White Sea-Dweller · Model 1665 · Post-DRSD Era
The “Great White”
Sea-Dweller
History & Origin
The Double Red Sea-Dweller eventually saw production stop around the 5.2 million serial range. From that point, a new watch retaining the model number 1665 was born. The new watch had the same case as the 1665, but the dial was now devoid of the red paint — new fonts were used and the caseback was also different. The new “Great White” Sea-Dweller was born.
The 1665 “Great White” Sea-Dweller
Production & Serial Ranges
Updated Research — M. Pisani
Mk0: very few, at random, on earliest watches with “circular back engravings” (no case number engraved inside back). Earliest seen have case number in the 5.0 range | Range: 5.1–5.3
Mk1: up to 5.18–6.2
Mk2 (rail): in the 5.7–6.2 range
Mk3: in the 6.0–6.8 range (roughly)
Mk4: from 6.8 up to production end (roughly)
Mark 0
~5.0–5.3 million | Circular back engravings, no case no. inside back
Mark 1
Up to 5.18–6.2 million
Mark 2 “Rail Dial”
5.7–6.2 million range
Mark 3
6.0–6.8 million (roughly)
Mark 4
6.8 million through end of production (roughly)
Mk0 5.0–5.3M
Mk1 5.18–6.2M
Mk2 5.7–6.2M
Mk3 6.0–6.8M
Mk4 6.8M+
The Dial
Mark 0
By far the rarest of the Great Whites
Mk0 — SD Booklet Reference
Mk0 — Photo 1
Mk0 — Photo 2
Mk0 — Photo 3
Photos — Geoff Isringhausen Jr
Mark 1
Mk1 — Dial Close-up
Mk1 — Watch
Photos — E. Delgado
Mk1 — Vintage Concept
Photos — Vintage Concept
Mark 2 — “The Rail Dial”
You can find more information on the Rail Dial here
Mk2 — Rail Dial
Mk2 — Rail Dial
Photos — M. Pisani
Mark 3
Mk3 — Photo Bernhard
M. Pisani — Mark 3 vs Mark 4 differences
Very small differences between the Mark 3 and 4:
- Different position of the 2nd “S” in the word “SWISS” vs. the 31st index of the minute track
- Different shape of the number “6” in “610”
- Different sloping of the letter “f” in the abbreviation “ft”
- The last letter “R” in the word “CHRONOMETER” looks shorter in Mk4 dials
Another way to tell a Mk3 from a Mk4 is the position of the R under the 2 in the SCOC text. (From J. Field)
Mk3 — Comparison Detail 1
Mk3 — Comparison Detail 2
Photos — M. Pisani
Full Mk3 SD with Box & Papers
Photo — E. Delgado
Mark 4
Mk4 — Photo 1
Mk4 — Photo 2
Photos — E. Delgado
Mk4 — Comparison Detail
Photos — M. Pisani
The Caseback
Caseback
Caseback Detail
Photos — E. Delgado
The caseback of the Great White differs from the Double Red. Mk0 examples feature circular back engravings with no case number engraved on the interior — a key authentication detail. Later marks have the case number engraved inside the back.