Rolex 16600 Sea Dweller - The Best "Vintage" Rolex Dive Watch?

[@Ronbo710]

This is my favorite dive watch I have ever owned. I can't stand the huge size of the modern Rolex models.

[@ScrappyPoontachat]

I bought my Sea Dweller 16600 in 2008, I haven't worn it in a while, but watching youtube videos is making me like it all over again.

[@JustWatchreviews]

It's such a great watch, amazing how much they have gone up in price over the last two years!

[@NigelTufnel612]

My 16600 is now 20 years old and I wear it every day; it is simple, robust, tough, classic and I like the fact that I never encounter anyone else wearing one (Submariners are a dime a dozen). Finally, Rolex ruined their line with the introduction of the maxi cases and dials - they should have left a classic shape alone.

[@racebannon2332]

The sea dweller 16600 & 116600 are far superior to the submariner. No cyclops and great classic size. I sold my subs and have both SD’s

[@simondoutre6225]

I just got a steinhart 39 vintage double red... it spoofs the best watch of all time and I like ALOT more than I thought I would. Been wearing it 4 2 weeks solid

[@ahmedkambar4524]

My most favorite watch, my daily wear! And I love the bracelet more than the new ones!!

[@closer71]

At one point, I had three Rolex watches. So I decided to sell them all in order to own just ONE amazing, tasteful, understated Rolex steel sports watch that would last a lifetime and work for any occasion, under all circumstances. However, I was desperately torn between two outstanding watches: the Ref. 16600 SD and Ref. 214270 Explorer I (with Mk.II dial). I was tortured with indecision. I sold a 1991 Coke bezel Ref. 16710 GMT II, a 2009 black bezel Ref. 116710 GMT II ceramic, and a beat to shit Ref. 14270 that needed new hands ASAP and probably a new dial, too. When I finally made my decision, it came with absolute ease and a level of confidence I'd never experienced before when buying a watch. I selected the Ref. 16600 "Swiss" ONLY dial, 1998 Sea Dweller. A piece that had everything I wanted in a Rolex watch...without question: Vintage good looks (as it is ALL original and UNPOLISHED), a limited production run (the "Swiss" only dial was available 1998-1999 alone) that rendered it an exclusivity factor no modern Submariner could ever hope to attain while still featuring an all solid link bracelet and the earliest version of a Maxi dial with Luminova markers and raised sapphire crystal (due to it's 4,000 ft. depth rating.) My slightly faded bezel and the helium escape valve are just an added bonus. This watch is sexy, useful, durable, understated, incredibly accurate with little need for service, and....it can be worn every day -- either with a jacket and tie or with my swim trunks! It has heft, presence, and a thickness to it but is also comfortable to wear for days on end and is only 40mm. It will hold value, no doubt, and likely increase in price over the years but it cost me less than $10,000 (with box and papers) and, in the end, is stealthy beyond belief; it doesn't scream "ROLEX 5513" or otherwise announce to potential thieves that I'm a possible target. It simply tells me the time +/- 2-seconds a day. And constantly reminds me of the value of excellence.

[@JustWatchreviews]

Love it, congrats on the great acquisition! I’m wanting a 114270 lately. That might be my next big purchase.

[@Leftystrat]

The best no bling Rolex ever made

[@flyinb45]

Agreed about the cyclops. I ended up with 114060 because I didn't care for it on the sub. However, a Datejust 36 is on my list for a future acquisition. Love the 16600

[@tiempodesobrahn]

nice vid. If you could get a brand new 16600 today you would take a pass against any of the current submariner or seadweller,,, its just perfect aesthetics and symmetry. Lucky for me and the few who have a 16600.

[@JustWatchreviews]

Agreed, it's a wonderful watch!

[@samadrid6321]

The Sea Dweller is the only Rolex that was NEVER two tone or precious metal, only steel. I have a 2002 Sea Dweller great watch, loses two seconds every three days.

[@JustWatchreviews]

That's awesome, and not surprising. Thanks for checking in!

[@Ktc99999-b]

so was the 14060 or explorer 1

[@SteelmoonWatches]

Well that's changed now

[@DuyLongBui]

Exp 1 & 2 and Milgauss

[@davelee9791]

This is for me the perfect Rolex Dive watch in the classic style...but don't tell the Herd they are too busy chasing the Submariner..

[@robkay278]

Yes I hate the glass blob ! But I like the old clasp ,l love my old sea dweller, glad I bought it 6yrs ago used, too expensive now and hard to find.

[@pedrosaenz2800]

The pre maxi cases are better designed. The maxi case has to be redisigned as they did with: GMTII, Datejust and Daydate...

[@JustWatchreviews]

Hi Pedro, thanks for checking in and for watching. I agree, it would be cool to see them taper those maxi case lugs down just a bit. Also, can we get a matte-explorer dial while we are at it? That would be my dream watch. lol

[@lynnlittle8671]

I’ve owned a couple of Subs, currently wearing a blue Pelagos, but if I were looking for a Rolex diver watch, this is the exact one I’d be looking for.

