krlyuzh 2020 Pledge Member



Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Kirill Location: USA Posts: 10,767

One Owner, Military Owned 1967 Rolex PPDRSD MK1 1665 Sea-Dweller on Prototype Bracele



1665 reference



2,11741X serial number circa 1967



Patent Pending with Double-Red MK1 dial and on rivet prototype flip-lock clasp bracelet.



This watch came direct from original owner. It has never been for sale before this and nothing has been altered or put together.







Let's start with watch's history first. This watch has been owned by a NAVY pilot and in recent years by his son, who is a NAVY SEAL. Both, the father and son, are alive and well and are available to talk about the piece with new owner, if need be.



The watch will come with a written and signed autobiography by the father. His story includes his journey though his military career as well as history of his watch. Along with the story, the watch comes with many military badges, old photos where he is wearing the piece, and even a negative of the picture you see of him wearing the uniform and watch about to board a NAVY plane. This negative has recently been developed and scanned in, but original negative will be included with sale as well.



The story goes that in 1969, while the father, Mr. P (everyone's full names will be disclosed to the new owner only) was attending University Of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA his father has purchased a Rolex Sub from a local Rolex AD, Keller and George Jewelers on a payment plan. Mr. P borrowed this watch from his father from time to time and it slowly became his watch full time. Mr. P was a recreational diver and planned to use the watch as a dive watch while using his basic BS degree in biology to go to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in Gloucester Point, VA. His plan was to eventually join the U.S. Navy and volunteer for the SEALAB Program. Long story short, while a NAVY recruiter was visiting the campus of UVA, he talked to him about his plans but was discouraged by finding out that even with the BS of Science in Biology and the advanced education at Gloucester Point, VA, he would not have advantage to enter the SEALAB program. Also, at that time a rep of the Naval Aviation Wing of the NAVY talked to Mr. P. He was offered a ride in a Beech craft T-34 Mentor and after a bit of sweet talking and a short flight, he signed up on the spot to become a NAVY Pilot. After graduating UVA, his first stop was in Pensacola, Florida for training. Here I will skip some details from his story and fast forward to details critical to the watch's history. While stationed at NAF Naha Okinawa base in Japan, Mr. P upgraded his C Card to a Certified Ocean Diver by PADI. He was doing one of his final qualification dives in Fall of 1973 with while wearing his Sub and when he exited the water, he saw the watch was fogged. Moisture got inside. At this time, Mr. P bought an Omega Flightmaster (given that he is now a pilot and all) in an effort to have a running watch, but the Rolex was put away for few months and in early 1974 he finally found the time to send the Sub to Rolex with a letter containing explanation concerning the demise of his Rolex Submariner. It wasn't a nice toned letter. He also made sure to ship the watch direct to Geneva in order to get the most direct response possible from Rolex. About a month later he received a letter from Rolex explaining that his Sub was beyond repair and that they have replaced it with a recently reconditioned Rolex Sea-Dweller which had been tested by a group of British military Divers and this watch should have no problems during Mr. P's dives. Amazingly, what showed up in a box was this Rolex Sea-Dweller 1665 MK1 PP with a rivet bracelet and flip-lock. Keep in mind that Mr. P wasn't and is not a collector and used his watch as a tool watch. He explains to me that the watch arrived exactly as you see it, including the what we would call today a period incorrect bezel insert. He has not had anything replaced and RSC doesn't have a service record of the watch aside from knowing when it left Rolex. It makes sense that they would send it to him with this particular insert at that particular period.



The story continues with more details about Mr. P's career and explanation of some of the pictures included. The watch has always been worn as a tool watch and was never considered to be more special than just a Rolex. Several years ago, when Mr. P gave this watch to his son, Mr. C when he became a NAVY SEAL. By a stroke of luck, I ran into Mr. C when he was visiting my local watchmaker inquiring about a service. Long story short, Mr. C ended up sending the watch to Bob Ridley who did a full service on this piece recently with nothing changed, again. A service receipt will be included, of course, with the watch.



Now, onto the watch itself:



The case is in excellent vintage condition and has previously been polished. No corrosion, pitting, no dings or dents. Very crisp serial and reference numbers are fully intact.



The caseback is original, PP with correct and matching stamps inside IV.67 and last 3 digits of serial number.



The dial is original MK1 with beautiful color patina and matching hands. Very nice color on Double-Red print. No chips, scratches, corrosion on dial. Please note in a macro shot of the upper half of dial an apparent drag mark by 10 o'clock plot. It may or may not be removable, but presented and sold as is.



The bracelet is very rare but correct rivet prototype with flip-lock and side-ways crown. Stamped 2.69 inside.



Watch was never issued with any boxes or Rolex warranty papers, as it was never sold by an AD and rather issued direct by Rolex as a replacement watch. The letter from that service swap was unfortunately lost.



The watch comes with multiple military badges, all pictures of Mr. P and a negative of the color pictures you see of him in uniform boarding a NAVY plane. Mr. P will also include his and watch's autobiography which he will sign and date.



The new owner will have access to Mr. P and Mr. C and may talk to them prior to committing to buy the watch. You can also review and read the full story in a PDF format. I will personally deliver this piece and all the provenance and accessories anywhere in US and we can arrange a personal delivery anywhere in world.



My price is $220,000 shipped within US. Please add $30 for international shipping. I ship via FedEx w/ ParcelPro insurance so international shipments are not an issue.



If you do not like my price, make an offer, do not ask for the best price as the best price for me is the highest. I will not respond to best-price-mails.



