropical' Dial
Brand: Oliver & Clarke
SKU: OC2806
Price: 84950.0 USD
Availability: InStock

$84,950.00 USD

The first Sea-Dweller, the Reference 1665, debuted in circa 1967 and was designed with saturation divers in mind. The key differentiator between a Sea-Dweller and its little sibling, the Submariner, is that the SD always has a helium escape valve (or 'HEV') on the left case profile and a higher domed crystal with no cyclops magnifier. The earliest prototypes were actually Submariners with the added HEV on the left case profile, but it was the 1665 that first bore the Sea-Dweller name on the dial.

However, this isn't your run of the mill ‘1665’...

This piece features two lines of text on the dial that read: “Sea-Dweller+Submariner 2000” in red, rather than the usual white. It has since become known to collectors as the "Double Red Sea-Dweller" or DRSD.

Additionally, this piece features what is known as a 'thin' case which, as its name suggests, is thinner case than what is found on a vast majority of Ref. 1665s.

And it doesn't end there... The very earliest examples of the Ref. 1665 left the Rolex factory prior to the patent for the helium escape valve on the left case profile being official. As such, these examples bear the engraving "Patent Pending" on the caseback, in addition to "Rolex Oyster Gas Escape Valve." It is estimated that there are between 100-200 examples of these produced...

So, when you find one with an absolutely stunning 'tropical dial and fitted to its original Oyster bracelet with the correct 'Patent Pending' stamp on the divers extension, you know that you have a very, very special piece indeed.

That is exactly what we have here. Dating to circa 1968, this piece comes to us with a thick and symmetrical Oyster case, a strong bezel fitted with a correct 'Long 5' insert, and the aforementioned Oyster bracelet with a fliplock clasp. The 'MK2' dial within is simply exceptional — amongst the finest we have seen in a Rolex diver from this era. The patinated brown surface is uniform and clean, seemingly devoid of any wear or damage, and the Tritium plots are beautifully preserved and exhibit a light and even patina throughout. The handset matches beautifully both to the naked eye and under UV inspection.

Hard to say any more about this piece! Simply outstanding.

Stainless Steel 1968 Tropical Dial, Exceedingly rare Automatic 40mm

Condition Report & Details

Condition:

Case: Very lightly previously polished, retaining correct factory proportions and thick lugs. Shows honest signs of wear throughout with a few impressions on the lower left lug tip, a few blemishes on the lower left lug profile, and some scuffing on the upper right lug profile. Original crown has a few impressions. The outer caseback is engraved: "Patent Pending." Inner caseback stamped '1665,' 'IV.67,' & with last 3 characters of case serial number.

Bezel: Seemingly unpolished, with clear knurling and shows normal wear throughout. The correct black 'Long 5' insert shows normal wear with a patinated pip.

Dial: Exhibits a stunning and uniform brown 'tropical' patina from age. The rich brown tones have a mild 'confetti' effect, which is typical of dials from this era. The Tritium plots are beautifully preserved and exhibit a light and uniform patina throughout. The handset matches perfectly to the naked eye and under UV inspection.

Movement:

Automatic-winding chronometer certified caliber by Rolex.

Bracelet/Strap:

Rolex stainless steel Oyster Bracelet with 11 links and signed fliplock clasp stamped '2.70' with "correct 'Patent Pending'. engraving on the dive extension. Likely unpolished and shows normal wear throughout with only faint stretch. Sized for ≈7.5" wrist.

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