Rolex Sea Dweller 1665 "Great White" (1979)

The Rolex Sea-Dweller was developed for professional saturation diving, with the Ref. 1665 introducing the helium escape valve that became a defining feature of the collection. The later "Great White" examples, produced from the late 1970s, are distinguished by their all-white dial printing, replacing the red Sea-Dweller text of earlier models and giving this reference its celebrated collector nickname.

This Rolex Sea-Dweller "Great White" Ref. 1665 features a 40mm stainless steel Oyster case with a black dial and luminous hour markers. The distinctive white "SEA-DWELLER" signature is complemented by a black unidirectional dive bezel, domed plexiglass crystal and stainless steel Oyster bracelet. All components are original to the watch, with the exception of the hands, which have been replaced. Originally rated to 610 metres of water resistance, the watch retains the purposeful proportions and robust character of Rolex's early professional diving instruments.

Powering the watch is the Rolex calibre 1575 automatic movement, offering an approximately 48-hour power reserve. Offered with box. Circa 1979. As with all vintage timepieces, we do not recommend wearing this watch in or around water, regardless of its original water resistance rating. Covered by our 24 month J. Farren Price warranty.

The following guide explains the condition terms used throughout our pre-owned and vintage watch collection.

• New
  Brand-new and unworn, supplied by J. Farren Price as an authorised dealer with the applicable manufacturer warranty.
• New Old Stock (NOS)
  An unworn watch from an earlier production period. Minor storage or handling marks may be present.
• Mint
  An exceptional pre-owned example presenting in near-new condition, with no visible wear.
• Excellent
  A very well-preserved watch showing only light signs of careful use.
• Very Good
  A well-presented watch showing normal signs of use, including minor scratches or surface wear.
• Good
  A watch showing more noticeable signs of regular use and age, while remaining presentable.

Vintage watches
Condition is assessed in the context of the watch's age. Natural patina and period-appropriate ageing may be present and do not necessarily detract from its grade.

Condition grades relate to cosmetic presentation. Originality, replacement parts, service history and accessories are described separately where known. Please refer to the individual product description and photographs for further details.

For more in depth information about any of our timepieces, feel free to contact our team directly on (08) 8223 2787 or visit our boutique to view in person.