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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Diver's wristwatch

Rolex Sea-Dweller 'Tropical', Reference 1665

Partially verified

This is a stainless steel Rolex Sea-Dweller diver's wristwatch, Reference 1665, catalogued by the source as dating to circa 1971. Known to collectors as a 'Double Red' due to two lines of red dial script reading 'SEA-DWELLER' and 'SUBMARINER 2000', this piece features a matte dial that has shifted to a chocolate brown 'tropical' hue. The case is fitted with a date window at 3 o'clock, a rotating black graduated bezel, and an Oyster bracelet. According to the source, the watch is powered by an automatic calibre 1570 movement with 26 jewels and features a helium escape valve.

Three-quarter perspective view of the Rolex Sea-Dweller Reference 1665 with tropical dial
Three-quarter perspective view of the Rolex Sea-Dweller Reference 1665 with tropical dial — Sotheby's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.sothebys.com
Category
Wristwatch · Diver's wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Rolex
Reference
1665
Catalogue / lot identifier
47
Source-reported date
Circa 1971
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
2’665’630

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

Case Construction and Exterior Components

Catalogued as Reference 1665 with case number 2’665’630, this diver's wristwatch features a 40 mm stainless steel case. According to the auction listing, the case is fitted with a screw-down case back and incorporates a helium escape valve and date display.

Visible exterior components include a graduated rotating black diver's bezel ringed by a knurled outer rim, and an Oyster-style three-link steel bracelet with fitted end links. The cataloguing records the closure as a stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet and folding clasp with an approximate inner circumference of 205 mm.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case: stainless steel, screw-down case back”
  • “Case number: 2’665’630”
  • “Rolex Sea-Dweller 'Tropical', Reference 1665 | A stainless steel wristwatch with date, helium escape valve, tropical dial and bracelet | Circa 1971”
  • “Black graduated rotating diver's bezel insert with knurled outer rim.”
  • “Stainless steel Oyster-style three-link bracelet with fitted end links.”
  • “Closure: stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet and folding clasp Size: 40 mm diameter, bracelet circumference approximately 205 mm”

Dial Configuration and Ageing

The dial displays a matte finish that has aged to a chocolate brown 'tropical' hue. As observed on the piece, it features Mercedes-pattern hands and geometric hour markers with aged yellowish luminous fill, accompanied by a date aperture at 3 o'clock.

Catalogued as a 'Double Red' variant, the dial bears two red lines of text above 6 o'clock. The catalogue note explains that this nickname stems from the dial markings reading 'Sea-Dweller' and 'Submariner 2000'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial: tropical”
  • “Matte dial aged to a chocolate brown tropical finish with two red lines of text above 6 o'clock.”
  • “Mercedes-pattern hands and geometric hour markers with aged yellowish luminous fill.”
  • “Known to collectors as the "Double Red," the Sea-Dweller 1665 earns its nickname from the two lines of red text on its dial, notably the "Sea-Dweller" and "Submariner 2000" markings.”

Reported Movement and Accompanying Material

The internal mechanism is reported by the seller as an automatic calibre 1570 movement with 26 jewels, bearing movement number D’804’035. The case, dial, and movement are listed as signed, though internal movement components and markings remain concealed beneath the closed case back in the available photograph.

The lot is accompanied by an accessory package including a Rolex Guarantee booklet, an Attestation de Chronomètre Officiel, product literature, a service card dated November 1999, a document holder, and a presentation case with outer packaging. The catalogue note further states that this watch is featured in 'A Journey Into the Deep' by John Goldberger and Daniel Bourn, pp. 48–49.

Evidence for this section
  • “Calibre: cal. 1570 automatic, 26 jewels Movement number: D’804’035”
  • “Signed: case, dial and movement”
  • “Accessories: Rolex Guarantee booklet, Attestation de Chronomètre Officiel, product literature, service card dated November 1999, document holder and presentation case with outer packaging”
  • “This Rolex 1665 is featured in “A Journey Into the Deep” by John Goldberger and Daniel Bourn, pp. 48-49.”

Open research questions

  • What specific inner case-back stamps and date codes are present on case number 2’665’630?
  • What specific reference and end-link numbers are stamped on the attached Oyster bracelet?
  • Does the service card dated November 1999 document any replaced components, such as hands, crystal, or bezel insert?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Rolex Sea-Dweller 'Tropical', Reference 1665
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Reference1665“Rolex | Sea-Dweller 'Tropical', Reference 1665”
Calibrecal. 1570 automatic, 26 jewels“Calibre: cal. 1570 automatic, 26 jewels”
Movement NumberD’804’035“Movement number: D’804’035”
Case Number2’665’630“Case number: 2’665’630”
Dimensions40 mm diameter“Size: 40 mm diameter”
Date of ManufactureCirca 1971“Circa 1971”
Bracelet CircumferenceApproximately 205 mm“bracelet circumference approximately 205 mm”
Literature ReferenceFeatured in 'A Journey Into the Deep' by John Goldberger and Daniel Bourn, pp. 48–49“This Rolex 1665 is featured in “A Journey Into the Deep” by John Goldberger and Daniel Bourn, pp. 48-49.”
Service HistoryService card dated November 1999“service card dated November 1999”
Signed PartsCase, dial, and movement“Signed: case, dial and movement”

Visible details

  • Matte dial aged to a chocolate brown tropical finish with two red lines of text above 6 o'clock.
  • Mercedes-pattern hands and geometric hour markers with aged yellowish luminous fill.
  • Black graduated rotating diver's bezel insert with knurled outer rim.
  • Stainless steel Oyster-style three-link bracelet with fitted end links.

Research qualifications

  • Movement internals and screw-down case back are not visible in the photograph.
  • Helium escape valve on the 9 o'clock flank is not shown in this angle.

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

Consulted source

Rolex | Sea-Dweller 'Tropical', Reference 1665 | A stainless steel

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 6dc73f4e91

Terms in this record

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

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