New Sea-Dweller 4000 gets a thumbs down from me :-(

[jay_kay]

After looking at thread after thread of comparison pics and peoples opinions and thoughts I had decided that as my 116613 wasn't getting worn or selling I would trade it in for the new 116600 and have that as team mate for my 16600.

I'm glad I went to see it in the metal rather than my usual ordering online and waiting for the postman!!

I had my original SD on and as soon as I saw the new 116600 I just knew it wasn't a watch for me. Granted the matte dial is lovely but there is little difference cosmetically, the 16600 just looks so much better proportioned with the lugs and smaller lume plots. The bracelet and clasp is a good improvement but i'd rather just track down a newer clasp for my standard SD's 93160A bracelet.

So now the question is......... what should I trade my 116613 LB in for?

[brandrea]

Knowing what you don't want is more than half the battle
Deciding what you do want is where the fun is

[tkerrmd]

you have a great watch why getting rid of the 116613?

[Rolex40mm]

Thanks for the insight. I thought the SD 4000 would be similarly proportioned to the old SD. That's why it's always good to try watches on first, before buying.

[jay_kay]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

you have a great watch why getting rid of the 116613?

Me and two tone just don't work

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by jay_kay

Me and two tone just don't work

roger that, good luck!

[luvsub]

Full gold or SS. Maybe Daytona, or checkout whatever comes out on 4th.

[Keith1]

How about a solid gold Submariner, either YG, or WG? You can still have the blue dial.

[swish77]

Agree wholeheartedly about the SD4000. Not impressive (relatively speaking, of course.) I think there's a reason there are so many new SDs for sale on this forum and others for good discounts. It looks way too similar to the ND Sub-C. The classic ND Sub and SD seemingly had a lot more differences.

[SWISSAHOLICS]

GMT? Daytona?

[travisb]

Good thing you went to try it onon first.
Still countless options. Keep on hunting.

[polarinda]

Despite the upgrades of the new sd4000, the old sd is still a much better looking watch IMO. I think Rolex got it right the first time round...everytime.
I walked past an AD once with a sd4000 in display. Didn't even want to try it on. From afar, I know it's not for me, forgoing the price issue.

[Ryuden]

Maybe the upcoming new Blue Dssd?




The 16600 is a keeper.

Good luck in your future acquisition.

[14060m]

Keep your options open and don't rush into anything

[joe100]

I kinda liked the 4000C and as everyone knows, I don't like anything! Ha!

[mfserge]

As a former 16600 owner and current 116600 owner, there is no question in my mind which one I prefer. Ceramic vs aluminum....check. SEL vs non SEL....check. Great clasp vs not so great clasp....check. Slightly larger lugs vs thin lugs....check. Larger markers and hands vs smaller markers and hands....check. Busier bezel vs clean bezel....push. Some people prefer the older dimensions of the SD and Sub and some prefer the new dimensions, to each is own but for me the 116600 is a huge winner.

[Chute]

I own the new 116600 and always wanted a Seadweller but was turned off by the old style bracelets. I really enjoy it but if I didn't, I would suggest a 114060 SubC no date or a GMTIIc. Both are great new generations and very comfortable ( read thinner) than the SDc.

[Le Chef]

After all the rah-rah I tried one on at the Rolex Boutique and left disappointed. It's unbalanced and top heavy compared to both SubC and DSSD. It's the watch that answers the question no one asked. Save your money and buy a SubC.

[leicashot]

Originally Posted by Le Chef

After all the rah-rah I tried one on at the Rolex Boutique and left disappointed. It's unbalanced and top heavy compared to both SubC and DSSD. It's the watch that answers the question no one asked. Save your money and buy a SubC.

Unbalanced compared to the DSSD? Are you kidding? :bang head:

[leicashot]

Originally Posted by mfserge

As a former 16600 owner and current 116600 owner, there is no question in my mind which one I prefer. Ceramic vs aluminum....check. SEL vs non SEL....check. Great clasp vs not so great clasp....check. Slightly larger lugs vs thin lugs....check. Larger markers and hands vs smaller markers and hands....check. Busier bezel vs clean bezel....push. Some people prefer the older dimensions of the SD and Sub and some prefer the new dimensions, to each is own but for me the 116600 is a huge winner.

