Sea Dweller M Series from AD - Is it real?

[gardoggie]

Hi,

I'm new to the forums, but have been reading the posts thoroughly over the last couple of days.

I just received a Sea Dweller 16600 M-Series, Serial M85XXXX from an AD in Washington State. I'm not at home, so I don't have access to a better camera to take pics, but I took a couple of poor quality pics so I could ask a question.

Everything seems to look good to me as a novice, but the one thing I noticed is the shape and size of the "f" in "ft" after the 4000. The pics I have seen on other Sea-Dweller's shows a bigger "f" and more of a scroll font.

The "f" on my face appears to not be as much of a scroll font and it doesn't extend above and below the other fonts as much as what I have seen in other pictures.

I called the AD and he swears they are one of the largest independent Rolex AD's in the country and to call Rolex on Monday to check them out. I found them using Rolex's dealer locater on Rolex's website, so I know they are an AD for Rolex. He said they do not sell any trade-ins as new and the new watches they get from Rolex only. This watch was sold as a new watch from Rolex. He said this was the last Sea-Dweller 16600 they had in stock.

I will go home tonight and take some better pics of the watch and post them, but in the meantime, can anyone who is good as determining real vs fake for the Sea-Dwellers tell if this is a problem or not.

What do you think?

Thanks,
John

[Playdrv4me]

I have had dial inconsistencies on my Rolexes before that I KNEW were authentic without question. I assure you they are not all EXACTLY the same (there are some genuine Rolexes out there with some VERY funky "Rolex" fonts on the dial). I would not worry about it, you have the backing of a GENUINE Rolex AD here.

If you still remain in-doubt... take it to your nearest local Rolex AD for an appraisal and authentication for peace of mind. I've done it a few times.

[SLS]

If you bought it from an AD, you are fine. Dial fonts vary a bit, which is normal.
Congrats on the SD!

[gardoggie]

Thanks Scott and Ian. I will post some better pics tomorrow. Since I am a newbie this may be a dumb question, but has anyone ever gotten a new Rolex from an AD in the USA that was not genuine?

I just think it is weird that all the Sea Dweller pics I have seen everywhere have the 'f" that looks like a scroll font and it extends quite a bit above and below the other letters. Mine doesn't extend that much and the font is not that much of a scroll (italics) look.

When I post new pics tomorrow, you will see what I mean. Maybe, I got a "one off" from Rolex. The serial number seems real high at M85XXXX...

Thanks,
John

[Andad]

Hi,

That SD look good from what I can't see - - better pix would help but if it is an AD sale I can't understand your problem?
Rolex have released SD's with "V" serial letters so there is no problem with a high "M".

You have a Rolex warranty with the purchase so grab it while you can IMO.

[gardoggie]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm uploading a better pic that shows better detail. What I don't understand is how Rolex pays such attention to detail, but the font on the face can be so different between two identical watches.

The first pic I'm attaching is the pic of my watch and the second pic is a pic of a SD Series M that someone is selling on this site now. Notice the difference of the "f" in ft after 4000...

[Andad]

My 'Z' which I compared your one to.

[gardoggie]

I just noticed there is also a difference in the minute markers between 5 and 7 o'clock. On my watch there are no minute markers at 29 and 31 minutes where the other SD has short markers at 28, 29, 31, and 32 minutes and mine has none at 29 and 31 and mine are longer at 28 and 32 than the other M Series SD.

Does Rolex really have this much difference between watch faces in the same year (same Series) and same watch???

Thanks,
John

[gardoggie]

Directioneng,

Your watch looks like mine! It still seems weird to me that two M Series would look that much different. I would think that Rolex would want them to be identical. I'm a novice, but it seems like with differences like these, it makes it harder to know which watches are genuine and which are fakes if genuine watches have differences in the same Series.

[MikeyTX]

Y'all are gonna stress yo self's into an early grave. Please leave me the watches in your respective wills.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by gardoggie

Directioneng,

Your watch looks like mine! It still seems weird to me that two M Series would look that much different. I would think that Rolex would want them to be identical. I'm a novice, but it seems like with differences like these, it makes it harder to know which watches are genuine and which are fakes if genuine watches have differences in the same Series.

If your watch looks like mine then you are a "Very lucky lucky boy".

[crazycarlitos]

FYI

my z serial sd has the fancy 'ft'

and the minute markers under the 'swiss made'

its from a u.s. AD.

[Mosco]

It looks good, John! Nice watch!

[LovesRolexes123]

If it's from an AD, then rest easy. No AD is going to jeopardize its bread and butter Rolex license by selling a fake Rolex to you.

[onkyo]

Originally Posted by MikeyTX

Y'all are gonna stress yo self's into an early grave. Please leave me the watches in your respective wills.

x2.... Rolex AD do not sell fake new watches.

[RolexCat]

My SD is also a M85 SER#. Your dial is just like mine. Ron

[Hkspwrsche]

The dial variation in the area of the "swiss made" exists on this watch and another example is on the early and late LV 50th anniv sub there are variations in that area. I dont see anything screaming problem on the outside. On top of that the watch is at an authorized dealer who would most definitely have opened the watch if they deal in used and trades. Ask them to send a photo of the movement and reseal and verify water tight. They may have been the original seller. ask them.
As far as Rolex making it easy to tell if it's fake, they make it easy by selling new watches through AD.

[springer]

It's genuine and a nice find. Dial font variances are not uncommon from Rolex.

[SteveK]

its gen! Rolex has a ton of dial variations within a decade.

From tick marks surrounding the swiss made to the S in submariner being a flat top instead of round, i've also seen some alignments of text vary slightly.

[gardoggie]

Thanks everybody for responding and I appreciate the help. I have a lot to learn! I look forward to participating in the future.

John

[BASSETHOUNDS]

Nothing wrong with that watch , but if you don't want it I'll PM you my shipping address .

[gardoggie]

lol