Reference Points: The Rolex Sea-Dweller

The Sea-Dweller is definitely not the best-known Rolex watch. It sits far behind the everlasting Datejust, the presidential Day-Date, and the James Bond-esque Submariner. Yet, its longevity has nothing to do with chance; it embodies what Rolex wishes to stand for: producing durable watches for everyone, even those at the edges, including a very small number of saturation divers. For the full story, go to www.hodinkee.c...

[@impexRQ]

The 116600 (SD4K) is (it was) the best Rolex sport model ever created

[@lettuce1305]

hard to argue with that, the 116600 had all the features of a modern Rolex diver like the ceramic bezel, maxi dial, solid bracelet and clasp with glidelock but retains the 40mm size and near-perfect proportions. On top of that, the general consensus is that the reference was only produced between 2.5-3 years which is absolutely short for Rolex.

[@impexRQ]

@@lettuce1305exactly

[@gabrielkeenan]

Reference points is the series from Hodinkee I enjoy the most. I imagine it’s not easy to gather one watch from each reference just to make a video, but I’d love if they were released more often. Also, very nice to see Louis sharing his knowledge. Thanks for the vid!

[@gklJC]

Been enjoying my double-red ref 1665 for 50 years. Mine has a plain back. Still working well.

[@todorelojconfernando]

The sea-dweller is the single best Rolex for the money and even though it looks like a Submariner you can be certain that in a room full of 16610 you will be unique. Great work as always.

[@hostilegrey9011]

Collecting Vintage Watches agreed

[@georgiebungle2252]

Why is that a big deal ?

[@CluelessWatchCollector]

@RolexReplicaReview Judging from your username, I guess it's a replica?!

[@phmwu7368]

a dive watch with a date window ? what would that have been needed for ? 😄

[@joeyjoejoejrshabadoo4311]

@@phmwu7368 Saturation diving? You might very well need a date window in a decompression chamber also.

[@koggism]

I love the 116600, this watch being the last of the 40mm Sea Dweller range. Rolex made the ref 116600 a commemoration of the 40mm Sea Dweller, brought it back, with a very short production run, with all the newest technology to complete the 40mm SD4K and move on to the next iteration and future Sea Dweller, the 43mm with cyclops. And now its discontinued it is a collectable too.

[@sirhodl5945]

116600 is now deemed a rare Rolex.

[@lettuce1305]

@@sirhodl5945 well the 116600 was only produced between 2.5-3 years which is a ridiculously short production run for any Rolex reference and on top of that the replacement aka ref 126600 looks nothing like the 116600. Contrary to what people say regarding the discontinuation of 116600 was because the reference didn't sell well, I think Rolex planned the discontinuation and the 116600 was a trial-run before the SD43 126600 was introduced in 2017 which was the same year the 116600 was discontinued.

[@MS-sy8ls]

Literally my favourite video on KZbin! I have the 16600, and to me it’s such a beautifully proportioned watch. I would LOVE to see more of these reference points videos - they are (a) very enjoyable and (b) super informative. Great job as always

[@Jasongy827]

My dad has the ref. 16660 it’s an amazing watch. I’d say, sea dwellers are more innovative then subs.

[@docluv14]

I wish they hadn’t added the cyclops to the new Sea Dweller. I’m not sure why Rolex did this??

[@pantomimoistrionic05]

I have the new one 126600 and in spite of the critics about the cyclops and the 43 mm case, trust me, it's a perfect watch, the dimensions and the thickness are not too much at all. Wearing It is a great sensation.

[@Tigerloco70]

pantomimoistrionic05 agree , i just got one yesterday and is way more comfortable than the deepsea, stands out from the submariner , and i think its a instant hardhitting watch , it will kill the deepsea , have the best of both worlds red letters , cyclops , better thickness , no big letters of the deepsea , its like a corrected version ,and more user friendly deepsea , and stands apart from the outgoing sea dweller 40mm , wich 👀 looks a lot like a submariner 👍🏻

[@mattpeters6224]

Absolutely agree. Got mine yesterday. Traded my Sub date and some cash for it. Next level awesome! This watch is permanent in my collection. Watch the value sky rocket in a few short years. I love the cyclops because I can't see the date without. Its subjective for sure, but before I knew anything about watches the sub date was THE watch.

[@robomeara9860]

Matt Peters how can one go about finding one of these watches without resorting to the gray market?

