This did not come from the Comex submariners. It was produced out of the Sealab experiments with the US Navy, with input from Bob Barth. The first SD’s didn’t have valves. The submariner came out in 1953 not 1958. You would know because the 50th anniversary Kermit came out before the first iteration of ceramic in any sports model (2005.) I am a Navy Deep Sea Diver and Rolex customer and it’s important to know the history or just don’t mention it. This isn’t an angry post just a thing that you have to consider when putting out information.
The face looks slightly smaller because the Seadweller has a crystal thickness of 4mm! I own a Seadweller 16600 and love it. I had previously owned Submariners but had always wanted the Seadweller because of its incredible statistics. The Submariners “ cyclops” was a continuous bugbear as well. Always got dirty around the base and needed cleaned. The Seadweller is a much more handsome , classic looking timepiece to me. I think the replacement model (deep sea )has lost that classic look, and I see that reflected in the value of good,used, 16600s. A magnificent, uncommon, classic timepiece!
I bought my one and only Rolex in 2008, I was looking at the Sea-Dweller and the Submariner. After much deliberation I went for the Sea-Dweller, it does have a very nice look on the wrist, and when viewing it, the whole dial seems to fit nicely into my line of sight.
January 1987, I went into the Rolex Dealer at the Mall in Fayetteville, North Carolina. I was an Infantryman in the 82nd Airborne and I wanted a Watch to go along with my Randall Model 16 Knife. The salesman showed me several Rolex watches and said,, “Be careful about what you choose, because you are going to be looking at it for a very long time. So being 22, I picked the Sea Dweller because it was rugged and happened to be on sale for $1650. It has since been parachuted, scuba dived, motorcycled and my daily wear during a follow on 27 year career in 5 California State Prisons. I even used it to bail a Cousin out of Jail in Salinas. I still wear it daily. I’m sure it will be around a lot longer than I.
I went with the 16600 as well. I don’t like the look of the cyclops on a dive watch but wanted the convenience of a date complication. Hell of a movement. Incredible watch. Much sturdier/heavier than a Sub and I love that. Some people don’t. It’s a great watch but I’m leaning towards the 42mm look right now and the new Explorer II reference 216570 is calling out to me!! Ha! Ha! Ha!
I loved working for Stolt Comex Seaway and my 166600 Sea Dweller is an amazing timepiece. The history with it and my company is a story that I really enjoy.
The Seadweller is such a overlooked Rolex Sport. It does have its fans but in general people go right to the Submariner. The Sub is the quintessential Rolex but to me the SD is the quintessential Submariner. With all the added features the price difference is minimal. In actuality you can get a SD for around the same price and availability is strong. The 2014-17 SD ref#116600 40mm ceramic transitional model will be a hot future collectible when the Rolex peeps finally figure it out. Transitional model, Low production numbers, Initially a unpopular ignored reference. The trifecta of a future collector craze.
Absolutely- I think the Rolex Sea dweller 116600 SD4K was the best Rolex sport model ever produced and the last true sea dweller. I think it was produced in the time where Rolex realized the super case was not the best move and they wanted to go back to their roots …
The 2 watches do not have the same glass's thickness, as you also mentionned, but also the bezel and the case are a bit higher. You can clearly see the difference if you take a snapshot from the video when both watches are on your wrist and zoom. So when you add the back of the case which is also higher, it makes a taller watch as all parts are higher. I think SD looks a bit smaller because of the thickness of the glass. Thanks a lot for this comparision, very interresting for somebody who needs to make a choice.
I love the side by side on wrist comparison, this is by far the clearest comparison from the look and dimension which helps me a lot in deciding if I should purshase 16600 after having my 16610 for 23 yrs, what do you think about the new 126610? It seems improved a lot from the last supercase and look more alike to the old 16610?
I have the SD 16600 and I want to trade up to the ceramic soooooo bad! But I like having the vintage bracelet and bezel as well so I’m probably keeping it. Guess that’s why I keep buying new ones. Ha! Ha! Ha!
