116600 vs 16600? Worth considering?

[TheEscapist]

Hi all,

I’ve got the 16600 just back from RSC and am happy with it in every single aspect, the size, dial and hands balance, lack of cyclops… except for just one thing: the lack of lume.

It doesn’t bother me *too* much but I’m wondering about for a watch to own for the long haul if it’s worth getting something a bit newer.

The short production 116600 seems like the most natural progression to make. Have any collectors here made the jump from 16600 to 116600? Would you recommend for or against such a jump for everyday and outdoor adventure wear?




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[Vipes]

I had a 16600 and I could never get a good fit. I now have the 116600 and the gridlock helps ensure a good fit. Both are good watches but have a different feel. The 16600 has the old school tool watch vibe and the 116600 feels more modern and shiny.

[Srct]

That is a fantastic reference and my favourite 5 digit - have had both in my hands but never owned them - only input would be the bracelet on the 6 digit is far superior but will let others more qualified comment on living with them. Not sure you can make a wrong decision between the two though. Good luck

[csaltphoto]

I know this is considered heresy by some here but might be worth inquiring if RSC would swap the dial and hands to newer ones with functional lume.

[WilsdorfNDavis]

Never had the 16600 but I love the glidelock, ceramic bezel, maxi dial and lume on my 116600

[Shaitan]

Originally Posted by Vipes

I had a 16600 and I could never get a good fit. I now have the 116600 and the gridlock helps ensure a good fit. Both are good watches but have a different feel. The 16600 has the old school tool watch vibe and the 116600 feels more modern and shiny.

I put a glidelock bracelet on my 16600, perfect now.




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[Vesper Lynd]

Both are the best Sea Dweller ever made in my opinion. The 16600 with the aluminium bezel gives it a classic feel, and the 116600 with the ceramic bezel makes it a modern classic, but more importantly, both have the original design. What they did later with the Sea Dweller design, with those 43mm and the cyclops they destroyed the design. That's not a Sea Dweller to me, that's a Submariner Date with hormones.

[fishingbear]

I sold my 16600 the day after my 116600 was delivered to my AD.
To me, the 116600 had everything us 5 digit reference lovers adore plus all the modern features that Rolex had advanced.
The 116600 is still an absolute tool watch with all the new Rolex tech.
(See below kayak fishing for roosterfish in Costa Rica)

[xjeeunitx]

i think the biggest upgrade from 16600 to 116600 has to be the ceramic bezel and glidelock clasp. i've had both. each has their own unique characteristics. for sure, i def prefer the 16600s from 1999 (A) to 2003 (Y) that has the lug holes. =)

[Blansky]

I've had the 16600 for a long time and consider it the perfect Rolex next to probably a Sub no date.

Personally I have no reason to update to a newer version SD and I prefer not having the maxi dial and hands.

[WilsdorfNDavis]

Originally Posted by Vesper Lynd

What they did later with the Sea Dweller design, with those 43mm and the cyclops they destroyed the design. That's not a Sea Dweller to me, that's a Submariner Date with hormones.

Exactly!

[samuel019]

Yes I have

SD4K is a great reference

[DeVille]

Had the 16600 and loved it. Now have the 116600 and it's my most favorite ever.

[brandrea]

The 6 digit will feel like a tank on your wrist compared to the 16600 of that matters to you

[Fritzli]

Originally Posted by fishingbear

I sold my 16600 the day after my 116600 was delivered to my AD.
To me, the 116600 had everything us 5 digit reference lovers adore plus all the modern features that Rolex had advanced.
The 116600 is still an absolute tool watch with all the new Rolex tech.
(See below kayak fishing for roosterfish in Costa Rica)

i dont understand this guys-selling a watch they worn for years? Are you low budget rollers or what is the reason to do so?!

[Goodwill63]

I have a z serial 16600 that I bought NOS a few years back. Watch is the best reference in Rolex's lineup, lume not so much. Had the 116600 also and its terrific but lacks the size appeal and charm of the 16600. Keep your phone next to your bed at night if you need to tell the time.

[rmlovett1]

Originally Posted by Fritzli

i dont understand this guys-selling a watch they worn for years? Are you low budget rollers or what is the reason to do so?!

Wow

[Fritzli]

Originally Posted by Richris1

Wow

....maybe my english is not good enough - i wanted to express - short in disponible funds! But anyway - i would NEVER sell a watch i have worn for years as its part of my life!

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by brandrea

The 6 digit will feel like a tank on your wrist compared to the 16600 of that matters to you

This may be a serious consideration.
The 116600 was made considerably thicker for no legitimate reason. The weight difference will be quite noticeable.
But the lume will be pleasing
I would pick up the 6 digit and have both until a clear preference emerges if seriously considering a one watch scenario.

Personally I could never gel with the Sea-dwellers due to the caseback., but then I made the jump to the 116660 which has been my daily for nearly 11 years so it is possible to adapt to the tank feeling and then some when going from the 4 and 5 digit divers.
The jump from a 16600 Sea-dweller to the 116600 will be more manageable.

[Gerry62]

I could never sell my 16600.
Maybe put an SD43 or a Deepsea alongside it but not a 116600

[fishingbear]

Originally Posted by Fritzli

i dont understand this guys-selling a watch they worn for years? Are you low budget rollers or what is the reason to do so?!

Didn’t wear that 16600 for years. Bought NOS from AD after it was discontinued. Some references have sentimental and useful values to me, some didn’t. The 16600 was part of an always evolving collection that I’ve enjoyed the hobby almost always through my AD. The ones that didn’t, like the 16600, generally get moved along.

Oh, and here below is my “low budget roller” collection accumulated over the last 25 years…..

[Joearch]

Tough reference to beat. A definite keeper for me. Lume not an issue.

[alas26]

Originally Posted by fishingbear

Didn’t wear that 16600 for years. Bought NOS from AD after it was discontinued. Some references have sentimental and useful values to me, some didn’t. The 16600 was part of an always evolving collection that I’ve enjoyed the hobby almost always through my AD. The ones that didn’t, like the 16600, generally get moved along.

Oh, and here below is my “low budget roller” collection accumulated over the last 25 years…..

Geez wow


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[1665fan]

116600 for the win…..I made the jump myself

[HogwldFLTR]

I'm surprised that Rolex didn't do a dial swap as in my experience they don't like to have tritium dials in circulation. Or maybe they swapped the dial on my wife's Tudor for different reasons. Maybe it's a US thing.

[Vishy26]

I have the same watch in tritium. Serviced at RSC but didn’t request for a dial change. Great watch and one of the very best that Rolex made.

[jay_kay]

I am a sea-dweller lover. I have had many iterations over the years and always swung back to the 16600. I now have a 116600 and it is THE only Sea-Dweller I need. The maxi dial the proportions and the fact I bought a 116660 glidelock clasp to replace the standard one and the Oysterflex as an option makes it the best watch I have IMO. Love it.

[Ketler]

I would get a S.Luminova 16600 if you need lume...

Had a 116600...Sold it and went back to a 16600...

[TheEscapist]

Thanks all for the responses here! It’s great to hear the thoughts from folks who have held onto their 16600 or who moved to the successor

I think it’s a must for me to find one to physically handle next. Getting both and deciding makes sense but maybe after handing one I would know. Another good suggestion was to try to find the later generation 16600, since mine is tritium.

For sure, though, both versions are formidable, top class when sold and continue to be


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[sah]

RSC in Dallas would have put a new luminova dial on my 1993 tritium SD during the service last year. Would have been additional charge. I did not go for it as they would have kept the tritium dial.