ROLEX | SEA-DWELLER DOUBLE RED, REFERENCE 1665, STAINLESS STEEL WRISTWATCH WITH HELIUM ESCAPE VALVE, DATE AND BRACELET, CIRCA 1967

Rolex introduced the Sea-Dweller reference 1665 in 1967. The watch has been nicknamed by collectors the Double Red due to its distinctive red two-line text spread: “SEA-DWELLER” and “SUBMARINER 2000”. The helium escape valve was revolutionary by allowing the accumulated helium to be released out of the case without harming the movement or dislocating the plexiglass. Collectors have identified four main evolutions until 1977, the year Rolex introduced ‘Great White’ dials. 

This watch is offered by its original owner who purchased it in 1977 for £310.

Interestingly, the case number suggests a circa date of 1967 making it an early example of the reference. 

The piece is however fitted with a Mark III dial which was produced around 1972 and a Rolex Oyster bracelet from the third quarter of 1971. As such, it transpires that the watch was not assembled before the beginning of the 1970s. It then stayed in the stock of the retailer until it was eventually sold in 1977. When it was sold, the owner received an additional contemporary bracelet. 

The watch was proudly worn every day by the owner for 40 years, until 2017. 

The provenance of this watch is also fascinating as the owner served as the Second in Command of a Baluch-manned mercenary infantry battalion of the Sultan of Oman’s Armed Forces in the rank of Major in 1977. A year later, he became Deputy Defence Attaché in the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in London. In 1987 he joined Defence Systems Ltd, which was an international security company, as Operations Director for 9 years. He later worked in various high-ranking positions all across the globe, including as Demining consultant to the United Nations Development Programme. The watch almost never left his wrist during all his adventures, including meeting Princess Diana. He retired from full time work in 2014.