If it weren't for the hash marks across the whole bezel I'd probably like that model more but I can't get past them and find the 5 digit overall more aesthetically pleasing, lighter, and the model that most closely embodies the history of such a special reference. Rolex definitely made the 6 digit special by leaving the crown guards thinner on it's maxi case. Can't lose with either choice.
I'd take any Sea-Dweller over the Sub. I find the SD superior, more special and exciting. The Sub feels run of the mill to me, nothing special. When you spend that sort of cash it'd better have you tingling. I'm in it for the thrills.
Great review. It's good to see a side by side comparison. There are many reviews with both watches against other brands but not many with the Sub & SD, which is annoying because you can't just go to an AD to try them both on. I went for a no-date Sub, but would've gone for the SD considering it was the same money.
There is no ring lock system. That's the deepsea. The 5 digit SD case is monoblock construction just like the sub. The dials are the same size I believe, the crystal is just so thick it plays tricks on the eyes.
I need some advice from Rolex owners out there. I been working with Rolex AD to buy my first Rolex. I get a call today Dec 10 he has a 2022 Sea Dweller 126600 Red line just came in from Rolex brand new for me and to buy at retail. I had originally told him I wanted anything Submariner or Gmt in Oystersteel. Appointment is tomorrow. Any Rolex I buy will be with me forever. I know this is not as popular as other two. Would anyone here still buy this if they were in my position? Were you still happy you bought this? Plus I see they do not hold value long term like other models either. Don't know what to do plus do not want to piss off AD. Help! Serious replies only, Thanks.
@@stewartwallace9016 Thanks for replying. I wish you found my comment before Sunday though as I prob would have taken your advice Lol. I pulled the trigger and bought the Red line Sea Dweller. I figured it would have been a long time before he got any in and offered either Sub or GMT colored bezel I really want, and then offered me either, so I wanted to finally join the Rolex owners club. I could not believe how it much it looked like a beefed up Sub41. Like you said I am glad he thought of me, so I figured I could now also be the next level buyer, one who has already made a purchase with this AD. Thanks,
Hi , I found myself in a similar situation , 18 month wait , offered Explorer ll polar , my 3rd choice , but gladly accepted as it put me on a “Rolex journey . Then 3 weeks later was offered a Sub no date , my first choice , so it pays to be patient and courteous. Wear your watch in good health
@@stewartwallace9016 Oh wow, Explorer Polar first offer, nice, That is a high demand watch I understand as I am learning more & More about the Rolex world. I wonder if that is a AD tactic, to offer something not requested before getting to our real desire of model. I agree, I too am now on a "Rolex" journey as we find ourselves. Wear your Rolex in good health too my friend, I have been wearing mine non-stop since Sunday lol, Happy Holidays
The SeaDweller 16600's case diameter is really just 39mm I wonder why in all literatures and spec sheets it's stated at 40mm. I'm sure most WIS's doesn't have a problem sniffing that out.
CHECK OUT THE WATCHES I CREATED: www.ebay.com/str/hoglundandsonswatches
This did not come from the Comex submariners. It was produced out of the Sealab experiments with the US Navy, with input from Bob Barth. The first SD’s didn’t have valves. The submariner came out in 1953 not 1958. You would know because the 50th anniversary Kermit came out before the first iteration of ceramic in any sports model (2005.) I am a Navy Deep Sea Diver and Rolex customer and it’s important to know the history or just don’t mention it. This isn’t an angry post just a thing that you have to consider when putting out information.
The face looks slightly smaller because the Seadweller has a crystal thickness of 4mm!
I own a Seadweller 16600 and love it. I had previously owned Submariners but had always wanted the Seadweller because of its incredible statistics.
The Submariners “ cyclops” was a continuous bugbear as well. Always got dirty around the base and needed cleaned.
The Seadweller is a much more handsome , classic looking timepiece to me. I think the replacement model (deep sea )has lost that classic look, and I see that reflected in the value of good,used, 16600s.
A magnificent, uncommon, classic timepiece!
