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pamountainbiker · 3 February 2025, 10:24 AM

I used to have a 116600 SD4K years ago and then sold it because it was just not getting the wrist time. Been thinking about buying it again (should've kept the original!). That being said, my 116600 was a 2016 model year and the user manual had a "wavy," raised pattern on it. I was recently looking at some listings for NOS on Chrono and some of them have a manual that is "smooth," without any raised wavy motif. The look is basically the same as manuals you get today. Are these manuals add ons later and hence not period correct? Or did Rolex change the manual graphic design somewhere between 2016 and 2017/2018 (as the last SD4K's rolled out or into consumer hands in 2018). Thanks...just want to know because if I'm paying the NOS premium I'd like to get a period accurate fullset.

inadeje · 3 February 2025, 10:42 AM

OP I’m wondering how you could ascertain that the manuals you are looking at aren’t relief printed (wavy as you call it) if digital images are 2 dimensional?

pamountainbiker · 3 February 2025, 11:11 AM

Great question, the difference in manuals is fairly evident given a decent image. Hard to describe, but the old manual used to have these wavy lines across the cover that were ever so slightly raised up. The new manuals, including those today have no design on them. When looking for a 116600 I've seen Chrono listings with both types of manuals. So wondering if there was an official change or sellers are just substituting SD43 manuals.

padi56 · 3 February 2025, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pamountainbiker

Great question, the difference in manuals is fairly evident given a decent image. Hard to describe, but the old manual used to have these wavy lines across the cover that were ever so slightly raised up. The new manuals, including those today have no design on them. When looking for a 116600 I've seen Chrono listings with both types of manuals. So wondering if there was an official change or sellers are just substituting SD43 manuals.

The most important thing is the watch and not the manuals,just like the boxes manuals etc are made by third parties in many parts of the world.

brandrea · 3 February 2025, 08:00 PM

Can you post a picture or google image?

pamountainbiker · 3 February 2025, 10:53 PM

Thanks for the responses everyone, I believe the mystery is solved! The 2016 and prior manual had a wave motif. In 2017, Rolex changed to a straight flat cover, much like you have today. Thanks TRF member who DM'ed me!

pamountainbiker · 3 February 2025, 10:56 PM

I certainly agree about the watch, the only reason this is material is because I'm looking to buy an NOS version that's a complete original set. I just want to make sure that if I'm paying the premium for an original set, I'm actually receiving that. That being said, I also understand that descriptions of NOS watches from almost 10 years ago all require that extra bit of due diligence, hence this message.

pamountainbiker · 3 February 2025, 10:59 PM

See second pic, (wavy)

2016 and prior manual: https://davidsw.com/shop/watch/rolex...seadweller-85/

2017 manual: https://www.ebay.com/itm/265686786482

Jkbenn02 · 4 February 2025, 06:35 AM

The change in the user manual design could be interesting.

Gearjockey · 4 February 2025, 08:01 AM

You piqued my interest so I went looking.

2015 SD4K manual

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

gt0279a · 5 February 2025, 12:52 AM

When I purchased my SD4K in August of 2014 the AD included a small brochure that also had the same wave motif.

3 February 2025, 10:24 AM	#1
pamountainbiker "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: USA Posts: 50	116600 Seadweller Manual I used to have a 116600 SD4K years ago and then sold it because it was just not getting the wrist time. Been thinking about buying it again (should've kept the original!). That being said, my 116600 was a 2016 model year and the user manual had a "wavy," raised pattern on it. I was recently looking at some listings for NOS on Chrono and some of them have a manual that is "smooth," without any raised wavy motif. The look is basically the same as manuals you get today. Are these manuals add ons later and hence not period correct? Or did Rolex change the manual graphic design somewhere between 2016 and 2017/2018 (as the last SD4K's rolled out or into consumer hands in 2018). Thanks...just want to know because if I'm paying the NOS premium I'd like to get a period accurate fullset.

3 February 2025, 10:42 AM	#2
inadeje 2025 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Miami Watch: me lose count. Posts: 6,011	OP I’m wondering how you could ascertain that the manuals you are looking at aren’t relief printed (wavy as you call it) if digital images are 2 dimensional? __________________ ♛ 218206 Roman ♛ 116689 ♛ 126710BLRO ♛ 16520 white ♛ 16523 white ♛ 16610 ♛ 5513 Birth Year - ✠ Patek Philippe 5980/1R-001 - AP 26331ST Panda - Panerai Bronzo 671, 111 & 183, Ω Speedmaster 1957 Broad Arrow, Cartier Santos XL - Montblanc TimeWalker Chrono 41

5 February 2025, 12:52 AM	#11
gt0279a "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: Steve Location: Georgia Watch: All of them Posts: 580	When I purchased my SD4K in August of 2014 the AD included a small brochure that also had the same wave motif. __________________ Current: Rolex Daytona 116500 \| Rolex Submariner 116610 \| Zenith El Primero 03.2150.400/69 Past: Rolex Sea Dweller 126600 \| Rolex Sea Dweller 116600 \| Rolex Sea Dweller 16600 \| Rolex Submariner 16610 \| Rolex Submariner 1680

3 February 2025, 11:11 AM	#3
pamountainbiker "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: USA Posts: 50	Great question, the difference in manuals is fairly evident given a decent image. Hard to describe, but the old manual used to have these wavy lines across the cover that were ever so slightly raised up. The new manuals, including those today have no design on them. When looking for a 116600 I've seen Chrono listings with both types of manuals. So wondering if there was an official change or sellers are just substituting SD43 manuals.

3 February 2025, 08:00 PM	#5
brandrea 2025 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Brian (TBone) Location: canada Watch: es make me smile Posts: 79,442	Can you post a picture or google image?

3 February 2025, 10:53 PM	#6
pamountainbiker "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: USA Posts: 50	Thanks for the responses everyone, I believe the mystery is solved! The 2016 and prior manual had a wave motif. In 2017, Rolex changed to a straight flat cover, much like you have today. Thanks TRF member who DM'ed me!

3 February 2025, 10:56 PM	#7
pamountainbiker "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: USA Posts: 50	I certainly agree about the watch, the only reason this is material is because I'm looking to buy an NOS version that's a complete original set. I just want to make sure that if I'm paying the premium for an original set, I'm actually receiving that. That being said, I also understand that descriptions of NOS watches from almost 10 years ago all require that extra bit of due diligence, hence this message.

3 February 2025, 10:59 PM	#8
pamountainbiker "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: USA Posts: 50	See second pic, (wavy) 2016 and prior manual: https://davidsw.com/shop/watch/rolex...seadweller-85/ 2017 manual: https://www.ebay.com/itm/265686786482

4 February 2025, 06:35 AM	#9
Jkbenn02 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Kentucky Posts: 12	The change in the user manual design could be interesting.

4 February 2025, 08:01 AM	#10
Gearjockey "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: USA Posts: 689	You piqued my interest so I went looking. 2015 SD4K manual Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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