[@lettuce1305]

I'm sure the 126600 is a great watch but between that and the 116600, it's hands down the 116600 for me.

[@Nitr0nE]

These understanding-series are awesome! Please do more!

[@mpcdude]

16600 is my jam.

[@peterpalffy9302]

yep. A real man's watch.

[@t-murdock]

8:20 50 years of *fuckers*

[@geraldwoodny5252]

Tanner Murdock look at bens face

[@fungus_am0nguz644]

LOL right?? Ben's face said it all.

[@Thomgxx100]

I guess he was trying to say: "Fifty years of FUCKING great watches!"

[@netnoob77]

Thanks for sharing the lineage of this awesome model. My favorite is the 116600, perfect size, perfect look.. and yeah, no cyclops please.

[@TheMystro1971]

Love the 50th year evolution of the SD. Good for Rolex looking toward the future and it’s technical advancements.

[@dougm659]

Love, love, love my Deepsea, Deep Blue....a great piece of engineering and it garners a lot of attention when I wear it. A lifelong keeper for sure!

[@chairreader]

When the guy said "50 years of focus" and Ben smiled, I knew he was thinking exactly what I was thinking.

[@SuperPussyFinger]

50 years of milking a gimmick.

[@user-wi9nn6dz8w]

I had this experience plenty of times at the Paris-based business school where I studied.

[@ohmydever]

50 years of fuckus

[@ph69jbl]

Came to the comments section for this one … :)

[@A_Brion]

What was he thinking?

[@dk8797]

The best ones are 16600 and 116600, these are perfect watches, I own both, and I can’t decide which one I love more. I bought 16600 in 2009 and 116600 in 2015. I’ll never buy another Rolex again, I was lucky to get these 2 at great prices as well

[@impexRQ]

The SD4K was the last true and the best Sea Dweller ever made. I do absolutely agreed with you. It’s 40mm with elegant lugs, a very unique case only designed for the SD4K, ceramic fully graduated bezel, non- cyclops and Matt dial … what else you could ask for… it’s perfection … unfortunately discontinued after less than 3 years

[@francoroche4662]

Could you make a similar video covering the Explorer I and II? Love the series!

[@impexRQ]

The SD4K 116600 was the last true Sea Dweller ever made and the best sport Rolex watch ever made .

[@blakelee2913]

Would've loved a bit more 'story' on the single reds, the provenance behind these is great learning for any vintage watch enthusiast. Great reference point video, like always.

[@vadimdon]

I choose the 116600. It has the 40mm classic size and clean dial unlike the newest with cyclop (big mistake)

[@code55555]

Vadim Don totally agree the cyclop is unnecessary. You don’t need to know the date when you are diving. The submariner is more of a fashion piece so obviously the date is important hence the cyclop. I hope Rolex isn’t trying to dilute the Sea-Dweller.

[@wildbillharding]

The cyclops can be removed. Doh!

[@yevgeniyshawyer2767]

This is not a mistake. This is opportunity for people who has big wrist to have they own perfectly fitted “subbies”

[@lettuce1305]

the cyclops isn't a mistake but I agree with you, I'd pick the 116600 all day every day.

[@GordonLF]

Great video! For years I had been having second thoughts on pulling the trigger on a Submariner ND because I thought it looked too chunky on my 6.25 inch wrist. Until a couple of years ago I tried on a Sea-Dweller 116600 at the DA. Incredible! At 40 mm it wears compact and elegant, better looking overall than a Submariner. I bought it on the spot and since then it has been my watch for the beach and water sports. Now Rolex has gone back to a larger case and the Cyclops; it´s a pity but I don't mind because it makes my Sea-Dweller more unique.

[@newnorth1100]

I’ve had mine for 20 years for me it’s the best of the bunch. Got the original tool kit Anchor calendar box etc. Less than 4000 us new. Now it’s worth double and running like a champ

[@lettuce1305]

hope you keep the 116600, it's becoming collectible and probably will be even more so in the future.

[@davidofglenbrook4487]

I am an experienced professional deep sea diver and a certified horologist. I can authoritatively confirm that the Rolex Sea Dweller is the finest dive watch ever made. It is indispensable for me on all my commercial deep sea dives. I’m happy to have cleared up any confusion once and for all, in my capacity as a certified horologist and experienced commercial deep sea diver.

[@jackdawes193]

Sock it to us one more time ...

[@SFCB1954]

Great video. Short, illustrative and straight-to-the-point. Well done!

