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Lot 276 Sea Dweller 1665 Mark II
50th Anniversary of the Rolex Sea-Dweller
2017 is the 50th anniversary of the Rolex Sea-Dweller, a true tool watch. The Sea-Dweller was originally designed for professional deep-sea divers, it has an underwater diving depth rating of 610 metres (2,000 ft) for the vintage models and up to 1220 metres (4,000 ft) for the most recent Sea-Dweller Deep Sea models. Technically advanced, the Sea-Dweller is equipped with the “helium escape valve”, patented by Rolex in 1967. This ingenious escape valve preserves the waterproofness of the watch whilst regulating the pressure accumulated inside the case during deep-water dives.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary, this year at Basle, Rolex has unveiled a new version of the Sea-Dweller. This updated model features a 43mm case, new calibre 3235 movement and for the first time on the Sea-Dweller, a cyclops lens over the date. The dial bears the name Sea-Dweller in red in homage to the first model.
50th Anniversary of the Rolex Sea-Dweller
2017 is the 50th anniversary of the Rolex Sea-Dweller, a true tool watch. The Sea-Dweller was originally designed for professional deep-sea divers, it has an underwater diving depth rating of 610 metres (2,000 ft) for the vintage models and up to 1220 metres (4,000 ft) for the most recent Sea-Dweller Deep Sea models. Technically advanced, the Sea-Dweller is equipped with the “helium escape valve”, patented by Rolex in 1967. This ingenious escape valve preserves the waterproofness of the watch whilst regulating the pressure accumulated inside the case during deep-water dives.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary, this year at Basle, Rolex has unveiled a new version of the Sea-Dweller. This updated model features a 43mm case, new calibre 3235 movement and for the first time on the Sea-Dweller, a cyclops lens over the date. The dial bears the name Sea-Dweller in red in homage to the first model.
Rolex. A fine and rare stainless steel automatic diver’s wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, date, gas escape valve, DRSD dial, two bracelets and spare parts
Signed Rolex, Oyster Perpetual Date, Sea-Sweller, Submariner 2000, 200ft = 610m, ref. 1665, case no. 1’759’646, circa 1967
Closed15 May 2017
Price Realised
CHF 40,000
More Information
Specialist note
The present lot is a lovely example of the rare and attractive Double Red Sea-Dweller (DRSD) dial. It is defined by the two first lines of text at 6 o’ clock being red rather than white.
These DRSD dials were available only during the early years of the Sea-Dweller, up until circa serial number 5 million. They were then dropped in favor of full white graphics.
The present dial features one of the most scarce – and at the same time most peculiar and recognizable – versions: the Mark II. Mark II dials are defined by at least three features: the second red line of text presents fonts smaller than the first; the red fonts are bright red and very crisp with neatly defined serifs (especially on the last “E” of “dweller”); and – and this is the most immediately recognizable feature – the Rolex coronet is not at all well-defined, with the spikes somewhat blurry and imprecise and the opening at the bottom nearly nonexistent.
Most possibly, this less-than-perfect quality is the reason why Rolex very soon dismissed this version of the Double Red dial. In fact, it is found only around serial numbers 1.7 Million.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that this piece comes with the Oyster bracelet model. 9315 with endlinks stamped 285 – absolutely correct for this model and period – and a cornucopia of additional parts – including additional bezel, bracelet, crown, mainspring and gears.
These DRSD dials were available only during the early years of the Sea-Dweller, up until circa serial number 5 million. They were then dropped in favor of full white graphics.
The present dial features one of the most scarce – and at the same time most peculiar and recognizable – versions: the Mark II. Mark II dials are defined by at least three features: the second red line of text presents fonts smaller than the first; the red fonts are bright red and very crisp with neatly defined serifs (especially on the last “E” of “dweller”); and – and this is the most immediately recognizable feature – the Rolex coronet is not at all well-defined, with the spikes somewhat blurry and imprecise and the opening at the bottom nearly nonexistent.
Most possibly, this less-than-perfect quality is the reason why Rolex very soon dismissed this version of the Double Red dial. In fact, it is found only around serial numbers 1.7 Million.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that this piece comes with the Oyster bracelet model. 9315 with endlinks stamped 285 – absolutely correct for this model and period – and a cornucopia of additional parts – including additional bezel, bracelet, crown, mainspring and gears.