men's Rolex watches with diamond bezel -​Rolex Sea-Dweller 1665 "Double Red" Mark IV, 1976

Every great watch has a story, and this Mark IV Double Red Sea-Dweller's tale begins with a father's visit to a Plymouth watch shop in 1991. Originally intending only to purchase a Seiko pilot's watch for his son's 16th birthday, he found himself drawn to this exceptional timepiece. What started as a journey to find the perfect gift for his son ended with two watches leaving the shop that day - the intended Seiko, and this DRSD that would become his own cherished companion for the next three decades.

For £1,000 - a figure that today's collectors might find bittersweet - this Sea-Dweller found its home. It became his everyday watch, a constant companion through the years that followed. When he sadly passed away, he specifically bequeathed it to his son - bringing the story full circle from that fateful day in the Plymouth watch shop.

Now, after serving as a faithful companion to both father and son, this exceptional Mark IV variant of the legendary Double Red Sea-Dweller 1665, dating to circa 1976, emerges onto the market for the first time since that serendipitous day in 1991.

What makes this particular example stand out is its exceptional state of preservation. The case shows minimal signs of polishing, retaining its thick lugs and sharp edges - a testament to its careful ownership rather than numerous overzealous services. The caseback engraving remains deep and clearly legible, a detail that seasoned collectors will immediately recognize as significant. The original Rolex Oyster bracelet (ref. 9315) adds another layer of collectibility to this already impressive package.

In 2023, the watch underwent what is believed to be its first service under its current ownership by Rolex - a remarkable fact that explains its outstanding condition. The intervention was minimal, with only the lume pip showing signs of replacement. There are other service marks to the inner case-back suggesting careful ownership & servicing in its earlier years).

For the discerning collector, several key points make this example worthy of serious consideration:

For those who appreciate the difference between a watch that's been carefully preserved versus one that's been repeatedly restored, this example, exceptional condition with its thick case, original bracelet, and minimal intervention, speaks volumes about its journey through time.

The Double Red Sea-Dweller has always been a watch for those who appreciate substance over flash, engineering over ostentation. This particular example, with its honest wear and careful preservation, embodies the ethos of a true tool watch that has become a cherished collector's piece.

For the collector who values originality and authenticity in their vintage pieces, who understands that these qualities become rarer with each passing year, this Mark IV DRSD offers something increasingly difficult to find - a genuine time capsule from the golden era of tool watches, complete with a touching family story that adds an irreplaceable layer of provenance to its already impressive credentials.