[@schwarzfabi]

Nice to see Louis in a video. Very informative als always, keep up the good work. Greetings from Munich Servus

[@michaelniemer4449]

I don't always feel the need to pursue a Rolex, but when I do, it is always a Sea Dweller triple six.

[@sblogistics4610]

They destroyed the sea dweller with the cyclops. Should have left it with its true form and the addition of the single red line is nice. In my opinion.

[@bertraminc9412]

Yes, I was excited to see the red line... don’t like the wider bracelet... don’t like the cyclops. I’ll pass and go back to an 116600 or the Cameron.

[@officialMainspring]

they should have also kept it 40mm... Rolex is destroying the rich history of the SD. now we got 43mm, cyclops lens which should not be on a SD, and two tone version... why? Rolex lost their minds.

[@bertraminc9412]

officialMainspring I agree totally. If it’s not broken don’t fix it. The watch is timeless. No need to combine features and erase the specifics which identifies the models.

[@imVNUTZ]

call me crazy but I like it.

[@Rainism969]

Also ....43mm. What the fuck were they thinking?

[@costasmandylor1565]

That reminds me, I need to go pick up a two tone Date Adjust for my mom for Christmas...

[@djdelarosa25]

lmao

[@LarryGanz]

My dilemma is I love my SD43, and want the Deep Blue, but to get it I have to either part with my Hulk or my SD43. The Hulk wears slightly small on my wide flat wrist so it's more likely to go, but I love it's color and sunburst dial.

[@timmcqueen6386]

Really great review of a historically significant line. Well done and thanks.

[@user-wf2wi5wc2k]

Just bought a new Seadweller for myself and ordered a two tone Datejust for my wife. This video made me smile.

[@jackdawes193]

I guess you had a good year at work! 💸

[@dougm659]

Great video, just reaffirms what a good choice I made when I went for the Deepsea Deep Blue rather than the all too obvious Submariner. I love its sheer presence not to mention the small fact that it is a great dive watch which I actually use for that purpose unlike, I guess, 99% of Rolex owners!

[@Nexus.Achiles]

A super Sub! What's not to like? More competent and less ubiquitous. Win-win, no-brainer.

[@phmwu7368]

Why is Reference points not added in PLAYLISTS ?

[@MrLalie003]

I saw you smiled when he struggled to say focus... ;-) a word French people should avoid in english. Cheers.

[@gabrielkeenan]

Adrien Lacombe funny thing is: if you watch some interviews with the actors of Blade Runner 2049, they mention how they always lost it when Denis Villeneuve (the director) said “focus” on set, for the same reason people are making fun of Louis here. I guess it’s just the french accent, you really can’t do much about it. But yeah it made me smile.

[@mjolnir9030]

I work for a French company and that word is always problematic! Check out Ben's face... he looks like he is about to crack up. Anyway, the presenter did a magnifique job!!!

[@johnnewman3316]

Let's have one on the sub and GMT please

[@NinjaFighter31]

nice review, nice wristshots.. what watches were you both wearing

[@craftandtailored]

Great Video Gents!!! Keep up the good work!

[@jamesclery9809]

have just bought a NOS 16660- interested to see how it compares to my subs

[@patrickhauenstein7047]

My 126660 Deepsea Black is my daily and I'm in love with it

[@DonAl9114]

Thank you for sharing all this information with us. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻😊

[@valebliz]

Wasn't Louis gone from Hodinkee team? Anyway no saturation diver actually need something like a seadweller since the early 90s, nice try...

[@gmshadowtraders]

valebliz he back now bro!

[@valebliz]

Glad he is, I like him. Surely I like him way more than Clymer...

[@chiliprepper7678]

Can we have a discussion about service dials. So service made upgrade dails removing original dails and ruining resale value?

[@jigrodrigues]

Love the sea dweller

[@hakonandreasolaussen1949]

These "Reference Points" intros are kinda awful, but at least this one's not as bad as the one where you had the text come in from four corners to congregate in the middle

[@robertsullivan4773]

Would love the Sea Dweller but it just to big for my puny wrist so I settled for the Tudor Pelagous Blue.

[@jblackjack]

Love your Invicta Pro Diver Dude.

[@juniorjr5328]

42mm single red and without cyclops would be best for the new SD

[@MichaelPadillaBaws]

Ben misheard Louis' "focus" as well hahaha.

[@SS-of2gr]

8:21 lol "50 years of fukuss".

