Rolex Sea-Dweller Ref. 16600 - SuperLuminova Dial w/ Box & Papers
The first Sea-Dweller, the Reference 1665, debuted in circa 1967 and was designed with saturation divers in mind. The key differentiator between a Sea-Dweller and its little sibling, the Submariner, is that the SD always has a helium escape valve (or 'HEV') on the left case profile and a higher domed crystal with no cyclops magnifier. The earliest prototypes were actually Submariners with the added HEV on the left case profile, but it was the 1665 that first bore the Sea-Dweller name on the dial.
Like virtually all Rolex sport models, the Sea-Dweller has seen a number of evolutions of the years, but not nearly as many as some of the other sports models in the family. The Reference 16600 that we have here succeeded the Ref. 16660 and carried over the glossy black dial and introduced an updated Calibre 3135 movement. The 16600 range is typically broken down into two variants across its roughly twenty-years of production, with the first half using Tritium-filled indices and the second half using Luminova and SuperLuminova.
This particular example dates to circa 1999 and features the latter of the two dials. It comes to us in exceptional overall condition, with the case, bezel assembly, and bracelet showing only faint sigs of wear from gently use throughout. The black aluminum insert is also fantastic, showing no real wear or damage and with its correct luminous pip. The dial inside is also seemingly-flawless, with a clean glossy surface and applied white gold indices filled with SuperLuminova. Of course, the handset matches perfectly both to the naked eye and when glowing.
The highlight of this piece, however, is actually the package that accompanies the watch. Included with this purchase is its inner box, its outer box with the reference number tag still intact, booklets, COSC hangtag, steel anchor, green vinyl folder with a signed tool, calendar and decompression cards, and its papers dating to 2000.
Sea-Dwellers are amongst first 'enhanced' dive watches made for saturation diving with a number of technical firsts, were produced in far smaller numbers than its Submariner and Submariner Date siblings, and feature a very similar wearing experience, yet, we think, remain bargains.
This superb example surely has multiple lifetimes left of wrist time, and is ready for its next owner.
Movement:
Automatic-winding chronometer certified caliber by Rolex.
Bracelet/Strap:
Rolex stainless steel Oyster Bracelet with 11 links and signed fliplock clasp with dive extension stamped 'X11.' Probably very lightly previously polished, showing matching faint wear with no stretch. Sized for ≈7.75" wrist.
