Thank you for this review! I learned what an awesome find. 3 weeks ago I purchased the same year, 2007 16600 that just came in to our local AD. I am so thankful my wife picked this one out! Not knowing anything about the Sea Dweller, watching your review makes me love it even more! It went 15 years without servicing and was -10 s/d now I can't wait to get it back from having the movement only serviced.
Nice execution of the date feature. I'd be lucky to dive 15 feet let alone over three quarters of a mile. The size is fantastic. If I needed it to slip beneath a cuff I should order my shirts heavily starched. One nice thing is if someone was getting long winded at a meeting I would position the crystal to capture and focus a death ray across the room. Worked like a charm.
Another fantastic review thank you. I recently purchased an unpolished year2000 Seadweller after owning subs , gmt and even the 43 mm sd which have now all gone. My Seadweller 16600 is currently with Rolex or service. I’ve told them not to replace any item for cosmetic reasons. The estimate excluding polishing ( which I don’t require) is £635.00 which includes a new winding crown, apparently mine is worn. Hope this is of interest to others
Just purchased a 2008, last yr for for this amazing 16600. I will soon add a rubber B strap. This pairs well with my 116600, explorer 39 lume & new Sub 41 (no date naturally and I’m not a fan of the cyclops).
Thank you for watching Paul. Glad you enjoyed it. Agreed, it is in excellent overall condition for a 2007 piece. This was before the ceramic era; when the Sea-Dweller was seen as a tool watch for commercial divers; rather than an investment piece. Therefore often Sea-Dwellers had a hard life and show signs of wear in 2021. It is rare to find one like this that hasn't been over polished. The 2019 service made it like new again; the crown and bezel felt like a brand new piece. Regards, #WR4K
My 1998 with Luminova dial is STILL glowing so bright in the dark it would look just like my Batman GMT if the colors weren't different (green vs. indigo)
I have the same purchased in 2007. Never serviced, but needs an overhaul as it’s running a tad slow. It’s definitely a work horse, and takes a beating and keeps on ticking.
Rolex watches (or any watch really) need to be service every 5-10 years. Oils and lubricants get old, o-rings dry out. You wouldn't want to jump into a pool or the ocean, and have your expensive Rolex watch flood.
Thank you for watching Mario. Glad you enjoyed it. The 16610, and 16600; are personal favourites of mine; both iconic pieces from the pre-ceramic era. Regards, #WR4K
Great video. My 2007 16600 hasn’t been serviced and when I push the crown back after winding the minute hand sometimes jumps a small amount. The only way to stop this is to wind the hands forward a bit and then back a bit before pushing the crown in, and for some reason this stops the minute hand jumping. Have you ever experienced this with the 3135? Thanks.
Congratulations Lester. Excellent choice. Wear yours in good health. I have owned several pieces using the Calibre 3135, and have never had that happen. The minute hand shouldn't move when pushing the crown back in. I suggest you get the piece serviced. Regards, #WR4K
You can request the serial number from the seller. Then contact Rolex Service Centre with the serial number, and they will confirm if the piece was serviced or had parts replaced. Regards, #WR4K
Thank you for watching John. No. Rolex Service Centre retain all the replaced parts to prevent them being sold on eBay, or used in Frankenwatches, or counterfeit pieces. Unfortunately this devalues vintage pieces; when the original dial, hands, bezel, are replaced with service parts. Regards, #WR4K
@@Laguna2013 Yes you can request it. However when you sign the service agreement you are agreeing to parts being changed during the service. Therefore it is as the discretion of the the watchmaker servicing your watch. Regards, #WR4K
Thank you for watching Ivan. Glad you enjoyed it. The grained finish on the tops of the lugs was the way the Submariner Date and Sea-Dweller were finished. My 4K camcorder shows this in high definition. The case finishing changed to a smoother brushed satin finish on ceramic versions. Regards, #WR4K
Thanks to your video I realised my dial says "Swiss Made" - but my case has lug holes for the bracelet so it must be pre 2000 correct? It was serviced last year, would Rolex put on the newer dial?
