Submariner 124060 vs. Sea-Dweller 16600

[7enderbender]

16600 is the perfect Rolex in my book.

[1William]

I like the five digit Submariners/SD for what they are. Nothing more or less. Classic pieces with a lot of history. With that said as soon as the six digit divers showed up on the scene I moved over and have never looked back. I prefer the size, styling, bezel and most of all the bracelet and the Glide Lock clasp. My wrist is 7.5-7.75 and that may have something to do with it. Price is another consideration but not enough there to take you one way or another. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

[Ketler]

Originally Posted by erico

One other thing I'm considering is the thickness of the 16600. Looks like it is 2+mm thicker than my Seamaster, which I believe is 12mm. Is this SD thin enough to fit under the sleeve of a dress shirt OK? If not, that might weigh in favor of the 5-digit Sub.

The 16600 is 14.5mm thick...I've never had an issue with thickness, but then again I don't wear dress shirts so...???

[CFR]

I've had a 16600 since 2007. Got it lightly preowned. Lume is Superluminova and bright as ever -- no issues. Case height/thickness is a non-issue, and my wrist is very thin (6"/154mm -- 2" flat across the top).

I have 5-digit and 6-digit models. Yes, the bracelets on the 6-digit models are heavier/beefier. That was a totally unnecessary, though -- just done for marketing, not for any functional reason. The old 5-digit bracelets served everyone very well back when people actually used these watches as tools, and of course the lighter the watch/bracelet, the more comfortable it tends to be -- fewer adjustments needed. I have 126660 James Cameron, which I love, but I find myself regularly using the Glidelock clasp to adjust the bracelet because I need to due to its weight.

[effovex]

I love the 5 digits - have a 16600 with SEL, LumiNova, and Drilled Lugs - no complaints.

People love vintage Rolex (4 digits) and it won’t be long until neo-vintage (aka 5 digits) will be sought after.

I’d get a nice clean example of the 16600 now and wait for the 124060 down the road when things (hopefully) cool off.

[Joearch]

16600 is also an excellent relative value in today’s preowned market. I like it for being technically superior to standard Sub and love the way it looks on the wrist. HAGWE

[TheWatchmen]

Had a 16610 Sub, also had a Hulk sub for a while. Sold both but eventually came back to a 124060.

Absolutely love the modern Submariner (not so much the Submariner Date with cyclops).

I liked the older charm but found I prefer the modern sensibilities.

No date function makes the dial clean and symmetrical!

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by erico

I'm planning my first Rolex purchase end of the year for my 40th birthday. Was originally thinking brand new 124060 all the way but now am kicking around the idea of a 16600. Very different I know but here are some things I'm thinking about:

124060

-Pros: Maxi dial; brighter lume (?); higher quality bracelet and I like the appearance of the clasp more; available brand new; available through local brick and mortar (grey); significantly better power reserve
-Cons: Clasp size (need to try on again); more expensive; more blingy
-Mixed: Ceramic (more robust but more flashy)

16600

-Pros: More unique; more of a tool / less blingy; more water resistance; cheaper
-Cons: Bracelet is lower quality and clinckier (?); don't like the appearance of the clasp as much; thicker (maybe slightly); only available used (in my price range); probably only available online; no AR coating (?); faded lume (?); clasp might not function as well (?); shorter power reserve
-Mixed: Date function without cyclops (slight pro as I don't really like the cyclops and I use the date function on my Seamaster); aluminum bezel (I'm not too worried about scratches)

Am I off base? Am I missing anything?

Let me know what you think about choosing between these two.

I may also consider a Sub 14060 depending on what's out there.

Thanks!

Couple of things to add

How big is your wrist? the 16600 has 4 permanent links - plus the link that is fixed to the clasp - on the 6 o'clock side. So if you have a smaller wrist and are obsessed about clasp centering you may have to have a permanent link removed.

There are reported concerns with the newer movement with the longer power reserve. It doesn't affect them all by any means, but the 16600 has the tried and tested 3135.

Oh, and the 16600 is just a wonderful watch to own. It's quite special.

I bought one new in 2006. traded it and had to reacquire another. This will never get sold again.

[CFR]

Originally Posted by Devildog

the 16600 has 4 permanent links - plus the link that is fixed to the clasp - on the 6 o'clock side. So if you have a smaller wrist and are obsessed about clasp centering you may have to have a permanent link removed.

Good that you brought this up. I had forgotten about that. To clarify, at least in my case, the need to center the clasp was functional: Centering the clasp meant centering the watch head on the other of my wrist. It was way off-kilter (and less comfortable) until I removed 1 permanent link.

[erico]

Originally Posted by Devildog

Couple of things to add

How big is your wrist? the 16600 has 4 permanent links - plus the link that is fixed to the clasp - on the 6 o'clock side. So if you have a smaller wrist and are obsessed about clasp centering you may have to have a permanent link removed.