I bought my one and only Rolex in 2008, I was looking at the Sea-Dweller and the Submariner. After much deliberation I went for the Sea-Dweller, it does have a very nice look on the wrist, and when viewing it, the whole dial seems to fit nicely into my line of sight.
The Rolex sea dweller 116600 SD4K was the best Rolex sport model ever produced and the last true sea dweller
January 1987, I went into the Rolex Dealer at the Mall in Fayetteville, North Carolina. I was an Infantryman in the 82nd Airborne and I wanted a Watch to go along with my Randall Model 16 Knife. The salesman showed me several Rolex watches and said,, “Be careful about what you choose, because you are going to be looking at it for a very long time. So being 22, I picked the Sea Dweller because it was rugged and happened to be on sale for $1650. It has since been parachuted, scuba dived, motorcycled and my daily wear during a follow on 27 year career in 5 California State Prisons. I even used it to bail a Cousin out of Jail in Salinas. I still wear it daily. I’m sure it will be around a lot longer than I.
First submariner was released in 1953, should really know this...
I went with the 16600 as well. I don’t like the look of the cyclops on a dive watch but wanted the convenience of a date complication. Hell of a movement. Incredible watch. Much sturdier/heavier than a Sub and I love that. Some people don’t. It’s a great watch but I’m leaning towards the 42mm look right now and the new Explorer II reference 216570 is calling out to me!! Ha! Ha! Ha!
I loved working for Stolt Comex Seaway and my 166600 Sea Dweller is an amazing timepiece. The history with it and my company is a story that I really enjoy.
The Seadweller is such a overlooked Rolex Sport. It does have its fans but in general people go right to the Submariner. The Sub is the quintessential Rolex but to me the SD is the quintessential Submariner. With all the added features the price difference is minimal. In actuality you can get a SD for around the same price and availability is strong. The 2014-17 SD ref#116600 40mm ceramic transitional model will be a hot future collectible when the Rolex peeps finally figure it out. Transitional model, Low production numbers, Initially a unpopular ignored reference. The trifecta of a future collector craze.
And how cool is the name too??
Absolutely- I think the Rolex Sea dweller 116600 SD4K was the best Rolex sport model ever produced and the last true sea dweller. I think it was produced in the time where Rolex realized the super case was not the best move and they wanted to go back to their roots …
The 2 watches do not have the same glass's thickness, as you also mentionned, but also the bezel and the case are a bit higher. You can clearly see the difference if you take a snapshot from the video when both watches are on your wrist and zoom. So when you add the back of the case which is also higher, it makes a taller watch as all parts are higher. I think SD looks a bit smaller because of the thickness of the glass. Thanks a lot for this comparision, very interresting for somebody who needs to make a choice.
can you hold your hands still so people can see the watches you are showing?
just. press. pause ?
The Rolex Sea Dweller 16600 my holly grail timepiece!
I love the side by side on wrist comparison, this is by far the clearest comparison from the look and dimension which helps me a lot in deciding if I should purshase 16600 after having my 16610 for 23 yrs, what do you think about the new 126610? It seems improved a lot from the last supercase and look more alike to the old 16610?
The reason the face looks smaller on the sea dweller is because of the ring lock which is not on the submariner.
1953. You know to know this at least
Perhaps the dial looks because the Sea Dweller has a higher box crystal . From top view it did look smaller due to the thickness of the crystal.
I was lucky enough to get one of the last SD4K 116600. Love the watch and especially the stealth of it.
that's almost the PERFECT dive watch. Regret that I didn't get one while it's still in production and the price was way lower than listed!
I have the SD 16600 and I want to trade up to the ceramic soooooo bad! But I like having the vintage bracelet and bezel as well so I’m probably keeping it. Guess that’s why I keep buying new ones. Ha! Ha! Ha!
I purchased a 116600 and I’m getting a 16600 as a daily wear.
If it weren't for the hash marks across the whole bezel I'd probably like that model more but I can't get past them and find the 5 digit overall more aesthetically pleasing, lighter, and the model that most closely embodies the history of such a special reference. Rolex definitely made the 6 digit special by leaving the crown guards thinner on it's maxi case. Can't lose with either choice.