Yes Roger, in the 1990's holes were in the lugs. In the 2000's the no holes cases were used. The serial number on your service papers can be used to date the watch. 1990's dials were "T25", 2000's dials were "Swiss Made"; as that is when Rolex changed from Tritium to Luminova. It is possible Rolex Service Centre fitted a service dial (Swiss Made) replacing the "T25" dial if the tritium lume on your dial was degraded. Unfortunately Rolex Service Centres regard patina on lume; something collectors like, to be a defect, and often ruin vintage pieces by replacing the original tritium dials and hands with service dials and hands. Generally the holes case and T25 dials go together, and the no holes case and Swiss Made dials go together; although there are some late holes case versions that had Swiss Made dials when the change over happened. Purist collectors prefer the holes case version, with original tritium dial and hands. Regards, #WR4K
@@watchreviews4k Thank you so much for the detailed answer. I bought the watch about 4 weeks ago and all seemed in order. I checked the papers and the watch seems to have been sold in 2002 in Germany. Theres papers in French by Rolex with a Serial mumber dotted on the paper. Its a Y Serial if that means anything. So it seems i have a 2002, 16600 with lug holes and a Swiss Made dial. The condition is like NOS, just like the watch in your video. All feels new and crisp, bezel and crown too. But I cant find any service papers in the box, only the original Sales papers from 2002. My grey dealer I get all my Rolexes from told me this is a good set but now Im worried the Trittium Dial was changed to a newer Swiss dial during service. For an original 2002 watch mine looks too mint. Hands, Dial, bezel, all perfect. Perfect lume too
And just to add: Theres also a little card in the box that looks like a small calendar which has the years 2002/2003 on it and on the other side it has Rolex written on it. Theres also a round see through sticker on it with a red line and a number written on it. 22564 - That actually looks like a sticker you see on the bottom of a Rolex case.
@@watchreviews4k Seems like the Y serial indicates its a 2003 model. So it should have the Swiss made dial but its odd it still has lug holes. By the way, theres another version with just "Swiss" in the dial - thats the Luminova dial. "Swiss Made" was the latest version with Super Luminova
@@rogerb1964 the no lug holes came after the second half of 2003. mine is serial Y88XXXX with the original "Swiss Made" dial, non-flat 4 aluminum bezel.
I had no interest in this model, probably because I'd never consider getting one, for myself, but you made it very interesting. I appreciate your knowledge and enthusiasm. It sounds like you've really scored!
Had the 116600. Couldn’t handle the mis alignment of the date window. ( too far in ) got a mint 16600. 2005 tough as nails. True workhorse. Perfect symmetry. Newer models are mismatched jewellery with basic design faults. Imho😊
If the date window was misaligned, the person who built or serviced the watch didn't put the dial in straight. Take it to a service center, and have it realigned.
What the hell happened to the top of those lugs? They're absolutely mangled. Like they decided to reapply the brushed steel surface with a die grinder without taking the bezel and crystal off of the case. This watch needs a complete overhaul or an entirely new case.
Please keep say Euro...i am soooo enjoy...after the unfair attack ...euro is coming from the greek word ευρώ from Ευρώπη (Europe)....i respect you and your opinion...i think you are not at all snop... because with the same criteria ...you review a 50 euro watch(haha) and a 15000 euro watch.Have a nice day and keep reviewing interesting watches. PS your sub rocks
Thank you for watching. Glad you enjoyed it. I have reviewed everything from a 10 Euro Casio F-91W to a 20K Euro Rolex Daytona on my channel. I review every watch the same way, regardless of whether it is; low-tier, mid-tier, or high-tier. I give every watch a fair chance of meeting my criteria of being "both excellent quality and excellent value at the respective price point". Watches that meet this are declared a "Champagne watch for lemonade money". I have made 192 videos in 20 months. My first review was a Casio Duro MDV-106. It was always my intention from day one to review watches for every collectors budget. Although I own a Submariner, and make no secret of being a Rolex fanboy; I do not look down on collectors that cannot afford Rolex, or look down on anything less than Rolex as poor. Check out my Pagani Design PD-1661 Versus Rolex Submariner Date 116610LN review below as an example of this. Regards, #WR4K ruclips.net/video/7E43zAwE2Zo/видео.html&ab_channel=WatchReviews4K
@@watchreviews4k i watch all your videos...i have a collection of watches from pagani design until omega and breitling navitimer...you convinced me to buy the pagani hulk.. and thank you for that.. because you tell the truth ..have a nice evening and enjoy your ONLY sub
Rolex watches.... Why do they make it so hard to get??? In the USA you're out on a waiting list... In Toronto ADs don't take orders but they also don't put is on waiting lists...e but what the have on display... Hehe.."exhibition watches'...
