"single owner" 1665 Mk1 originality help

[ma.st.]

Hi all,

I actually love threads like these bc I feel like I learn more details every time I read one. And well now it's my turn to bring a watch to the chopping block.

Found this watch while traveling. Wasn't for sale, left my info, got a call today that the owner wants to sell and I'm first on the list of interested parties.

Here's what I've got so far:
Mk1 Great white 1665
5,389,xxx (1978)
9315/380 bracelet
no accessories.

Original owner selling via the dealer I am in contact with. The dealer does not have the watch, they did not buy it, original owner still has it but happened to have it in the shop for evaluation the day I stumbled in. They did a sort of appraisal and thus have all the info provided to me.

According to the seller, it was purchased brand new in 1984, never serviced and "worn only a few times."

Please, tear it apart for originality and condition. The watch looked too good to be true when I saw it and tried it on. The bracelet was exceptional and very tight. I like to wear my watches so it may be too nice for me

They are reaching out to the owner to bring the watch back in to provide me with more specifics and pictures.

If it passes muster, I will be planning to purchase it.

I did find it interesting it had a 9315/380 bracelet however I assume there is a lot of grey area on the 9315 to 93150 transition.

Thanks to all the vintage and specifically SD experts in advance.

These are the only pictures I was able to snap that day (traveling with my family and couldn't spend too much time watch browsing)

[ma.st.]

hmm those pics didn't post as well nor as clearly as I was hoping. Darn file size limits

[haven_seeker]

What’s the asking price?

[ma.st.]

14

[ma.st.]

I should be more specific, current exchange rate works out to $14 usd

[Dan S]

Crop photos to size and post at higher magnification. Or post links to full size images on a hosting site.

[Gmt21]

Are you in Seattle? and Who is this dealer? 14K for a Great White is low if it's in amazing condition. But I can't tell anything from your photos..
I live in Seattle too BTW

[ROGERB]

Originally Posted by Gmt21

Are you in Seattle? and Who is this dealer? 14K for a Great White is low if it's in amazing condition. But I can't tell anything from your photos..
I live in Seattle too BTW

HUH! and most people in the east think people in the west are from Pluto not Earth
Regarding the price, at an AD and that's how you were contacted maybe explains the price point since only the type of people around here value any Rolex steep. And if the AD is in Canada $18400.00 sounds like apretty good price!


R

[ROGERB]

The watch would have the 9315 and 380 end link if it was late 1977 which is where that serial number falls. ("Michael M sold one on this forum in 2016 )
Happy Hunting!

R

[donsidhu]

On the small pics that you posted, the chamfers look shiny. Mean it is either in near NOS condition, or its been polished. Price is good though. Good luck with the purchase.

[Fredrik]

It seems a bit late for a 9315 bracelet, besides, it should have 385 (or 285) end link fittings on a 1665 if it were original.

[ma.st.]

Originally Posted by Gmt21

Are you in Seattle? and Who is this dealer? 14K for a Great White is low if it's in amazing condition. But I can't tell anything from your photos..
I live in Seattle too BTW

I am in Seattle, we should grab a coffee sometime!

And can't give a way all of my secrets

Will try to post better pics if I can today nd once I get them from the owner

[ma.st.]

Originally Posted by ROGERB

HUH! and most people in the east think people in the west are from Pluto not Earth
Regarding the price, at an AD and that's how you were contacted maybe explains the price point since only the type of people around here value any Rolex steep. And if the AD is in Canada $18400.00 sounds like apretty good price!


R

Didn't say Canada...

And not an AD, found it at a small independent shop

[ma.st.]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

It seems a bit late for a 9315 bracelet, besides, it should have 385 (or 285) end link fittings on a 1665 if it were original.

ok going down the end links rabbit hole. I reread my info I got yesterday and I have 380 written down, but seeing some conflicting info on dates as discussed, for 9315 being a little late. Whats the different with the 285 or 385 end links? Is it that clear cut on end links for 1665's?

[ma.st.]

Originally Posted by donsidhu

On the small pics that you posted, the chamfers look shiny. Mean it is either in near NOS condition, or its been polished. Price is good though. Good luck with the purchase.

My gut when I first held it was NOS which is why I left all of my info and pursued it. Will try to post better pics, because NOS vs polished will definitely inform my purchase decision. The owner/seller says NOS. The independent shop that was doing the evaluation the day I found it there hasn't commented other than the typical "our watchmaker confirms originality" but they've been very forthright with the info they have and are reaching out for more specifics for me. Again the actual owner has the watch so it's a bit of a delay in info.

[BrazenC5]

$14K USD is a very, very good price if all original, even lightly polished.

