Rumours of NEW Sea Dweller!!!

[33JS]

Maybe now is the time to sell the BNIB 16600 SD's!!

Heard a rumour from 2 AD's that due to the poor sales of the Deep Sea (and I love mine) that Rolex will withdraw it and replace with a new, smaller cased, ceramic bezel'd, glidelock clasped Sea Dweller!

Could mean a few things:

- 16600 SD's won't appreciate much now - but still a great watch!

- DSSD's may be a very 'short run' model and actually hold their already eroded values due to limited supply.

- The "new" SD will have the BEST of all Sea Dweller worlds!

I submitted a 'letter of intent' to my favourite AD on Saturday, though it may be a long time before they hit the stores.

[jwkunkle]

Has Rolex ever moved that quickly before? Released a brand new model and then discontinue it immediately? Seems like there would be an awful lot of R&D wasted.

[padi56]

Well first could never see the 16600 appreciate much its not changed since 1988 except for a case stamp.So sure must quite a few in this world today and all the same except for a letter or so.Cannot see the withdrawal of the DSSD Rolex has invested far too much money in this watch.But could see the SD being still part of the Rolex line up perhaps with the ceramic insert and new clasp.

[33JS]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well first could never see the 16600 appreciate much its not changed since 1988 except for a case stamp.So sure must quite a few in this world today and all the same except for a letter or so.Cannot see the withdrawal of the DSSD Rolex has invested far too much money in this watch.But could see the SD being still part of the Rolex line up perhaps with the ceramic insert and new clasp.

Could be correct on the DSSD, perhaps they will keep it as a live model, but just accept the even lower sales a new SD would create for it...

Exciting prospect though as I always loved the 16600, but felt the clasp always let it down!

[Speed]

Does Rolex launch ANYTHING outside of the annual Basel World show in March?

[33JS]

Originally Posted by Speed

Does Rolex launch ANYTHING outside of the annual Basel World show in March?

The rumours were that they're working/planning it, it's definitely not been launched yet!

[vtsnowplow]

that would be great. maxi dial, larger 40mm case, new clasp same sd. what a watch it would be.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by 33JS

Could be correct on the DSSD, perhaps they will keep it as a live model, but just accept the even lower sales a new SD would create for it...

Exciting prospect though as I always loved the 16600, but felt the clasp always let it down!

Well myself have used and abused my SD over several years with many hours underwater never had a problem with clasp.That was until one day hanging over the side of a boat with my 15 plus stone danging by the bracelet a spring-bar failed.And a good job it did watch lost to the abyss but I still got my wrist
.

[GradyPhilpott]

I thought they made a big mistake by discontinuing the old SD. Maybe an update to the old SD will please enough people to make them pick one up.

[33JS]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well myself have used and abused my SD over several years with many hours underwater never had a problem with clasp.That was until one day hanging over the side of a boat with my 15 plus stone danging by the bracelet a spring-bar failed.And a good job it did watch lost to the abyss but I still got my wrist
.

Cool story! Any watch would do well to hang in there for a while under those conditions.

I know the clasp was robust, but I had an old Camel Trophy watch from the 80's and the clasp on that was folded steel very much like the 16600 and I just thought that let it down. The glidelock on my DSSD is a work of art!! An SD with that would be ace!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by 33JS

Cool story! Any watch would do well to hang in there for a while under those conditions.

I know the clasp was robust, but I had an old Camel Trophy watch from the 80's and the clasp on that was folded steel very much like the 16600 and I just thought that let it down. The glidelock on my DSSD is a work of art!! An SD with that would be ace!

While I would agree the glidelock like you say is a work of art,its new and has not been really tested in the field.While the plain clasp has stood the test of time on millions upon millions of Rolex watches for 4 plus decades.
So its well proved in the market place, lets hope the glidelock can measure up as well but only time will tell on that one.

[datejust1]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I thought they made a big mistake by discontinuing the old SD. Maybe an update to the old SD will please enough people to make them pick one up.

x2

[Clogger]

Since when have AD's really had a clue as to what is going on at Rolex R&D?? No doubt they are spinning their usual BS drivel

I know lets all discuss what it will look like for the next year only to be disapointed come Basel

[nauticajoe]

I agree w/ Padi...too much $ spent to make the DSSD. Can't see it going away any time soon.
I'll leave this question to the experts - has their ever been a reference that's been resurrected in Rolex history?

[mfer]

Just my humble opinion........almost the worst source for Rolex information is an AD.

[Numismatist]

I'll bet there's no more than 3 people at Rolex that really know what is going to happen. ADs would be the LAST in the food chain - and even when they are told, they still don't get it...

