The Double Red SeaDweller Dials by Delgado
There are at least seven different variations of the DRSD dials that were sold to the
public.
There are
dials with only a single line in red, and other dials with two lines of red
without "2000." Early SeaDwellers did not always have the helium escape valve.
However, I am not going to discuss these early versions since they are limited
examples and I don't believe they were available to the public. To learn more about those early versions, please visit the SingleRed dial (mark 00), mark 0 sections.
The initial dial's print is in red, possibly printed over white paint and both
lines have similar size fonts. A few of these have faded and the lettering
almost looks pink or white. The coronet is clearly delineated and flat, but the
"O" under the spikes can be clearly visualized. Most of the dials of this
version have the "patent pending" caseback and serial numbers between 1.7 and
2.2 million.
Here is an example of that dial...
Version I
Version II
The second
version of the dial, is seen in approximately 1.7 million cases. The
distinguishing characteristic of this dial is the print The print is usually
directly applied onto the dial and is a bright red and crisp. The font is smaller on the
second line. The dial sometimes changed color from a matt black to a light brown
or chocolate color, otherwise known as a "chocolate" dial. The coronet spikes
are distorted and the "O" under it is almost non existent.
Here is an example again..
Version III
This version, I have seen in a few authentic watches. The dial red print is very similar to the one above but the coronet is clearly printed and has a flat bottom very similar to version I.
The "D" in Sea-Dweller lines up with the "R" in Submariner 2000. In the version II, the "D" in Sea-Dweller lines up with "I" in Submariner 2000. Compared to the dial in version II, the print is similar, the depth markings are spacing is different as delineated above and the coronet is also different.
Above Photos: Ashton
Version IV
The final
version of the dial was marketed for general production and is the most common
type of dial. The red print of this dial is clear but not heavy, and when viewed
thru a loupe it appears as though it is made of dots. The font of the red
lettering is significantly larger on the top line of the two red lines printed.
The coronet is large and the spikes are clearly defined and the "O" under the
coronet is quite large.
Here again is another example..
Mark V
This is a current version of this dial. The coronet is similar to the Mark II dial. The writing is in red. The depth markings "ft" and "m" are in italics and more importantly, the markers contain luminova.
Mark V photos courtesy of www.LondonWatchCompany.com
The Mark VI Dials
This is just the replacement luminova white SD dial with red paint over the "SEADWELLER" portion. Interesting..
Photo Addict
Photo by macfever
Mark VII
Photo by Addict
