Skip to content
Rolex Sea Dweller Date (Great White), ref. 1665, 1985 — view 1 of 6
View 1 of 6 · Image: Vintage Watch Specialist · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Rolex Sea Dweller Date (Great White), ref. 1665, 1985

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Rolex (maker)
Date
1985
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 39 mm
Stock no.
vws2945cs
Credit line
Dealer listing, Vintage Watch Specialist (vws2945cs)
Catalogue title (original)
Rolex Sea Dweller Date (Great White) - Model Ref: 1665 - 1985 - Box and Papers (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number vws2945cs), this is a wristwatch by Rolex, made in Switzerland, dated 1985. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 39 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist

An Absolutely Sublime Rolex Sea-Dweller (Great White), Model ref: 1665, Superb Condition and Sold with Box and Papers, 1985 The Rolex Sea-Dweller is a legendary timepiece that has become an icon in the world of diving watches. Its rich history dates back to the 1960s when Rolex collaborated with the French diving company Comex to create a watch specifically designed for professional divers. In 1967, Rolex introduced the first Sea-Dweller model, known as the "Double Red Sea-Dweller" due to its distinctive red writing on the dial. What’s On Offer The 'Great White' was produced during the 1970s and boasts distinctive white printing on the dial, giving rise to its nickname - just as its predecessor was nicknamed the 'Double Red'. This example is in absolutely sublime condition, the dial is exquisite, rich black and blemish-free. The lumed hour plots have aged to a stunning deep vanilla colour, adding so much warmth to the dial. This could eventually be the holy grail of aged lume - pumpkin! The dial and bezel are unbelievably well-preserved and look almost NOS. The watch condition has to be seen to be believed to be honest, it is just magnificent. There are minuscule signs of wear to the bracelet but they really are minimal - the watch is near on 40 years on so we expect to see this. This watch is sold with its original box and papers which is a rarity for vintage Rolex and getting rarer! This makes it even more collectable and in such amazing condition, this really is a prince of a watch. Additional information Made from Case: Stainless Steel Dial: Black Crystal: Plexiglas Bracelet: Rolex Oyster Technical specifications Winding: Automatic Movement Type: Mechanical Calibre: 1575 Jewels: 25 Waterproof: 2000ft (when new) Power reserve: 48hrs Purchase details Condition: Superb Model Reference: 1665 Date of issue: 1985 Dimensions Width (without crown): 39mm Lug width: 20mm Lug height: (lug to lug) 46mm Wrist size: 185mm (approx)

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Read next:Detached lever escapementIdentification Centre

Related records