Sea dweller 126600 hate?

[el3ctronick]

So here’s my story. I have always been a watch enthusiast.. I was able to buy my first luxury watch in 2008, a panerai. At that point I was finding every Rolex model super boring, and I still do. That’s mainly because all classic Rolex watches have been copied multiple times.. and I find the ~40mm dials small. I only liked submariner but it is tiny so it was a no go. Anyway, recently I purchased one more panerai and started looking at other options + looking for a more durable material apart from simple steel because steel panerais are getting marks easily. So this is where I saw the oystersteel from Rolex.. while browsing I found the 43mm sea dweller anniversary edition. Which basically was what I wanted.. oustersteel, and basically a submariner on steroids. So I read in multiple places that to get a Rolex nowadays is impossible.. you might need to wait forever. I went to the authorized dealer I got my panerai, asked and I was told about the “famous” allocation priority list.. I didn’t have much faith as I was told that I need to wait for about 3 years. 3 weeks later I got a phone call from the AD that since I am an existing customer etc, they decided to allocate a SD 43mm to me. Obviously, since I liked the watch I went for it and I am super happy! My question is, why I read so much hate about the 126600? Obviously if I was able to get it so quickly, there’s zero demand.. I am just wondering why nobody likes this watch.. I find it so nice! Probably the best Rolex I have ever seen for my taste :)C3F12B8C-F8F2-422A-A3A6-DEDE09635A33.jpeg

[Robf52]

I love mine.

[skipstar]

I love it but I think people are against the cyclops on a SD.

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum.

There is a lot of love for that reference here IMHO. I owned one for about 3.5 years but finally I had to get rid of it due to the odd shaped caseback and comfort issues that it created. Many suffer from this affliction and many don’t YMMV.

If it weren’t for that, I’d still own it

FWIW, dial size is a bit of a misnomer for me as I find the dial on my Sub41 to wear larger than the SD43 or Dblue.

[rolexguynfl]

Originally Posted by Robf52

I love mine.

Same here. Only complaint is I had to send it in twice for timing issues. Both times it was loosing 12-/+ sec per day. Just got it back in the last two weeks. Guess time will tell if it’s corrected this time.
Regards and enjoy.

[Jrsanchez]

I love mine dont listen to the haters. They are the same ones recommending you get a 36 mm

[el3ctronick]

Originally Posted by skipstar

I love it but I think people are against the cyclops on a SD.

But they like cyclops on submariners?:) so it’s only for the history of the model.. nothing else. Honestly, I love this watch, can’t appreciate its history as I didn’t know stuff till I bought mine, got it only because I found it very beautiful.

[Judge]

Originally Posted by skipstar

I love it but I think people are against the cyclops on a SD.

Yes do not care for the cyclops , love my 116660.

[OrangeSport]

Great watch. Everyone has their own favourite, looks like you've found yours..

[el3ctronick]

Originally Posted by rolexguynfl

Same here. Only complaint is I had to send it in twice for timing issues. Both times it was loosing 12-/+ sec per day. Just got it back in the last two weeks. Guess time will tell if it’s corrected this time.
Regards and enjoy.

Hm? How did you find out you had such an issue? :)

[SearChart]

The Sea-Dweller died when it went to 43mm and got a cyclops IMO.

[el3ctronick]

Originally Posted by Jrsanchez

I love mine dont listen to the haters. They are the same ones recommending you get a 36 mm

Hahaha!!!🤣🤣

[epicurus]

You said it...."a Submariner on steroids"

Most people will agree that the Sub doesnt need steroids. The previous gen, smaller size SD had the same specs. Why increase the size then. The SD4K is the perfect diver IMHO. No steroids necessary.

PS. Ive owned and loved the SD4K and SD43 as well as a 40mm Submariner. I only own the Sd4k today.

[Marcaine]

No hate here. Mine has been flawless over the past 3 years.
I would rather not have a cyclops, but does not bother me either.
would love to have a no date sea dweller

[Rori]

Most people are sensible to change.
Most hate is veered over the cyclops for example while the cyclops is at the chore of Rolex's DNA and is part of almost all their date-models.
Then it's the size, 43mm is big on paper but wonder how many have tried this watch on the wrist, the majority have not even seen it in the flesh and still hate it! This watch wears smaller than 43.
I don't agree it's a sub on steroid, the sub is the baby version of this perfect watch. Unmatched wrist presence, balance and proportions. This watch is PERFECT.

