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Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2018 9:21 am
by seagoingsailor
Whats the general consensus on the collectibility of this model? Been perusing TRF and it seems this and the new 2017 year 43mm version are in high demand.


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Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2018 9:25 am
by hoppyjr
The new 2017 43mm model is largely loved, as is common with most new Rolex sports models. Only time will tell if it remains popular.

I love everything about it except the cyclops.

The last generation 116600 in 40mm is likely to be collectible. It’s the last Sea Dweller that remains true to the original formula. My only issue with that model was the fit of the end links, but I would have kept mine save for the need to generate funds. It’s a great watch.

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2018 9:28 am
by seagoingsailor
Looking for one/both and not much luck. Most of the 2017 models have an asking price of close to 2000.00 more then retail. Seems a little much to me.


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Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2018 9:43 am
by hoppyjr
seagoingsailor wrote:Looking for one/both and not much luck. Most of the 2017 models have an asking price of close to 2000.00 more then retail. Seems a little much to me.


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I’d wait for the initial hype to settle, maybe a year or so. Then it should be closer to MSRP and maybe lower.

The 40mm 116600 is only going up IMO. Post a “WTB” in that forum and maybe someone here will part with one.

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2018 9:43 am
by Chocodove
I'm biased since I own one, but I consider the previous 116600 to be the greatest modern Rolex sports watch. It's production run is miniscule compared to the other modern references and as Hop said it's the only one to remain true to the five digit vibe. Prices are a bit nuts on them at the moment compared to what they were selling for as little as a year ago, though I don't really see them going down any time soon.

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2018 9:45 am
by seagoingsailor
Spoke to someone at my AD yesterday. Stated that most Rolexes are going to see an MSRP jump in May. Should have picked up the 43mm version when I had the chance.


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Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2018 10:17 am
by TSD
There are SD's for every wrist now, if you have patience. Personally, I found that the 5 digit references (16660 & 16600) just fit me best. Matte dial Triple-Six's are more on the vintage end of the spectrum, with gloss dial 16600's closer to the modern version. Like Hop said, the 116600 is the end of an era, and a great wearing watch if you appreciate the look of a modern, ceramic bezel, and want a Glidelock. My preferences run toward the pre-ceramic 5 digit case, which feels less top heavy to me.

It's tough to find them side-by-side in a case, but there are many good 5 digit vs. 6 digit comparisons outside the TRF echo chamber.
http://watchesbysjx.com/2014/07/compari ... hotos.html

I'd like to borrow a 126600 for a while, just to try one. But that watch is aiming for a totally different segment of Rolex owners, especially guys with a larger wrist, say 7.5" and up.

Try on all the different references, and then keep your eyes open. It was the most fun I had searching for the right watch.

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2018 10:37 am
by seagoingsailor
Appreciate your insight on things. The 116600 would be a good fit as I have a smaller wrist. I feel as though the newer model SD might be a bit on the bulky side, but wouldnt mind one as a collectors item. My Submariner fits and feels great. Feeling that a 40mm is the way to go....at least for me.


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Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2018 10:54 am
by hoppyjr
I also have a 5-digit 16600 and find it fantastic. My A-series is nice because it has the updated 3135 movement, super luminova lume, sapphire crystal, but also retains drilled lug holes and the SEL bracelet.

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2018 11:01 am
by JP Chestnut
hoppyjr wrote:
Wed Jan 03, 2018 10:54 am
I also have a 5-digit 16600 and find it fantastic. My A-series is nice because it has the updated 3135 movement, super luminova lume, sapphire crystal, but also retains drilled lug holes and the SEL bracelet.
All 16600's have SEL. It's one of the best things about that generation.

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2018 2:03 pm
by dukerules
I love the 116600, but I would not pay the current premium for one. That said, I suspect it will become a very collectible watch. I'll stick with my humble 16600--I've owned some nice watches over the years, but it's still my all-time favorite.

