Rolex
Reference 1665 Sea-Dweller | A stainless steel automatic wristwatch with date and bracelet, Circa 1975
Lot closes
December 10, 07:38 PM GMT
Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 USD
Starting Bid
12,000 USD
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Read more.Lot Details
Description
Dial: black
Caliber: cal. 1570 automatic, 26 jewels
Movement number: D'058'945
Case: stainless steel, screw down case back
Case number: 4'057'078
Closure: stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet with folding clasp
Size: 40 mm diameter, bracelet circumference is approximately 200 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: no
Introduced in 1967, the Rolex Sea-Dweller was developed as a solution for professional divers who required a more robust tool watch. Divers had reported that the crystals on their Submariners occasionally detached during post-dive decompression, prompting Rolex to engineer the helium escape valve—an ingenious mechanism that allowed built-up gas to safely vent without compromising the integrity of the crystal.
The reference 1665, known as the “Great White,” takes its name from the all-white text on the dial, distinguishing it from the earlier “Double Red” version. Sharing the same reference number, 2000 ft water resistance, and case characteristics, the “Great White” represents a key evolution in the history of the Sea-Dweller.