[@desertfox432]

There was a disturbance in The Force when he uttered "moms of suburbia"... Hell has no fury like a woman scorned. haha

[@michaelturner7949]

You ought to include the bi-metal version which, in my opinion reduces the seriousness of the watch.

[@TrippyNoShoe]

4:55 "116660" Did I hear that right ? I am sure that the watch shown is not one, well I think it is not :-)

[@RolexDSSD]

Cool vid! Comex all day!!

[@omarfassifihri288]

Very instructive. 🙏👏👏👏

[@damachine3]

I have two Sea-Dwellers...the new 126600 50th Anniversary "Red" and the new 126660 Deepsea James Cameron. I have several other hard to acquire SS sports/professional Rolex watches and the Sea-Dweller "Red" is my favorite. It's the perfect watch in terms of features, looks, and proportions. I absolutely love it.

[@terryfrancis7639]

I will never let go of my Rolex Sea-Dweller 2000 “Great White” reference 1665/0 from 1978, bought by Mum & Dad for my 21st Birthday. I feel naked without it, sadly box & papers thrown out when parents died & house sold. Last time Rolex serviced this it took 18 weeks.

[@CluelessWatchCollector]

Enjoy... Great comment

[@jackdawes193]

Cherish! 👍🏻❤

[@impexRQ]

Best reference to have will be 116600 - the last real Sea Dweller

[@aquastyle]

Great video! Can you do a one on Submariner

[@HarryJoiner]

6:00 - interesting

[@Warioda]

I respect, appreciate and find them interesting but I am not charmed by many if not most of Rolex watches. Also, the reference numbers are sooooo confusing. But I won't give up. One day maybe I'll see the light...

[@joshuadiaz4529]

Do people actually use these types of watches for diving?

[@jenphil2008]

Great Video !!! Vive la France !!!

[@beri232]

8:20 “It’s 50 years of fuck us”. Lmao

[@raksh9]

If only Rolex had returned the Sea-Dweller to the case shape and size of the double red, along with an old style dial with big markers and elongated 12 hour marker. I've seen a double red on the wrist of an original owner, and it is classic, stunning and distinctive. The new beefed-up single red sacrifices the paradoxical elegance for modern ruggedness, and makes itself less wearable with its weight.

[@Agentxphile]

"Speak for yourself". Agreed.

[@QuackLoud]

Appreciate Ben's knowledge but I just wish he would let the guest speak - otherwise just do a monlogue.

[@Tigerloco70]

Excellent review!

[@FlyingSorrow]

08:22 fifty years of “fuckers”? Should be “focus”

[@bej0909]

50 years of what now???

[@ichris2011]

Can you guys do something on vintage Accutrons I just bought one cheap and I want the price to skyrocket lol

[@trumpstroll7438]

My very first quality automatic was an Accutron I paid 1800 for back in 2005 Chronograph.

[@tyjohn4779]

Ben Clymer in a bracelet 😮

[@brianw8105]

I think the tritium 16600 is the best looking SD

[@AMAmedia8]

The Deepsea has not been discontinued as of yet.

[@bern1268]

BEN? Explorer dial 5513??? :O

[@Ronbo710]

I'll keep my 16600. I don't care for the overstatement in size of the modern models.

[@ALAPINO]

I dislike cyclops, and for that matter, date windows on my tool watches... I'll covet an older reference.

[@hakonandreasolaussen1949]

From my understanding, the only reason they've put a cyclops on this one is that they now have a type of glue strong enough to withstand the pressure of the depths it's rated for

[@ALAPINO]

That's a reasonable technical limitation.

[@A2Shea]

Then Tudor brought out the Pelagos, a watch that you can go anywhere or do anything in with out worrying about it as its only a fraction of the cost of the SD. So now the Sea Dweller to me seems very overpriced for what it is.

[@JBOsurf]

The 4000 of 2014 will be remembered as the last real seadweller. The new cyclops is a travesty.

[@Jsuarez6]

JBOsurf I think this latest Seadweller at 43mm is meant to please the people who wanted bigger Submariner. That way Rolex makes a bigger one without changing the Submariner.

[@Jasongy827]

JBOsurf yea, I mean like if you went diving you don’t need a cyclops lenses. It sort of takes a way a all purpose tool watch, specifically for diving.

[@joeo.8034]

Completely agree and HATE what they did with this watch. The 116600 is truly a great watch and they completely ruined it with this oversized waste of a watch.

