OK. First thing first. I don't own this watch... ... at least now I don't.
This is one of my dream watch.
The model is the early case of the first Sea-Dweller model, REF. 1665.
History of Rolex Sea-DwellerWhen Rolex wants to develop an ultimate dive watch they seek COMEX for collaboration. Comex is a company that pioneer deep depth dive. After a few prototypes and testing with the existing model (mainly 5513), the Sea-Dweller is borned carrying the ref. 1665.
The initial idea is to present this model as a super submariner. One that have a depth rating of 2000ft, so Submariner 2000 is the name chosen but somehow the name Sea-Dweller got chosen as well. That's why the early 1665 carry both names on the dial and in red fonts. Hence the nickname Double Red Sea-Dweller (DRSD).
What's is more exciting is that during the production life of the ref 1665 exist 2 case profile and 2 dial version.
a thin case or a thick case,
a double red dial or white fonts sea-dweller dial without the "Submariner 2000" text.
The switch of the case happen in mid 60s while the dial changes happen in early 70s.
The thin case and the red text came first then follow by thick case and finally the white texts. There are less thin case than the thick. However according to some expert the red fonts dial exist in higher volume than the white fonts. I have not seen any official documents stating that claim.
Of course there're micro difference for various red dial and the white dial as well(too broad and too detail to go into now). To me the most interesting period for rolex has to be the mid 60s. Here is where the brown dial phenomenon happen. Dial made in this period has the tendency to develop to the color of chocolate brown. A version of the so called "tropical dial". There are other tropical dial in other period but none possess this kind of "brown"
The ultimate dream (my grail) is a thin case, DRSD with chocolate brown dial. The watch is super cool but the price is super not cool
I guess that's why it stay as a grail. Maybe one day ... ... (I am hopeful)
Hope you enjoy this post.
Regard
Tyler
Tyler, tell us more on this beauty. what's her history etc