Rolex

1967 Rolex Double Red Sea-Dweller "kissing 40" (Ref. 1665) With Papers

Rolex Seadweller Comex ad

(Co-Branded DRSD Comex/Rolex AD c. 1970's)

In the early part of the 1960's deep sea diving and in particular mixed gas diving was advancing. The Submariner became the quintessential diver born out of the late 1950's, with its iconic design which set the standard for almost all dive watches to come thereafter its launch in 1953. The Rolex SeaDweller was born in the 1960s out of the collaboration with COMEX a French deep sea diving company. Comex is sometimes referred to as the NASA of the deep seas and was the pioneer in mixed gas diving.

In typical Rolex fashion meaning form following function, most of the SeaDwellers design was born out of the need to comply with the commercial ISO 6425 diving standard, which defines test standards and features for watches suitable for diving with underwater breathing apparatus in depths of 100 m (330 ft) or more. 

Saturation diving requires the use of helium in the breathing gas mixture, and helium particles would accumulate within the case of a diving watch during prolonged exposure meaning long deep dives and or at depths greater than 200 meters/660 feet where mixed brining gas was essential. During the early days of deep saturation diving, a strange phenomenon was arising during the decompression of these dives in which the pressure inside the watch would build as a result of helium gas being trapped in the cases of the watches that were being used. The weakest point of the watch at the time was the crystal and upon decompression from the dives, the helium gas would expand, ejecting the plexiglass crystal as that helium gas forced its way outward. Being that watches back then were crucial tools for timing decompression and other important events this was a major flaw that needed to be fixed. Rolex developed a rather simple and practical mechanism to solve this issue by developing a helium escape valve on the side of the case that allowed the helium particles escape while still maintaining an ISO 6425 diving standard and water resistance rating.

Founder Of COMEX, Henri Delauze [1970](Founder Of COMEX, Henri Delauze c. 1970)

 

The new model of Submariner was created was dubbed the reference 1665, based on the existing Submariner model with some major upgrades. Initial prototype models were exclusively issued to DeepSea Explorers of the 1960s in various configurations but in the late 1960 and early 1970s, the model made it to the Rolex retail stores.  The Double Red Sea-Dweller (DRSD) was produced for approximately 10 yrs starting in 1967 to 1977 with serial number range 1.7 to 5.1 million. There were four different dial variations made in the regular production model with three different case back configurations. Post 5.1 million serial number ref. 1665 Sea-Dwellers can be seen only bearing white text and have earned the nickname, "great white" Sea-Dweller.

The Sea-Dweller is undoubtedly the most advanced amongst the diving watches of its time. Featuring a bidirectional bezel, a tropic super domed bezel to withstand greater pressure, and date complication. Fully certified and guaranteed waterproof to 2000ft - 610m. 

Stock # RLXDRSD1665-67
Brand Rolex
Style Sea-Dweller
Model 1665
Serial 17XXXXX
Size Men's
Material SS
Dial Black Matte (MK 2)
Millimeters 40
Bracelet Rolex "Pat. Pend." 9315 Oyster Flip Lock W/ 285 End Pieces

 

CASE & BRACELET

The excellent case has been previously polished but retains even and thick lugs. remains in amazing condition. The rare "kissing 40" insert has taken on an excellent fade and shows some wear. The case back is stamped "Patent Pending" and is engraved with the original owner's name which can be removed if desired. The "Patent Pending" stamped divers extension Rolex 9315 Oyster flip-lock with 285 End Pieces remains in excellent unpolished condition, retaining 11 links showing some stretch.

DIAL & HANDS

Flawless Mark II Double Red Sea Dweller dial. The dial is free of any scratches and or blemishes and the minute track and edge of the dial remain complete without any chipping or issues sometimes seen in DRSD dial variants. The original tritium lume plots and hands have achieved a wonderful creamy custard yellow patina and under U.V. light show consistent texture and no lume degradation. The original silver date disk displays the correct open 6 and 9's.

ACCESSORIES 

This Watch comes with original Rolex guarantee booklet punched with the watches' serial number. The watch is keeping time at spec and comes backed by a 1-year warranty on accurate timekeeping.