Double Red Sea Dweller - Value and service question

[Jackmac]

New to this forum and was hoping any Rolex experts out there could help me with these questions related to my SeaDweller Rolex watch:
Watch description: A "Double Red" Rolex SeaDweller Submariner 2000. It has "Oyster Gas Escape Valve Patent Pending" stamped on back. Its serial number is 21xxxxx. I believe (from my limited research) it has "Mark II" dials but I'm not positive. Visually it is in fantastic shape though it needs a service since the date # doesn't rotate properly. I also have the original box it came in from rolex.

Watch history: watch was a gift from a relative who received the watch related to a diving expedition he was involved with (I believe late 1960's/early 1970's) so the watch is about 40 years old give or take.

Questions I have:
1. Ballpark value for this watch? (I'm trying to determine how to properly appraise for insurance)
2. If watch has high value, any recomendations on how/who to see to get a proper/knowledgeable appraisal?
3. Curious if "patent pending" is unique or common for Rolex watches?
4. Servicing: Any advice on whether to send this to Rolex to service or any recomendations for Rolex service in San Francisco, CA, and any general advice on what to avoid in servicing that may negatively impact value of watch.

Thanks!

[SecretSauce]

Please post detailed pics. The only way to tell.

[Jackmac]

If I knew how to upload photos to this site I would (and can try and figure out if absolutley needed to get help here - or can email to someone's email address directly). Really just looking for general sense of value, etc. related to questions I had. If it helps, the watch more or less looks "new" - the marks indicating each hour are slightly browned, the hour/minute dials much less so, the red "Sea Dweller Submariner 2000" lines are both still bright red and the crystal was polished 3 years ago and very clear. The back has slight scratches but not many. The "ROLEX" and logo on back are imprinted straight across. The bezel popped off the watch a while back but I do still have it so assume can be re-attached when serviced (have bezel but not the thinner connecting piece that was underneath). The band is the original one. Again, not trying to sell this thing but in researching on web I get the sense this may be a valuable watch and want to get a better sense of that. Hope that helps anyone that can offer advice here -- thanks!

[jdc]

here is a link to help post pictures :cheers:
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=3003

[onkyo]

You are not going to retire on that piece but it is a valuable watch....

Let's see some nice pics including some in focus close ups!

And welcome to the forum.

:cheers:

[Jackmac]

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae24/tmacsf/rolex1.jpg

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae24/tmacsf/rolex3.jpg

[diablojota]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/3746164861_88d7ff4c01.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3433/3746164963_2453e7ca72.jpg?v=0

[DadsWatch72]

Where is the bezel? I want that bezel.....Another thing I notice with many of these double red dials is the dots have spots. I don't notice that on any other older watches except these. Why is that. My dots are very white and its the original dial. I wear it everyday. I would think maybe the sun might fade them but they are still white as can be. Is this from water damage perhaps?

[marke]

your watch is a very rare watch, and you need to take some advice on this watch..

i will pm you the telephone number of a Guru on the DRSD ..

value could be be $100.000 dollars upwards please can we some more pics and of the strap, especially showing patent pending.

[marke]

I have been told there were only about 115 approx made of the patent pending drsd....

also have a look at the auction results on antiquorum from June 2008 where one sold i think for 250K dollars but that prie would have come down a bit now in my opinion.

[Jackmac]

Seriously?? Would be nice if true that it is worth anywhere near some of the #'s mentioned here but find that a bit hard to believe. I'll track down a camera that can do a better up close job and post some more pics. Thanks for the feedback.

[Davvan]

....http://www.doubleredseadweller.com/index.htm

No estimates but loads of great info about your watch......

BR
David

[Beaumont Miller II]

I have a Mark IV DRSD so I am somewhat familiar with their values. That value of 100k is probably about a year old as the economy meltdown has affected the value of the watch. Things to consider: 1. Does the dial have any chips or flakes on it? There is something going on with the 7 marker and I can't tell if it is on the dial or the crystal. Getting a new bezel and insert or an old insert is not hard. The lugs on your watch appear to be reasonably fat, and it looks like the lugs still have the bevel on them. I believe the watch came with the 9315 bracelet. So it would be good to see a pic of the bracelet and not just the end piece. The watch may need to be serviced as it looks like the date in the window is not centered correctly. What you have is a very nice iconic watch. This is the grail of the DRSD line. I am thinking 75k give or take 5k.

[marke]

but this watch we think, is a Patent Pending, that is what makes it rare, collectable and valuable.