[@JustWatchreviews]

It’s a great choice. Thanks for watching

[@paultowns9880]

Fantastic review of a classic Rolex.

[@JustWatchreviews]

Thanks Paul! I appreciate your watching and taking the time to leave a comment.

[@DampfunterPalmen]

Love my 16600!! I could not agree more!!

[@robkay278]

I own this watch it’s my all time favourite my second favourite is my 39mm explorer ,both are truly amazing,if you can, buy either,and never sell.

[@DonYang73]

One of my personal favourites , the SD. I kept 2 SD16660 for my own use and sold all 7 SD16600s away.

[@simondoutre6225]

So u had 9? Ok

[@DonYang73]

Dead Hand Yes i did. I had about 56 Rolexes at my peak. Now i have about 25 left. You can check out my rolex collection video and see for yourself

[@khoimavlogs5161]

Agreed. I only collect no date Rolex. Only date i am considering is new Sprite left hand gmt2.

[@flynnjp19]

The 16600 was made from 1988 to 2008, not from the mid to late 90s. Please correct me if I am wrong

[@Bugster987]

I like the smaller case lugs much more than maxis but I do prefer the maxi dial with its bigger markers.

[@JustWatchreviews]

Hi Bugster, agreed 100%! That would be perfection IMO. Thanks for watching!

[@Bugster987]

Just Watch We watch people are very hard to please LOL

[@Leftystrat]

The bigger plots make take away the classic look. New ones like like seiko prospex🤔

[@rcm4u2]

Love the pre-ceramic subs and Sea-Dweller. Classically styled, and no extra weight on your arm, and function just as well as the new ones.

[@JustWatchreviews]

Can't go wrong with them! Not to mention they will only gain value as they age. :-)

[@rcm4u2]

I love your youtubes, man!!

[@JustWatchreviews]

Thanks Tom!

[@jarodstevens2710]

I would really like to see a " state of the collection" please ..love the channel 👌

[@JustWatchreviews]

Hi Jarod. I'll see what I can do, it's not really that impressive right now because I flip a lot of watches. Thanks for watching!

[@rumble7255]

Wow. How things have changed. This model is going for 12k, the new models are 2 tone and cyclops. The scarcity is insane.

[@Leftystrat]

The BEst no thrills diver ever by rolex . Out of 20 watches I’ve bought and sold this baby is staying. Basic beauty ❤️

[@hwarangi77]

No cyclops on a sub, but it works on the datejust. With you a thousand percent!

[@juliengoiran]

great review, i have a 666 and love it, will never sell it

[@1968jpy]

Awesome and amazing review on the Sea Dweller . Personally I’m with you on this watch , would definitely be my pick in the Rolex lineup 👍🏻

[@JustWatchreviews]

Thank you!

[@1968jpy]

You’re welcome Mike keep the awesome watch videos coming bro 😀👍🏻

[@Laguna2013]

this or the 116600.

[@impexRQ]

116600 SD4K - elegant case, elegant lugs (not square like the maxi case) non - cyclops like as it should be and you get ceramic bezel and the best oyster bracelet Rolex ever designed

[@jsusna1972]

This is the model my brother owns. He put a green bezel on it so it's now a Kermit Sea Dweller. Looks awesome!

[@jdshaposhnick4642]

This was so help full, my grandpa gave me this watch about a year ago as he has a large collection and it was a gift to me, anyways I have been looking for any information on this particular model and haven’t found any thing only newer models but this video gave me plenty of info, my watch has a large scratch and chip in the crystal sadly but that is the only downside to this watch

[@JustWatchreviews]

Hi JD, thanks for the comment, glad to help. It's not uncommon for them to have scratched/chipped crystals as many were used as actual tool watches. Enjoy the watch and definitely have the Rolex service center give it a service, if it hasn't had one for a while. Cheers!

[@jerrywallop5647]

Lucky lad, that’s a lovely gift……..get the crystal replaced & have it pressure tested to ensure it’s water resistance………Wear it with pride …….

[@murphyr31]

My 95 16600 is my favorite.

[@waikuenwong6559]

Thanks. You are very pro.

[@JustWatchreviews]

Thank you!

[@dk8797]

I have both 16600 and 116600 and I don't know which one is better, I love them both equally. I also have 16610 and 126610lv (I have just because I paid list, I will probably sell it) and 16610 is by far more beautiful for me. But 16600 and 116600, I cannot say, I love them so much, my biggest issue in the morning is I don't know which one to wear.

[@JustWatchreviews]

That’s the best kind of problem to have!

[@impexRQ]

To me, the SD4K 116600 is the best Sea Dweller and the last true Sea Dweller ever created

[@JustWatchreviews]

@@impexRQ I love that one as well

[@7rslender]

Pre maxi case look way better than the maxi IMHO. What exactly are the differences between a 16660 and a 16600? Would be interesting to know if the Ginault bracelet will fit the 16600?

