M series Seadweller 16600 circa 2008

[tropical sunset]

I haven't posted for a little while so Hi All

I have just bought a M series 16600 Seadweller 2008 (unworn).

It arrived by UPS today.

The strap is embossed 93160 A.

I was hoping someone a lot more savvy than me can tell me if all the links are present.

On the six o'clock side it has 5 links with the 5th link closest the clasp having a screw.

The other side (12 o'clock) has just 5 links visable before the buckle. The 5th visable one has the dot on the underside where you push. This link is also the first link with a screw. In addition hidden under the buckle is 2 more links the first of which has the recess that clicks into the buckle and the last one joins directly to the extension link (the bit with rolex embossed on it and the letter "S".

A seperate loose spare has a slightly larger end link and an extension link again embossed with Rolex and the letter "L" (S&L for small and large i assume)

My question for the experts or anyone who has a late 16600 is that the strap seems short of a link or two. I believe the straps changed on the late seadwellers circa 2008 however is my strap missing a link or two. They are certainly not present in the box. I'm a little worried and would not expect missing links on an unworn watch although to be fair the watch is immaculate.

Thankyou for your replies.

[TimeToGo]

I believe you are short one link. The link on the expansion, +1 (not there).

[TimeToGo]

See here -

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=195677

[tgoose1]

You are missing one link on the 6 o'clock side for a total of six.

[azguy]

Congratulatons, beautiful watch

[Z-Sub]

One link short. Easy to replace.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by tgoose1

You are missing one link on the 6 o'clock side for a total of six.

i don't think there should be another at 6 but definitely at 12 oclock
...

nope not all there, i believe 14 is the correct number.

$50 per link at a AD, no questions asked.

great pick up

[tropical sunset]

I really appreciate your help here and a genuine thanks to all who have provided input. I appear to have five links visible each side of the buckle and 2 hidden under. With this in mind and having clicked the link above kindly provided by "TimeToGo" on the expanded/exploded diagram I appear to be 2 links missing? It appears from the diagram that there should be 14 in total with 12 visible and 2 hidden under the buckle. Oh dear perhaps its not sounding as Unworn as it was described? Strap links aside though it is truly immaculate and magnificent.

[Z-Sub]

Yes 2 links are missing, I just saw one of the pictures that showed the inside of the links.

[Z-Sub]

Can you take a picture of the lugs in focus?

You said this was a new watch and unworn? It looks like it may have been polished from the out of focus picture.

[snowbird]

Originally Posted by Z-Sub

Yes 2 links are missing, I just saw one of the pictures that showed the inside of the links.

+1, the watch had 2 more links on the 12 o'clock side when new.

[subtona]

actually looks like the watch/lugs/bezel have been polished & refinished, pretty certain it has, based on the 3rd pic from the bottom.
its a great watch but the misrepresentation would bother me.
if you got it for a great price then don't worry about it and enjoy it.
but if you paid top dollar or just really wanted a pristine version, i would be seeking a refund.

:cheers


http://www.rolexforums.com/attachmen...1&d=1340383977

[MortgageGuy]

Originally Posted by subtona

actually looks like the watch/lugs/bezel have been polished & refinished, pretty certain it has, based on the 3rd pic from the bottom.
its a great watch but the misrepresentation would bother me.
if you got it for a great price then don't worry about it and enjoy it.
but if you paid top dollar or just really wanted a pristine version, i would be seeking a refund.

:cheers


http://www.rolexforums.com/attachmen...1&d=1340383977

Yes I noticed this also, this would be an issue for me. This is not appearing to be an unworn piece whatsoever... Can you expand on this a bit more OP?

[tropical sunset]

Thanks all for your input and kind help. I have contacted the vendor and we are now working together to resolve the missing 2 links. I am the 3rd owner. Owner 2 bought it from a reputable Holborn (London) Jeweller in January as unworn. Not sure if i can mention names or not so i won't. It has been in his safe ever since untouched and as it came from the jeweller. My photos are not very flattering or sharp. Infact you are right I agree it looks "tarted up" on my photos however the watch is truly in first class order and unblemished in the flesh with no evidence of refinishing anywhere and I'm genuinely pleased with it. The sticker is on the case back and I will try tomorrow to upload better images of the watch. The price i paid was £4500. Perhaps i could have done better but I'm ok with that. Thanks again for such great help.

