Great White
Sea-Dweller 1665 — Great White
All dial text in white and “Submariner 2000” dropped, leaving “Sea-Dweller” over the depth rating. The caseback “Rolex” now curves along the fluting instead of running straight. Introduced around serial 5.2 million and made alongside the 16660 into the early 1980s; the last Sea-Dweller with an acrylic crystal.
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.
Identifying details
- Date
Date display.
- Helium escape valve
One-way valve on the left flank of the case.
Variants of 1665
Reference overview →| Variant | Production |
|---|---|
| Single Red | 1967–1968 |
| Single Red · Single Red, No Gas Escape Valve | 1967 |
| Single Red · Single Red, With Gas Escape Valve | 1967–1968 |
| Double Red | 1967–1977 |
Case & movement
- Reference
- 1665
- Production
- 1977–1983
- Case serials
- from c. 5.2M
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Case diameter
- 40 mm
- Water resistance
- 610 m
- Crystal
- Domed acrylic, no Cyclops
- Movement
- Automatic
More specifications (3)
- Chronometer
Movement
Rolex 1575
Date caliber with an instantly jumping calendar and no quickset, shared with the GMT-Master, Datejust and early Sea-Dweller. Hacking seconds added in 1971 (HODINKEE’s Submariner guide and Bob’s 1680 guide give 1972). The rotor bridge is marked 1570.
Automatic · Introduced 1965 · 19,800 vph · 48 h reserve
Read more
- The Follow-Up Sea-Dweller: The Great White 1665Read more at Bob's Watches (opens in a new tab)
- Vintage Rolex 1665 Sea-Dweller Great WhiteRead more at Bob's Watches (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)
- Reference Points: Understanding The Rolex Sea-DwellerRead more at HODINKEE