My first Rolex (a review): 16600A, No holes case, Sea Dweller

[toiletfinder.o]

Hi everyone,

I've been browsing this forum for awhile, and have decided that my lurking days have come to an end.

I have known that I wanted a Rolex for awhile. My first watch that I have worn for over 5 years was a Tag Heuer Formula 1, Red Dial Chronograph. It was time for an upgrade, and I knew that I wanted to stick with the genre of 2nd-hand steel sports, because they represented an opportunity to purchase a Rolex more affordably, and they hold their value better than most other watches.

After watching numerous videos and educating myself about the subject, I decided to go with the Rolex Sea Dweller, no holes case, 16600A Z-series for a couple of reasons that make the Sea Dweller one of the most iconic watches of all time.
- First watch to ever implement the Helium Escape Valve on a dive watch.
- First Rolex sports watch WITH date and NO cyclops.
- First Rolex sports watch to have solid end links.
- Thicker 1MM sapphire crystal vs the Submariner.
- Thicker case vs the Submariner. I love the increased heaviness/heft on my wrist.
- The no-holes case was only made for 3 years, which makes the 16600A model significantly more rare. I think this should hold its value more in the upcoming years as the new ceramic models slowly start flooding the market. I think that this characteristic preserves the Sea Dweller's heritage, while providing a modern touch.
- Far too many people wear the classic Rolex Submariner, so if you're looking for something a bit more special/different, the Sea Dweller is for you.
- I didn't like the new ceramic bezel of the 116600, so I passed on it.

Cons:
- Scratches very easily.
- Watch loses roughly 1-2 seconds per day, during nighttime, when I'm not wearing it.
- The bracelet is vastly worse than the newer glidelink version.

[Clay]

Not sure where you got your information, but the no holes case on the 16600, came out in 2002/3, the F series being the first, up until the model was discontinued in 2009 more or less…

And the 16600 WITH lug holes is, I believe, becoming much more sought after then the non-log hole case…

Losing 1-2 seconds a day is WELL within COSC Standards…A good thing…

Not sure what there is to dislike about the bracelet…Clean, simple, lightweight, and in 30 years I have never seen one fail…???

But I will agree you that the Sea Dweller is a fabulous watch…

Enjoy and welcome aboard…

[azguy]

losing 1-2 seconds a day is a con

Should be in the pro column

[tkerrmd]

well congrats on your decision it is a great watch

[toiletfinder.o]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

well congrats on your decision it is a great watch

Thank you. I do agree that it's a great watch. Very beautiful, as well. I did a lot of research before this purchase, and it paid off.

[toiletfinder.o]

I ended up paying $6k for the watch from a reputable dealer in NYC's famed diamond district. The watch was in fairly new shape + box + original papers.

[luvsub]

Nice choice, like no hole case.

[strafer_kid]

Seadweller in any guise is a terrific watch - you will love it! Enjoy in good health!

[toiletfinder.o]

Thanks, everyone. I'm really enjoying this community so far.

[foodle]

"Scratches very easily"?!?!

I don't understand that at all.

[AbsolutelyROLEX!]

great watch, im jealous

[77T]

I've opted for the SD niche where they were made with lug holes and Luminova. It's a pending incoming as I write so will have to wait before an intelligent reply can be posted. But I am sure I'd be deeelighted to have -2sec./day performance

[bayerische]

Rare SD?

Not really.

[toiletfinder.o]

Originally Posted by bayerische

Rare SD?

Not really.

Rarer I should say, as opposed to the lug holes case.

[psv]

Originally Posted by Clay

Not sure where you got your information, but the no holes case on the 16600, came out in 2002/3, the F series being the first, up until the model was discontinued in 2009 more or less…

And the 16600 WITH lug holes is, I believe, becoming much more sought after then the non-log hole case…

Losing 1-2 seconds a day is WELL within COSC Standards…A good thing…

Not sure what there is to dislike about the bracelet…Clean, simple, lightweight, and in 30 years I have never seen one fail…???

But I will agree you that the Sea Dweller is a fabulous watch…

Enjoy and welcome aboard…

Welcome to TRF and great to see that you are happy with your new purchase.

As this is a community for sharing knowledge, I also have to agree with Clay's comments. The no-hole case was produced from F-serial to V-serial, so at least 6 years, at large numbers, thus the watch is far from rare. One could argue that the luminova dial Sea-Dweller, which was introduced in 1998, in combination with lug-holes case, is more rare, but again, none of these watches are "rare" by most defintion. Regardless, a nice unpolished copy should maintain its value well, probably increase over the years.

Secondly, the Datejust model was the first ever watch to display the date at 3 o'clock (1945) and it didn't have a cyclops magnifier until Rolex introduced this innovation to the general public in 1953.

Enjoy the watch!