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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Diving watch

Rolex Sea-Dweller 'Great White' Reference 1665

Partially verified

This Rolex Sea-Dweller, reference 1665, is a professional diving watch known among collectors as the 'Great White'. Replacing the previous Double Red generation in 1977, this example features a specific 'Rail Dial' configuration, which the source notes was available only during the first two years of production. The watch is constructed with a steel case and matching steel bracelet, featuring a black rotating bezel and a date display. Unlike its predecessor developed with COMEX, this model omits the 'Submariner 2000' text from the dial, marking a shift where the 'Sea-Dweller' name appears independently. It represents a period in the brand's history where such models were intended as operational tool watches. The provided photographs display the black dial with patinated markers, the steel case edges, and associated documentation. No technical performance or service history is explicitly provided.

A Rolex Sea-Dweller reference 1665 on a wrist, showing the black bezel and dial.
A Rolex Sea-Dweller reference 1665 on a wrist, showing the black bezel and dial. — Zamanito. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Wristwatch · Diving watch
Maker / attribution
Rolex
Reference
1665
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1977–1979
Source-reported place
Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Design and Dial Configuration

The watch is equipped with a black rotating bezel intended for dive time measurement and a date display at the three o'clock position. The case is manufactured from stainless steel, paired with a matching steel bracelet.

A distinguishing feature of this specific watch is the 'Rail Dial' configuration. This layout is identified by the alignment of the text on the lower half of the dial, specifically occurring during the first two years of the reference 1665 production run. The dial displays the 'Sea-Dweller' name in isolation, following the removal of the 'Submariner 2000' designation that appeared on earlier Double Red versions.

Evidence for this section
  • “این رفرنس نخستین نمونه‌ای محسوب می‌شود که عبارت «Sea-Dweller» به تنهایی بر روی صفحه آن نقش بسته”
  • “پیکربندی صفحه Rail Dial تنها در دو سال نخست تولید این رفرنس عرضه گردیده است”
  • “ساعت دارای زه چرخان مشکی‌رنگ غواصی، نمایشگر تاریخ، و بند فولادی است”

Historical Context and Production

The reference 1665 followed the discontinuation of the Double Red model, which had been produced in collaboration with the diving company COMEX. The transition to the 'Great White' variation took place in 1977.

The model remains categorized as a tool watch due to its original purpose in professional diving. The production of the Rail Dial variant was short-lived, spanning only the initial years of the 1977–1979 date range attributed to this model by the source.

Evidence for this section
  • “مدل Great White 1665 از سال ۱۹۷۷ میلادی جایگزین نسل پیشین خود شد”
  • “رفرنس 1665 به دوره‌ای از تاریخ برند رولکس تعلق دارد که در آن ساعت‌های اسپرت در درجه اول به عنوان ابزارهای کاری و عملیاتی بسیار توانمند طراحی و ساخته می‌شدند”
  • “کاربری: غواصی حرفه‌ای (Tool Watch)”

Condition and Documentation

The auction description indicates that the provided photographs offer a visual representation of the watch's current state, including the edges of the steel case and the black dial with patinated hour markers. The images also depict associated paperwork, specifically referencing documents that verify the watch as a chronometer.

The source clarifies that no independent verification of the movement's technical condition, accuracy, or service history has been conducted by Zamanito. The information provided is based on the seller's representations and catalogue records.

Evidence for this section
  • “وضعیت سلامت فنی، سابقه سرویس قطعات یا جزئیات کارکرد موتور طبق منبع به صورت مشروح قید نشده است”
  • “تصاویر ارائه‌شده جزئیات ظاهری، لبه‌های بدنه، صفحه مشکی با نشانگرهای دارای پتینه و مدارک همراه را به نمایش می‌گذارند”
  • “تمامی اطلاعات فنی و تاریخی فوق بر اساس ادعای فروشنده و منبع کاتالوگ بازگو شده”

Open research questions

  • Does the movement caliber confirm a late 1970s production date?
  • Do the included documents contain matching serial numbers for the case and movement?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Rolex Sea-Dweller 'Great White' Reference 1665
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerRolex“برند سازنده: Rolex”
ModelSea-Dweller 'Great White'“مدل: Sea-Dweller ('Great White')”
Reference1665“شماره رفرنس: 1665”
Dial typeRail Dial“نوع صفحه: Rail Dial با درج مستقل Sea-Dweller”
Case materialSteel“جنس بدنه: فولاد (Steel)”
Production periodcirca 1977–1979“Period: حدود ۱۹۷۷–۱۹۷۹”
Country of originSwitzerland“Country: سوئیس”

Visible details

  • Black bezel insert with elapsed time scale
  • Dial featuring the Rail Dial configuration
  • Patinated luminous material on dial markers
  • Steel link bracelet with folding clasp

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement technical condition is unverified
  • Service history and replacement parts status are not disclosed

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

ساعت مچی Rolex مدل Sea-Dweller 'Great White' رفرنس 1665 با صفحه Rail Dial

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 862d7b79ae

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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