A thorough explanation of the Rolex Sea-Dweller! Learn about the series' features and prices

The Sea-Dweller is as popular as the Submariner among Rolex watches.

Many of the products in this series have similar appearances, and many people may not know what the differences are between them when considering purchasing one.

However, each Sea-Dweller model has clear differences in function and design, and knowing this will help you understand the appeal of each series.

So this time, we will introduce the history and functionality of the Sea-Dweller, while explaining the appeal of each model.

Popular watches sell out quickly. Sign up for LINE@ to get the information before someone else does!

Also, if you have a watch that looks good but you're not sure of its value, please feel free to contact us at Commit Ginza and we will purchase it from you at the highest price in the industry !

The History of the Rolex Sea-Dweller

The Sea-Dweller was launched in 1967 as a higher-end model of the Submariner .

Before the birth of the Sea-Dweller, the Submariner Ref. 5513 and other watches were waterproof to a depth of 200m. This was sufficient for everyday life, but it could not withstand the water pressure during deep sea diving and was damaged.

The resulting Sea-Dweller Ref. 1665 was water resistant to 610m, more than three times that of the Submariner, and was sold as a fully-fledged model of the Submariner.

Furthermore, around 1978, the second generation Ref. 16660 was released as a model with a water resistance of 1,220m, which caused a sensation around the world.

The third generation Ref. 16600, which appeared in 1991, did not change significantly in appearance, but the movement that powers the watch was upgraded, improving durability and maintenance efficiency.

Then, in 2008, the Deepsea Ref. 116600 was released, boasting an incredible water resistance of 3,900m, and attracted a lot of attention.

In 2018, the Deepsea Ref. 126600, a minor change to the previous model, was released, and its presence within Rolex has been growing ever stronger.

In this way, the Sea-Dweller has remained popular to this day as a representative model showcasing Rolex's waterproof technology.

Features of the Sea-Dweller

Here we will take a closer look at the functionality of the Sea-Dweller and how it differs from the Submariner.

Sea-Dweller brand and functionality

As mentioned above, the Sea-Dweller is a popular Rolex series with over 50 years of history.

In addition to its high water resistance, the Sea-Dweller is also popular among businessmen due to its sophisticated design.

The appeal of the brand cultivated over 50 years of history

In terms of functionality, it is a higher-end model than the Submariner, and it is larger and thicker than the Submariner, so you can feel the presence of a famous brand.

Although the Sea-Dweller did not achieve explosive popularity when it was first released, with each new model released, its technical capabilities became a hot topic, such as the second-generation Ref. 16660 being water resistant to 1,220m, and the Deepsea Ref. 116660 that appeared in 2008 being water resistant to 3,900m, and the Sea-Dweller has since come to be recognized as a representative diver's watch.

In this way, the Sea-Dweller gradually became differentiated from the Submariner, established its status as a unique watch, and has continued to be loved to this day.

High functionality and design make it ideal for business situations

It goes without saying that the Sea-Dweller is highly waterproof, but recent models have improved functionality, such as longer power reserves, which will be appreciated by busy businessmen.

In addition, with some exceptions, the Sea-Dweller does not have a Cyclops lens on the date area. A Cyclops lens is a lens developed by Rolex that magnifies the date display on the dial by 2.5 times, making the date easier to read, but by not using this lens, the Sea-Dweller has a chic and subdued design for the entire dial.

As such, the Sea-Dweller is not only highly robust, but its simple design also pairs well with a suit, making it ideal for use in business situations where functional beauty is required.

Differences between the Submariner and the Sea-Dweller

The Sea-Dweller looks similar to the Submariner, so many people may not know what the difference is between them.

Here we compare the two in terms of price and features.

Differences between the Submariner and the Sea-Dweller in terms of price

Although the Sea-Dweller is a higher-end model than the Submariner, the price difference is not that great.

However, watches with red lettering known as "Red Seed", which was available in the earliest models of the first Sea-Dweller, and the blue dial of the Sea-Dweller Deep Sea, the "D-Blue dial", are traded at higher prices than normal watches, and the price difference with the Submariner is large.

Differences between the Submariner and the Sea-Dweller in terms of function and design

There are three main differences between the current Submariner and Sea-Dweller:

1. With or without Cyclops lens
2. Bezel Design
3. Waterproof

① Regarding the Cyclops lens, the Submariner is equipped with one, but most Sea-Dwellers are not equipped with one. This is to prevent damage from water pressure in deep seas.

② Regarding the bezel design, only the first 15 minutes of the Submariner are unmarked, whereas from the 4th generation onwards, the Sea-Dweller has markings for all 60 minutes.

