Rolex Sea-Dweller Ref. 1665 - 'Great White'

Rolex Sea-Dweller Ref. 1665 - 'Great White'

Name: Rolex Sea-Dweller Ref. 1665 - 'Great White'
Brand: Oliver & Clarke
SKU: OC2768
Price: 18750.0 USD
Availability: InStock

$18,750.00 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.

The piece that we have here comes from the very end of production prior to being replaced by the subsequent Ref. 16660. These pieces feature what we call 'rail dials' for the spacing between the unusual spacing within the "superlative chronometer officially certified" text on the lower half of the dial. While not unique to this reference, these only turn up from a small serial number range and are worthy of the recognition.

Dating to circa 1978, this piece remains in excellent overall condition. The case has been very lightly polished at a previous time, with preserved factory proportions and showing normal signs of wear throughout. The bezel assembly is seemingly unpolished, with crisp finishing and a correct 'fat font' inset that has begun to change to a deep navy blue color. Inside, the matte black dial is beautifully preserved, with a clean surface, excellent text, and gently patinated Tritium plots throughout and a beautifully matching handset. It comes fitted to its correct Oyster bracelet with a signed fliplock clasp.

Sea-Dwellers are amongst first 'enhanced' dive watches made for saturation diving with a number of technical firsts, were produced in far smaller numbers than its Submariner and Submariner Date siblings, and feature a very similar wearing experience, yet, we think, remain bargains.

This example surely has multiple lifetimes left of wrist time, and is ready for its next owner.

Stainless Steel 1978 Automatic 40mm

Condition Report & Details

Condition:

Case: Very lightly previously polished, retaining thick and symmetrical lugs at all corners with sharp undersides. Shows light 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.

Bezel: Correct assembly is likely unpolished and shows normal wear. The correct 'MK3 Fat Font' insert exhibits a faint but visible and attractive navy blue fade and shows light wear with a patinated pip.

Dial: Excellent, with a largely clean surface and excellent text. There is one small area of discoloration to the right of the 1:00 plot. The Tritium plots are fully intact and exhibit a light and even 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 9 links and signed fliplock clasp stamped 'VC.' Very lightly previously polished, showing light signs of wear with no stretch. Sized for ≈7.5" wrist.

Shipping, Returns, & Warranty

Every Oliver & Clarke timepiece comes with a one-year mechanical warranty starting from the date of delivery. We ensure all watches are in wonderful working condition and are ready for daily wear. Many have been fully serviced by our team of watchmakers.

Please note:

Due to the vintage or antique nature of many of our watches, they may not keep time as accurately as when new, nor as precisely as quartz or electronic devices.
We do not guarantee water resistance and do not warranty against moisture or water damage. Deliberate exposure to water or steam is not recommended.
Warranty does not cover internal or external damage caused by accidents, mishandling, abuse, modifications, or services performed by anyone other than our authorized personnel.
Our warranty is non-transferable.

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Each timepiece is thoroughly evaluated, authenticated, and approved by our expert team before it is offered for sale.
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