Review of the 116600 SeaDweller

[kilyung]

A lot has been said recently about the new ceramic SeaDweller 116600 (aka SDc, SD4k). Good or bad, like or dislike - this write-up is solely my impressions of this piece after a week on wrist... about as useful/meaningful as a one night stand with Kate Upton. A quick Google search will produce some really good reviews (and fantastic pictures) of this watch (and Kate for that matter).

As most of you know, these days I tend to be biased towards precious metal Rolexes. Why? I don't wear my watches as tools (beyond tracking time/day/date). My work environment tends to be a board room so durability isn't an issue. Of greater importance to me is desirability - to be frank I buy what I buy because it looks hot! So when I saw the 116600, my attraction was purely an aesthetic consideration.

Let's get right to the argument, is the 116600 better than the DSSD or SubC? Quite honestly, why does it matter? If you think the SubC is better, then it is. Similar if you think the DSSD is top dog, then it is. IMHO it's a silly thing to get worked up over what's "best". It's entirely subjective. Purely on a technical basis, it could be argued that the DSSD > SDc > SubC based on depth rating and HEV. But I don't know anyone who would tax the depth rating of any of these pieces. So I reiterate, there is no "better" watch. Some think Kate Upton is hot while others would prefer a Scarlett Johannson - by the way, I'm equally split on that question. Some like the fantasy of whirling around in the sky in a P-51 Mustang or Spitefire (arguably two of the sexist planes of all time) vs flying balls to the wall in a F-15 Eagle. Different strokes for different folks. And if you're lucky enough to have both, well you're very fortunate.

Case:
The case is pretty thick as can be expected for a watch with this depth rating. The caseback is taller so it means the case sits a bit further away from the wrist than a Sub. This clearance helps distance the lugs from the wrists. This means the bracelet wraps across broader wrist sizes without appearing to flare outward from the case. This taller caseback also helps with comfort as the wrist contact area is smaller than a Sub.



The 116600 obviously has the HEV which I will never need but is an interesting talking point. Kind of like having run flat tires on your luxury car... can anyone say AAA? It also breaks up the monotony of the polished case side nicely.



Let's talk about the lugs. Much has been said about the lugs. Square lugs. Thinner lugs. Old lugs. New lugs. Have you seen the photo shoot comparing Kate Upton's legs to Kylie Minogue's? IMHO it's about the whole package. It'll either work for you or it doesn't. In my case, I have/love the old thin lugs on the 14060m/16610 as well as the big square lugs on the newest models. I love how both lugs look wrapped around my wrist. I do want to opine that (to my eyes) the case looks smaller than the SubC and more closely resembles the old cases.



Bracelet:
Not much to be said about the bracelet. It's the standard SubC Glidelock clasped bracelet. The endlinks are slightly different but help to better integrate the bracelet to the "smaller appearing" case. Similar to the DSSD, I removed the diver extension as I find that doing so is much more comfortable on my 6.5" wrist but the extension is an added bonus if you want to play at being Jacque Cousteau. I should point out that being a precious metal guy I like PCLs. However I'm reminded of how nice BCLs are when the bracelet still looks so new. The BCL looks "right" on this watch - like Al Pacino's stereotype movie roles.







Bezel:
The graded ceramic bezel isn't anything special as we've become quite comfortable with ceramic bezels at this point. The graded markers obviously have some utility but I've found that they help break-up the shine of the ceramic bezel a little and integrate well with the compact feeling of the dial.



It makes the watch look smaller than it really is - sort of like why I wear black pants. When I look at a Sub, with its clean bezel, the dial draws me in and makes the entire face (with bezel) appear larger. The 116600 bezel (while busy) pulls my vantage point out more and makes me take in the entire face - lending the impression of a smaller face. Look at your smartphone and focus and a single point. Now try to look at the entire face of your phone. Does one perspective "feel" larger than the other? That's what I see with the 116600.



Crystal:
The biggest difference is the lack of a cyclops or dome. Granted, it's a little harder for my aging eyes to read the date but I'm used to not having a date on my watches so it's not an issue for me. Besides it's in the DNA of this model. A domed crystal would have been cool but I sometimes find reading the time on a domed crystal a little hard... You can't pull your eyes away. I love the raised crystal. It imbues a classic air to the watch and sometimes reflects light in a colorful spectrum. Sure it's more prone to chipping but where's the joy in life without some risk, right?



Dial:
So this is the fascinating part of the watch for me. The 'flat' dial - depending on lighting - looks flat, polished, black, brown, or gray. It's a changing look that I would have associated more with the sunburst dials but it truly looks different every time I move my wrist. Pictures just don't capture the subtlety of this dial. As I mentioned with the bezel, despite sharing the same movement as the SubC and having the same dial face diameter it appears smaller because of the bezel.





Conclusion:
This watch appeals to me for what it does... look the part of a badass watch. Yes it is a badass technical watch. Maybe not as durable as its predecessor but it looks the part. Will it displace any of my other Rolexes? Nah but they all have their attractions and I have enough love to go around... that includes Kate, Scarlett, and Kylie.