[ROGERB]

Originally Posted by ma.st.

Didn't say Canada...

And not an AD, found it at a small independent shop

Ok I'm no Sherlock Holmes but you did say current exchange rate and Seattle is way closer to Canada than say Mexico And as Isaid earlier that serial for a late 1977 could have that bracelet and the 380 endlinks!

R

[Fredrik]

Originally Posted by ma.st.

ok going down the end links rabbit hole. I reread my info I got yesterday and I have 380 written down, but seeing some conflicting info on dates as discussed, for 9315 being a little late. Whats the different with the 285 or 385 end links? Is it that clear cut on end links for 1665's?

For folded bracelets there are two variants of end links and end link fittings. Those beginning with a "2" are loose and those beginning with a "3" are fixed. So you have 258 and 358 for DJs, 280 and 380 for Submariners and GMTs and then you have 285 and 385 for Sea Dwellers for instance. For the later solid link bracelets like 78360 and 93150 they are called 558, 580 and 585 respectively. Have a look here for the 9315, the star is there to note that it is the same part for both 7836 and 9315 since the x80 end link fittings are also for GMTs that came on the 7836:

[ROGERB]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

For folded bracelets there are two variants of end links and end link fittings. Those beginning with a "2" are loose and those beginning with a "3" are fixed. So you have 258 and 358 for DJs, 280 and 380 for Submariners and GMTs and then you have 285 and 385 for Sea Dwellers for instance. For the later solid link bracelets like 78360 and 93150 they are called 558, 580 and 585 respectively. Have a look here for the 9315, the star is there to note that it is the same part for both 7836 and 9315 since the x80 end link fittings are also for GMTs that came on the 7836:

Although pics are small there is no telltale notch endlink so 380 for this bracelet is most likely!

R

[ROGERB]

I mentioned this earlier hope this link works https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=496819

R
(PS with respect to Michael Morgan!)

[subx]

I love when OP's post 1991 quality and size images to validate what a great score they had ....
do you own a post 1991 phone?
if Yes, post a picture we can actually enjoy
thanks
end of rant

[Michael M.]

A 9315/380 bracelet is perfectly correct for a 5.3mil 1665.

At $14k, I strongly suggest you buy it..

[ma.st.]

Originally Posted by rom

I love when OP's post 1991 quality and size images to validate what a great score they had ....
do you own a post 1991 phone?
if Yes, post a picture we can actually enjoy
thanks
end of rant

Hey thanks for your input And I love when people offer comments such as yours... But yea, totally a flip phone from my grandpa. Well aware I need to use a third party site at this point due to file size, which incidentally wouldn't be a problem on a pre-1991 phone

FWIW My initial post was not to "validate what a great score" but was moreso to confirm details on an Mk1 1665. I am coming from the 5513 and Patek world so some of the nuances are new to me as this is my first foray in to SD territory. Just trying to learn form those that know more than me in the community.

Thanks to everyone that have offered constructive input especially regarding the end links. I enjoyed learning that new info.

[ma.st.]

Originally Posted by Michael M.

A 9315/380 bracelet is perfectly correct for a 5.3mil 1665.

At $14k, I strongly suggest you buy it..

Thanks for additionally confirming the end links.

Everyone has been very helpful in shoring up some of the finer details of this example for me.

[Michael M.]

Additionally, a vast majority of 1665's left the factory with 280's or 380's. Only a minority left the factory with the more correct (Sea-Dweller specific) 285's and 385's. Remember, Rolex was prone to use whatever parts were most readily available.

[psv]

I wouldn't blink a second if it is genuine and you can get it for $14, jump on it. Or I'll take it! :-)

[ma.st.]

Originally Posted by psv

I wouldn't blink a second if it is genuine and you can get it for $14, jump on it. Or I'll take it! :-)

lol, the emphatic positive responses of you all have me excited to add this watch to my collection. Fingers crossed this very slow moving process comes to fruition soon.

I think I need to actually write down the running list of people that have reached out wanting the watch should I decide its not for me in the long run

[77T]

Originally Posted by ma.st.

Thanks to everyone that have offered constructive input especially regarding the end links. I enjoyed learning that new info.

Well if you trust the seller and the dealer, too...then pics aren’t really needed. Seller’s story is “I hardly wore it”. And “never was serviced”.

So it’ll be trust that leads your decision methinks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[ma.st.]

better pic of the dial and lugs to make up for my initial post. Only in going through the few pictures I had did I notice the texture of the date wheel as well. Usually they are so darkened and faded that I hadn't really noticed the almost grain to them prior

[ma.st.]

best pic of the lugs I have. I do not have any pics of the crown guards unfortunately.