An early Rolex Sea-Dweller Submariner 2000, reference 1665, from the Patent Pending period of Sea-Dweller production.
The watch features a stainless steel 40mm case, matte black dial and the two lines of “SEA-DWELLER / SUBMARINER 2000” text that give this version its Double Red Sea-Dweller (DRSD) collector designation.
The caseback is externally engraved “Oyster Gas Escape Valve – Patent Pending” and internally stamped 1665 / IV.67, dating the caseback to the fourth quarter of 1967. The Patent Pending designation relates to Rolex's helium escape valve, developed for saturation diving before the patent had been granted.
The helium escape valve is positioned on the side of the case at 9 o'clock. It was developed to allow helium accumulated inside the watch during saturation diving to escape during decompression, reducing the risk of internal pressure dislodging the crystal.
The dial is marked “SWISS – T < 25” and displays a date aperture at 3 o'clock without a Cyclops magnifier. The original depth rating is stated on the dial as 2000ft = 610m.
This example is fitted with a folded-link Rolex Oyster bracelet with 280 end links. The diving extension is stamped “PAT. PEND.”, another feature associated with early Patent Pending Sea-Dwellers.
Specification
- Brand: Rolex
- Model: Sea-Dweller Submariner 2000
- Reference: 1665
- Collector designation: Double Red Sea-Dweller (DRSD)
- Variant: Patent Pending
- Caseback date: IV.67 – Fourth Quarter 1967
- Case: Stainless steel
- Case size: Approximately 40mm
- Dial: Matte black Double Red
- Depth rating: 2,000ft / 610m
- Crystal: Domed acrylic
- Bezel: Rotating black divers' bezel
- Helium escape valve: Yes
- Caseback: Oyster Gas Escape Valve – Patent Pending
- Movement: Rolex automatic calibre 1575 family
- Bracelet: Folded-link Rolex Oyster
- End links: 280
- Bracelet extension: PAT. PEND.
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds and date