Sea Dweller Cool Facts Challenge

[Token74]

Hey all

As some of you will have seen I am going to buy a Rolex Sea Dweller as soon as I track one down in the right condition...as such it would be great to learn more about it...so, time to test your knowledge...

Who can come up with the coolest fact / story about the Rolex Sea Dweller? (i.e. used by the British SBS)

[SPACE-DWELLER]

The Deepsea Sea-Dweller was not the first Rolex to incorporate Titanium together with steel in the case (Titanium caseback)... the SD 16660 and SD 16600 used it too: the Helium valve is made of Titanium.

The HEV of the DSSD, however, is made of steel 904L...

The Sea-Dweller 16660 was the first sports Rolex watch having both a sapphire crystal AND a solid endlink bracelet.

The reference number of the Deepsea Sea-Dweller (116660) seems to be a nod to the first ref. number of the SD with sapphire crystal (16660) aka the "Triple Six"

[Brandon(phila)]

FACT: B/c the crystal is thicker on the Sea Dweller and the magnification wouldn't be correct.

FACT: They are my 2 favorite watches SD (2001) and DSSD (2012) that I own :)

[SPACE-DWELLER]

The SD 16660 / 16600 come with TWO divers extension links:

One standard divers link (marked "S") installed on the bracelet.

One larger (marked "L") divers link supplied with the Tool Set (also unique to the Sea-Dweller). A blackened screw is held within the hollow handle of the screwdriver/pinremover tool ref 2100 ...

[SPACE-DWELLER]

The SD crystal is 3.2mm thick (Deepsea: 5.5mm).

[mannyv11]

the knowledge on this forum impresses me everyday. =)

[SPACE-DWELLER]

The SD 16600 never got any RBR (Rolex Branded Rehaut) like the rest of the sports Rolex series did...

[SPACE-DWELLER]

The Sea-Dwellers (1665 + 16660 + 16600 + Deepsea 116660) all come with a caseback engraving done by Rolex at the manufacture...

[subtona]

The sides of the bracelet on the SD have a polished finish vs a Sub which has brushed finish

The Dial on the SD is a bit smaller than the Sub 16610.
SD 29.35mm vs Sub 30mm

[bimmerboy]

Excellent info thanks just looking at my 16600 and noticing these little differences vs my 16613 sub

[Vincent65]

good ones, Bo!

[RolexDivers]

here is a cool fact: SDs are now going up in price, big time!!

[mlotus95]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

The SD 16660 / 16600 come with TWO divers extension links:

One standard divers link (marked "S") installed on the bracelet.

One larger (marked "L") divers link supplied with the Tool Set (also unique to the Sea-Dweller). A blackened screw is held within the hollow handle of the screwdriver/pinremover tool ref 2100 ...

good to know

[Rashid.bk]

the the black ring on the bezel is slightly thicker than the subs.

[dysondiver]

wow ,,, thats detail ,,, and then some.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Now, on the Sub and GMT II's, the rehaut is fixed, i.e.: integrated part of the case itself. Therefore, it makes sense to provide the rehaut with a "ROLEXROLEX" branding + the serial number.

On the SD 16600, however, the rehaut is a detachable part; i.e. a part on its own, not making it necessary - or ADVISABLE - to brand it with "ROLEXROLEX" and the serial number since the serial numbers are unique..

It would have involved too much trouble re-issuing defective rehauts on SD 16600's with a new (identical) serial number.

Here is a chart that explains the difference.. you see that the glass rests on the rehaut, but the construction is different on the SD 16600:


(Source on pic)

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by Brandon(phila)

FACT: B/c the crystal is thicker on the Sea Dweller and the magnification wouldn't be correct.

FACT: They are my 2 favorite watches SD (2001) and DSSD (2012) that I own :)

^which makes the sea dweller the only date Rolex without a magnifier.

It also has a thicker case than the sub, mostly to make room for the helium escape valve.
It is said that the original SDs were the first watches to feature He valves but weren't available for commercial sale until years later. Rolex received the first patent for He valves.

[snowbird]

It comes with a little wallet with a dive chart card inside.

IIRC, it was developed by Rolex in collaboration with COMEX.

[subtona]

16600 Thickest bezel.
16610 thinner
14060 thinnest

[nauticajoe]

Fact - It's my favorite Rolex!

[Roller07]

Fact: If i ever go on a saturation dive, my Sea Dweller can go with me

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by snowbird

It comes with a little wallet with a dive chart card inside.

IIRC, it was developed by Rolex in collaboration with COMEX.

isn't it the only Rolex that comes with a tool for the bracelet, also.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by Rashid.bk

It is said that the original SDs were the first watches to feature He valves but weren't available for commercial sale until years later.

In fact, some Submariners had the Helium valve, too:

1) 1970-1973 Early Submariners Ref:-5513 with valve.

2) 1972-1978 Submariners Ref:- 5514 with valve, made for Comex only.

Source

Originally Posted by Rashid.bk

Rolex received the first patent for He valves.

Well, actually it was a joint venture with Doxa...

Originally Posted by Rashid.bk

isn't it the only Rolex that comes with a tool for the bracelet, also.

Indeed... I mentioned that further up.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

In fact, some Submariners had the Helium valve, too:

1) 1970-1973 Early Submariners Ref:-5513 with valve.

2) 1972-1978 Submariners Ref:- 5514 with valve, made for Comex only.

Source




Well, actually it was a joint venture with Doxa...




Indeed... I mentioned that further up.

Sorry, didn't see that. You are the man Bo.