SD 16600 Lume ?

[impalass]

I am thinking of picking up one of the last Sea-Dwellar models 16600, produced 2007-2009.

Could any owners tell me what I can expect lume wise as compared to the Sub C or Deep Sea ?

With my old standbys being an 1971 Speedy and 1997 Sub with original dial and hands lume is important to me.

Thanks in advance, Mark.

[MoBe]

I expect they would be the same although I admit I`m guessing that a slightly older watch will no longer have as strong a lume as the newer one,what other difference would there be?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by impalass

I am thinking of picking up one of the last Sea-Dwellar models 16600, produced 2007-2009.

Could any owners tell me what I can expect lume wise as compared to the Sub C or Deep Sea ?

With my old standbys being an 1971 Speedy and 1997 Sub with original dial and hands lume is important to me.

Thanks in advance, Mark.

It should glow quite well but with lume its all down to the total surface area the more surface area the brighter the lume. One of the main reasons for the maxi dials on many Rolex watches today but Rolex lume is not the best around.

[zeuloa]

The lume is decent except for the minute hand. If it's not fully charged the minute hand is difficult to see.

[impalass]

Originally Posted by zeuloa

The lume is decent except for the minute hand. If it's not fully charged the minute hand is difficult to see.

Thanks for the imput guys, padi56 your answear has me jumping back on the 16610 LV band wagon.

Test drove both watches monday, V serial 16610 LV vs Z serial 16600, LNIB with all the extras, same price.

Can't make up my mind, nice dilemma to be in unless it goes on too long.

[Cabaiguan]

The maxi dials are more legible, IMO.

[nauticajoe]

If lume is up there on your list, the SubLV is the way to go given the maxi dial.

Good luck!

[zeuloa]

Originally Posted by impalass

Thanks for the imput guys, padi56 your answear has me jumping back on the 16610 LV band wagon.

Test drove both watches monday, V serial 16610 LV vs Z serial 16600, LNIB with all the extras, same price.

Can't make up my mind, nice dilemma to be in unless it goes on too long.

I was in this same position back in August, but with 2 BNIB.... It was a difficult decision!

I went with the SD. Although sometimes I see pics of LVs and wonder if I made the right decision (I assume the same would happen if I went with the LV!), I know I did. Although the LV is a beautiful watch, we cannot forget it is a 16610 with a different bezel insert and dial. Nothing wrong with this, but I felt I would enjoy the SD more over the long run.

The SD was built to overcome a need. For this engineers at Rolex and COMEX had to work together and design a new case, new crystal, Helium Escape Valve, and make it resistant to depths 4x that of the Submariner - All this while maintaining a small, and relatively thin case as I doubt there is any other watch as water resistant with similar dimensions. For all this it proudly bares a stamp in the case back making it unique (at least until the new Milgaus came along)

As Henry Ford said, "you can choose any color you like as long as it's black." The SD is available in one flavor, and ready out of the box to take anything you throw at it. It is the only one available with a tool kit, and the only SS model along with Daytona meant to be presented in the larger Rolex box.

All these things mentioned are meaningless to some people. After all, I'll never dive to those depths, or likely use the HEV. The writing on the back has no purpose, and the thick glass makes little difference over the rest (although it does cut out glare). But to me all these little details are what make me enjoy it more. It makes such a difference when I stare at it and realize what a feat of engineering I have on my wrist. The more time passes, the happier I am with my decision, even if I have to stare at it a bit longer to figure out the minute hand in the dark!

Good luck with your decision and let us know what you choose!

[impalass]

Thanks for sharing your heartfelt SD experience.

I've decided on the LV, maxi dial, thicker hand (hands)? and lume being the deciding factors.

Now it's just a matter of justifying one more expensive time piece (to myself) after picking up a Daytona and SMP in the last four months.

[mjclark32]

Originally Posted by impalass

Thanks for sharing your heartfelt SD experience.

I've decided on the LV, maxi dial, thicker hand (hands)? and lume being the deciding factors.

Now it's just a matter of justifying one more expensive time piece (to myself) after picking up a Daytona and SMP in the last four months.

Congrats on the LV!

[roadcarver]

16600 lume

[le_baroudeur]

I chose LV for the lume and slim case: i wear it 24/7, it is beautiful! No bad choice here, SD and LV are two marvels.

[impalass]

Ops, it's too early in the morning.

[impalass]

It's been three months with the LV and the honeymoon is far from over.

Love the lume on the maxi dial and fat hour hand, even love the touch of green, no black bezel required after all.

No regrets, but I still can't stop dreaming of a Sea Dweller.

[landroverking]

My Lume is still great.

[Rodentman]

Pretty soon you'll get the SD too!

[azguy]

Originally Posted by Rodentman

Pretty soon you'll get the SD too!

x2

[roadcarver]

x3

Hehehe!

Originally Posted by azguy

x2

[psv]

I love the look, feel and pedigree of the SD 16600 but I always found the lume to be sub-par, certainly not close to the maxi dial/hands of SubC, DSSD, GMTIIC and the likes, nor Omega Planet Ocean for that matter.

[subtona]

sd is awesome ... lume is not.

it really comes down to the being able to see the hands, the hour markers can't tell me the time.... the LV minute hand is slightly larger, and imho that is the only advantage gained by the updated dial and hands.

.... i wear my sd lots and lots more than i wear my lv

[impalass]

Originally Posted by Rodentman

Pretty soon you'll get the SD too!

Not a day goes by where I wonder how to pull this off without selling an existing watch or risking divorce, since I've used up all my play money.

116520, 2254, and 16610 LV in the last seven months, thanks TRF and enablers.

[roadcarver]

Even a Seiko lume to be honest is better than most Rolex

Omega and Panerai's have awesome lumes as well. I guess it boils down to the the surface area being used by the super luminovas.

[landroverking]

Why do you guys always push the Sub?
OP question was about the SD. This forum is turning me into the anti-sub man!

[Rodentman]

Well, I know that when I was (and still am) faced with the decision between 2 watches I really want (or between two xxx's that comprise "the other hobby") I invariably end up with both of them. I somehow find a way. That said, some I have sold in "panic" mode, but always with a lot of lasting regret.

[Dennis2005]

Originally Posted by landroverking

Why do you guys always push the Sub?
OP question was about the SD. This forum is turning me into the anti-sub man!

I feel the same way. Tire of hearing about a watch I can spot 5 times a day at the grocery store. I don't want to blend in with the crowd. Variety is the spice of life.

[azguy]

Well, then own an Omega, I think they have the best lume......and I see more subs than Omega's in the wild....by far...