[@JustWatchreviews]

Hi 7, thanks for checking in and watching. The "triple 6" was replaced by the 16600. Main differences are solid end links, and they went from the cal 3035 movement to the 3135 movement (same movement Rolex is using today). Also, the triple 6 had drilled lug holes, while the later version of the 16600 do not. (I wish it did).

[@samadrid6321]

Some of the early 16600s did have lug holes. The last was year 2002, Y series. I have one, and it has lug holes, and it is stamped between the lugs 16600. I'm not sure when the shift to 16600 with lugs holes began, maybe 1995? But after 2002 the 16600s all had solid lugs, no holes.

[@Romio666]

I’ve seen a 2004 16600 with lug holes, could it be fake ?!

[@samadrid6321]

Rami, this concerns me. Does it have papers stating 2004? 'Course papers can be faked easier than a watch, so there is that. Everything I've seen is Rolex stopped putting holes in lugs 2002. Check the holes, do they look like a guy clamped the case in a drill press in his garage and did some "modifying?" Just kidding. I could be wrong on the years on this issue. Find out, let me know, I am very curious and ready to change my mind. Edit here - I just checked some things, and found that Rolex put holes in no date Subs right up until they went ceramic, so that'd make 'em 2008ish. The Sea-Dwellers though, I believe, went up to 2002/2003 Y series as the last hole lugs.

[@flynnjp19]

Can a 2003 be vintage already? I guess it also depends on the model, not just the year

[@arghjayem]

Very much the same thoughts....I didn’t like the cyclops on the Sub,even though I own a Bateman Datejust with a cyclops, but the no date didn’t interest me particularly with the cost. Instead I got a 2007 16600 SD at a decent price compared to a Sub, and haven’t regretted it.

[@Laguna2013]

what's a Bateman date just?

[@arghjayem]

Agreed, it’s fine to have the bubble on my Bateman datejust (36mm bimetal) I like it on there, but on a diver a cyclops just looks off. Precisely why I have a 16600 Sea dweller!

[@kaedre1211]

I really enjoyed this video, I have the 2008 DSSD #116660 & I love it. I love the bigger case size & No Cyclops. The only other Rolex I would purchase is the James Camron DSSD. It's something about that blue to black dial that I like.

[@bevans247]

Sea dweller is the only Rolex I have ever been interested in....until the new one with bigger case and Cyclops 👎

[@robynsjp]

In an ideal world, I would want a 5513 maxi dial from way back for the looks and awesome personality of it, and then for real diving and for a mere 2K I can get a SuperOcean Abyss 1500m with zero personality but which is built like an absolute tank for a low price. No way I'm going in the water with a piece that costs 5K or more.

[@marcgoldbergdogtrainer]

Selling mine!

[@camarocarl7130]

Putting your watch on your computer will magnetize it.

[@burtpanzer]

Magnetized from the keyboard?

[@camarocarl7130]

@@burtpanzer Ask your watchmaker if you don't believe me.

[@burtpanzer]

@@camarocarl7130 For one thing, stainless steel is essentially non-magnetic and there's hardly any voltage present, so I wouldn't worry about it.

[@camarocarl7130]

@@burtpanzer Good luck with that.

[@burtpanzer]

@@camarocarl7130 Google: Demagnetizing a watch. " ...to help minimize the potential of magnetization is to just be mindful of the electronic devices in proximity to your watch. Your phone and laptop are not likely going to magnetize your timepiece, but a high-powered speaker or certain power tools might."

[@RandomAzzUtubea]

My dream Rolex and I just got it at a great deal love the watch so much

[@JustWatchreviews]

Awesome Frank, wear it in good health and enjoy!

[@hiba1213]

Submariner for 7k to 10k 😢 it was a different planet 5 years ago😂

[@Ronin228]

I need this watch, get a date on a Diver with no damn cyclops which makes no sense in a dive watch

[@kirtan23]

I really wish people would stop making videos about the sea dweller, all I can think is I want one and your driving the price up!

[@Miiifywayyy]

would be nice if you invested in a better microphone. would make your videos much better

[@JustWatchreviews]

I just did, check out the two latest episodes. Thanks for the feedback!

[@thefishduck]

Ive recently enquired about service costs from my authorised rolex watchmaker who has told me rolex inhouse only! This is worth noting when looking at cost. Great vid thanks

[@JustWatchreviews]

Thanks Stasha, there are many independent certified watchmakers that are capable of repairing a vintage Rolex, (or any other Swiss watch), check your area, I bet there's someone around.

[@thefishduck]

@@JustWatchreviews not for the sea dweller! Rolex dont release any seals or gaskets for any year model.

[@liottastudiosllcFineArt]

A great watch...But I wouldn't call it "Vintage"...

[@masonn85]

SD43 IMO has put this bad model to sleep! Date which is hard to see even above water. No slide extension. No 70 hour power reserve and 904L steel that is more rust resistant and also more anti magnetic so yes this sea dweller is outdated.

[@handlebarchap898]

Umm, the 16600 is also 904L mate.