Designed in collaboration with the French deep-sea diving expedition company, COMEX, the Sea-Dweller ref. 1665 was the firms first ever wristwatch to feature a helium gas escape valve to release pressure in a single way during deep explorations at the sea to conquer larger depths. With the first prototype based on the Rolex Submariner 5513, the Sea-Dweller has advanced its capability since then.

In the late 1970’s, Rolex stopped its production for the Double Red Sea-Dweller which featured two lines of text in red on the dial and replaced it with the “Great White” dial, which no longer uses red lines of texts on the dial. The present example is fitted with a MK1 dial, witnessed by the perfect alignment of the first two lines of texts on the bottom of the dial as well as featuring an “open 6”.

With the present ref. 1665 put into full use by the original Japanese owner during his diving adventures, it is evident through the condition of the watch that it was worn more as a tool than an accessory. Always on his wrist, the watch is an important instrument to utilize underwater as it allows the diver to calculate the elapsed time under water as well as the amount of oxygen left in the tank. A doctor by trade, the original owner was witnessed wearing the watch during his inauguration to become a licensed diver in Tokyo 36 years ago as well as a photo of the passionate diver sporting the present Sea-Dweller during his dive in Amed, Bali.