Amsterdam watch company
Categories , Tags , , , , , , , ,

Rolex Sea-Dweller ref.1665 B+P

The Rolex Sea-Dweller reference 1665 is a legendary watch that played a crucial role in the history of professional diving. Great White: The later models (produced from approximately 1977 to 1983). The text is completely white here, and the “Submariner 2000” designation has disappeared, definitively establishing the Sea-Dweller as a separate line alongside the Submariner.

Crystal: “Super-Domed” Plexiglas (thicker and more domed than the Submariner)

No “Cyclops” (magnifying lens) – this was omitted because the adhesive could not withstand the pressure at great depths.

40mm stainless steel with a helium valve at 9 o’clock.

What makes this model special?

COMEX Connection: The 1665 was developed in close collaboration with the French diving organization COMEX. Divers noticed that the watch lenses were popping off during ascent due to a buildup of helium; Rolex solved this with the one-way valve.

The “Super-Domed” Crystal: Many enthusiasts praise the 1665 for its extremely domed plastic crystal. This gives the watch a unique vintage look and creates interesting distortions on the dial when viewed from an angle.

The name Sea-Dweller (literally translated: “sea dweller”) wasn’t chosen at random; it’s a direct reference to the revolutionary way divers explored the ocean in the 1960s.

Here’s the meaning and idea behind the name:

The name refers to saturation divers. In the 1960s, projects like the US Navy’s SEALAB and experiments by the French COMEX began. These involved divers spending days or even weeks at a time in underwater stations (habitats) on the seabed.

Because they didn’t surface after each dive, but literally “lived” on the seabed to acclimate to the pressure, they were called Sea-Dwellers. The watch was specially developed for them, because standard diving watches (like the Submariner) couldn’t handle the extreme conditions of this “living underwater.”

This sporty, iconic watch, with box and papers and anchor,  can be admired in one of our display cases. Feel the weight of this robust yet wearable timepiece. And dream away at the thought of what this watch has seen in the depths of the sea.

 

Year

1981
Categories , Tags , , , , , , , ,

Ask us anything
Add to Cart
Add to Cart

Contact us

Got your attention?
We’re here to help.

Speak to us right away

Phone

020 389 27 89

Whatsapp

CLICK HERE (06 392 72 263)

Or, send a message

Brand Rolex
Diameter 40 mm
Model Sea-Dweller
Bracelet/strap: Steel
Reference 1665
Buckle/clasp Original steel buckle
Year of production (circa) 1981
Lug Width 20 mm
Material Steel
Set Content Original box & papers
Crystal Acrylic
Warranty 2 year (AWCo)
Dial color Black
Movement Automatic

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!

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.