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The Rail Dial Configuration of the White 1665 Sea-Dweller 

by aston and Ed Delgado

The 1665 dials with the "Rail" are quite rare nowadays since "Rail Dials" were made by the Stern Company who made the 600 meters COMEX 1665 dials and for only 2 years period. 1977-79. (Serial 5 million)

The text style and spacing of "Rail" is the same as used on the 600 meter COMEX dials.

Obviously, the alignment of the wording on the dial is lined up on a rail dial.

The distinctive characteristics of the rail dial are as follow:

1. The "C" of Chronometer lines up with the "C" of Certified of the line below.

2. Secondly the font of the depth markings are always in italics

3. The hour markers (tritium dots) are closer to the minute track than the regular dial

4. The only version of the SD dials where is marked "T SWISS T <25", including COMEX 1665

5. Longer minute markers.

6. Serial 5.7mil to 6.2 mil.

 

SUPERLATIVE  CHRONOMETER    OFFICIALLY    CERTIFIED

Glancing the Rail Dial gives an instant impression of similarities of Comex1665 dial.

Below is comparison between "Rail Dial 1665" vs. "normal White Sea Dweller 1665".

pics by Aston

In the pictures below, you can clearly see the three items mentioned, the line up of the "C" in a "Rail" configuration, the italics font of the depth markings and the markers closer to the minute track. 

On closer inspection, the Rail Dial also shares the same font style with COMEX 1665.

However, there are some points which COMEX and Rail Dial are not sharing such as
- "date" printing
- 600m / 610m depth markings
- shape of coronet.

Since most people don't like to wear their COMEX watches for daily use because of their collectibility, not to mention because of their high value. Thus, the "Rail Dial"1665 is a perfect substitution for COMEX for everyday use.

The Rail Dial has got a hidden story of Stern Company (and its relationship with COMEX).
It is a kind of fun to imagine that this "Rail Dial" might have been sent to COMEX in late 1970's!

The Double Red Sea dweller 1665s have spiraled in popularity and value in the last 2-3 years, and possibly it cannot be long before the Rail Dials will follow.