Question on vintage Rolex Seadweller 1665

[ctanase]

I have inherited a Rolex Sea Dweller 1665 case, bezel, crystal, movement, bracelet, and hands.

However, the dial is destroyed. It was a Mark 3 dial.

Would it be ok to put in a Mark 4 dial into it? Or should I put in a service dial with matching service hands?

Just trying to restore this old thing...

[Dan S]

I think that's a personal choice. A collector would probably not do either one of those, but it's your watch, and you should do whatever would give you more joy.

[rootbeer7]

Originally Posted by ctanase

I have inherited a Rolex Sea Dweller 1665 case, bezel, crystal, movement, bracelet, and hands.

However, the dial is destroyed. It was a Mark 3 dial.

Would it be ok to put in a Mark 4 dial into it? Or should I put in a service dial with matching service hands?

Just trying to restore this old thing...

I’d go to RSC and have a new service dial and hands, full service and have watch that could be worn anywhere again.

[Kingface66]

You posted a very similar thread 6 years ago. And never posted any pictures. How’d that turn out?
Any photos of this one?

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...20#post9653520

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

You posted a very similar thread 6 years ago. And never posted any pictures. How’d that turn out?
Any photos of this one?

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...20#post9653520

Haha, this guy is constantly inheriting Rolex watches with destroyed dials!

[ctanase]

I got rid of that old red sub. Too many damaged or missing parts on that one.

I’ll post an image of the 1655 soon. This 1655 is way more complete and in decent shape. Just need a good mark 3 dial, which I cannot find.

Thoughts on where to source one?

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Haha, this guy is constantly inheriting Rolex watches with destroyed dials!

Could just be slightly different interpretation Dan?

Cambridge dictionary:

Inherit:

To begin to have responsibility for a problem or situation that previously existed or belonged to another person

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Haha, this guy is constantly inheriting Rolex watches with destroyed dials!

Constantly?

[Jackie Daytona]

I would go RSC if it’s that bad, but that’s just me. Nice service dial, hands and all still look great and add so much functionality to it without having to break the bank quite so badly and the extra care of vintage.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by ctanase

Just need a good mark 3 dial, which I cannot find. Thoughts on where to source one?

Post a WTB on VRF. There are dealers over there who still have or can get these types of hard-to-find parts. It won’t be cheap.

Or look for a nice tritium service dial. If you send it to an RSC you’ll end up with a luminova dial.

[77T]

Originally Posted by ctanase

I have inherited a Rolex Sea Dweller 1665 case, bezel, crystal, movement, bracelet, and hands.

However, the dial is destroyed. It was a Mark 3 dial.

Would it be ok to put in a Mark 4 dial into it? Or should I put in a service dial with matching service hands?

Just trying to restore this old thing...

In my mind you could do the Mark 4 dial, or any dial made subsequent to 3.6-ish million. That's what would have happened if the RSC had the watch in their hands in 1975 or whenever the Mark 3 dial was destroyed.

BTW, what is the serial number's first 4 digits?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ctanase]

what is VRF?
is putting the Mark 4 dial gonna screw up the 1665's value when it should have a Mark 3 in it? Or does it reduce the value?

[ctanase]

the serial number is 6,191,XXX. Which puts it at 1979.
so you think putting the Mark 4 dial (which is pretty darn close looking) is close enough to achieve maximum value? I just cannot find a Mark 4 dial anywhere.....

[wcgreiner]

Mark 4 dial’s fine—close enough to keep it vintage-correct. Service dial/hands would work too, but the Mk4 keeps more soul in it.

[ctanase]

i like Soul

[Dom9]

Was going to say; could do a service dial (still available, in packet) for now and then sell it on when a Mk3 does appear. I bought 3 destroyed dial watches. Sourced one original, one service and refinished the original dial plate on one. None will ever be sold, all make me happy. I like the 'project' aspect of them.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by ctanase

what is VRF?
is putting the Mark 4 dial gonna screw up the 1665's value when it should have a Mark 3 in it? Or does it reduce the value?

Vintage Rolex Forum. I noticed someone there is currently selling a tritium service dial for a 1665.

[ctanase]

this is the watch now

[TunaTuna]

I think you need more than a dial, but I will leave that to the experts