[TheVTCGuy]

It doesn’t matter what other people think. It is not to my personal taste but if you enjoy it that’s what is important. Congrats!

[Seaswirl]

Quite like it, but just too big for me.

[Ketler]

I had one...Wore it exclusively, everyday, for one year...
Then sold it, as I realized in the end, that it just wasn't for me...
I ended up going back to my trusty 16600...
But I still think the SD43 is a very nice watch...

[Macnavara]

Originally Posted by SearChart

The Sea-Dweller died when it went to 43mm and got a cyclops IMO.

I think this is spot on….its too bloated now…i find it way too large

[Mr. Superlative]

116600 for the win.
The perfect purist Sea Dweller ever made.

[TswaneNguni]

Just wait till the 50th is discontinued,then everybody loves it ...and red lettering too .

Great watch !

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by Rori

Most people are sensible to change.
Most hate is veered over the cyclops for example while the cyclops is at the chore of Rolex's DNA and is part of almost all their date-models.
Then it's the size, 43mm is big on paper but wonder how many have tried this watch on the wrist, the majority have not even seen it in the flesh and still hate it! This watch wears smaller than 43.
I don't agree it's a sub on steroid, the sub is the baby version of this perfect watch. Unmatched wrist presence, balance and proportions. This watch is PERFECT.

I fully agree.

The 126600 is a great dive watch including its dial with red text, in memory of the historical 1665 Double Red Sea-Dweller.

I wear this 126600 also during diving.



Anyhow, my 1665 and 16600 are unbeatable Sea-Dweller.
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=813969

[Tensai]

The same reason why so many people "hate" Panerai.
Looks too large on the majority of wrists.
Enjoy!

[herts9]

If they could have found a way to do a cyclops on a 16660 back then, they would have. Cyclops is iconic Rolex. It only makes sense to include it when the technological advancement would allow for it to be uncompromising with that depth rating.

For me, it’s the perfect dive watch. I’m a bigger guy, and checks all the marks that combines the classic look of a Sub Date, with that of the proportions of a SD that isn’t super overkill with a Deepsea.

Sweet spot, for sure.

[Daytona88]

I think it's a stunner but it's too large on the wrist for me. The 40mm 116600 is my ideal size. I also prefer no date so no cyclops is more subtle to my eye.

[tgyberg]

Man I want one!

[el3ctronick]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

It doesn’t matter what other people think. It is not to my personal taste but if you enjoy it that’s what is important. Congrats!

thanks :)
yeah, I don't care about what others say. As I said, I got this watch purely based on the design, I had no clue about its history, rareness etc.. I started reading after purchasing and was curious to see why there are so many "hater" posts. I find this watch the best rolex in terms of design :)

[whited3]

To get right to your question, the 126600 was a wacky departure from the traditional sea dweller reference mainly due to its 43mm size & addition of the cyclops. Combine that with the red letters (which I think would have been ok on its own as the 50th anniversary model) the 126600 strikes a bit avant garde.
I would not say nobody likes it. In fact it has a strong fanbase while simultaneously getting a strike from the "over #mm looks ridiculous" crowd, and another strike from the traditional sea dweller crowd. If the 126600 went by some other name than sea dweller perhaps it would get much less criticism but who knows/cares at the end of the day.

BTW I have the 116600 SD4k & the DS James Cameron and I personally think both of those both have a crystal clear design philosophy; one harks to the SD lineage while the other is apex of Rolex's dive performance. 126600 if you ask me exists to to capture the next generation of "sea dweller" enthusiasts with the reinvented feature-set. They're all strong pieces and yes I do poke fun at the 126600 sometimes.

[Malum]

A lot of Rolex fannies cannot pull off a watch larger than (now) 41 millimeters. Many people complain the SD43 hurts their wrist , has a cyclops , bezel too busy on and on . I love mine ,bought it when released and one of the most comfortable watches I own . I’m also happy it’s not so ubiquitous as the hot Rolex models . Enjoy the best Rolex reference in a long long time .

[crazycarlitos]

Congratulations!
Love mine


Don’t understand how cyclop and 43mm makes it not a true sea-dweller lmao

I can understand if u don’t like the cyclop
or the size is not right for u…
But to say sd43 is not a sea-dweller is just silly.

Will Daytona not be a Daytona if they increase the size to 41mm?

“Traditionalist” is just another word for “old & stubborn” lol