marcello pisani
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I can just give my opinion ...
and not " facts " as the Lake has allways been quite contrary to give production numbers.
we could reason in this way considering that :
1) in the 5.7 - 6.2 range there are 8 batches of 1665 ;
2) the elapsed time is around 24 months ;
3) in the same case range also mk1 dials were in use .
4) my idea is that the ratio between rail dials vs. mk1 in this case range is around 20 %
5) in this time range my estimate is that no less than 2000 watches have been produced.
thus the total amount would be 400 dials circa used for pristine equipment .
considering also spare parts ... the total amount produced could arrive up to 600 dials.
Rolex 1665 - The Rail Dial
The 1665 Double Red Sea-Dweller (DRSD) has a very broad following amongst vintage Rolex collectors. There are entire websites devoted to the history, details and intricacies of this great watch. Produced for a decade (1967-77) with a multiple of dial and ...
LOL !
Like Ed, I can never keep track as well ... Although it makes for an interesting read. Not to mention the passion exuded by Rolex collectors ! The question is, who discovers this "differences" and how does this get proliferated !?!
A superb reference post, my friend.
I didn't know all these details about the Great Whit, or about the SD RD ( Rail Dial ). It is great to have all these details in the same article, especially for those who are hunting this watch. A superb reference post, Baron. Bravo. Nicolas.
Thanks Nicolas
I think what is interesting is finding out new or at least different angles to the watch. I love the Stern link to the Comex Rail Dial for example.....and the Sea-Dweller name appearing uniquely.....these things make the watch history richer and a big par...
Wow great review !
thanks a lot for sharing your research about this fascinating watch
Great timing!
Thanks for a great and informative article. I've also been swayed by the charms of the Rail Dial - I don't know what it is about the layout but it just looks right to me. A double red is probably out of my reach but a nice Rail would do me just fine and t...
Hi Vernon...
I really don't think you will be disappointed with any of the Great Whites.......good hunting
Bravo Baron!
Very nice topic!!! If i could correct something, i would say about the rail dial, that the range is 5.7-5.8 (but you can find it even on 6.2) Ciao ;)
Yes, i have seen that it can come in 6.2....
......but if i am honest, i am only truly comfortable in a 5.70X - 5.99Xm range. I am not saying you are wrong as who knows for sure how Rolex fitted their dials with consistency....but I would say I would much prefer my Rail Dial fo fall between 5.7-6.0m...
Did you ever hear about 500 pieces only, Marcello?
Well, by " hear ", I mean facts. ;) Best, Amico. Nicolas
I can just give my opinion ...
and not " facts " as the Lake has allways been quite contrary to give production numbers. we could reason in this way considering that : 1) in the 5.7 - 6.2 range there are 8 batches of 1665 ; 2) the elapsed time is around 24 months ; 3) in the same case ...
well at that time ....
1665 was not really a commercial success ..... a really specialized watch .... with an higher price than 1680/5513 ... made in a very very lower number than the damned cosmographs screw-down pushers. still underestimated also in the " standard version " ....
I waited for ages to find mine....
......gladly managed to do so...B&P an added bonus. And today, I a "smug" Joe
Well Baron, I am flabergasted:) how one would....
discover that a hyphen between Sea and Dweller is shorter or longer, that the R of Oyster is directly placed under the base of the R of Rolex or otherwise is AMAZING!! Almost like looking for a needle in a haystack. I guess that MUST be the definition of ...
Hey Francois...
.....the Single Red is the one that you are talking about? Well, its not that they produced only one.....i think it may be 2 or so....but these watches were prototypes. Rolex wanted to develop a saturation diving watch so produced a number of prototypes t...
No no, I am talking about the Great White, the one...
you are describing, you write " The Mk1 dial came on a serial number in the 5.2-5.7m range but also occasionally from 5.9-6.1m" is the "m" for million? Cheers Francois
Thanks Mod...
...a cornerstone for a lover of the most fascinating Rolex ref. ave, chris
Fantastic post dear Baron! Makes for an interesting reading...
... and a great reference guide! I appreciate all the work which you took to gather all this material, photos, and info! GREAT! Thank you so much and receive my best cordial regards, Abel.
Well....
.....it is quite easy to take pictures of a watch I love owning. I am pleased you like it....
Amazing reference post, and great close ups and markers to...
....illustrate the very subtle, but key differences. I love these types of post. Fantastic, well done Joe. Thanks for sharing. Cheers Tony
A very interesting and informative post!
Just one question: Will it still be called a great white if all the indices and hands have turned a dark yellow colour. :) Just happened to see one in such a condition. cheers fernando
Excellent article
probably the most complete by far.. thanks for sharing ! here's my MK4. ...
Humble, humble... Would you consider an humble trade between your humble watches
And my humble ones? :) :) :) SUPERB, Steven... Best, my friend. Nicolas
Thank you for the education, Baron!
And congrats to a great watch! :) Best, my friend Blomman
Amazing scholarship, Baron...
It is this sort of analysis that makes vintage collecting so interesting IMO. While I do love new/newer models too, any person can walk into a retail store and buy what's in the case. It is far more interesting to look at collecting with something other t...
Great report
Thank you for your dedication and time in producing such an in depth review. Kind regards
So glad I miseed that article first time around
What a Xmas night treat reading this was! Superb post by all means.... learned so much about SD history. Cheers D