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2018 2:42 pm
by seagoingsailor
JP and dukerules....appreciate the opinions and information.


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Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:05 pm
by TSD
hoppyjr wrote:
Wed Jan 03, 2018 9:25 am
The new 2017 43mm model is largely loved, as is common with most new Rolex sports models. Only time will tell if it remains popular.

I love everything about it except the cyclops.
Jacobs’s comment that the DJ41 isn’t actually 41mm got me wondering if the SD43 is more like a 41.5/42. Have you tried the SD43, Hop?

That cyclops has to go, but it’d be awesome to Wu-mod one, if it wore like a 42. :shrug:

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:16 pm
by JP Chestnut
TSD wrote:
Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:05 pm
hoppyjr wrote:
Wed Jan 03, 2018 9:25 am
The new 2017 43mm model is largely loved, as is common with most new Rolex sports models. Only time will tell if it remains popular.

I love everything about it except the cyclops.
Jacobs’s comment that the DJ41 isn’t actually 41mm got me wondering if the SD43 is more like a 41.5/42. Have you tried the SD43, Hop?

That cyclops has to go, but it’d be awesome to Wu-mod one, if it wore like a 42. :shrug:
I'm pretty sure it measures 43mm.

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:31 pm
by hoppyjr
TSD wrote:
hoppyjr wrote:
Wed Jan 03, 2018 9:25 am
The new 2017 43mm model is largely loved, as is common with most new Rolex sports models. Only time will tell if it remains popular.

I love everything about it except the cyclops.
Jacobs’s comment that the DJ41 isn’t actually 41mm got me wondering if the SD43 is more like a 41.5/42. Have you tried the SD43, Hop?

That cyclops has to go, but it’d be awesome to Wu-mod one, if it wore like a 42. :shrug:
I’ve not seen one in the wild. Can’t Wu-mod it very easily because there is supposedly AR coating under the cyclops and it shows up noticeably if crystal is removed. This is the same as on the 42mm Explorer II’s. I’ve seen a photo of the latter and it doesn’t look good. There is also no other model crystal that would be a drop in replacement, as can be done on the 40mm models.

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:37 pm
by Chocodove
I also believe it’s a true 43.

Not my pic.

Image

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:40 pm
by streetracer101
hoppyjr wrote:
TSD wrote:
hoppyjr wrote:
Wed Jan 03, 2018 9:25 am
The new 2017 43mm model is largely loved, as is common with most new Rolex sports models. Only time will tell if it remains popular.

I love everything about it except the cyclops.
Jacobs’s comment that the DJ41 isn’t actually 41mm got me wondering if the SD43 is more like a 41.5/42. Have you tried the SD43, Hop?

That cyclops has to go, but it’d be awesome to Wu-mod one, if it wore like a 42. :shrug:
I’ve not seen one in the wild. Can’t Wu-mod it very easily because there is supposedly AR coating under the cyclops and it shows up noticeably if crystal is removed. This is the same as on the 42mm Explorer II’s. I’ve seen a photo of the latter and it doesn’t look good. There is also no other model crystal that would be a drop in replacement, as can be done on the 40mm models.
LAWW can cut you a new, custom crystal.

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Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:48 pm
by hoppyjr
streetracer101 wrote:
hoppyjr wrote:
TSD wrote:
hoppyjr wrote:
Wed Jan 03, 2018 9:25 am
The new 2017 43mm model is largely loved, as is common with most new Rolex sports models. Only time will tell if it remains popular.

I love everything about it except the cyclops.
Jacobs’s comment that the DJ41 isn’t actually 41mm got me wondering if the SD43 is more like a 41.5/42. Have you tried the SD43, Hop?

