Advice on this 16600 Seadweller

[YK2000]

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and this is my first post!

I'm seeking opinions on this watches' level of polish, and what the slight tint may be in the minute hand. I'm considering purchasing this watch, however concerned of what the dark tint may be on the minute hand. I plan on never selling this watch if I end up purchasing, so am concerned if the dark tint may be a sign of some sort of corossion on the hand or possibly a re-loom of Tritium.

I don't want there being any issues in the next 20-30 years with the hands so thought i'd seek advice!

All opinions are appreciated!

Thanks all!

[Shadow Play]

I can’t help you with your questions but what I can say is I have a newer 16600 and it is superb to wear. Very comfortable and compared to the newer Rolex models gives off a little bit of a ‘vintage’ vibe.

When you do finally go for a 16600 I don’t think you will be disappointed.

[thesharkfactor]

It looks good enough for me and I’m very picky, if you don’t buy that then I will.

[JonaG]

I too love my 16600, perfectly proportioned. That piece, I can’t really tell but it is obviously tritium so I don’t think you can guarantee anything for the next “20 or 30 years”. Also, that pin is very nearly protruding from the lug hole.

[YK2000]

Originally Posted by JonaG

I too love my 16600, perfectly proportioned. That piece, I can’t really tell but it is obviously tritium so I don’t think you can guarantee anything for the next “20 or 30 years”. Also, that pin is very nearly protruding from the lug hole.

Thanks for the replies everyone..

What do you mean by protruding from the lug hole? Is this a good thing?

Thanks!

[garyk]

Originally Posted by JonaG

I too love my 16600, perfectly proportioned. That piece, I can’t really tell but it is obviously tritium so I don’t think you can guarantee anything for the next “20 or 30 years”. Also, that pin is very nearly protruding from the lug hole.

Not sure but isn’t the protruding pin an indication of being overly polished? If it looks good in person without magnifying it, I would be ok with it.

[YK2000]

Originally Posted by garyk

Not sure but isn’t the protruding pin an indication of being overly polished? If it looks good in person without magnifying it, I would be ok with it.

Unfortunately the watch is interstate so I'm unable to see in person.

If this is something that should be seen in person i'd most likely pass on it, unless more photos could do it justice.

Thanks for the feedback!

[Daytonaman799]

That looks a bit too polished to me and there are ones out there where you can get better condition. The pins should be deep in the holes another visible and the chamfers are gone.

[fania123]

As a everyday knock around piece if the price is right I’d buy it.

[YK2000]

Originally Posted by fania123

As a everyday knock around piece if the price is right I’d buy it.

The seller is asking $18.5k AUD, I may be able to negotiate to mid 16's maybe $17k, which seems too high if its been overly polished.

[fania123]

Originally Posted by YK2000

The seller is asking $18.5k AUD, I may be able to negotiate to mid 16's maybe $17k, which seems too high if its been overly polished.

Way too high.
Here’s a picture of mine

[YK2000]

Originally Posted by fania123

Way too high.
Here’s a picture of mine

Your example is stunning mate!

Your type of example is what I'm after..

So i know my budget, what would you let yours go for (If you were to sell). What do you thinks a fair price? I've seen chrono24 but obviously those prices may be slightly off +/- 5-10%. I've seen them go for around $18-$20k aud?

Cheers

[fania123]

Originally Posted by YK2000

Your example is stunning mate!

Your type of example is what I'm after..

So i know my budget, what would you let yours go for (If you were to sell). What do you thinks a fair price? I've seen chrono24 but obviously those prices may be slightly off +/- 5-10%. I've seen them go for around $18-$20k aud?

Cheers

Thanks, Definitely not for sale but if it were I’d probably be around 12-12.5.

[YK2000]

Originally Posted by fania123

Thanks, Definitely not for sale but if it were I’d probably be around 12-12.5.

$17k AUD for a stellar example like yours, compared to 18.5k overpolished..

I'd purchase yours at that price!

Thanks mate!

[fania123]

Originally Posted by YK2000

$17k AUD for a stellar example like yours, compared to 18.5k overpolished..

I'd purchase yours at that price!

Thanks mate!

No problem, good luck in your search.

[BumbleB]

Originally Posted by YK2000

Thanks for the replies everyone..

