1976 Rolex Sea-Dweller Ref. 1665 DRSD 'MK IV' with Ghost bezel insert

The Rolex Sea-Dweller was developed in close collaboration with the French deep sea diving company COMEX. Their divers required a timing instrument that could withstand their working depths, plus be able to remain intact in ascent and decompression. Most of the watches manufactured at that time could not tolerate the extreme depths.  Helium gas would build up inside the case and at decompression the gas pressure would increase.  The rising inner pressure would eventually be released by breaking the crystal, the weakest point in the case design.

 

Rolex first developed the helium release valve in the 1960s and incorporated it into some of their Submariner watches delivered to the French diving company, COMEX.  The testing of these specially adapted Submariner 5513 models was so successful that Rolex specifically made a batch of watches for COMEX and the watch was given an official model number, the Ref. 5514.  This was such a success that Rolex decided to market the watch as the Ref. 1665 by 1967.

 

Regular production of the Ref. 1665, with the helium release valve already patented, started in 1971 with the Double Red Sea-Dweller, or DRSD.

 

The Double Red Sea Dweller eventually stopped production around the 5.2 million serial, in 1977, when Rolex released the new Ref. 1665 with some slight changes of which the most significant one is that the dial printings are no longer red, but white.

This example offered here is one of the best Rolex ‘Double Red’ Sea-Dweller Ref. 1665 we have ever seen. It dates to 1976.

 

The MK IV black matte dial is completely flawless, with no blemishes, scratches, or stains whatsoever. It features a lovely, creamy patina hue on the hour lume plots which perfectly matches with that on the original hands.

 

In this example we find very strong case which remains sharp and thick. It shows normal signs of use. The case back remains in the same condition, letting perfectly visible all engravings. The inner case back is correctly engraved with the reference number and matching serial number. The stainless steel bezel remains sharp.

 

The original ‘Ghost’ bezel insert is simply magnificent; it has faded to a light gray with blue-ish hue. The original pearl/pip has a matching patina.

 

The original domed crystal remains in great shape too, letting visible only very minor scratches that could be easily buffed away.

 

It comes suited on its original 20mm Rolex Oyster 93150 stainless steel bracelet with 585 end links, period matching clasp code VB and divers’ extension that presents very little stretch, remaining in strong condition with normal signs of wear.

 

The watch is running well and keeping time, although service history is unknown.

 

This is indeed a unique opportunity of having the chance to a lovely 1665 DRSD.

 

Macros of dial and case are available under request, as well as inner case back and movement pictures.