Demand far exceeds supply. Rolex started providing non-working display models to their AD's because working display models would get sold, leaving the displays empty.
Pressed metal clasp! For a watch of this price is pretty rediculous. I have a CW c60 trident pro gmt that I bought in 2017 for £700 that has a milled clasp and AR and 600m WR and ceramic bezel. I wouldn't consider this good value at all.
Thank you for watching Hannes. You are comparing a 2007 piece to a 2017 piece. Comparing a 2017 C60 to a 2017 Sea-Dweller would be a better comparison. Regards, #WR4K
Thank you for this review! I learned what an awesome find. 3 weeks ago I purchased the same year, 2007 16600 that just came in to our local AD. I am so thankful my wife picked this one out! Not knowing anything about the Sea Dweller, watching your review makes me love it even more! It went 15 years without servicing and was -10 s/d now I can't wait to get it back from having the movement only serviced.
Thank you for watching Chris. Glad you enjoyed it. Congratulations. Excellent choice. Wear yours in good health. Regards, #WR4K
Nice execution of the date feature. I'd be lucky to dive 15 feet let alone over three quarters of a mile. The size is fantastic. If I needed it to slip beneath a cuff I should order my shirts heavily starched. One nice thing is if someone was getting long winded at a meeting I would position the crystal to capture and focus a death ray across the room. Worked like a charm.
Thank you for watching K. Glad you enjoyed it. Regards, #WR4K
Love this watch mine is a NOS 1991 with beautiful creme patina , now perfect size
The best 16600 hands down. Great review mate. No bs
Thank you for watching Philip. Glad you enjoyed it. Regards, #WR4K
Another fantastic review thank you. I recently purchased an unpolished year2000 Seadweller after owning subs , gmt and even the 43 mm sd which have now all gone. My Seadweller 16600 is currently with Rolex or service. I’ve told them not to replace any item for cosmetic reasons. The estimate excluding polishing ( which I don’t require) is £635.00 which includes a new winding crown, apparently mine is worn. Hope this is of interest to others
Thank you for watching Andrew. Glad you enjoyed it. Congratulations. Excellent choice. Wear yours in good health. Regards, #WR4K
No lume on my tritium dial but not bothered
Best to keep original rather than a lumed service dial.replacement. If you need to sell that is. Patina will develop great watch Andrew😉
I did not know the crystal on these sat so 'proud' so thick. cool
Best review out there on this watch.
Recently bought a Sea dweller 116600 from a dealer. Was wondering why the bezel is so tight n hard to turn. You have explained the function well.
You bought the best Sea Dweller 👍
What a fantastic informative vid. I own one, ive learned so much. Thank you.
Congratulations. Excellent choice. Wear yours in good health. Regards, #WR4K
Had mine polished , now I can feel the hev when I slide my finger down the flank🙄 Bit annoying. Still keep for life😉
Just purchased a 2008, last yr for for this amazing 16600. I will soon add a rubber B strap. This pairs well with my 116600, explorer 39 lume & new Sub 41 (no date naturally and I’m not a fan of the cyclops).
Stunning watch and incredible condition. Probably not worn much, great history lesson
Thank you for watching Paul. Glad you enjoyed it. Agreed, it is in excellent overall condition for a 2007 piece. This was before the ceramic era; when the Sea-Dweller was seen as a tool watch for commercial divers; rather than an investment piece. Therefore often Sea-Dwellers had a hard life and show signs of wear in 2021. It is rare to find one like this that hasn't been over polished. The 2019 service made it like new again; the crown and bezel felt like a brand new piece. Regards, #WR4K
My 1998 with Luminova dial is STILL glowing so bright in the dark it would look just like my Batman GMT if the colors weren't different (green vs. indigo)
Have the same ! Should I give it for a 16610 engraved rehaut plus cash from my side ? Mine is box and booklets minus card
This is the best review ever
I have the same purchased in 2007. Never serviced, but needs an overhaul as it’s running a tad slow. It’s definitely a work horse, and takes a beating and keeps on ticking.
Rolex watches (or any watch really) need to be service every 5-10 years. Oils and lubricants get old, o-rings dry out. You wouldn't want to jump into a pool or the ocean, and have your expensive Rolex watch flood.
