Rolex Sea-Dweller 'Tropical', Reference 1665

Technical characteristics

Type

Diver's watch

Calibre

cal. 1570 automatic, 26 jewels

Reference

1665

Dimensions

40 mm diameter

Case Number

2’665’630

Place recorded

Switzerland

Movement Number

D’804’035

Date of Manufacture

Circa 1971

Maker / attribution

Rolex

Design

Visible features

• Matte dial aged to a chocolate brown tropical finish with two red lines of text above 6 o'clock. • Mercedes-pattern hands and geometric hour markers with aged yellowish luminous fill. • Black graduated rotating diver's bezel insert with knurled outer rim. • Stainless steel Oyster-style three-link bracelet with fitted end links.

Dial Configuration and Ageing

The dial displays a matte finish that has aged to a chocolate brown 'tropical' hue. As observed on the piece, it features Mercedes-pattern hands and geometric hour markers with aged yellowish luminous fill, accompanied by a date aperture at 3 o'clock. Catalogued as a 'Double Red' variant, the dial bears two red lines of text above 6 o'clock. The catalogue note explains that this nickname stems from the dial markings reading 'Sea-Dweller' and 'Submariner 2000'.

Case Construction and Exterior Components

Catalogued as Reference 1665 with case number 2’665’630, this diver's wristwatch features a 40 mm stainless steel case. According to the auction listing, the case is fitted with a screw-down case back and incorporates a helium escape valve and date display. Visible exterior components include a graduated rotating black diver's bezel ringed by a knurled outer rim, and an Oyster-style three-link steel bracelet with fitted end links. The cataloguing records the closure as a stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet and folding clasp with an approximate inner circumference of 205 mm.

Reported Movement and Accompanying Material

The internal mechanism is reported by the seller as an automatic calibre 1570 movement with 26 jewels, bearing movement number D’804’035. The case, dial, and movement are listed as signed, though internal movement components and markings remain concealed beneath the closed case back in the available photograph. The lot is accompanied by an accessory package including a Rolex Guarantee booklet, an Attestation de Chronomètre Officiel, product literature, a service card dated November 1999, a document holder, and a presentation case with outer packaging. The catalogue note further states that this watch is featured in 'A Journey Into the Deep' by John Goldberger and Daniel Bourn, pp. 48–49.

Identification

Reference

1665

Serial number

2’665’630

Source note

Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.

Catalogue references

No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.