[The GMT Master]

Hmm, well my boss, who has had the chance to speak with the Rolex rep, as well as several important figures in Rolex UK recently, certainly hasn't heard anything like that. The Deepsea has been a decent success, we certainly don't hold on for one for too long, and in my experience, has been a steadier seller than the 16600. I think the Deepsea will be here to stay.

[springbar]

Originally Posted by nauticajoe

I agree w/ Padi...too much $ spent to make the DSSD. Can't see it going away any time soon.

I hope a company like Rolex has its act together enough not to plan operations based on the sunk cost fallacy.

But it is probably fair to say that Rolex wouldn't have spent the money in the first place if they didn't know there would be demand. Still, companies make mistakes.

That said, the best reason to be skeptical is the source. How could they know this?

[jwkunkle]

Rolex had been criticized by some as not offering a larger diameter sport watch, following the trend of most manufacturers with the "bigger is better" mentality. I can't believe that they would finally release a bigger version, then discontinue immediately.

How does anyone know how many units have been sold and if that is considered a disappointment? I thought Rolex never releases that information.

[winston]

Rolex sold very few 16600 SD compared to the sub and the sales volume of the deepsea will be similar, the main issue with the deepsea is the price which puts it beyond most people when they can spend their hard earned money on other watches in the range. They will not discontinue the deep sea the Swiss are too proud to do it. That's my view anyway. I love mine!!!

[Alessi156]

Originally Posted by nauticajoe

- has their ever been a reference that's been resurrected in Rolex history?

The Milguass was recently resurrected.

[acce1999]

Rumours are ... rumours. I'd rather see Rolex launch a Daytona with a black old style aluminium tachy bezel .... and superjubilee.

[JC1305us]

I'm sure there are MANY worse selling models from Rolex (YMII anyone?) and they ain't going anywhere. With all the R+D that went into the watch, they would be making a huge mistake. (And this from a guy that thinks the watch is too big anyway)

[karmatp]

That rumor is almost to good to be true. I love the classic SD and thought Rolex was out of it's mind to release something so thick and heavy with the same skinny bracelet.

I would have to really consider buying one if they released another SD model, especially if it was about 42mm and not so thick.

[1000ftSub]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Hmm, well my boss, who has had the chance to speak with the Rolex rep, as well as several important figures in Rolex UK recently, certainly hasn't heard anything like that. The Deepsea has been a decent success, we certainly don't hold on for one for too long, and in my experience, has been a steadier seller than the 16600. I think the Deepsea will be here to stay.

The deepsea is a good watch.

[MortgageGuy]

Originally Posted by mfer

Just my humble opinion........almost the worst source for Rolex information is an AD.

X2

[dinan545bmw]

Well, for what it's worth -

I just spoke with the marketing and distribution division with Rolex USA (212-758-7700) regarding this rumour.

First off, the rep was absolutely floored and stunned with what I had just shared and that it was the 'first' time he had ever even heard of this scenario - as they are well "connected" with their parent Swiss entity (his exact words).

They went on by reassuring me that there were absolutely NO present or future plans for phasing out the current production model DSSD for a new 'modified' SeaDweller model (incorporating old and new features), but at a more reasonable and lower price point.

Period.

And until they hear officially and otherwise from Geneva, the current DS will remain an integral offering in their production sports models by Rolex.

So there you have it; straight from the horse's mouth or one of the lead mules anyway!?

Well, either Rolex USA could be outright misrepresenting the facts, being very secretive or they're simply ignorant and just as totally clueless about this as all of us.

But the rep did congratulate me on my recent purchase and told me to enjoy my watch regardless of will or won't happen.

Ha ha.

Definitely won't argue with this last point for sure!

BEST REGARDS

[mfer]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Hmm, well my boss, who has had the chance to speak with the Rolex rep, as well as several important figures in Rolex UK recently, certainly hasn't heard anything like that. The Deepsea has been a decent success, we certainly don't hold on for one for too long, and in my experience, has been a steadier seller than the 16600. I think the Deepsea will be here to stay.

Ok, maybe there is one AD where their guy knows his stuff!

But you are the exception to the rule!

[TurboWatch]

A 43 mm DSSD, but reduce the depth rating to the SD which allows the thickness to be cut to around 13mm-14mm. Same domed crystal, matte maxi dial and the glidelock clasp. MSRP around $7k-$8K.

[chris russell]

put too much stock in what an AD tells you. It would be one quadrillion times more likely the Forum would know about anything before an AD would.