3) In terms of water resistance, as mentioned above, the Sea-Dweller has overwhelmingly superior functionality. The current Submariner model, Ref. 116610LN, is water resistant to 300m, but the second generation Sea-Dweller, Ref. 16660, is water resistant to 1220m, and its successor, the Deepsea, is water resistant to 3900m, so the difference between the two is clear.

Each model of the Sea-Dweller is designed as a professional diver's watch, and is differentiated from the Submariner primarily by its waterproof function.

Introducing the currently popular Sea-Dweller model

From here, we will introduce the currently popular Sea-Dweller model.

The first Sea-Dweller, Ref. 1665

The first Sea-Dweller, Ref. 1665, released in 1976, did not have a Cyclops lens and was waterproof to 610m.

The second-hand market price for the standard Ref. 1665 is as follows, but some of this model's "Red Seed" models, which have red lettering as introduced earlier, can sell for over 2.5 million yen second-hand.

Used market price: 1.4 million to 2.5 million yen

The second-generation Sea-Dweller, Ref. 16660, with improved water resistance

The second-generation Ref. 16660, which was sold from around 1980 to 1991, is affectionately known by fans as the "Triple Six."

The Ref. 16660 significantly improves on the series' strength in water resistance, making it capable of withstanding diving up to 1,200m.

Used market price: 1 million to 2.68 million yen

The Sea-Dweller Ref. 16600 is still popular even after being discontinued

The third generation Ref. 16600, produced from around 1991 to around 2008, is equipped with caliber 3135, a movement that is still used by Rolex today.

The appearance is not much different from the previous model, Ref. 16660, but the new movement means that with regular maintenance, accuracy and functionality can be maintained indefinitely, making this a practical Sea-Dweller with improved durability and maintenance efficiency .

Used market price: 800,000 to 1,050,000 yen

Sea-Dweller 4000 Ref.116600 features a scale every minute

The Sea-Dweller 4000 Ref. 116600, released in 2014 as the fourth generation of the Sea-Dweller, is distinctive in that it has one-minute markings on the entire bezel .

In addition, the watch is equipped with Rolex's proprietary blue Parachrom hairspring, which improves magnetic resistance and shock resistance .

Used market price: 1.1 million to 1.5 million yen

Overwhelming waterproof performance Deepsea Ref.116660

The Deepsea was introduced in 2008 as the successor to the Sea-Dweller.

The Ref. 116660, which was sold until 2017, became a hot topic due to its incredible water resistance, capable of withstanding diving to a depth of 3,900m .

It also has a 44mm case, the largest diameter of any Rolex, making it a model that makes a strong presence on the wrist.

Used market price: 1.15 million yen to 1.2 million yen

Deep Sea D-BLUE Ref.116660 features a vivid blue color

The Deepsea D-Blue ref. 116660 was released in 2014 to commemorate film director and explorer James Cameron's solo dive.

The dial features a vibrant blue and black gradation.

This is now an older model of the Deepsea D-BLUE Ref. 126660, but it remains popular and is traded at a premium price.

Used market price: 1.5 million to 1.6 million yen

Current Sea-Dweller Ref. 126600

This model was released in 2018 as the successor to the Deepsea D-BLUE Ref. 116660.

While retaining the 3,900m water resistance of the previous model, the new Deepsea Ref. 126660 is equipped with the new movement cal. 3235, which has an improved power reserve of 70 hours.

Used market price: 1.5 million to 1.7 million yen

summary

The Sea-Dweller has many enthusiastic fans among the Rolex series, and many models are traded at premium prices. Below are some of the attractions of the Sea-Dweller.

• The appeal of the brand cultivated over 50 years of history
• Functionality and design ideal for business situations
• Unique features that distinguish it from the Submariner

We also present the following representative models:

• First model, reference 1665
• The second-generation Ref. 16660 with improved water resistance
• The Sea-Dweller Ref. 16600 remains popular even after being discontinued
• Sea-Dweller 4000 Ref. 116600, featuring minute increments
• Deepsea Ref. 116660 boasts overwhelming waterproof performance
• Deepsea D-BLUE Ref.116660 features a vivid blue color
• Current Sea-Dweller Ref. 126600
• New Deepsea Ref. 126660
• Deepsea D-BLUE Ref.126660, a minor change from the previous model

You may feel that there are many Sea-Dwellers with similar designs, but popular models such as those with the D-Blue dial have a high asset value.

Because the Sea-Dweller tends to command a premium, it may be a good idea to consider purchasing one from the perspective of its asset value.