There are reported concerns with the newer movement with the longer power reserve. It doesn't affect them all by any means, but the 16600 has the tried and tested 3135.

Oh, and the 16600 is just a wonderful watch to own. It's quite special.

I bought one new in 2006. traded it and had to reacquire another. This will never get sold again.

My wrist is 7"

[faz]

124060 gets my vote as your 'first' Rolex. If you like the vintage vibes, get the 5 digit.

[Scholar]

Even the notion that the older bracelets are 'worse' is something of a misconception. They perform the job just as well while being lighter. For real professionals, that was a perk!

Now, targeting the 'luxury' crowd, heavy = good.

[erico]

Originally Posted by Ketler

The 16600 is 14.5mm thick...I've never had an issue with thickness, but then again I don't wear dress shirts so...???

I don't wear them often but I do sometimes for work or church and would like to be able to wear the SD in those situations. But I never wear cuff link sleeves so maybe it's not an issue...

[vitadine]

Take the 116600 if you can afford it.
It edges both the 16600 and the 124060.
Really the best of both worlds, but even better than each of them.

If that’s not an option, I‘d go 124060.
It‘s simply the better watch and quality is superior to the 5-digit divers.

[PepsiBezel]

5-digit Rolex sports models are the Apex Mountain of watches.

They are perfect in form and function — a great blend of both.

I’ve had numerous 6-digits, but none compare to the 5-digits. The modern Rolex watches don’t have the aesthetic charm of the older models, and they technical upgrades aren’t really relevant enough to overcome the aesthetics.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by erico

I don't wear them often but I do sometimes for work or church and would like to be able to wear the SD in those situations. But I never wear cuff link sleeves so maybe it's not an issue...

You'll be fine. The difference is marginal

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by erico

My wrist is 7"

Not an issue

[erico]

Originally Posted by PepsiBezel

5-digit Rolex sports models are the Apex Mountain of watches.

They are perfect in form and function — a great blend of both.

I’ve had numerous 6-digits, but none compare to the 5-digits. The modern Rolex watches don’t have the aesthetic charm of the older models, and they technical upgrades aren’t really relevant enough to overcome the aesthetics.

Price difference is also a factor for me. Not a huge factor but something I'm considering.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by vitadine

Take the 116600 if you can afford it.
It edges both the 16600 and the 124060.
Really the best of both worlds, but even better than each of them.

If that’s not an option, I‘d go 124060.
It‘s simply the better watch and quality is superior to the 5-digit divers.

It's all perception

The 116600 is no better watch than the 16600, Neither is the 124060.

Same movement. Same 904 steel. Same depth rating. Arguably the 3135 is a more reliable movement than the 3230

Sure, the 124060 and the 116600 have a ceramic bezel, solid link bracelet and milled clasp. but are those better? Or are they just different?

They perform identical tasks. Ok, so the glidelock offers more functionality. But the 16600 came with a proper tool kit. For actual divers.,

The 6 series Rolex are fantastic. They may exude a higher quality feel. But they are no better than the 5 series that came before.

[boltz]

Its 16600 for me.

[kegan]

I say get the better looking one of the two.


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[Kingranch]

Almost everyone new to Rolex buys a sub. Be different.

[Guppydriver]

You only ave about five years or so before the eyes start to go OP!!!!! You won't be able to see that date on the SeaD ;)

124060 for the win.

[erico]

Originally Posted by Devildog

You'll be fine. The difference is marginal

This is helpful - thanks!

[erico]

Originally Posted by Kingranch

Almost everyone new to Rolex buys a sub. Be different.

Being different definitely appeals to me. I think the vintage aspect does as well. I do like the maxi dial but my Seamaster doesn't have Omega's version of it and it does just fine - so maybe I won't have FOMO.

[erico]

I'm going to see Tony next week and am hoping to take a look at a 16600 and some two-liner 14060s. He had a NIB 124060 but unfortunately it appears he sold it. I may try on the current Sub Date again at Ben Bridge to take another look at the clasp. Tony's quite a bit more expensive than the examples I'm seeing on Chrono24 but perhaps it's worth it.

[Ketler]

Originally Posted by Devildog

It's all perception

The 116600 is no better watch than the 16600, Neither is the 124060.

Same movement. Same 904 steel. Same depth rating. Arguably the 3135 is a more reliable movement than the 3230

Sure, the 124060 and the 116600 have a ceramic bezel, solid link bracelet and milled clasp. but are those better? Or are they just different?

They perform identical tasks. Ok, so the glidelock offers more functionality. But the 16600 came with a proper tool kit. For actual divers.,

The 6 series Rolex are fantastic. They may exude a higher quality feel. But they are no better than the 5 series that came before.

Agree…!!!

[erico]

SD 16600.jpg

[Gerry62]

Excellent choice . 16600!
i had almost all 116660 114060 and i still have 116610 126603
but only 16600 is on my wrist 24 hours a day

[Little machines]

Congratulations!!