Rolex Sea-Dweller · Pre-Production · Late 1960s
Single Red Sea-Dweller
Dial Mark 00
Overview
The Single Red Sea-Dweller
The Single Red Sea-Dweller — or Mark 00 dial, for lack of a better name — is indeed a very special watch. Made in very small quantities in the late 1960s, it was not sold to the public. Instead, examples were given to a select group of early diving pioneers to test under real-world conditions.
This is an exceptionally rare dial. Only a small test batch was produced before regular production began. Many of these dials were also replaced by standard production dials when the watches were returned to Rolex for service — making surviving original examples extraordinarily scarce. This dial combination should be considered a prototype.
Identifying Features
Characteristics
Red Lines
One red line only — not two as on the Double Red production models
Coronet
Distinctive coronet — differs from standard production dials
Print Size
Larger print on the date text
Depth Markings
“Submariner 500m – 1650ft” — distinct from later production depth references
Production Status
Pre-production prototype. Not sold to the public. Distributed only to select diving pioneers for field testing. Many original dials subsequently replaced during Rolex service.
Single Red Sea-Dweller — Mark 00 Dial. Photo courtesy of AK.