What do you mean by protruding from the lug hole? Is this a good thing?

Thanks!

It’s not a good thing, it means they may have polished too much from the lug, so that the springbar protrudes. On the other side it doesn’t so you need to compare the lug width as they may have polished one side more than the other side.

It looks like they brushed the polished side of the lug as well.

Also, is the hour hand damaged?







Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[YK2000]

Hi mate, thanks for your feedback, much appreciated.

The hour hand doesn't have any damage from looking at other photos. It seems that this particular photo makes it seem like it is.

Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

[YK2000]

Hi BumbleB, thanks for your feedback, much appreciated.

The hour hand doesn't have any damage from looking at other photos. It seems that this particular photo makes it seem like it is.

Thanks!

[Gerry62]

I am never objective towards 16600, I love this reference, but it seems like a nice tritium to me.

[TunaTuna]

Best advice for a newbie, buy the best example you can find from a reputable dealer. Don't try to save 500 bucks. Never worth it

[7enderbender]

I’m no expert, but 16600s are the reference I did the most research on since that’s what I wanted and ended up buying.
It looks good overall. I personally can’t get hung up on the whole polishing issue. Looks ok to me as is.
I opted for one of the late 16600 models (“Mark IV” dial as some call them), which is a 16600T, meaning it doesn’t have lug holes, the chamfers look slightly different, and I don’t have to deal with tritium disintegrating in the future.
As for the price: not sure what your local market calls for. I know pricing on luxury goods and vintage items in Australia can be quite a bit higher than in the States or Europe.
Happy hunting. The 16600 in my view is the most perfect Rolex that combines all the key design features and details.

[red1108nyc]

This is what an unpolished and crisp specimen looks like. Notice the grains on the lug and bevels.

[7enderbender]

Originally Posted by red1108nyc

This is what an unpolished and crisp specimen looks like. Notice the grains on the lug and bevels.

What I think I’ve learned is that it’s a bit tricky to compare the bevel of a later 16600T to early models with lug holes. The chamfers are different.

[red1108nyc]

Originally Posted by 7enderbender

What I think I’ve learned is that it’s a bit tricky to compare the bevel of a later 16600T to early models with lug holes. The chamfers are different.

Nothing tricky about "crisp". If it is a crisp specimen, you know right away.

[YK2000]

Appreciate the feedback Gerry62, TunaTuna, red1108 and 7ender.

Still not sure whether to take this one up, but will still consider it.. Waiting for my watchmaker to have a look at it too.

Thanks everyone!

[karleone]

Originally Posted by BumbleB

It’s not a good thing, it means they may have polished too much from the lug, so that the springbar protrudes. On the other side it doesn’t so you need to compare the lug width as they may have polished one side more than the other side.

It looks like they brushed the polished side of the lug as well.

Also, is the hour hand damaged?







Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

+1 for the springbar getting out of the lug hole it’s usually meaning the watch has been polished too much. Plus it looks like the chamfers/ bevels are gone! You can for sure find better examples.

[7enderbender]

Originally Posted by red1108nyc

Nothing tricky about "crisp". If it is a crisp specimen, you know right away.

Not going to argue. But my point was exactly that you don’t know. Unless you’re the first owner and the watch was never in for service.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=292912

[padi56]

Yes it has been polished like most all Rolex of that age as for the spring bars could be nothing more that the wrong or aftermarket spring bars fitted plus the fact under high magnification everything looks worst that it is. . Below a picture of my own personal working tool watch late 1990s early 2000 16600 SD ,it was used and many times abused for many years underwater as a real working tool with well over 600 hours underwater. And has been serviced and polished by 3 different RSC world wide, picture taken in Singapore after last service. This working tool SD has seen more use than todays SD or DSSD watches which are mainly pampered today will see in ten lifetimes.

[Vincent65]

Sounds pricey. Polished case, obviously. Seen worse, seen better. Hands seem OK.
Sounds like you already know you want a better example. So I wouldn’t bother troubling a watchmaker with it, and keep looking. Good luck.

[red1108nyc]

Originally Posted by 7enderbender

Not going to argue. But my point was exactly that you don’t know. Unless you’re the first owner and the watch was never in for service.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=292912

Hear you buddy and I am respectful of your opinion