Baron - Mr Red presents a captivating pictorial tribute to the Rolex Sea-Dweller Reference 1665, showcasing various rare and historically significant iterations from his personal collection. His post delves into the distinct characteristics of each model, from the elusive Rail Dial to the storied Oman Khanjar Gold, highlighting their unique appeal and place in Rolex history.
The Rolex Sea-Dweller Reference 1665 comes in several formats. Over the years I have written about it on a number of occasions. My fondness for the reference is very strong. Seeing Bill post his DRSD certainly made me think of my 1665s. So much so that i thought it was about time to post a small tribute to the reference.
The Rail Dial.... so much rarer than most believe. According to Marcello, just 400-600 of these Rail dial Sea-Dwellers were made. I waited two years to find the right version....well worth the wait.
Mk1 Patent Pending "Double-Pink" .... this one came to me as part of a pair of consecutive serial numbered Sea-Dwellers.
And the second of the pair....the "Double Red"
The Mk2 Patent Pending Double Red..... one of the earlier 1665s that entered my collection. This Mk2 gives endless pleasure. All the other 1665s I have come with papers and documentation. The Mk2 comes with nothing other than its obvious appeal. The dial is turning ever-more tropical. This scan catches the light well and with it the tropical nature of the dial. It has turned increasingly tropical over the last 2 years.
Last, but I guess not least, the Oman Khanjar Gold. 4 known to exist, three of which fall within a 10 serial number range. One was unfortunately relumed. As you may see from the scan, there is no lume on this watch at all. The original versions came with no lume. It gives the dial an incredibly crisp feel.
I have mixed feelings about the 1665s that I own. Each gives pleasure in a slightly different way. The Mk1s are, from an historical perspective, important to the Rolex history. That is always an important factor for me. Knowing how a watch fits into the history of Rolex adds a lot to its relevance in my collection. The Mk2 is not unimportant historically, but to me its pleasure comes from the sheer joy of the dial. Those that have seen it in the flesh know just how remarkable the dial is. It is no secret, it is my favourite watch to wear. The Rail dial gives a different feel. The lack of logo or red writing makes the dial feel very different. It is perhaps in the shade of the "Reds", but once it is on my wrist, I don't think of other watches. The Khanjar carries with it the history of the Rolex link to Oman, the typical connection between Sea-Dweller Qaboos and Khanjar and the British SAS as well as the sheer rarity of the watch. Yes, knowing just three others share the feeling sends a certain something up my spine!
The 1665 reference started life as a Submariner. The Submariner logo can be seen on the Mk1 and Mk2. But its gone on the Rail dial. The reference started life as part of the Submariner clan, yet became so distinctive that it evolved into a clan all of its own. One no longer considers Sea-Dwellers as Submariners. To be honest, that is something that also appeals to me a lot. I know there are a lot of collectors who focus specifically on Sea-Dwellers rather than Submariners and this forum certainly has its fair share of Sea-Dweller fans. I will aim to post a second pictorial tribute to my second band of Sea-Dwellers, the 16660 reference, in due course. But for the moment, I tip my hat to what I consider the King of the Sea-Dwellers, the 1665.
This message has been edited by Baron on 2015-02-04 09:11:25 This message has been edited by Baron on 2015-02-09 03:26:21
About the Rolex 1665 Ref. 1665
The Rolex Sea-Dweller reference 1665 is a significant model within the brand's professional tool watch lineage, distinguished by its enhanced water resistance compared to contemporary Submariner models. This reference was developed to meet the demands of professional saturation divers, featuring a helium escape valve (HEV) integrated into the case side, a key differentiator from other Rolex dive watches of its era. It represents a period of innovation in deep-sea horology, offering a robust solution for extreme underwater environments.
This reference features a 40 mm stainless steel case, designed for durability and resistance to high pressures. It is powered by the automatic Caliber 1575, a chronometer-certified movement known for its reliability and precision, offering a power reserve of approximately 42 to 48 hours. The watch is fitted with an acrylic crystal, contributing to its water resistance rating of 610 meters, and typically features a black dial with luminous hour markers.