I'd take any Sea-Dweller over the Sub. I find the SD superior, more special and exciting. The Sub feels run of the mill to me, nothing special. When you spend that sort of cash it'd better have you tingling. I'm in it for the thrills.
Man how many errors in your description
Great review. It's good to see a side by side comparison. There are many reviews with both watches against other brands but not many with the Sub & SD, which is annoying because you can't just go to an AD to try them both on. I went for a no-date Sub, but would've gone for the SD considering it was the same money.
SD 16600❤❤❤❤
Where do i find $7500 authentic submariner?
6:35 the dial looks smaller because it is actually smaller, to accommodate incorporation of the SD’s ring lock system.
There is no ring lock system. That's the deepsea. The 5 digit SD case is monoblock construction just like the sub. The dials are the same size I believe, the crystal is just so thick it plays tricks on the eyes.
I need some advice from Rolex owners out there. I been working with Rolex AD to buy my first Rolex. I get a call today Dec 10 he has a 2022 Sea Dweller 126600 Red line just came in from Rolex brand new for me and to buy at retail. I had originally told him I wanted anything Submariner or Gmt in Oystersteel. Appointment is tomorrow. Any Rolex I buy will be with me forever. I know this is not as popular as other two. Would anyone here still buy this if they were in my position? Were you still happy you bought this? Plus I see they do not hold value long term like other models either. Don't know what to do plus do not want to piss off AD. Help! Serious replies only, Thanks.
Its ok to decline , it wont put the AD off from offering you another piece , it proves that you are in the ADs thoughts
@@stewartwallace9016 Thanks for replying. I wish you found my comment before Sunday though as I prob would have taken your advice Lol. I pulled the trigger and bought the Red line Sea Dweller. I figured it would have been a long time before he got any in and offered either Sub or GMT colored bezel I really want, and then offered me either, so I wanted to finally join the Rolex owners club. I could not believe how it much it looked like a beefed up Sub41. Like you said I am glad he thought of me, so I figured I could now also be the next level buyer, one who has already made a purchase with this AD. Thanks,
Hi , I found myself in a similar situation , 18 month wait , offered Explorer ll polar , my 3rd choice , but gladly accepted as it put me on a “Rolex journey . Then 3 weeks later was offered a Sub no date , my first choice , so it pays to be patient and courteous.
Wear your watch in good health
@@stewartwallace9016 Oh wow, Explorer Polar first offer, nice, That is a high demand watch I understand as I am learning more & More about the Rolex world. I wonder if that is a AD tactic, to offer something not requested before getting to our real desire of model. I agree, I too am now on a "Rolex" journey as we find ourselves. Wear your Rolex in good health too my friend, I have been wearing mine non-stop since Sunday lol, Happy Holidays
@@bobbillings I was offered same and declined. I liked it but too big for me for first modern Rolex. I will wait,
Seadweller
The SD’s bezel is 1mm larger diameter than the Sub making it too 40mm overall.
...a Sea-Dweller!!!👍
anytime he says, „ ahm“ take one down the hatch ( tequilla)
The SeaDweller 16600's case diameter is really just 39mm I wonder why in all literatures and spec sheets it's stated at 40mm. I'm sure most WIS's doesn't have a problem sniffing that out.
The bezel is 1mm larger diameter than the Sub’s which makes it 40mm.
I would choose the SD over the sub
12 cm of thickness 🤯
I bought mine today !!!!! Tks for the video !
Maybe a bit more research next time
I like the sea dweller.😊
How many 'UMMMPPP' can one say?
I mean, what the f is wrong with Murican?!?! If not Like in every sentence, it would be UMMPPP.
thank you, very useful video pal :)
good video.thank you!
This is really great.
sea dweller the best
Superb video
And rolex is happy maintaining the shortage..fine i’ll get a casio instead
The Rolex 44mm is my watch of choice.
he has no idea what he's talking about, waste of time! 7500!! give me 10 pieces right away
SD anytime!