Rolex Sea-Dweller 1665 “Great White” Full Steel Yellow Patina 1979 (Full-Set/Serviced)

Rolex Sea-Dweller Ref. 1665 Vintage Professional Diver

Rolex is one of the most influential watch manufacturers in history, renowned for its role in shaping modern tool watches and setting enduring standards in precision, durability, and design. Founded in 1905, the brand became synonymous with professional-grade timepieces trusted by explorers, athletes, and specialists working in the most demanding environments. Rolex’s commitment to in-house manufacturing, rigorous testing, and incremental technical refinement has made its watches some of the most recognizable and respected in the world.

The Sea-Dweller reference 1665 represents a significant chapter in Rolex’s professional dive watch lineage. Developed in the late 1960s for commercial saturation divers, it built upon the Submariner platform with the addition of a helium escape valve and increased depth rating, addressing the real-world challenges of deep-sea operations. By the late 1970s, the 1665 had become a benchmark for serious dive watches, admired today for its purposeful design, robust construction, and strong connection to Rolex’s history of engineering solutions for extreme conditions.

Key Details To Consider

This vintage Rolex Sea-Dweller reference 1665 is presented in all-original condition and remains a highly respected example of Rolex’s professional dive watch heritage. Crafted in stainless steel, the case retains thick, sharp lugs and shows only minimal signs of wear, reflecting careful ownership over the years. All case numbers are crisp and fully intact, with a 6.1 million serial placing production around 1979.

The original dial displays a beautifully even yellow patina across all hour markers, complemented by matching hands. The tritium lume remains responsive under UV light, confirming originality and consistency throughout. Completing the classic profile is the correct fat-font bezel insert, which has naturally faded to a soft grey tone and features a matching pearl pip, adding depth and character to the watch.

The original Oyster bracelet is in excellent condition with 11 links and shows almost no stretch, which is exceptional for a piece of this age. Additional links can be provided upon request. The movement was professionally serviced in December 2025 and is running properly. This Sea-Dweller is accompanied by its original box and papers, making it a compelling and well-preserved example of a landmark Rolex tool watch.

Inquire about this item