Rolex 1665 Great White question

bmcgraw · Post by **bmcgraw** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 7:29 am

I'm on the hunt for a Great White and am researching the years, dials, etc. From what I can tell the 16660 production began around 1978-79.....so I'm assuming 1665 production ceased......around the 5 million ser # mark?

If so, how then would you explain an 8 million 1665 production in 1982-83? A fake?

Thanks for your time Rolex SD gurus. Not wanting to make a VERY expensive mistake.

Ben

JBZ · Post by **JBZ** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 7:53 am

That was my basic understanding on the timing - Rolex switched over to the 16660 at some point around 1978 or 1979 (this is based on my read of Shap's very cool SD article on Gear Patrol). However, it's always possible Rolex kept manufacturing the 1665 for a time - they've had overlapping models in the past; the GMT for example.

Thus, I'm not sure of the answer to your question. I'm also not entirely sure what you mean by "an 8 million 1665 production in 1982-83." However, my advice on these is to be careful; lots of fakes and frankens out there, and a 1665 is obviously a significant investment. Might be worth talking to the folks at HQ Milton. They deal in vintage Rolex pretty regularly and have a very good reputation. I've seen them list quite a few 1665's from time to time.

cali kid · Post by **cali kid** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 8:14 am

Some Rolex and Tudor serial numbers..

http://www.qualitytyme.net/pages/numbers.html

dshap · Post by **dshap** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 8:33 am

The 16660 overlapped for some time with the 1665, but I don't know for how long or what the final 1665 serials should be. You should dig around on vintagerolexforum.com for more info.

Zidane · Post by **Zidane** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 8:36 am

I would second the HQ Milton suggestion - If I was buying something like that, I'd want to be 100% sure I bought something legit.

Nomadz · Post by **Nomadz** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 8:44 am

I would simply avoid the later production. Rolex initially produced the 666 for Comex as I understand it. Likely they used up the 1665's and parts as they introduced the "new" model. They have consistently done this Up to even today. Certainly the 5513 was produced in matt alongside glossy and concurrently with the 16800.

bmcgraw · Post by **bmcgraw** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 9:27 am

Thanks guys......good info. I think I'm going to avoid the 1983 1665. Seller says it's RSC serviced (in 2009) which gives it some credence. But it just seems too fishy. Fearful it may be a franken or a warranteed case. Too many flags. I'll follow up with HQ Milton and wait for the right one. That is unless a DWC'r needs to liberate some Christmas money and sell theirs!

Ben

gr8sw · Post by **gr8sw** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 11:21 am

Ben, I have an 1981/2 Submariner booklet that shows both the 1665 'SeaDweller 2000' and 16660 'Sea Dweller 4000'...

so they were made simultaneously... the one you're considering could be real deal... and RSC probably wouldn't touch it if not kosher?

cheers,
Peter

bmcgraw · Post by **bmcgraw** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 11:59 am

Hmmmmm then it may be legitimate after all! Mulling continues......

thanks Peter,
Ben

gr8sw wrote:Ben, I have an 1981/2 Submariner booklet that shows both the 1665 'SeaDweller 2000' and 16660 'Sea Dweller 4000'...

so they were made simultaneously... the one you're considering could be real deal... and RSC probably wouldn't touch it if not kosher?

cheers,
Peter

Knome · Post by **Knome** » Tue Jan 28, 2014 12:02 pm

glad I came across this thread, need to brush up on a lot of stuff so I know what to look for when buying a vintage rolex

bmcgraw · Post by **bmcgraw** » Tue Jan 28, 2014 12:14 pm

Ken,

I didn't find many 1665's at all......and of the ones I found, they were pretty rough. Eventually landed this one. Not an easy find in good shape but I suspect patience (and doing your homework) will pay off.

Good luck with the hunt!
Ben

Post by **River Rat** » Tue Jan 28, 2014 12:29 pm

Love the crystal on that one.

Mark020 · Post by **Mark020** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 12:57 am

Low 8m is (more or less) generally accepted as latest for a 1665.

Here's mine-6.5 m

Knome · Post by **Knome** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 3:57 pm

bmcgraw wrote:Ken,

I didn't find many 1665's at all......and of the ones I found, they were pretty rough. Eventually landed this one. Not an easy find in good shape but I suspect patience (and doing your homework) will pay off.

Good luck with the hunt!
Ben

Wow, that is basically what I'm searching for. But I hesitate to purchase so early in my search since my knowledge around these vintage pieces is just elementary. Hopefully I'll be able to track one down, down the line.
The crystal on that piece is indeed awesome.

bzabodyn · Post by **bzabodyn** » Thu Feb 13, 2014 8:11 pm

Beautiful 1665s guys - I've always been partial to the triple 6, but the Great White is certainly a bad ass.

BZ

dukerules · Post by **dukerules** » Thu Feb 13, 2014 11:13 pm

bmcgraw wrote:

Quoted for superdome awesomeness

bmcgraw · Post by **bmcgraw** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 8:58 am

dukerules wrote:
bmcgraw wrote:
Quoted for superdome awesomeness

I think this one is actually the regular dome. I had a chance to buy a 1665 with the superdome, but the watch was not in great condition. I have to admit I was tempted if only for the crystal.

From what I can glean, the superdomes were often replaced with regular or service domes and they're impossible to find now. There are some aftermarket ones out but I've heard they don't seal well. Here's a comparison of the crystals.

The regular dome has a pretty sweet profile. It looks higher than it actually is at certain angles.

Ben

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

JBZ · Post by **JBZ** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 9:07 am

^^^Beauty, regardless.

dukerules · Post by **dukerules** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 1:16 pm

It may not be a true "superdome," and may instead (likely) be a service crystal, but I'm pretty sure that's a T39 and not a T19. Of course, I could be wrong. I know many people have put T39s on vintage subs, but I'm not sure about whether a T19 would work on a 1665.

dukerules · Post by **dukerules** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 1:17 pm

Point being, even a service/aftermarket T39 is much more domed than a T19, and most refer to any T39 as a "superdome."

andy tims · Post by **andy tims** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 9:26 pm

My 1665 was a 7.2m serial watch dating from 1982

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