I bought a double red in 1972 for $520 Canadian, unfortunately Rolex replaced the dial with a white faced model when I had it cleaned. I sold that watch to a collector (after 30 years of use) for $17,000! The guy who purchased it wanted a double red and that was the going rate for just the watch with proper serial numbers (double red series). He told me the double red complete was worth $50,000 at that time. I kicked myself for throwing out the double red dial (Rolex always returns the old parts). I remember at the time, thinking what am I going to do with an old watch face as I threw it in the garbage. If only I knew...
I purchased a Rolex Deep Sea to replace it for $10,000 and banked the other $7,000. I've been using it ever since, so I've always been one of the guys that dive with a Rolex. It's insured, so if I lose it on a reef, or to a thief, I'll just buy another one. The good thing about the watch is I don't worry about it (water, oil, vibration, winding/battery, anything). I just wear it and it tells the correct time. The only problem is remembering to move the date at the end of a short month.
Like you, I've used my Sea-Dweller during Sat. As I was the Supervisor, no one said anything, but in Global, no one would anyway. I did however blow-up a submariner in the chamber at DCIEM (before the introduction of the helium escape valve; we just opened the screw to make sure it wasn't sealed). The tech was ticked at me when we heard the ping and pieces of my watch were all over the chamber. Poor guy had to completely clean the chamber. As you know a little gear oil in a chamber doesn't mix very well.... Ah, the good ol' days....
