Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Discussion of Rolex Watches.
seagoingsailor
Posts: 228
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2017 11:09 pm
Name: Salty

Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Post by seagoingsailor » Wed Jan 03, 2018 9:21 am

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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

User avatar
hoppyjr
HJ
Posts: 39665
Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2011 9:05 am
Name: Hoppy

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Post by hoppyjr » 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.

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.

seagoingsailor
Posts: 228
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2017 11:09 pm
Name: Salty

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Post by seagoingsailor » Wed Jan 03, 2018 9:28 am

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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

User avatar
hoppyjr
HJ
Posts: 39665
Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2011 9:05 am
Name: Hoppy

Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Post by hoppyjr » Wed Jan 03, 2018 9:43 am

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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

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.
Last edited by hoppyjr on Wed Jan 03, 2018 9:43 am, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
Chocodove
Posts: 8940
Joined: Mon Jun 17, 2013 1:35 pm
Name: Todd
Location: NJ

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Post by Chocodove » Wed Jan 03, 2018 9:43 am

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.
- Todd

seagoingsailor
Posts: 228
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2017 11:09 pm
Name: Salty

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Post by seagoingsailor » Wed Jan 03, 2018 9:45 am

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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

User avatar
TSD
Posts: 2767
Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2015 6:47 am
Name: Tom
Location: So Fla

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Post by TSD » Wed Jan 03, 2018 10:17 am

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.

seagoingsailor
Posts: 228
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2017 11:09 pm
Name: Salty

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Post by seagoingsailor » Wed Jan 03, 2018 10:37 am

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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

User avatar
hoppyjr
HJ
Posts: 39665
Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2011 9:05 am
Name: Hoppy

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Post by hoppyjr » 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.

User avatar
JP Chestnut
Posts: 17820
Joined: Mon May 27, 2013 10:40 am
Name: Jacob
Location: Ithaca, NY USA

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Post by JP Chestnut » Wed Jan 03, 2018 11:01 am

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.

User avatar
dukerules
Posts: 15049
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 4:32 pm

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Post by dukerules » Wed Jan 03, 2018 2:03 pm

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.

seagoingsailor
Posts: 228
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2017 11:09 pm
Name: Salty

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Post by seagoingsailor » Wed Jan 03, 2018 2:42 pm

JP and dukerules....appreciate the opinions and information.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

User avatar
TSD
Posts: 2767
Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2015 6:47 am
Name: Tom
Location: So Fla

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Post by TSD » 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:

User avatar
JP Chestnut
Posts: 17820
Joined: Mon May 27, 2013 10:40 am
Name: Jacob
Location: Ithaca, NY USA

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Post by JP Chestnut » Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:16 pm

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.

User avatar
hoppyjr
HJ
Posts: 39665
Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2011 9:05 am
Name: Hoppy

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Post by hoppyjr » Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:31 pm

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.

User avatar
Chocodove
Posts: 8940
Joined: Mon Jun 17, 2013 1:35 pm
Name: Todd
Location: NJ

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Post by Chocodove » Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:37 pm

I also believe it’s a true 43.

Not my pic.

Image
- Todd

User avatar
streetracer101
Posts: 8787
Joined: Tue Nov 15, 2011 6:41 pm
Name: Mr Shackleford

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Post by streetracer101 » Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:40 pm

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.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk


User avatar
hoppyjr
HJ
Posts: 39665
Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2011 9:05 am
Name: Hoppy

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Post by hoppyjr » Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:48 pm

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.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
I didn’t even know such a thing was possible.


User avatar
streetracer101
Posts: 8787
Joined: Tue Nov 15, 2011 6:41 pm
Name: Mr Shackleford

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Post by streetracer101 » Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:51 pm

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.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
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.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk


User avatar
TSD
Posts: 2767
Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2015 6:47 am
Name: Tom
Location: So Fla

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Post by TSD » Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:51 pm

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:

User avatar
JP Chestnut
Posts: 17820
Joined: Mon May 27, 2013 10:40 am
Name: Jacob
Location: Ithaca, NY USA

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Post by JP Chestnut » 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.

User avatar
dukerules
Posts: 15049
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 4:32 pm

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Post by dukerules » Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:55 pm

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.

seagoingsailor
Posts: 228
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2017 11:09 pm
Name: Salty

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Post by seagoingsailor » Sat Jan 06, 2018 1:03 pm

Thanks for the input and thoughts everyone. Sticking with trying to run a 116600 to ground.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

User avatar
poppydog
aka Nelldog
Posts: 5887
Joined: Sun Feb 21, 2010 12:31 pm
Name: Steve
Location: Norfolk, UK

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Post by poppydog » Sat Jan 06, 2018 11:40 pm

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.
Regards

Steve

User avatar
TSD
Posts: 2767
Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2015 6:47 am
Name: Tom
Location: So Fla

Re: Rolex Sea Dweller - 40mm

Post by TSD » Sat Jan 13, 2018 11:21 am

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

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 111 guests