[Megalobyte]

Originally Posted by tropical sunset

Thanks all for your input and kind help. I have contacted the vendor and we are now working together to resolve the missing 2 links. I am the 3rd owner. Owner 2 bought it from a reputable Holborn (London) Jeweller in January as unworn. Not sure if i can mention names or not so i won't. It has been in his safe ever since untouched and as it came from the jeweller. My photos are not very flattering or sharp. Infact you are right I agree it looks "tarted up" on my photos however the watch is truly in first class order and unblemished in the flesh with no evidence of refinishing anywhere and I'm genuinely pleased with it. The sticker is on the case back and I will try tomorrow to upload better images of the watch. The price i paid was £4500. Perhaps i could have done better but I'm ok with that. Thanks again for such great help.

Ouch, that's $7,000 USD. I hope you're right that it wasn't refinished to appear new.

[sea-dweller]

Congrats!

[tropical sunset]

Just following on with a few more photo's of my new Seadweller taken with hopefully slightly improved resolution. (its a snappy cam not an slr i'm afraid). The specs on the photo's are just dust as I can't find an imperfection on it anywhere even through a magnifying glass. The green bit on the cellophane sticker on the case back is peeling a bit but the remaining clear bit remains intact over the rest of the caseback. I'm undecided whether to keep it this way and tuck it away or just wear it. Tough decision!
The gmt and oyster date are my other 2 Rolex. I think I have a watch for all occasions now and would conclude one is very much under the radar undetected and seldom noticed. Another is flashing away on the radar like a warship approaching. Finally the remaining watch is like a nice pleasure boat definitely on the fringe of the radar happily bobbing away looking good but without drawing too much attention to itself. Can you guess which is which? Oh and Yes I'm in the maritime profession. Thanks for your help by the way. I'll update with the link situation for anyone interested.

[Michael M.]

The watch does not look refinished....congrats!! Links can be easy sourced here on the forum, or through a authorized dealer (AD).

[tropical sunset]

Originally Posted by Michael M.

The watch does not look refinished....congrats!! Links can be easy sourced here on the forum, or through a authorized dealer (AD).

Thanks Michael. Much appreciated.

[snowbird]

Very nice, congratulations!

[rolexwannebe]

I'm pretty sure the watch had been refinished, look at the crown on the clasp, seem abit worn down from sanding. Compare your crown with other crowns shown on the buy and sell section.

[tropical sunset]

Originally Posted by rolexwannebe

I'm pretty sure the watch had been refinished, look at the crown on the clasp, seem abit worn down from sanding. Compare your crown with other crowns shown on the buy and sell section.

That would be disappointing if you are correct. I hope the photo's are deceiving however as they (used) to say "a camera never lies!" - that was before photoshop! Anyway thanks for the input even if it was not what I was hoping to hear.

[tropical sunset]

Rolexwannabe - here are some further clasp images for your scrutiny which show the clasp crown in more detail hopefully. Toronto is a brilliant city by the way. My Mrs is from London Ontario not too far from there. I imported her to the UK in the year 2000 via canadabrides.com. Just joking - we met on a cruise ship we were both working on.

[rolexwannebe]

Yes, these pics looks much better. Definition appears to be higher or thicker, looks good to me. Stealing our country girls eh! LOL. Enjoy the watch, as I had one too. Regret selling mind.

[mjclark32]

Everything looks great to me.
I love the sd, hope you wear it well and in good health. Congrats!

[Cabaiguan]

You already purchased the watch. Over-scrutinizing will drive you nuts. Just enjoy. Congrats on a great purchase. I just picked up my SD this week...for the third time. Lol.

[bottom of the ninth]

Congrats and enjoy your SD!