sea dweller 1665

[Becca1]

Hi,ive got a chance to buy this 1665,the serial number on the case and the back case match the papers.
As you can see the crystal is scratched enormously,i was wondering if anybody could comment on the dial.
I appreciate the bad quality of the photo,i think it looks worse magnified and it was taken under lights.
Any help greatly appreciated.

[drainaps]

Picture gives a very limited peep at this watch. Lugs seem over polished. Cannot see crown guards either. Hands are a clear mismatch and strange color. Not sure original. Date disc seems white, not silver, hence replaced. Dial difficult to assess under that crystal. Difficult to say.

[Beaumont Miller II]

Interesting watch and question.
If the serial number between the lugs is also engraved in full or partial on the inside of the case back, then the watch started out life as a DRSD. Following this logic, the dial in the watch lacks 2 lines of red print, and as such would not be original to the watch.
The current dial in the watch, if i am able to see through the scratches, is a mk III 1665 white dial as noted by the open 6. The dial in your watch is commonly seen in 1665's in the 6 mil range.

What is the serial number? Is the serial above or below 5.2 mil?

[drainaps]

Had missed the bit where the OP says that the serial is engraved in the case back. Serial becomes indeed important. More pics too! Cheers.

[Becca1]

Sorry guys,my mistake,case back is engraved 1665,also service marks 1995,serial number starts 6752xxx,punched papers match and are dated 1981.
Cheers.

[Beaumont Miller II]

The dial is correct for the watch.
The watch should clean up nicely.

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by Beaumont Miller II

The dial is correct for the watch.
The watch should clean up nicely.

this

[watchcrank]

nice find!

[Cc1966]

If the price is right, will make a nice piece with a little servicing. Good luck.

[enhamhale]

Looks good to me

[Becca1]

Thanks for the replies.
Maybe the hands and datewheel were replaced during 1993 service,I ll never know.
My friend has a 16600 and the difference between the two is vast.
I love the vintage plexi and the bezel,is there a problem getting things cleaned up or replaced from a purists point of view?I can live with the bezel but I'd like to clean up or replace the plexi.

[Beaumont Miller II]

I would put a new plexi crystal on it, and take my time finding a handset that is a better match to the dial. I think the insert looks great. More pics of the case would be helpful, but for the most part, I tend to leave things unpolished.

[Becca1]

Originally Posted by Becca1

Hi,ive got a chance to buy this 1665,the serial number on the case and the back case match the papers.
As you can see the crystal is scratched enormously,i was wondering if anybody could comment on the dial.
I appreciate the bad quality of the photo,i think it looks worse magnified and it was taken under lights.
Any help greatly appreciated.

I had these pics on my iphone,again not very clear but they offer a slightly different angle.

[GeoGio Greece]

Started in Hong Kong.

Rather strange crown guards, if not distorted by the photo.

But given that Beaumont comments, the rest shall listen.

[U5512]

Originally Posted by GeoGio Greece

Started in Hong Kong.

Rather strange crown guards, if not distorted by the photo.

But given that Beaumont comments, the rest shall listen.

I am sure the crown guards are distorted by the photo. I also have a 6.7 million serial number Sea-Dweller with the same MKIII white dial.

[Becca1]

First of all,thank you for all the help and opinions voiced,it gave me the confidence to buy,i've learnt so much just reading posts on here for the last couple of days.
The watchmaker cleaned up the crystal for me and I think the dial is in great condition.I know the hands look different but I can live with that for now.The case seems substantial to me and i'm happy there too.
All the boxes and papers are a nice bonus,everything matches up.
The bracelet is marked 93150 on the link and 585 on the endlinks,the clasp again says 93150 with the letter F above denoting 1981.
Asking this question as a newcomer,should I preserve the bracelet or use it and whats your opinion on the missing pearl?Important or not?
One thing i'd like to share,the bezel insert has turned a beautiful grey/blue colour and looks so nice on the wrist.
Thanks for listening.

[U5512]

Becca1,

Congrats!!! The case (sides) of the watch looks like it has never been polished, and all you need is to source out a set of hands that match the dial, and a new bezel insert with the pearl.

[Becca1]

Thanks,that's great to hear about the case.I actually like the bezel insert at the moment,think I'll leave it for now.
Where does one start looking for spare parts?I might see if I can get a tritium pearl,I had a look on rolex vintage market,any other recommendations.