Questions About a Sea Dweller Upgrade Path

[vercingetorix]

Hello,

In 2000, I purchased an A Series Sea Dweller for $3420 in Denver.

It was serviced once by Rolex five years later and is good condition these days, IMHO.

While on vacation in San Francisco last week, the Tourneau dealer unexpectedly offered an on the spot trade in credit towards the Deep Sea at $4000. I'm guessing this happens all the time, it was just unexpected for me.

I have the original box, all of the accessories, and paperwork.

My questions:

1) How much more or less advantageous would selling it on the forum be?

2) Would I be better off having it serviced again before doing a trade in or forum sale?

3) Would I have been able to negotiate for a better price had I had all of the Rolex materials at the time?

4) What would be the best time of year to upgrade/sell?

5) Have I broken any forum rules discussing price or dealers?

6) Should I have started this post in the Classified section instead?

Thanks!

[Paracentesis]

Looks like a terrible deal to me. Quite apart from the matter of your watch being much more desirable than a DSSD, try buying a SD for $4000.....

[HL65]

Given that a used A SD goes for $4200 or so--and you are probably paying retail on a DSSD at Tourneau--I wouldn't even think about it. I would buy a LNIB here on TRF if you wanted a new DSSD--I am sure you could get close to $4k or a bit more on a trade as well.

[SaddleSC]

This is a very very difficult question to answer due to the faulty premise that the DSSD is an upgrade over the 16600!

In all seriousness, I would give it a lot of thought before I traded one of the most iconic sport watches ever produced by Rolex for what appears to be the latest and the greatest. It is getting harder and harder to find them on the secondary market and I fear you would regret it. Just my opinion. BTW, in case you hadn't noticed, I LOVE my SD16600.

[birdawg]

That price is too low. I paid 3800 for mine and traded for 5500 on a two tone. At one time before I was ready I was offered 6000. I do not regret trading, I just wish I was doing it on the WG one. If I would have sold it here and got my TT here I could have done a little better.

[Speed]

I think there is a limit of 5 questions within a post.

[vercingetorix]

I love the SD purists on this site.

[chris russell]

$4K for a SD 16600? Did the AD at least buy you dinner first? Or did he just try and get you drunk?

Me, it'd take a ton more than $4K to pry my SD out of my fist, and I agree with the others here, the DSD is not preferable.

[Sunshine]

Originally Posted by birdawg

That price is too low. I paid 3800 for mine and traded for 5500 on a two tone. At one time before I was ready I was offered 6000. I do not regret trading, I just wish I was doing it on the WG one. If I would have sold it here and got my TT here I could have done a little better.

2nd.

I got mine at 3800, and I talked him down from 4200. Keep the 16600 it’s no longer available from Rolex. You will find yourself trying to replace it, trust me!!

I am not 100% sure, so someone help me out but I think the A SS only noted “Swiss” at 6 o’clock. If so this was only done for that year and I think it was 1999.

If so I would keep it for sure. Maybe Tools will chime in.

[vercingetorix]

Originally Posted by Sunshine

2nd.

I am not 100% sure, so someone help me out but I think the A SS only noted “Swiss” at 6 o’clock. If so this was only done for that year and I think it was 1999.

If so I would keep it for sure. Maybe Tools will chime in.

Mine was made in 1999 and is labeled "SWISS MADE"

[Clogger]

Trades can be good if you are trying to shift something that isn't in much demand.

However in your case I don't really think it makes much sense, the SD is quite a desirible watch, probably more so than the DSSD at the momment. Far better to sell the SD and use the extra $$$ to fund the DSSD.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by vercingetorix

Hello,

In 2000, I purchased an A Series Sea Dweller for $3420 in Denver.

It was serviced once by Rolex five years later and is good condition these days, IMHO.

While on vacation in San Francisco last week, the Tourneau dealer unexpectedly offered an on the spot trade in credit towards the Deep Sea at $4000. I'm guessing this happens all the time, it was just unexpected for me.

I have the original box, all of the accessories, and paperwork.

My questions:

1) How much more or less advantageous would selling it on the forum be?