Iconic piece, a true work horse! Thanks for sharing this great review, John, loved it! Regards
Thank you for watching Mario. Glad you enjoyed it. The 16610, and 16600; are personal favourites of mine; both iconic pieces from the pre-ceramic era. Regards, #WR4K
I just bought one but I replaced the bracelet with a new glidelock bracelet from one of my subs. Now its perfect
Wait! The 114060 glide lock fits a seadweller?
Great video. My 2007 16600 hasn’t been serviced and when I push the crown back after winding the minute hand sometimes jumps a small amount. The only way to stop this is to wind the hands forward a bit and then back a bit before pushing the crown in, and for some reason this stops the minute hand jumping. Have you ever experienced this with the 3135? Thanks.
Congratulations Lester. Excellent choice. Wear yours in good health. I have owned several pieces using the Calibre 3135, and have never had that happen. The minute hand shouldn't move when pushing the crown back in. I suggest you get the piece serviced. Regards, #WR4K
How can a buyer tell if a piece that is represented as unused actually does not have any replacement parts by Rolex. Appreciate the insight! Thanks.
You can request the serial number from the seller. Then contact Rolex Service Centre with the serial number, and they will confirm if the piece was serviced or had parts replaced. Regards, #WR4K
when you have your Rolex serviced and they replace the hands & dial, do they give you back your old/worn out dials & hands?
Thank you for watching John. No. Rolex Service Centre retain all the replaced parts to prevent them being sold on eBay, or used in Frankenwatches, or counterfeit pieces. Unfortunately this devalues vintage pieces; when the original dial, hands, bezel, are replaced with service parts. Regards, #WR4K
@@watchreviews4k Can you require that these parts are not replaced during service? What is one to do?
@@Laguna2013 Yes you can request it. However when you sign the service agreement you are agreeing to parts being changed during the service. Therefore it is as the discretion of the the watchmaker servicing your watch. Regards, #WR4K
Great review. Is it just the camera but the brushed finish on the top of the lugs looks very grainy and rough. Not like a submariner.
Would be nice to see you review a few Breitlings . Galactic 41 , Superocean 42 etc not the crap new ones lol
Thank you for watching Ivan. Glad you enjoyed it. The grained finish on the tops of the lugs was the way the Submariner Date and Sea-Dweller were finished. My 4K camcorder shows this in high definition. The case finishing changed to a smoother brushed satin finish on ceramic versions. Regards, #WR4K
@@ivankerr3570 I appreciate the suggestion. Check out my Navitimer 8 B01 Chronograph review, it may interest you. Regards, #WR4K
Thanks to your video I realised my dial says "Swiss Made" - but my case has lug holes for the bracelet so it must be pre 2000 correct? It was serviced last year, would Rolex put on the newer dial?
Yes Roger, in the 1990's holes were in the lugs. In the 2000's the no holes cases were used. The serial number on your service papers can be used to date the watch. 1990's dials were "T25", 2000's dials were "Swiss Made"; as that is when Rolex changed from Tritium to Luminova. It is possible Rolex Service Centre fitted a service dial (Swiss Made) replacing the "T25" dial if the tritium lume on your dial was degraded. Unfortunately Rolex Service Centres regard patina on lume; something collectors like, to be a defect, and often ruin vintage pieces by replacing the original tritium dials and hands with service dials and hands. Generally the holes case and T25 dials go together, and the no holes case and Swiss Made dials go together; although there are some late holes case versions that had Swiss Made dials when the change over happened. Purist collectors prefer the holes case version, with original tritium dial and hands. Regards, #WR4K
@@watchreviews4k Thank you so much for the detailed answer. I bought the watch about 4 weeks ago and all seemed in order.
I checked the papers and the watch seems to have been sold in 2002 in Germany. Theres papers in French by Rolex with a Serial mumber dotted on the paper. Its a Y Serial if that means anything.
So it seems i have a 2002, 16600 with lug holes and a Swiss Made dial.
The condition is like NOS, just like the watch in your video. All feels new and crisp, bezel and crown too. But I cant find any service papers in the box, only the original Sales papers from 2002. My grey dealer I get all my Rolexes from told me this is a good set but now Im worried the Trittium Dial was changed to a newer Swiss dial during service. For an original 2002 watch mine looks too mint. Hands, Dial, bezel, all perfect. Perfect lume too
And just to add: Theres also a little card in the box that looks like a small calendar which has the years 2002/2003 on it and on the other side it has Rolex written on it. Theres also a round see through sticker on it with a red line and a number written on it. 22564 - That actually looks like a sticker you see on the bottom of a Rolex case.