Agreed. The SD is wonderful and a serious top end tool with modern luxuries to boot.

[Nycturbovr6]

I have yet to try one on at an ad

[leicashot]

Originally Posted by Nycturbovr6

I have yet to try one on at an ad

There are a lot of negative people trying to bring down the watch's value by saying the same thing people said about the DSSD, but this time it holds no merit because it really hasn't changed. By now people should know the SD was never made for comfort or fashion, like the Sub today. It is more of a tool watch so knowing this, they shouldn't be going to AD's expecting otherwise, then going and telling people its sub-par to the Sub, just for being exactly what everyone knows it to be > thicker and heavier than the Sub.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Keith1

How about a solid gold Submariner, either YG, or WG? You can still have the blue dial.

[macduffi]

Originally Posted by leicashot

There are a lot of negative people trying to bring down the watch's value by saying the same thing people said about the DSSD, but this time it holds no merit because it really hasn't changed. By now people should know the SD was never made for comfort or fashion, like the Sub today. It is more of a tool watch so knowing this, they shouldn't be going to AD's expecting otherwise, then going and telling people its sub-par to the Sub, just for being exactly what everyone knows it to be > thicker and heavier than the Sub.

Agreed.

[leicashot]

Originally Posted by macduffi

Agreed.

This is deja vu. I remember seeing the same thing when the Sub-C came out.

"Oh the original is better"

"Oh the lugs are too wide"

"Oh the bezel is too shiny"

"Oh the bracelet is better made"

IMHO this upgrade is less of a change from the old SD than the Sub-C was with it's very wide lugs, so there is no need for such negativity towards the SD unless you're trying to talk yourself and others out of it....for various personal reasons.

I am subjectively positive towards the SD because I put my money where my mouth is. I bought it because I 'knew' it was heavier than the Sub-C and accepted that 'before' trying it on, or making judgements beforehand. The Sub-C is the king of weight/proportions/comfort and no one is disputing that.

With the new SD, I appreciate the legibility of the dial, which is the best I've ever seen on any Rolex diver, by far. The combination of flat glass and satin/matte material combine for amazing clarity at any angle in any light. I love the new bracelet which is superior to the weaker old one. I enjoy the new bezel with it's scratch resistant material, bling and markers that go all the way around the dial for perfect symmetry, more so than the Sub-C ND.



If it makes people feel better to write negative comments about a watch they've never even tried on, so be it, but those who want a real opinion should just go see it for yourself and listen to those who have at least tried it on, and are not trying to talk themselves out of it for there own personal reasons, which go beyond those they express on this forum.

[jay_kay]

Originally Posted by Keith1

How about a solid gold Submariner, either YG, or WG? You can still have the blue dial.

A white gold Daytona is ideally what I'm after but I'd have to release something else as well and TBH there is nothing else in my line up that I want to get rid of

[joejoe1225]

What a great Shot!!!

I have to disagree with you - The SD 4000 is a masterpiece of a design - all the upgrades to this watch make it the best SS/Tool Sports model in the line up by far. Case / Lugs / Dial / Bezel / Bracelet / Movement etc. - Rolex design team made the perfect SD to own - It will go down as one of Rolex Best Watches ever. It kept the tradition of the previous model with all the modern upgrades to perfection - Give it time.

[leicashot]

Originally Posted by joejoe1225

What a great Shot!!!

I have to disagree with you - The SD 4000 is a masterpiece of a design - all the upgrades to this watch make it the best SS/Tool Sports model in the line up by far. Case / Lugs / Dial / Bezel / Bracelet / Movement etc. - Rolex design team made the perfect SD to own - It will go down as one of Rolex Best Watches ever. It kept the tradition of the previous model with all the modern upgrades to perfection - Give it time.

You're actually not disagreeing with me at all lol

[belligero]

Originally Posted by leicashot

You're actually not disagreeing with me at all lol

Indeed; it's the best design they've come out with in the past decade, and a welcome exception from the trend of adding pointless bulk when a model is updated.

[leicashot]

Originally Posted by belligero

Indeed; it's the best design they've come out with in the past decade, and a welcome exception from the trend of adding pointless bulk when a model is updated.

I also love that it is their most serious model (at the moment). No variations of novelty colours or precious metals. Just in regular tool black....considering the DSSD gets the blue treatment.