Need some opinions on this 1665 Double Red Seadweller

[donsidhu]

I need help with a double red seadweller. The owner, who I know and trust, is offering me the watch and I just want to post it here to ask if this is a good example or not, while I’m evaluating his asking price. The watch is local, so I was able to go see it in person.

I’m only concerned about the case and not the bracelet. It’s a 4.1 M serial case that does look to have been polished. The dial seems to be a MK4, and the bezel insert seems to be a service insert. I put my UV light to it and nothing glows.

I’m wondering if this is a decent example or a very good example. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The pictures are not great, as they were taken inside a Starbucks.

[STEELINOX]

Oh my! As in - "it looks like an imposter, 'oh my'!"


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[donsidhu]

Thanks Steelinox, but its definitely authentic.

[gman5515]

Just my 2 cents- the Sides of the case is fairly decent, though, its been lightly polished in the past for sure. Bezel ring also rather polished imo(more than the case itself i feel). the DRSDs crown guards weren't very thick to begin with(as say, compared to the subs), so its current crown guards aren't as bad as they look though. Quite normal imo.

Indeed a mk4, but maybe lume plots are a bit too white(for my personal liking), or it could be the lighting.

Generally an honest piece, in fair condition, given most of the DRSDs , if they were used for its intended purpose, would probably have suffered a greater 'beating' than this. At the same time, its definitely not been a safe queen of course.

Good luck and hope you get a fair deal out of it!

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by donsidhu

Thanks Steelinox, but its definitely authentic.

Good deal, how much will it cost ya?

[donsidhu]

Thanks so much gman5515. I greatly appreciated that help! Yes the markers are a light creamy white colour. That's the main thing holding me back.

[donsidhu]

Thanks Steelinox, am I allowed to mention the price that he's asking here on the forum? Thanks

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by donsidhu

Thanks Steelinox, am I allowed to mention the price that he's asking here on the forum? Thanks

I do not see a problem. You can state it as a "range" if you like. For example, $22 to 28k...

Thanks,
Randy

[gman5515]

Originally Posted by donsidhu

Thanks so much gman5515. I greatly appreciated that help! Yes the markers are a light creamy white colour. That's the main thing holding me back.

You're most welcomed! I'm a fairly newbie when it comes to vintage, I'm sure there are more seasoned collectors who might be able to provide greater and more valuable insights that I might have missed.

wrt the white-ish lume plots, its all down to personal preference, and if you don't feel totally comfortable, I'd say give it a miss and look for another. Mk4 variants aren't that rare, as compared to the Mk 1-3s. If u like the mk4s, I think you should be able to find nicer patina examples. mk 1-3 are certainly harder to come by, and of course are quite a fair bit more expensive.

[donsidhu]

Thanks for the help gman5515 and Steelinox. He's asking $45K CAD (which is about $34K USD).

[Chunky]

Originally Posted by donsidhu

Thanks for the help gman5515 and Steelinox. He's asking $45K CAD (which is about $34K USD).

Maybe I'm out of touch, but I find that price quite expensive for the example shown.

[donsidhu]

I completely agree with you Chunky. Thanks

[colpol]

The slightest doubt/ misgivings for that money - hold off

You want to be 100% & feel that excitement ;.)

[saskmh]

Double reds seem to be up in the 40's lately... If you can get it for under 40 you should be pretty satisfied.

[donsidhu]

Thanks saskmh. Yeah but the ones going for north of 40K USD have nice patina. This one is a very, very light cream. He`s a fairly well known collector in the Toronto watch circles. Watch is legit, and I`m sure I can get him down to maybe $40K CAD. I`m just not sure I wanna pull the trigger.

Thanks colpol - I agree.

[chows99]

Can you get a photo of it in sunlight or natural lighting?

I can accept eggwhite like patina but the lume looks too white even for me.

[donsidhu]

Thanks chows99. I asked him for a pic of the watch outdoors. Here's what he sent me.

Also said he's open to cash offers if I'm serious. So the price is definitely not firm.

[Styles Bitchley]

Super white lume for its age. Nice watch though!


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[STEELINOX]

Oh nuts, the insert has a dent in it ~ !

[gman5515]

Hi Donsidhu, it appears that the dial minute track marker at 9 o clock has been touched up? or is that distortion on the dome? Just a note on that if so..

It does appear kinda white under sunlight still, but think its all down to personal preference. I don't like heavy orangey patina either, but maybe something in between is preferred. Just my 2 cents.

Another thing worth noting is that the datewheel has probably been changed. the original is the sliver datewheel with open 6 & 9s, "wider" fonts. This seems to be a newer replacement.

[omitohud]

I don’t know if it matters but the insert is a service replacement.


I blame it on autoconnect.

[OliverD]

It's hard to tell from photos alone but sometimes when you see pure white plots on a watch that old it's because the lume has been washed off.

Worth checking in person perhaps.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Styles Bitchley

Super white lume for its age. Nice watch though!


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Could be the lighting in the photo. Also, not all tritium takes on yellow/dark ivory lume. My 5512 (3.7 mil) has original tritium that is still quite light, but in indoor lighting turns more creamy ivory.

[donsidhu]

Nice 5512 swish77! Thanks for all the help everyone. I decided to pass on the watch.

[saskmh]

Originally Posted by donsidhu

Thanks chows99. I asked him for a pic of the watch outdoors. Here's what he sent me.

Also said he's open to cash offers if I'm serious. So the price is definitely not firm.

Lume still looks super white. Isn't the date disc on a double red supposed to be a brushed silver one too?