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Due to information I have found regarding later COMEX orders, I believe up to a few hundred pieces might have been made with the "single red" dial. As the watches were actually tested in real world situations, they proved to be waterproof (complete with correct decompression ratings) at depths greater than the original 500 meters.
As these Sea Dweller / Submariners were sent in to Rolex for service, everything was upgraded -- dials, hands, etc. (This is an established fact, widely known among the collecting community.)
As such, the watches were redialed with new 600m/2000ft dials inscriptions. I personally believe the reason the Sea Dweller / Submariner 2000 has red lettering is to distinguish it from the real original Sea Dweller, the Submariner 500M - 1650FT.
Furthermore, I believe the reason very few of these 500M dials still exist is that most were "upgraded" during service. If I am correct, then at least some of the Sea Dweller / Submariner 2000's were originally Sea Dweller / Submariner 500M/1650FT's. Wouldn't that be ironic?!? For whatever reason, this one and very few others were never "upgraded". I may be totally wrong, but the pieces of the puzzle I've found point me to this theory.
Second point - the history of the original owner of this watch. The gentleman who originally purchased this watch was none other than the world renowned Dr. Ralph W. Brauer, former professional diver and marine scientist. Dr. Brauer has a long and distinguished resume -- with several references to his work in the field of deep sea diving and marine science. As a member of the Marine IOMED Research Institute, Dr. Brauer was a host for Our World - Underwater Scholarship Society. He held the distinction of Professor Emeritus of Marine Physiology with the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He was also one of the primary persons responsible for establishing the Center for Marine Science Research, along with the Wrightsville Marine Biomedical Laboratory at UNCW.
Upon his death a few months ago, Dr. Brauer donated his estate to the local university. I acquired the watch indirectly through the university. The facts relating to Dr. Brauer's extensive history and accomplishments in the field of SCUBA and deep sea diving add as much credibility to the authenticity of this Sea Dweller as a letter direct from Rolex.
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