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Old 8 December 2012, 12:14 AM   #1
Token74
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Sea Dweller Cool Facts Challenge

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)
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Old 8 December 2012, 12:58 AM   #2
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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"
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Old 8 December 2012, 01:46 AM   #3
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No cyclops

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 :)
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Old 8 December 2012, 01:53 AM   #4
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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 ...
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Old 8 December 2012, 01:54 AM   #5
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The SD crystal is 3.2mm thick (Deepsea: 5.5mm).
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Old 8 December 2012, 01:54 AM   #6
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the knowledge on this forum impresses me everyday. =)
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Old 8 December 2012, 01:55 AM   #7
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The SD 16600 never got any RBR (Rolex Branded Rehaut) like the rest of the sports Rolex series did...
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Old 8 December 2012, 02:05 AM   #8
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The Sea-Dwellers (1665 + 16660 + 16600 + Deepsea 116660) all come with a caseback engraving done by Rolex at the manufacture...
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Old 8 December 2012, 02:28 AM   #9
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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
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Old 8 December 2012, 02:37 AM   #10
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Excellent info thanks just looking at my 16600 and noticing these little differences vs my 16613 sub
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Old 8 December 2012, 02:59 AM   #11
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good ones, Bo!
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Old 8 December 2012, 03:52 AM   #12
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here is a cool fact: SDs are now going up in price, big time!!
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Old 8 December 2012, 04:07 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER View Post
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
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Old 8 December 2012, 04:15 AM   #14
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the the black ring on the bezel is slightly thicker than the subs.
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Old 8 December 2012, 04:23 AM   #15
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wow ,,, thats detail ,,, and then some.
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Old 8 December 2012, 04:24 AM   #16
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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)
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Old 8 December 2012, 04:48 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brandon(phila) View Post
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.
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Old 8 December 2012, 05:26 AM   #18
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It comes with a little wallet with a dive chart card inside.

IIRC, it was developed by Rolex in collaboration with COMEX.
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Old 8 December 2012, 05:33 AM   #19
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16600 Thickest bezel.
16610 thinner
14060 thinnest
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Old 8 December 2012, 05:36 AM   #20
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Fact - It's my favorite Rolex!
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Old 8 December 2012, 05:39 AM   #21
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Fact: If i ever go on a saturation dive, my Sea Dweller can go with me
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Old 8 December 2012, 05:45 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snowbird View Post
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.
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Old 8 December 2012, 06:31 AM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rashid.bk View Post
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


Quote:
Originally Posted by Rashid.bk View Post
Rolex received the first patent for He valves.
Well, actually it was a joint venture with Doxa...


Quote:
Originally Posted by Rashid.bk View Post
isn't it the only Rolex that comes with a tool for the bracelet, also.
Indeed... I mentioned that further up.
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Old 8 December 2012, 10:24 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER View Post
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.
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