For collectors, the reference 1665 is notable for its functional design and its place in the evolution of professional dive watches. Early examples, often referred to as "Double Red Sea-Dweller" (DRSD) due to two lines of red text on the dial, are particularly sought after. Later versions feature all-white text. The presence of the helium escape valve and its robust construction make it a distinct and historically important piece for those interested in the development of specialized timekeeping instruments.
Specifications
Caliber
Cal. 1575
Case
Stainless steel
Diameter
40 mm
Dial
Black
Water Resist.
610m
Crystal
Acrylic
About the Rolex 16660 Ref. 16660
The Rolex Sea-Dweller reference 16660, often referred to as the "Triple Six," represents a significant transitional model within the Sea-Dweller lineage. It was the first Sea-Dweller to incorporate a sapphire crystal, a crucial upgrade that enhanced its pressure resistance and durability compared to its plexiglass predecessors. This reference also marked the introduction of a larger helium escape valve, further solidifying its professional dive watch credentials and distinguishing it from earlier iterations. It bridges the gap between the vintage four-digit references and the more modern five-digit models.
This reference features a 40 mm stainless steel Oyster case, designed for extreme depths. It is powered by the automatic Caliber 3035, a robust movement known for its reliability and quick-set date function. The watch is equipped with a sapphire crystal, contributing to its impressive water resistance of 1220 meters (4000 feet). The unidirectional rotating bezel allows for precise timing of immersion, and the Oyster bracelet ensures secure wear during demanding activities.
For collectors, the 16660 is notable for its transitional characteristics, offering both vintage appeal with its matte dial variants in early production and the enhanced technical specifications of later models. It appeals to those seeking a robust tool watch with historical significance, representing a key evolutionary step in Rolex's professional dive watch development. The reference is recognized for its engineering advancements and its role in the continuous refinement of the Sea-Dweller series.
Specifications
Caliber
Cal. 3035
Case
Stainless steel
Diameter
40 mm
Dial
Black
Water Resist.
1220m (4000ft)
Crystal
Sapphire crystal
Key Points from the Discussion
The author's tropical dial Mk2 Patent Pending Double Red Sea-Dweller is a favorite for its sheer joy and remarkable appearance, which has deepened in tropicalization over two years.
The Rail Dial 1665 is noted for its rarity, with only 400-600 believed to have been made, and its distinct dial lacking the red writing or logo found on other versions.
The Oman Khanjar Gold 1665 is exceptionally rare, with only four known examples, three of which fall within a 10-serial number range, and the original versions came without lume.
The Mk1 and Mk2 Patent Pending models are considered historically important to Rolex, while the Mk2's dial is particularly praised for its beauty and tropical aging.
A contributor shares images of their own Mk1 (Beyeler) and Mk2 (Stern) Double Red Sea-Dwellers, adding visual examples to the discussion of different dial manufacturers.
Despite a general preference for the Submariner, viewing the author's 1665 collection prompts consideration of acquiring a vintage Sea-Dweller.
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The Discussion
GE
gensiulia
Feb 4, 2015
...i can add only a couple! MK2 (manufactured by Stern) MK1 (manifactured by Beyeler)
BA
Baron - Mr Red
Feb 4, 2015
Love both of those....Beyer looks really lovely
AM
amanico
Feb 4, 2015
The DRSD MK I PP are less desirable than your DRSD MK II PP. Because of its magic dial! By far, my favourite, even if 5 or 6, or 7 times less expensive than your MK Is. My wrist and my heart say YES to this one. The rest is not uninteresting, but this one is just WOW! Best, Nicolas
BA
Baron - Mr Red
Feb 4, 2015
I like Sea-Dwellers too much.... but 7 SDs is perhaps on the high side. I did say 7. 666s too
BI
Bill
Feb 4, 2015
Excellent collection. Looks like a lot of work and time went into the collection of 1665's. Bravo. Bill
SH
shipkeeper
Feb 5, 2015
Enviable collection my friend those two pieces (MKI PP and MKII PP) are icons in themselves. Congratulations and thanks for sharing. All the Best. Juan
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