Restoring 1665 Sea Dweller Double Red

[lukeh]

Hi all,

I have inherited my father’s Rolex Sea Dweller 1665, which my mother bought brand new for him in the early 1970s.

I believe it was originally a Double Red as of has a 3 million serial number. Unfortunately, over the time my father had the watch, several parts were replaced by the Rolex serviceman including the original dial, hands and end links.

I’d like to get some guidance in what model the original dial, hands and end links would have been so I can restore this watch back to its original condition. I know it will never be truly original, but I’d still it to have the correct parts.

Link to album: https://imgur.com/a/g6CMVk1

Any help is greatly appreciated

Lukeh

[watchlovr]

Safari sats your link is very suspect.
Wht not post photos here directly?

[spoilsofwar01]

If they are genuine Rolex service replacement parts then leave well alone, post pictures so others can offer up opinion's,

[Mark020]

Originally Posted by watchlovr

Safari sats your link is very suspect.
Wht not post photos here directly?

No problems with the link

[Claven2]

your dial has great aged lume patina as-is. If it were mine, I'd get that bracelet tightened up by classic or rolliworks and call it done. Nice watch.

[Boaters]

Leave it along and enjoy it IMPO

[lukeh]

[lukeh]

Sorry about the images. I’ve tried to embed them but it doesn’t seem to be working.

Also, thanks for your input all. I’ll definitely consider keeping as is, but if the opportunity comes up to buy the dial and hands with a similar patina it would be hard not to take the plunge and restore it.

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by lukeh

Sorry about the images. I’ve tried to embed them but it doesn’t seem to be working.

Also, thanks for your input all. I’ll definitely consider keeping as is, but if the opportunity comes up to buy the dial and hands with a similar patina it would be hard not to take the plunge and restore it.

That would be a deep plunge, but I certainly understand the desire to do it. Hope you can enjoy it in the meantime!


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[Filipão]

Wear it proud as is. It's you father's watch!

[Aquaholic_user]

That's soo cool this is the same watch as your first post almost 9 years ago. What a lovely inheritance!

SM-N960U

[lukeh]

Originally Posted by Aquaholic_user

That's soo cool this is the same watch as your first post almost 9 years ago. What a lovely inheritance!

SM-N960U

Thanks very much. This is the very same watch. When I posted 9 years ago I was a broke student without a dollar to my name. It feels amazing to now be in a position where the amount of money it takes to restore my fathers watch doesn’t matter when it once seemed like the most impossible task.

[interestedwatcher]

Why restore it? The service parts are what your father wore it with.

I'd replace the crystal, get the band serviced, and call it a day!

[bayerische]

Your watch would be worth quite a pretty penny with it's original dial since you have papers for it too.

If you where able to find an original (not service) DRSD dial, expect to pay... A LOT! That is really the sellers market.

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by southtexas

That would be a deep plunge, but I certainly understand the desire to do it. Hope you can enjoy it in the meantime!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Agree. Looks great as is and it has a story. But restoring would be a story also.

[scooba]

I think finding period correct parts could be the major issue here unless you just purchase another DRSD for the dial and then swap parts

[swatty]

It’s obviously been well looked after, I’d leave it as it is considering the history.

Ps. Purchased at Angus and Coote in Centrepoint, I remember that store