Sea-Dweller 1665
1967–198328 variants
The first Sea-Dweller: a 40 mm Oyster case with a gas escape valve at 9 o’clock, a thick domed acrylic crystal without Cyclops, date at 3 and a bidirectional bezel. Rated 2,000 ft / 610 m. Inside casebacks carry the last three digits of the serial on early cases and the full serial later. Made with red dial text until 1977 (“Double Red”), then white (“Great White”) until 1983.
The valve patent (CH492246) was filed on 6 November 1967 and granted in June 1970. Cases up to the 2.9 million batch use casebacks stamped IV.67; a thicker case arrived in the first quarter of 1972 (I.72). Double Red production ran from about 1.7 to 5.1–5.2 million.
Variants over time
Faded ends mark approximate or unknown dates. Years are as stated by the cited sources.
Reference specifications
- Brand
- Rolex
- Model
- Sea-Dweller
- Reference
- 1665
- Category
- Diver
- Production
- 1967–1983
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Case diameter
- 40 mm
- Water resistance
- 610 m
More specifications (5)
- Chronometer
- Yes
- Date
- Yes
- Crystal
- Domed acrylic, no Cyclops
- Movement
- Automatic
Read more
- Reference Points: Understanding The Rolex Sea-DwellerRead more at HODINKEE (opens in a new tab)
- The History of the Rolex Sea-Dweller, The Crown’s Ultimate Dive WatchRead more at Monochrome (opens in a new tab)
- The First Rolex Sea-Dweller: DRSD 1665Read more at Bob's Watches (opens in a new tab)
- The 1665 Double Red Sea-Dweller. Where are they now?Read more at Bob's Watches