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AWCo Dinsdag 2 augustus2191AWCo Dinsdag 2 augustus2191

Rolex Sea-Dweller Ref. 1665 “Great white rail dial”

We are proud to offer a Rolex Sea-Dweller Ref. 1665 “Great white” in beautiful condition!

The example we see here is a rare MK2 “Rail Dial” variant, correct for the 5.8m serial number. It comes with absolutely beautiful even cream-colored tritium all around, including the lume pip in the bezel inlay.

The lume contrasts beautifully with the bezel, which has taken on a dark-grey tone with just the slightest hint of blue. It is an absolute beauty to behold.

This stunning Great White from 1978 comes on a 1984 Oyster bracelet, also in very good condition. The watch is complete with box and papers, a seriously collectible set!

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Details
Brand Rolex
Diameter 40 mm
Model Sea-Dweller
Bracelet/strap: Steel
Reference 1665
Buckle/clasp Original steel folding clasp
Year of production (circa) 1978
Lug Width 20 mm
Material Steel
Set Content Original box & papers
Crystal Acrylic
Warranty 2 year (AWCo)
Dial color Black
Movement Automatic
Backstory

The Sea-Dweller is a more hardcore version of the Submariner. Quite literally, as it was developed with French marine engineering company Comex on the Submariner platform, to withstand greater depths. The Ref. 5514 Submariner formed the starting point. A tougher case back and a helium escape valve were added, upping the water resistance to 2000 feet or 610 meters. The Sea-Dweller Ref. 1665 was born in 1967.

A date complication was required, because many professional dives and decompression sessions would last days or even weeks. The helium escape valve prevented the crystal from popping out when saturation diving. An issue the Submariner would never run into during more casual SCUBA dives.

The Ref. 1665 came in several different dial variants, throughout its 16 years in production. From Double red Sea-Dwellers to Great whites and several subtle variations with differing degrees of rarity within those variants. A particularly legendary version is the Single red, of which only 12 are known to exist.

The Rolex Sea-Dweller was updated to the Ref. 16660 in 1978. The tritium dial was replaced by a LumiNova version in 1998/99. Several other variations exist within this reference. Later updates, among which the Deepsea and the James Cameron, saw an increase in size and a ceramic bezel, among other updates.

The Sea-Dweller is arguably the most toolish of all Rolex models. Where the Submariner has become a cross-over between diving and casual wear, the Sea-Dweller always remained a tool for exploring the bottom of the ocean. While quite similar to the Sub in appearance, it does convey a lot of that feeling when you handle it. So if you are of the adventurous inclination, the Sea-Dweller might just suit you perfectly. And do not worry if you put a scratch on it. Looks even better!

Shipping

At AWCo we put the safety of our shipments upfront at all times. Therefore, we ship all our packages insured.

We strive to promptly handle packages to minimize delays. Delivery times begin from the day of dispatch. While we make every effort to ensure smooth delivery, we cannot be held responsible for delays caused by destination customs, local duties, taxes, or lost items during transit.

Certainly, we understand that overloaded mail-order companies can also contribute to potential delays in the delivery process. Despite our best efforts, external factors beyond our control may affect shipping times. Rest assured, we remain committed to providing timely service and will work diligently to ensure your order reaches you as promptly as possible. For any inquiries or updates, feel free to reach out to us at info@awco.nl. Your satisfaction is our priority.

Brand

Rolex

Model

Reference

1665

Year of production (circa)

1978

Material

Steel

Crystal

Acrylic

Dial color

Black

Movement

Automatic

Diameter

40 mm

Bracelet/strap:

Steel

Buckle/clasp

Original steel folding clasp

Lug Width

20 mm

Set Content

Original box & papers