You can reach me by calling or texting 757-749-9675 . For international customer, this number is also for WhatsApp.



My email is KirillYuzh@gmail.com



Plenty of worldwide references.



























































Up for grabs is a Rolex Sea-Dweller1665 reference2,11741X serial number circa 1967Patent Pending with Double-Red MK1 dial and on rivet prototype flip-lock clasp bracelet.This watch came direct from original owner. It has never been for sale before this and nothing has been altered or put together.Let's start with watch's history first. This watch has been owned by a NAVY pilot and in recent years by his son, who is a NAVY SEAL. Both, the father and son, are alive and well and are available to talk about the piece with new owner, if need be.The watch will come with a written and signed autobiography by the father. His story includes his journey though his military career as well as history of his watch. Along with the story, the watch comes with many military badges, old photos where he is wearing the piece, and even a negative of the picture you see of him wearing the uniform and watch about to board a NAVY plane. This negative has recently been developed and scanned in, but original negative will be included with sale as well.The story goes that in 1969, while the father, Mr. P (everyone's full names will be disclosed to the new owner only) was attending University Of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA his father has purchased a Rolex Sub from a local Rolex AD, Keller and George Jewelers on a payment plan. Mr. P borrowed this watch from his father from time to time and it slowly became his watch full time. Mr. P was a recreational diver and planned to use the watch as a dive watch while using his basic BS degree in biology to go to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in Gloucester Point, VA. His plan was to eventually join the U.S. Navy and volunteer for the SEALAB Program. Long story short, while a NAVY recruiter was visiting the campus of UVA, he talked to him about his plans but was discouraged by finding out that even with the BS of Science in Biology and the advanced education at Gloucester Point, VA, he would not have advantage to enter the SEALAB program. Also, at that time a rep of the Naval Aviation Wing of the NAVY talked to Mr. P. He was offered a ride in a Beech craft T-34 Mentor and after a bit of sweet talking and a short flight, he signed up on the spot to become a NAVY Pilot. After graduating UVA, his first stop was in Pensacola, Florida for training. Here I will skip some details from his story and fast forward to details critical to the watch's history. While stationed at NAF Naha Okinawa base in Japan, Mr. P upgraded his C Card to a Certified Ocean Diver by PADI. He was doing one of his final qualification dives in Fall of 1973 with while wearing his Sub and when he exited the water, he saw the watch was fogged. Moisture got inside. At this time, Mr. P bought an Omega Flightmaster (given that he is now a pilot and all) in an effort to have a running watch, but the Rolex was put away for few months and in early 1974 he finally found the time to send the Sub to Rolex with a letter containing explanation concerning the demise of his Rolex Submariner. It wasn't a nice toned letter. He also made sure to ship the watch direct to Geneva in order to get the most direct response possible from Rolex. About a month later he received a letter from Rolex explaining that his Sub was beyond repair and that they have replaced it with a recently reconditioned Rolex Sea-Dweller which had been tested by a group of British military Divers and this watch should have no problems during Mr. P's dives. Amazingly, what showed up in a box was this Rolex Sea-Dweller 1665 MK1 PP with a rivet bracelet and flip-lock. Keep in mind that Mr. P wasn't and is not a collector and used his watch as a tool watch. He explains to me that the watch arrived exactly as you see it, including the what we would call today a period incorrect bezel insert. He has not had anything replaced and RSC doesn't have a service record of the watch aside from knowing when it left Rolex. It makes sense that they would send it to him with this particular insert at that particular period.The story continues with more details about Mr. P's career and explanation of some of the pictures included. The watch has always been worn as a tool watch and was never considered to be more special than just a Rolex. Several years ago, when Mr. P gave this watch to his son, Mr. C when he became a NAVY SEAL. By a stroke of luck, I ran into Mr. C when he was visiting my local watchmaker inquiring about a service. Long story short, Mr. C ended up sending the watch to Bob Ridley who did a full service on this piece recently with nothing changed, again. A service receipt will be included, of course, with the watch.Now, onto the watch itself:The case is in excellent vintage condition and has previously been polished. No corrosion, pitting, no dings or dents. Very crisp serial and reference numbers are fully intact.The caseback is original, PP with correct and matching stamps inside IV.67 and last 3 digits of serial number.The dial is original MK1 with beautiful color patina and matching hands. Very nice color on Double-Red print. No chips, scratches, corrosion on dial. Please note in a macro shot of the upper half of dial an apparent drag mark by 10 o'clock plot. It may or may not be removable, but presented and sold as is.The bracelet is very rare but correct rivet prototype with flip-lock and side-ways crown. Stamped 2.69 inside.Watch was never issued with any boxes or Rolex warranty papers, as it was never sold by an AD and rather issued direct by Rolex as a replacement watch. The letter from that service swap was unfortunately lost.The watch comes with multiple military badges, all pictures of Mr. P and a negative of the color pictures you see of him in uniform boarding a NAVY plane. Mr. P will also include his and watch's autobiography which he will sign and date.The new owner will have access to Mr. P and Mr. C and may talk to them prior to committing to buy the watch. You can also review and read the full story in a PDF format. I will personally deliver this piece and all the provenance and accessories anywhere in US and we can arrange a personal delivery anywhere in world.My price isshipped within US. Please add $30 for international shipping. I ship via FedEx w/ ParcelPro insurance so international shipments are not an issue.If you do not like my price, make an offer, do not ask for the best price as the best price for me is the highest. I will not respond to best-price-mails.You can reach me by calling or texting. For international customer, this number is also for WhatsApp.My email isPlenty of worldwide references.