ROLEX | Sea Dweller Double Red
Ref. 1665
1970s
First and only Ownership COMEX Diver
For your collection of incredibly significant Rolex vintage diver's watches with a touching collector's history, there is this reference 1665 | Rolex Double Red Sea Dweller 1st and only ownership of a COMEX diver who has worn this Rolex for a lifetime for professional missions worldwide as a diver for COMEX, scientific missions as well as privately as a collector & enthusiast.
COMEX or Compagnie Maritime d'Expertises is a French company specializing in deep diving, founded in November 1961 by Henri-Germain Delauze. The Sea Dweller presented here was developed by Rolex in close collaboration with COMEX. The company is known worldwide for its technology in the field of underwater research at extreme depths. COMEX pioneered the field of saturation diving at very great depths. The company experimented with the use of hydrogen in the breathing gas of divers.
Rolex & Comex, this was not always the case.. The prototypes of these Sea Dwellers from MK0 to MK2, for example, were developed in cooperation with projects of the US Navy (SEALAB) or, to name another, the joint project of the US Navy, the US Department of the Interior, NASA and General Electric (Tektite). Comex was still working with Omega at the time. As with the astronauts to the moon, this time it was a race of aquanauts into the depths of the sea. And this time, Rolex won the challenge over Omega - thanks to its successful collaboration with COMEX. And this partnership came about because the Rolex director at the time, André Heiniger, offered Comex founder Henri Delauze 100 co-branded DRSD free of charge at the launch of the collaboration.
Then, on 24th of May 1972, COMEX set a new world record in a helium-oxygen environment with the “Physalie 6” project. Comex divers Robert Gauret and Patrice Chemin dived with their Double Red Sea-Dwellers down to 2000 feet/610m, the maximum depth guaranteed for the Sea-Dwellers. The two divers were compressed to an incredible 610 meters in seven days and three hours during this diving project. Physalie 6 required almost ten days (233 hours) of decompression to return to normal surface pressure. The experiment took place from May 16 to June 2, 1972 and was subsequently featured by Rolex in one of the earliest Rolex Sea-Dweller advertisements..
>> You can see this famous advertisement in picture No. 2.
The Original of this Rolex advertisement as well as other original ads from this period are included in this collector's set. The watch Rolex shows in this advertisement is the first Double Red Sea Dweller to go into series production with a Mk2 dial (..and it goes up to MK7). It`s the predecessor of the MK4 version presented here. The story begins with the MK2 dials in 1971 with the start of the collaboration between Rolex and Comex in December of that year. The first Rolex DRSDs were then handed over in the year 1972 to Comex.
This unique Rolex diving timemachine, that we have here, is the original property of COMEX diver Mr. Towson and was handed over by the renowned official Rolex dealer in Norway “Askeland” in year 1977.
The family describes the lifelong companionship between this watch and its owner as follows:
"This rare Rolex Sea-Dweller belonged to Dave Towson (1939-2023). He was born in Hall Green, Birmingham, on the 2nd of May 1939. He pursued various careers before getting married. After several holidays in Cornwall, the family made the move to Cornwall, where Dave started diving for crawfish, lobsters, and sea urchins, which he sold for a living wage. He also obtained permission to own and dive on local wrecks and engage in salvage operations.
In 1975, he joined COMEX, working offshore on oil rigs in the North Sea. In later years, he would commute on his Kawasaki GT750 motorbike - a commute that spanned from Cornwall to Scotland! He purchased this Rolex watch new in 1977, and it rarely left his wrist, being extensively used throughout his diving career.
Initially, he worked as a life support technician, eventually advancing to the position of supervisor. He worked in the North Sea, along the Norwegian coast, West Africa, and Brazil, following a schedule of one month on and one month off, with 12-hour shifts.
After a life spent at sea, punctuated by many family holidays, he settled in Newquay and found enjoyment in renovating and collecting classic cars and motorcycles in his garage. In his 70s, he treated himself to a Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade motorcycle.
He peacefully passed away in May 2023, having lived a very full life, reaching the age of 84. (Courtesy of the Towson family)"
Of particular interest to collectors is the fully preserved set of this Rolex DRSD, the special condition and the unique history that this watch brings with it. This history is documented throughout time with many photographs showing the owner wearing this Rolex diver's watch; they show the COMEX diver both in action with the Rolex Double Red Sea Dweller, e.g. lobster diving, working for COMEX on an oil rig, but also, as an example, in the late 1970s in a club in Paris. It is probably no coincidence that the owner of this Sea Dweller also enjoyed renovating and collecting motorcycles and vintage cars.
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This Rolex DRSD has been maintained by Rolex throughout its lifetime and is still 100% original in all parts. Except for the folding bracelet, which was replaced in the 1990s by a Rolex Solid Oyster bracelet for professional diving safety reasons. The inside of the case back bears Rolex markings, e.g. Rolex Service in 90s, done by the Rolex UK Head Office / London. The last known and verified Rolex service was in August 10, 2006 by Rolex UK Service Division - the belonging original Rolex International Service Guarantee including serial number is enclosed. Also included are the original Rolex paperwork, its "punched papers" with serial number, the 1665 reference sticker, dated and signed by Askeland / Norway.
Most importantly, the dial of this Double Red is 100% original. As per request, the dial has never been replaced by Rolex, despite two minimal color losses due to professional use over the years (visible at 6 o'clock and 11 o'clock) - fortunately! The entire tritium is still 100% original and fully preserved on the dial - more than that, it shows absolutely smooth and consistent aging and has become very nice pumpkin-colored patina.
This Rolex Sea Dweller Double Red reference bears the complete serial number not only on the case of the watch, in addition also on the inside of the case back and exactly matches the original papers from Rolex to Mr. Towson.
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This Rolex has signs of wear that show its unique history. When you consider how many years this diver's watch has been in use in the most extreme conditions in the oceans of the world - it is almost unbelievable in what superb condition this Rolex tool watch has remained.
The watch itself was checked by Rolex and completely overhauled in 2024; it is in excellent technical condition - inside & outside.
Here is your truly superlative Rolex Sea Dweller Double Red chronometer diver`s tool watch from the 1970s - in full collector set, with an amazing unique history.
A more authentic Rolex DRSD is unlikely to be found on the collectors' market.
Automatic movement
Diameter 40 mm without crown
Technical indications | Keeping time -1 sec/day
Serviced 2024
Differential taxation according to § 25a UStG. No taxes included. | Differenzbesteuerung nach § 25a UStG. Kunstgegenstände und Sammlungsstücke, Sonderregelung.
