SD 16660 matte-dial as my daily driver

[FauxldMoney]

Hi everyone, I’m a long time lurker, first time poster. First, I wanted to say thank you for all the great posts and insight here… Compared to some of my other hobby forums, this is a mostly civilized and productive place :-)

The first Rolex I purchased for myself was a later 5-digit Kermit and as anamored as I am with that watch, it’s just a little dressy/flashy for my everyday lifestyle. Another watch in the rotation is a 5513, but it’s history in my family makes it too special to me to wear as a daily driver.

I will spare everyone my philosophy on the Goldilocks nature of five digit Rolexes, but given my biases, that is where I looked for an understated, but robust reference. With that excessive preamble, I landed on the matte-dial SD 16660 and found one for sale at a local vintage Rolex dealer. When I saw it in person, I couldn’t believe how incredible the matte dial looked with the discolored markers. I took it home the same day and ordered a Zulu strap to further make it incognito. I think most people who glance at it would have no idea that it’s a Rolex, let alone a relatively special watch, yet someone who enjoys watches would definitely appreciate it… at least that’s what I hope!

Anyhow, enough discourse, here are a few photos. Thanks again for the great community.

[rushca01]

Love it. I want a 1983 matte dial 16660….someday I will find one. There seems to be very few from 1983.

[Jackie Daytona]

Looks fantastic! Always loved the SD line, but the 16660 Matte Dias are just so cool. Still the beautiful vintage vibe, but technologically pretty amazing as well with the 4k depth rating and all. Really cool watch!

[learningtofly]

The Triple 6 is a great reference (I previously owned a stardust that I loved). Congratulations on a fantastic and relatively unusual pickup.

[brandrea]

It’s beautiful, congratulations

[swaini3]

Nice reference. I love mine.

[piratfisk]

Originally Posted by FauxldMoney

Hi everyone, I’m a long time lurker, first time poster. First, I wanted to say thank you for all the great posts and insight here… Compared to some of my other hobby forums, this is a mostly civilized and productive place :-)...

Pfffftttt

Originally Posted by FauxldMoney

...I landed on the matte-dial SD 16660 and found one for sale at a local vintage Rolex dealer....

Which "local vintage Rolex dealer," if you don't mind me asking?

Welcome to the forum!

[FauxldMoney]

Thanks guys! I appreciate the Sea-Dweller love. I’m really enjoying having something on my wrist that connects me to a different era of design and utility, while still being durable (and commonplace … relatively speaking) enough that I don’t instantly check my wrist when I bump into something. It may end up back on the oyster bracelet, but for now I really like the more anonymous feel on the strap.

I picked it up at HQ Milton in San Francisco. I had a really great experience and got to drool over quite a few other watches (including some incredible red subs and a 5508) before I was out the door

[learningtofly]

Originally Posted by learningtofly

The Triple 6 is a great reference (I previously owned a stardust that I loved). Congratulations on a fantastic and relatively unusual pickup.

My old stardust…

[sensui]

Vastly under rated and actually uncommon with a short production. Congrats and enjoy in good health.

[1665fan]

Awesome!

[Dr.Smellody]

Very nice +

[SMC84]

Triple 6 is my favorite reference, I wore one nearly exclusively for about 2 years, can't ask for a better daily, it'll serve you well!

[Eric88]

Awesome watch! Isn't HQ Milton a cool watch shop? I went there several years ago for a deal with Jacek when he was still part of that business. He let me check out just about all the watches in the display cases and I got to meet a few other employees.

Enjoy your awesome vintage SD!

[jds1017]

My favorite reference as well. Best of both worlds

[wardhanayvish]

Thank you for sharing FaixIDMoney, it's a great-looking watch accompanied by Zulu Strap. I agree with you, at a glance people would not notice it, but certain people who enjoy watches would definitely appreciate it. Not all people want to get noticed with their watch, and it's a conversation starter for those who enjoy them. Beside the history of the watch itself, maybe that's the reason some of us pick the vintage watches.

[one80]

The triple 6 (and 16600) are probably my favourite references also - the proportions are just right.

If they had made a red version, that would be my perfect watch...

[Ketler]

The ones that got away...

_DSC0657.jpeg

[strafer_kid]

Really great watch!

[FauxldMoney]

This is really cool to connect on a reference that so few people appreciate. Thanks!

On that note, I’d love to hear what other references you guys feel are under appreciated and why.

I love the matte 16660 because of the soulful feel, modern (ish) movement and sapphire crystal. I love the heft and “seriousness” of the Sea Dweller line… a real tool watch … and the lack of cyclops, but still has a date complication. I realize some of my preferences fly in the face of the dedicated Sub crowd, but perhaps that makes it even more endearing to me ��

Looking forward to learning about some new references/mk changes.