2) Would I be better off having it serviced again before doing a trade in or forum sale?

3) Would I have been able to negotiate for a better price had I had all of the Rolex materials at the time?

4) What would be the best time of year to upgrade/sell?

5) Have I broken any forum rules discussing price or dealers?

6) Should I have started this post in the Classified section instead?

Thanks!

Not sure what you mean by upgrade if you mean the price well yes that will most certainly be a upgrade.The movement is basically the same in both watches,the case on the DSSD is thicker and rated higher, and you have a new type clasp. A lot to pay for what you call a upgrade IMHO as you already have a SD.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by vercingetorix

Mine was made in 1999 and is labeled "SWISS MADE"

Swiss on dial was from around 1998 till very early 2000,possible U,A&P serials. But with Rolex case stamps its only approximation when a case was stamped.

[daveathall]

IMHO a Sea Dweller can not be upgraded, it already is the best. (Again JMHO)

[gettocard]

No matter how many other watches you want or like a SD 16600 must be a keeper,even as a safe queen. Trust me on this one,I had to buy it back after 2 years. And I don't see what this "upgrade" thing is on such an already perfect watch...

[SaddleSC]

Originally Posted by gettocard

No matter how many other watches you want or like a SD 16600 must be a keeper,even as a safe queen. Trust me on this one,I had to buy it back after 2 years. And I don't see what this "upgrade" thing is on such an already perfect watch...

100% Agree! I also owned an SD in 2005 and traded it away. It always haunted me until I bought it back in 2010. The 16600 is simply the greatest diver's watch ever made.

[snowbird]

If you want to get the DSSD and are prepared to part with your SD, then $4,000 seems like a fair offer from a dealer.

You may be able to get more selling privately but it will be more work and there's also more risk (with Tourneau you will definitely get your money, when selling privately some kind of scam is always a possibility).

If it were me though I'd just keep the SD.

[SaddleSC]

I am so glad to see all this 16600 Sea Dweller love and I am proud to be a member of the club! I think the strong reactions of the forum members just proves how special this watch is. There is just something about it that is perfect to me. The case proportions, the size, the extra heft, the extreme credentials, etc. It is a very special watch and a keeper for sure.

[Sunshine]

Originally Posted by vercingetorix

Mine was made in 1999 and is labeled "SWISS MADE"

Thank You Padi for your post!! As noted, yours is not the one I was referencing however I would hold on to the 16600. You can always get a DSSD later.

[mikester]

Wow, I didn't know that the sea dweller was in demand... I wonder what I could get for mine with a warranty till feb of next year.. or maybe i'll just keep it and give to the son when he's old enough... i guess i couldn't give to him for his 7th birthday coming up next week...

[mikester]

Wow, I didn't know that the sea dweller was in demand... I wonder what I could get for mine with a warranty till feb of next year.. or maybe i'll just keep it and give to the son when he's old enough... i guess i couldn't give to him for his 7th birthday coming up next week...

[mikester]

Wow, I didn't know that the sea dweller was in demand... I wonder what I could get for mine with a warranty till feb of next year.. or maybe i'll just keep it and give to the son when he's old enough... i guess i couldn't give to him for his 7th birthday coming up next week...

[unclesallie]

a $4,000.00 trade in value for a SD would be fine if you were buying other than the price at Tourneau, which is about as high as the market allows. so i'm not sure of the price of a new DSSD(let's say $8K) for hah hah's.....that would be $4K out of pocket. But if you got $4K here on TRF and bought (let's say) for $7000.00 that would be $3,000 out of pocket. I would think a deal here would be much better, although I'm not in love with the SD and definitely believe the DSSD to be too big for my wrist.......

[unclesallie]

a $4,000.00 trade in value for a SD would be fine if you were buying other than the price at Tourneau, which is about as high as the market allows. so i'm not sure of the price of a new DSSD(let's say $8K) for hah hah's.....that would be $4K out of pocket. But if you got $4K here on TRF and bought (let's say) for $7000.00 that would be $3,000 out of pocket. I would think a deal here would be much better, although I'm not in love with the SD and definitely believe the DSSD to be too big for my wrist.......