That cyclops has to go, but it’d be awesome to Wu-mod one, if it wore like a 42. :shrug:
I’ve not seen one in the wild. Can’t Wu-mod it very easily because there is supposedly AR coating under the cyclops and it shows up noticeably if crystal is removed. This is the same as on the 42mm Explorer II’s. I’ve seen a photo of the latter and it doesn’t look good. There is also no other model crystal that would be a drop in replacement, as can be done on the 40mm models.
LAWW can cut you a new, custom crystal.

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I didn’t even know such a thing was possible.


Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:51 pm
by streetracer101
hoppyjr wrote:
streetracer101 wrote:
hoppyjr wrote:
TSD wrote:
hoppyjr wrote:
Wed Jan 03, 2018 9:25 am
The new 2017 43mm model is largely loved, as is common with most new Rolex sports models. Only time will tell if it remains popular.

I love everything about it except the cyclops.
Jacobs’s comment that the DJ41 isn’t actually 41mm got me wondering if the SD43 is more like a 41.5/42. Have you tried the SD43, Hop?

That cyclops has to go, but it’d be awesome to Wu-mod one, if it wore like a 42. :shrug:
I’ve not seen one in the wild. Can’t Wu-mod it very easily because there is supposedly AR coating under the cyclops and it shows up noticeably if crystal is removed. This is the same as on the 42mm Explorer II’s. I’ve seen a photo of the latter and it doesn’t look good. There is also no other model crystal that would be a drop in replacement, as can be done on the 40mm models.
LAWW can cut you a new, custom crystal.

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I didn’t even know such a thing was possible.
That's how I got rid of the old EXP2 I had. I was $100 for custom crystal or $250 for factory one at that time. I'm sure the price has since increased.

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Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:51 pm
by TSD
hoppyjr wrote:
Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:31 pm
Can’t Wu-mod it very easily because there is supposedly AR coating under the cyclops and it shows up noticeably if crystal is removed.
I’ve seen a pic of an ExpII with the AR outline. I don’t understand. Can’t it be easily removed?
streetracer101 wrote:
Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:40 pm
LAWW can cut you a new, custom crystal.
That’d be the baller route. LAWW blasted bezel insert, no cyclops. :clap:

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:53 pm
by JP Chestnut
Chocodove wrote:
Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:37 pm
I also believe it’s a true 43.

Not my pic.

Image
Fucking enormous and the design sucks.

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:55 pm
by dukerules
JP Chestnut wrote:
Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:53 pm
Chocodove wrote:
Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:37 pm
I also believe it’s a true 43.

Not my pic.

Image
Fucking enormous and the design sucks.
If all of the old SDs didn't exist, it would look fine. But yeah, it's just too much.

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 1:03 pm
by seagoingsailor
Thanks for the input and thoughts everyone. Sticking with trying to run a 116600 to ground.


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Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 11:40 pm
by poppydog
Seppia wrote:
Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:47 pm
Chocodove wrote:I also believe it’s a true 43.

Not my pic.

Image

I’ll go out on a limb and say it

The new SD looks like one of those micro brand “homages” to the SD, made with an oversize Chinese case and with all the elements out of proportion.
Same size dial and hands that hence look too small, super thick bezel to fill the space.
And the completely not-true-to-SD-legacy cyclops is just the icing on the turd.

When seen side by side with an older one it’s shocking how much worse it looks.
Agree completely; for me, all the current diver models are ugly and have lost that classic styling.

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 11:21 am
by TSD
Got to handle the 126600, so here are Q&D impressions. It’s nicely weighted and balanced. Much better than the SD4K on my 7.25” wrist. Obviously, I’m partial to the five digit reference SD, and wanted to not like it. But it’s excellent. Much better wearing than the Explorer II or DSSD. Not for everyone obviously. But I see how this works better than the the older 40mm for lots more guys.

Image
Image

Like the U1Pro, the 126600 is a large watch that wears a bit smaller. If the U1 is a good fit, the SD43 will feel great. I don’t care for the cyclops or the shine on ceramic bezels, but this is the first modern Rolex diver I can even consider trying, once they start flipping.

Image