[TuRo]

[QUOTE=FauxldMoney;13102541]This is really cool to connect on a reference that so few people appreciate. Thanks!

On that note, I’d love to hear what other references you guys feel are under appreciated and why.

I love the matte 16660 because of the soulful feel, modern (ish) movement and sapphire crystal. I love the heft and “seriousness” of the Sea Dweller line… a real tool watch … and the lack of cyclops, but still has a date complication. I realize some of my preferences fly in the face of the dedicated Sub crowd, but perhaps that makes it even more endearing to me ��

Looking forward to learning about some new references/mk changes.[/QUOT

Underappreciated sleepers imho :

1) The early 90s 16570 tritium which used the same dial.mauf as 16550 hence great patina.

2) 16800 matte about 30% under what they should be compared to 16660 matte

3) 14270 lug hole tritium cheaper than later ones at moment!!

4) 16760 esp MK1 with it's rare sea dweller based case ....not much more than a 16710

5) 5508 four line cosc very rare 5512 precursor with no big premium on much more common non cosc.

6) Very early small block Tudor 79260/70/80 with Rolex caseback and crown. Made for just 1-2 yrs only.

7) All the very rare Tudor 'integrales' made from 1974 to 1980 only - 9101/11/21/30/40. Very cheap for full sized, quirky, v rare watch.

8) The exquisite honeycomb, cross hair, quadrant and tuxedo 34 Prince Date Tudors (esp 20mm lug versions)

9) Enamel (like Stella) boiler gauge Datejusts eg 16030 etc

10) 79090/76100 Tudor plexi subs still cheaper than 79190 sapphires but for how long, I say this cos' I remember the late 90s when the 1680 was also cheaper than a 16800 now it's at least 50% more !?!

11) The humble 16600 tritium sea dweller - 80% rarer than a sub in the same period, and only £1500-2000 more !

12) All the 38mm Tudor Jumbo date and date days - very cheap for a full sized watch.

13) The sublime manual wind Monte Carlos 7149/59/69 much, much rarer than 6263/65 and a 1/4 of the cost..

[rootbeer7]

[QUOTE=TuRo;13102758]

Originally Posted by FauxldMoney

This is really cool to connect on a reference that so few people appreciate. Thanks!

On that note, I’d love to hear what other references you guys feel are under appreciated and why.

I love the matte 16660 because of the soulful feel, modern (ish) movement and sapphire crystal. I love the heft and “seriousness” of the Sea Dweller line… a real tool watch … and the lack of cyclops, but still has a date complication. I realize some of my preferences fly in the face of the dedicated Sub crowd, but perhaps that makes it even more endearing to me ��

Looking forward to learning about some new references/mk changes.[/QUOT

Underappreciated sleepers imho :

1) The early 90s 16570 tritium which used the same dial.mauf as 16550 hence great patina.

2) 16800 matte about 30% under what they should be compared to 16660 matte

3) 14270 lug hole tritium cheaper than later ones at moment!!

4) 16760 esp MK1 with it's rare sea dweller based case ....not much more than a 16710

5) 5508 four line cosc very rare 5512 precursor with no big premium on much more common non cosc.

6) Very early small block Tudor 79260/70/80 with Rolex caseback and crown. Made for just 1-2 yrs only.

7) All the very rare Tudor 'integrales' made from 1974 to 1980 only - 9101/11/21/30/40. Very cheap for full sized, quirky, v rare watch.

8) The exquisite honeycomb, cross hair, quadrant and tuxedo 34 Prince Date Tudors (esp 20mm lug versions)

9) Enamel (like Stella) boiler gauge Datejusts eg 16030 etc

10) 79090/76100 Tudor plexi subs still cheaper than 79190 sapphires but for how long, I say this cos' I remember the late 90s when the 1680 was also cheaper than a 16800 now it's at least 50% more !?!

11) The humble 16600 tritium sea dweller - 80% rarer than a sub in the same period, and only £1500-2000 more !

12) All the 38mm Tudor Jumbo date and date days - very cheap for a full sized watch.

13) The sublime manual wind Monte Carlos 7149/59/69 much, much rarer than 6263/65 and a 1/4 of the cost..

All of the above, but 12 & 13 absolutely. I’d add Thunderbird too, particularly 1625 and all gold 6609?

[karleone]

Beautiful matte dial Triple Six!

[Classique Breguet]

Originally Posted by swaini3

Nice reference. I love mine.

I'm drooling....