[joejoe1225]

Very Cool and well done.

[Xenophon]

Another great review Mike and great pictures, thanks. I found that it wears smaller than a standard sub or sub-date.

[T01]

Great review Mike!

[Cru Jones]

excellent write up and pix. thanks very much, mike. superb.

[RACER_X]

F-14 Tomcat
F-15 Eagle

Lol

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by RACER_X

F-14 Tomcat
F-15 Eagle

Lol

Obviously I need to rewatch my copy of Top Gun.

[Robb]

Great review!!! Im enjoying mine as well. Fits really nice on the wrist, though I did have to remove the dive extension to get a nice fit

[psv]

Great stuff, Mike. You know I'm a big, big fan of this watch.

I did put some of my feedback at this thread yesterday http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...=371320&page=3

[joli160]

Nice write up, thanks Great watch

[FTX I]

Great review Mike. Thanks for sharing.

[watchstudent]

enjoyed reading that, thank. Awesome watch too

[dman]

Great pics and review


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Vipes]

Excellent review, Mike! For me, this is the ultimate diver and I hope to add one to my collection soon. Thanks and congrats!

[Vaxe]

Read through the whole review, nice write-up!
In the last 2 photos the dial printing doesn't look sharp, is that just the camera's focus?

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by Vaxe

Read through the whole review, nice write-up!
In the last 2 photos the dial printing doesn't look sharp, is that just the camera's focus?

For some reason this watch is tough to photograph. iPhone keeps wanting to refocus on the bezel. Kind of like my eyes.

[tkerrmd]

good stuff Mike, but for you the comparison should be made to a precious metal sub and then try to tell me why someone would consider the SS SD when one has a gold sub?

just for discussion sake of course!

[sierra11b]

Nice review.

And for the record... P38 Lightning > ALL

[Jeronimo]

Very nice, Mike! That made a pleasant read and IMHO you got all the right points. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience, this one is very definitely on my list.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

good stuff Mike, but for you the comparison should be made to a precious metal sub and then try to tell me why someone would consider the SS SD when one has a gold sub?

just for discussion sake of course!

In an OR situation I'd vote gold sub all the time. If you have the means to get both then it's a stellar companion piece. For me the gold sub has greater wow factor than the SDc. But that's like saying Kate is hotter than Scarlett.

[14060m]

wow
awesome review and pictures
i have the subc date and was thinking of trading towrds a sdc not sure if i will now
in my mind more similarities than differences except for the price


thanks

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by kilyung

In an OR situation I'd vote gold sub all the time. If you have the means to get both then it's a stellar companion piece. For me the gold sub has greater wow factor than the SDc. But that's like saying Kate is hotter than Scarlett.

well why I ask you of all people is that since I have stopped wearing the SS watches I really wanted to "justify" getting the new SD 4000 and or the new version DSSD but asked myself what I am asking you is with the gold sport models at home would I go to one of the new SS bad boys on the block or ask myself why am I wearing this watch and leaving my WG sub at home, again no judging any watch or metal better than another, just curious as to your feelings as one of the forum precious metal guru's

[Babolat]

Top review ...

[Chrispare]

Great review
Thanks

[AK797]

Nice review Mike!

[408cissss]

Awesome review Mike!!

[jhcam8]

Very nice, Mike. Thanks.

[phils]

Nice job Mike. Thanks.

[Rashid.bk]

Woohoo, excellent review Mike. Awesome pics too.

[SaddleSC]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

good stuff Mike, but for you the comparison should be made to a precious metal sub and then try to tell me why someone would consider the SS SD when one has a gold sub?

just for discussion sake of course!

Originally Posted by kilyung

In an OR situation I'd vote gold sub all the time. If you have the means to get both then it's a stellar companion piece. For me the gold sub has greater wow factor than the SDc. But that's like saying Kate is hotter than Scarlett.

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

well why I ask you of all people is that since I have stopped wearing the SS watches I really wanted to "justify" getting the new SD 4000 and or the new version DSSD but asked myself what I am asking you is with the gold sport models at home would I go to one of the new SS bad boys on the block or ask myself why am I wearing this watch and leaving my WG sub at home, again no judging any watch or metal better than another, just curious as to your feelings as one of the forum precious metal guru's

I have both as well and I agree with Mike...they both have a place in a well-rounded collection. The SDC is simply one of the most perfect watches I have ever owned and it has a lot of unique features that I really like. I prefer the slightly thinner lugs, the 60-min indexes, the HEV, the matte dial and the way the light refracts off the edge of the crystal creating a rainbow effect.

There is also the fact that the SDC wears much more comfortably (for me) during very active outings than any gold piece does...which is important, after all this is a deep diver, not a dress watch.

The 116619 is an absolutely brilliant piece...a true stunner, but if I need to get dirty, nothing beats the SDC, IMO. It has all the chunkiness and bad ass looks of the DSSD in a much more versatile and wearable package.