@@watchreviews4k Seems like the Y serial indicates its a 2003 model. So it should have the Swiss made dial but its odd it still has lug holes. By the way, theres another version with just "Swiss" in the dial - thats the Luminova dial. "Swiss Made" was the latest version with Super Luminova
@@rogerb1964 the no lug holes came after the second half of 2003. mine is serial Y88XXXX with the original "Swiss Made" dial, non-flat 4 aluminum bezel.
I had no interest in this model, probably because I'd never consider getting one, for myself, but you made it very interesting. I appreciate your knowledge and enthusiasm. It sounds like you've really scored!
Thank you for watching. Glad you enjoyed it. Regards, #WR4K
Had the 116600. Couldn’t handle the mis alignment of the date window. ( too far in ) got a mint 16600. 2005 tough as nails. True workhorse. Perfect symmetry. Newer models are mismatched jewellery with basic design faults. Imho😊
If the date window was misaligned, the person who built or serviced the watch didn't put the dial in straight. Take it to a service center, and have it realigned.
Beautiful piece I must admit. Excellent review 👍.
Thank you for watching Sotirios. Glad you enjoyed it. Regards, #WR4K
Gnarly polishing :S
Thank you for watching. Regards, #WR4K
*16600T = i have dis watch hehe
What the hell happened to the top of those lugs? They're absolutely mangled. Like they decided to reapply the brushed steel surface with a die grinder without taking the bezel and crystal off of the case.
This watch needs a complete overhaul or an entirely new case.
Thank you for watching. Regards, #WR4K
Please keep say Euro...i am soooo enjoy...after the unfair attack ...euro is coming from the greek word ευρώ from Ευρώπη (Europe)....i respect you and your opinion...i think you are not at all snop... because with the same criteria ...you review a 50 euro watch(haha) and a 15000 euro watch.Have a nice day and keep reviewing interesting watches. PS your sub rocks
Thank you for watching. Glad you enjoyed it. I have reviewed everything from a 10 Euro Casio F-91W to a 20K Euro Rolex Daytona on my channel. I review every watch the same way, regardless of whether it is; low-tier, mid-tier, or high-tier. I give every watch a fair chance of meeting my criteria of being "both excellent quality and excellent value at the respective price point". Watches that meet this are declared a "Champagne watch for lemonade money". I have made 192 videos in 20 months. My first review was a Casio Duro MDV-106. It was always my intention from day one to review watches for every collectors budget. Although I own a Submariner, and make no secret of being a Rolex fanboy; I do not look down on collectors that cannot afford Rolex, or look down on anything less than Rolex as poor. Check out my Pagani Design PD-1661 Versus Rolex Submariner Date 116610LN review below as an example of this. Regards, #WR4K
ruclips.net/video/7E43zAwE2Zo/видео.html&ab_channel=WatchReviews4K
@@watchreviews4k i watch all your videos...i have a collection of watches from pagani design until omega and breitling navitimer...you convinced me to buy the pagani hulk.. and thank you for that.. because you tell the truth ..have a nice evening and enjoy your ONLY sub
Are we really considering this piece to be “Vintage”…???
Yes, the 16600 is a vintage piece. Regards, #WR4K
Rolex watches.... Why do they make it so hard to get??? In the USA you're out on a waiting list... In Toronto ADs don't take orders but they also don't put is on waiting lists...e but what the have on display... Hehe.."exhibition watches'...
Demand far exceeds supply. Rolex started providing non-working display models to their AD's because working display models would get sold, leaving the displays empty.
Pressed metal clasp! For a watch of this price is pretty rediculous. I have a CW c60 trident pro gmt that I bought in 2017 for £700 that has a milled clasp and AR and 600m WR and ceramic bezel. I wouldn't consider this good value at all.
Thank you for watching Hannes. You are comparing a 2007 piece to a 2017 piece. Comparing a 2017 C60 to a 2017 Sea-Dweller would be a better comparison. Regards, #WR4K
@@watchreviews4k my bad I misheard, though it was a 2017 seadweller.
Hi reference m383127 sea dweller what this code
The reference number of the model. #WR4K
How do I find out if it is an original watch?
Remove the bracelet and check between the lugs for the serial number. The serial number should match the papers. Regards, #WR4K