1967 Rolex Sea-Dweller ref. 1665 “Thin Case” Tropical MK2 DRSD

Up for grabs is a Rolex Sea-Dweller Double Red

1665 reference with so-called “Thin Case”

This watch was purchased from the original, living owner, who is currently residing in Washington state. He purchased the watch in Singapore in 1971 and has had it ever since, until he sold it to me in March of 2025. He recalls having it serviced in the late 70’s by Rolex Switzerland and then in 2018 by a Rolex AD in Seattle. I asked him to give a brief history on himself and the watch, here is what he was able to share:

“To give you my career details would take a long time. But trying to keep it short.
All my career has been marine oriented. Commercial shipping. Rose through the ranks, and licenses, in the UK. Master diver certification in England. Took over command of a Geological survey ship in Australia – with on board diving equipment. Apart from geological work searched for submerged WW2 wrecks in South Pacific, – Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea; Fiji etc, then seven years doing the same stuff in Indonesia.
All “shallow” water – less than 200 feet. Several successful recoveries of non- ferrous metals. – mostly propellers.
Despite the number of submerged wrecks only recovered – the prizes – two ships bells. Long long stories behind those. One of them adorns my daughter’s house.

And during it all the awesome Rolex watch stayed with me, with several scary moments throughout.
Great career. None better.
Somewhat of an emotional parting with my watch, but sons and grandsons don’t have that attachment to the watch even when offered to them.
That is why I wish the new owner a happy attachment albeit that it would be far less than mine.”

So, this watch for sure was not a safe queen, but used as a tool. When it arrived, it came on an aftermarket steel bracelet and a replaced bezel insert and obviously scratched crystal. I wanted to present it in as “raw” of condition as possible, but at same time felt the next owner would for sure like to have a period-correct insert and a bracelet. So, a faded long 5 bezel insert was sourced and installed, a 9315/285 bracelet was sourced and installed with appropriate ’71 date stamp, which would match the year it was purchased new. Crystal was polished by hand with Polywatch only. Nothing else was touched. No polishing, no replacement of parts, etc.

The wathc is correct 1.7 mil serial number circa 1967 production

Dial is original MK2 with tropical brown aging. There are no scratches, chips, drag marks on dial. The lume is intact and original on the dial, as well as the hands. The date disk remains original with open 6’s and 9’s. I’ve also included a picture of the dial outside of the case so you can see the condition and color better.

Bezel and insert are period correct with “long 5” with tritium pip.

Caseback is original, clearly engraved on outside and stamped inside with 1665, IV.67 and matching last 3 digits of serial number to the case. The original owner’s name is also engraved on the outside of the caseback.

Bracelet is a Rolex 9315 in excellent condition with correct Sea-Dweller end-links 285 and ’71 date.