Introduced in 1967, the Rolex Sea-Dweller ref. 1665 was the first model to feature a gas escape valve that was available to the public developed initially from the ref. 5514 made exclusively for COMEX. Regarded as a major breakthrough, the newly patented gas escape valve developed in collaboration with COMEX allowed for a much deeper depth rating of 2000ft. Early examples of the reference featured two red lines of texts above its depth rating, hence earning its nickname the “Double Red”. In 1977, Rolex replaced the “Double Red” dials with the more common dials with white texts.
The present example Rolex Sea-Dweller ref. 1665 “Double Red” from circa 1975 with a 4 million serial features a correct Mk4 dial of which the “Double Red” letterings are vivid and clear, while the font of the red lettering is notably larger on the top line. The Rolex coronet is large, with clearly-defined spikes and a more pronounced “O” under the coronet.
Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.
One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.