[Jackmac]

I was able to find out a bit more about it from an auctioneer/rolex expert yesterday who took a look at it: it is a "Mark II" dial, it is the "Patent Pending" original case, the bracelet is likely a later replacement (has #93150 on it and does not say "Pat. pending" on bracelet). The watch is in great shape though needs a service. I am going to have it serviced and will put up a picture of it "cleaned up" when that is done.

[Beaumont Miller II]

A patent pending DRSD sold on Antiquorum on 29-3-2009 for around 40k. I feel bad too because the price they got for the DRSD with the Mk IV dial was only 16K.

[achova]

A patent pending DRSD sold on Antiquorum on 29-3-2009 for around 40k. I feel bad too because the price they got for the DRSD with the Mk IV dial was only 16K.

Interesting. I am scheduled to look at a ~1972 3.5 million DRSD Monday for mid $20k. It's more costly than I should be entertaining, but intriguing...

I may be chasing ghosts here but if the seller and I get together Monday, I'll post photos and more details then.

[Beaumont Miller II]

Here are some pics of mine.

http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp210/BeaumontMillerII/IMG_0284.jpg

http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp210/BeaumontMillerII/IMG_0283.jpg

http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp210/BeaumontMillerII/IMG_0282.jpg

[marke]

beaumont.... what a beautiful time piece, do you have all the bits and pieces that go with it?

i want one....

[jdc]

what a stunner Beaumont, great patina on dial on hands :cheers:

[Beaumont Miller II]

Thanks for the nice comments. I wish I had all the bits and pieces, but I do have Rolex Service Papers. I gotta say, that dial does give me a warm feeling when I look at it.

[onkyo]

Here are some pics of mine.

http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp210/BeaumontMillerII/IMG_0284.jpg

http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp210/BeaumontMillerII/IMG_0283.jpg

http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp210/BeaumontMillerII/IMG_0282.jpg

Wonderful DRSD Beaumont. :clap: :thumbsup:

There is nothing like a DRSD .... here is mine (complete b/p set) -->

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp42/plvovsky/Picture331.jpg

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp42/plvovsky/1331328f.jpg

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp42/plvovsky/Picture329.jpg

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp42/plvovsky/Picture330.jpg

:cheers:

[Beaumont Miller II]

WoW... That is something you very rarely if ever see. B and P with a DRSD. Congratulations on a nice find.:cheers:

[Tools]

There is a Rolex Service Center on Post Rd. in San Fran.... they may be able to help you over the hurdles of not doing anything that will devalue the watch, such as parts changes or unnecessary refinishing......

This is really a case where you should have professional advice before you do anything... unless, of course, you already know the in's and outs of vintage watch idiosyncrasies.

[DadsWatch72]

Why didn't anyone tell ME about the Frisco service center????? :crying:

[DadsWatch72]

I called Frisco service center today. They told me they get all of their parts from Dallas. So if Dallas can't get the part then San Francisco can't get it.

[achova]

I took a look at the DRSD I mentioned last week. The original owner used regularly for much of it's live but not for diving. It was serviced in the past 10 years, and has been worn recently by the original owner's son.

It has a serial #354XXXX and appears to have a Mark III dial. It looks like a pretty solid watch. It's tough to tell with all the scratches in the crystal, but the dial looks great. The folded link 9315 / 285 band is said to be original and looks it. Unfortunately, I forgot to check the date code. No box or other paperwork aside from an 'insurance appraisal' conducted recently.

Now I 'm working on funds and other considerations. My camera and lighting were not really cooperating, but I'd appreciate the group's thoughts on providence and value.


http://adamsgarage.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=32841&g2_serialNumber=4.jpg

http://adamsgarage.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=32819&g2_serialNumber=4.jpg

http://adamsgarage.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=32838&g2_serialNumber=4.jpg

http://adamsgarage.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=32828&g2_serialNumber=4.jpg

http://adamsgarage.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=32803&g2_serialNumber=4.jpg

serial number obscured at owner's request
http://adamsgarage.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=32852&g2_serialNumber=4.jpg

1665 with my 5512
http://adamsgarage.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=32794&g2_serialNumber=4.jpg

[achova]

Forgot a shot of the valve...
http://adamsgarage.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=32810&g2_serialNumber=4.jpg

[onkyo]

Looks to be a nice piece.

I would love to see the condition of the dial (difficult through the deep scratches in the crystal).

:cheers:

[achova]

Looks to be a nice piece.

I would love to see the condition of the dial (difficult through the deep scratches in the crystal).

:cheers:
Agree - with a little luck, I'll be able to pick it up. The first thing will be to get it the basic check-up and crystal refresh. Then I can get proper photos up.

Adam

[roach7]

beautiful!