[@Nexus.Achiles]

Armani Nguon then why is there a Cyclops on the Submariner date? Or why is there even a date in the Sub , the Sea-Dweller and the Deepsea? Well, saturation divers who spend several days in a bell actually need to know the date. Why the lens? Because its convenient. It makes it easier to see the date at a glance.

[@JBOsurf]

Divers use dive computers now. There is no need for a cyclops on a rolex that will never see anything other than the bottom of a swimming pool.

[@simondoutre6225]

Silver date disc??? Can someone elaborate? Looks white or am I dumb and missing something obvs

[@alexestrada4023]

Hey Hodinkee! If you didn't know, it's the end of 2017. It would be fantastic if you made an Android app. Thanks, Missed Market

[@Jasongy827]

Alex Estrada wait, they don’t have an android app?

[@alexestrada4023]

Armani Nguon no they don’t. They bought Watchville way back when and never bothered with the app.

[@alwong604]

Been happy with my 16600 for almost 20years... Just added the 116660. If the Sea Dweller is a Great White than the DeepSea is a Megalodon... And yeah, F@#k the cyclops.

[@5RustyBin]

omg at 6.50 the poor quality of painting of the date wheel numerals - that's woeful. Seen better on Steinhart.

[@frankv7068]

43 mm Sea Dweller best watch of all time idc what ya say

[@krisflow]

8:20 50 years of effing us

[@Neverokful]

The new SD is not a SD in the truest sense of the word with reference to it's illustrious history, shape and design. It has now deviated too much and is really a bloated Sub.

[@Nexus.Achiles]

Neverokful : don't let the Cyclops blind you. the Deepsea had deviated a lot more, so why picking on the SD43 and not on the Deepsea? Also, the first Sea-Dweller was actually a Submariner, so we're back to our roots in a way as this Sea-Dweller is like a big 5 digits Sub. Indeed the new Sea-Dweller retains nice tapered lugs of its SD predecessors, away from the fat lugs and maxi case of the six digits Sub, so not that much ressemblance there. The Sea-Dweller 126600 is a super Sub from a technical perspective (goes four times deeper) but doesn't look like the 16610LN at all. It's a unique beast.

[@Neverokful]

I'm not "picking" on the SD43, it's just my opinion of this newest version of the SD. I can't stand the DS or the SDc, as the ill fitting SEL's are dreadful and poorly designed. Knock yourself out mate and enjoy it, no problem, it's just not to my taste, which is ok.

[@peterpalffy9302]

Famous or not, its more watch than the submariner.

[@AB-xc5rd]

Going deep doesn’t mean it’s twice better.

[@thunderlightning9355]

Good ref article , I've got 2 SS Subs & a SS Sea Dweller cyclopse it's not about the time...

[@bendahlgren9571]

If you think the new sea dweller is “innovative” than odds are you are a fanboy

[@Gravy_Master]

bean 1 Haha seriously. It’s a beefed up, robust dive watch. That’s it.

[@georgiebungle2252]

Yep

[@THEREALZENFORCE]

So according to you : 14 new patents alone for the 12660 aren't enough innovations ? You must be an amazing inventor that gets at least 15 patents for one product, congratulations for your awesomeness :-)

[@davidofglenbrook4487]

Stupid, immature comment. Grow up or else shut up.

[@yearofthemetalboar5645]

The rugged and aesthetically pleasing Sea Dweller has a cult status among watch aficionados. Unfortunately, by introducing Ref. 126600 Rolex turned a legendary watch to a bloated Sub - what a shame!

[@danieldiaz4692]

It’s definitely 50 years of phuckus.

[@DonLee1980]

99% of dive watch wearers don't dive. =)

[@silasb5533]

Wish i had the money

[@jackdawes193]

I want to put food colouring on your avatar animal.

[@chiliprepper7678]

And 50 years of fuc us ...$$$! My original sub was $1200...$10,000 plus now. Come on Rolex ...ego addiction all the was around.

[@MrDbcooper456]

Its definitely 50 years of fukus

[@Stoogong]

Every mom in suburbia.. gatekeeping much?

[@D901694]

The constant OVER mansplaining of the dude on the left is tiresome AF.

[@lordmonty9421]

Should've edited that guy's accent out in post.

[@danielramsey1959]

Bought a Deepsea instead.

[@radiotvshop]

I did the same, its heavy duty unlike the Sub

[@David-np4vo]

Me toooo...

[@newnorth1100]

Too top heavy