| Details | ||
| Stock # | SKU18956 | |
| Stock # | 18956 | |
| Model Name | Sea Dweller Double Red | |
| Brand | ||
| Model Ref # | 1665 | |
| Condition | Mint | |
| Gender | Mens | |
| Movement | Automatic | |
| Case | Stainless Steel | |
| Case Shape | Round | |
| Case Size | 40 mm | |
| Crystal | ||
| Band / Strap | Strap | |
| Dial | Brown | |
| Caseback | Solid | |
| Complications |
Date |
|
| Year | 1969 | |
| Additional Information | Double Red Patent Pending Sea Dweller with original chocolate brown patina dial. Custom hand painted strap sold separately. | |
| Sold | ||
Description
You are looking at the absolute holy grail of Sea-Dwellers – the double red Patent Pending reference 1665. Rolex developed the Sea-Dweller in response to the needs of professional divers. They finally commercialized production in the early 1970s. In the years preceding its commercial introduction, however, from 1967-1970, the “Patent Pending” was available to dealers and professional divers. Specifically, Rolex had engineered and implemented the helium escape valve into the Submariner and early Sea-Dweller cases, but they had not yet received the patent for it. Accordingly, until they received the patent, they engraved the case backs with the words “Patent Pending”. It is believed there are approximately 200 or so of these watches made (and naturally far fewer exist to this day). The Patent Pending is, by far, the rarest Sea-Dweller and among the Holy Grail models that collectors hunt for. Hunt no more!
Original stainess steel case measures 40mm diameter by 16.8mm thick. Domed acrylic crystal. The case back has the following text: ‘OYSTER GAS ESCAPE VALVE (PATENT PENDING)’ and ‘ROLEX’. The ‘ROLEX’ written horizontally on the case back can only correctly be on a double red SeaDweller case. Screw down crown works perfectly. The original bezel turns in both directions with the perfect amount of tension. Early (small) helium escape valve on the 9 o’clock side of the case. Case is mint and very clean.
Serial number of this watch is 2117XXX. Inside case back is marked ‘1665’ and has date code of IV.67. Another aspect of Patent Pending Sea-Dwellers is that the last three numbers of the serial number are engraved on the inside of the case back (and this watch follows that convention).
Original black dial has changed in color to chocolate brown. While some early 1665 dials do lighten in color, such a uniform color change is unusual… and highly desirable. This is a so-called “Double Red Sea-Dweller” because of the two lines of text written in red print: “SEA-DWELLER” and “SUBMARINER 2000”. Hands are original, and the luminous in the hands and on the dial have a consistent patina. The hour markers are in perfect, original condition. Date at 3 o’clock. This gorgeous chocolate double red Sea-Dweller dial is 100% original and untouched.
Original movement is the Rolex automatic winding Caliber 1570, one of the most accurate automatic movements ever built by any manufacture. Maintained properly, many caliber 1570s keep time to within 1 or 2 seconds per day after 20+ years. This movement is a C.O.S.C. Certified Chronometer.
Watch will be delivered on a distressed brown strap (not the painted strap shown) with steel Rolex buckle.
Original stainess steel case measures 40mm diameter by 16.8mm thick. Domed acrylic crystal. The case back has the following text: ‘OYSTER GAS ESCAPE VALVE (PATENT PENDING)’ and ‘ROLEX’. The ‘ROLEX’ written horizontally on the case back can only correctly be on a double red SeaDweller case. Screw down crown works perfectly. The original bezel turns in both directions with the perfect amount of tension. Early (small) helium escape valve on the 9 o’clock side of the case. Case is mint and very clean.
Serial number of this watch is 2117XXX. Inside case back is marked ‘1665’ and has date code of IV.67. Another aspect of Patent Pending Sea-Dwellers is that the last three numbers of the serial number are engraved on the inside of the case back (and this watch follows that convention).
Original black dial has changed in color to chocolate brown. While some early 1665 dials do lighten in color, such a uniform color change is unusual… and highly desirable. This is a so-called “Double Red Sea-Dweller” because of the two lines of text written in red print: “SEA-DWELLER” and “SUBMARINER 2000”. Hands are original, and the luminous in the hands and on the dial have a consistent patina. The hour markers are in perfect, original condition. Date at 3 o’clock. This gorgeous chocolate double red Sea-Dweller dial is 100% original and untouched.
Original movement is the Rolex automatic winding Caliber 1570, one of the most accurate automatic movements ever built by any manufacture. Maintained properly, many caliber 1570s keep time to within 1 or 2 seconds per day after 20+ years. This movement is a C.O.S.C. Certified Chronometer.
Watch will be delivered on a distressed brown strap (not the painted strap shown) with steel Rolex buckle.
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