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amaninspired · 6 January 2011, 01:45 PM

Seeing your watch and imagining it being used for the purpose for which it was originally designed; knowing that it has had a hard life and still does its job makes me appreciate my own Sea-Dweller even more.

When I bought my 16600 in 2003, it wasn't much more expensive than the Date Submariner, which some dealers had tried to convince me was the more sensible purchase. To me, however, the Sea-Dweller was the obvious choice. The concept of a watch that was engineered to be waterproof at 1220m seemed much more interesting, particularly with the helium escape valve. I also liked the fact that it was the only Oyster with a date function that didn't have the cyclops lens; I just thought that made the watch more unusual. Finally, at that time, the Date Sub still didn't have solid end links on the bracelet.

Mine has only ever been in a swimming pool once...and I'm not about to take it back into one. However, seeing your photos, I almost feel like someone else tested the watch for me and proved its capabilities so that my own Sea-Dweller doesn't have to have such a hard life, but I can rest safe in the knowledge that it could if I wanted it to!

Gerry62 · 11 January 2011, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ceathreamhnan

I feel embarrassed to wear my Seadweller after seeing your post!

errol0_7 · 12 January 2011, 08:04 PM

Cool post and love the watch, its probably time to love it back and see what the chaps at Rolex can do to with an overhaul, refurb and service. It would be great to see some before and after shots and have that beauty back on the wrist as the day it was new.

wear in good health my freind your boy is one lucky lad.

regards
John

watchmancy · 13 January 2011, 04:33 AM

awesome sea dweller!

johnkszabo · 15 January 2011, 01:05 PM

Great story and photos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shikar · 15 January 2011, 02:11 PM

.....and here i was....worried about a little scratch on my SD.

Thanks for the pictures and the trip down your memory lane.

Regards.

KirkWilfred · 15 January 2011, 05:01 PM

looks great!

A Rolex with "white hair"

allegedly · 23 February 2011, 09:55 AM

Thanks for all the posts fellas, been away for a bit but thought I'd do as said and post the pics with the black strap, as mentioned previously. I've got the spring bar but I'm leaving it on the strap for a while as I quite like it like this, for now. Bit 'gung ho' pics but having seen other outdoor pics I thought I'd put up my version. Cheers Rob

allegedly · 23 February 2011, 10:20 AM

Background is one of the 'dive hats' we use, in this case a Kirby Morgan 37. Looks as battered as the watch! I think from a work point of view, the leather strap is impractical but as it's the first different fastening it's ever had, the novelty hasn't worn off yet! Plus it didn't cost too many beer tokens! After the next trip offshore, I think I'll get the refurb done. God knows what I'll bloody wear while it's gone!! Cheers Rob

OCROLEXGUY · 23 February 2011, 03:12 PM

Thanks for sharing!

gettocard · 28 February 2011, 04:51 AM

Amazing post,amazing watch. My clean,mint and babied SD is feeling ashamed now.

youngr · 28 February 2011, 06:45 AM

great post thanks

folexhater · 28 February 2011, 06:54 AM

Thanks for sharing a lovely story. You just added a great respect for the SD! Too bad, Rolex discontinued the model!

etp095 · 28 February 2011, 01:41 PM

rob,thanks for sharing your rolex story.a camera flash really brings out the character lines of a watch,and your watch sure has lots and lots of character.hope you wear it for many more years to come.

Tony-GB · 5 March 2011, 11:10 PM

Excellent update. Thanks for sharing.

Indyzed · 14 April 2011, 11:38 PM

What scratches? All I see is quality.

Hocksman · 18 June 2011, 09:57 AM

Rob, loved reading your story. It would make for an excellent Rolex advert. I can relate to reaching through time as you put it. I am the recipient of a Rolex from my father. Though no way used as hard as yours, he had used his Oysterquartz on a daily basis. Still a damn tough watch because it has been taken into the jungle as dad used to be in timber. He bought it in the early 80s and passed it to me in 2003. I have been using it daily since. Only yesterday I bought the two tone GMT II ceramic which now replaces the Oysterquartz as a daily wear. I will hand both these watches to my son (due to arrive into this world end of July) and hope one day he will continue a tradition started by his grandfather and continued on by his old man. Truly a testament to the enduring quality of Rolex that it can last generation to generation. In the end it is much more than a watch that passes from father to son.

KarlFr · 18 June 2011, 06:02 PM

Cool watch and great story

jimchan · 18 June 2011, 06:53 PM

Wow Rob, after reading your posts, I got sort of emotional

Your rolex had 'been there' 'done that' with the imprint of your life. When you look at your watch, won't it remind you of your laughter & sadness that you been thru. Thats why people say "Rolex, the crown of achievement". It is not so much of a status symbol, but it is built to accompany you on your ups and downs of your life & will continue to do so for many more years.

le_baroudeur · 18 June 2011, 07:29 PM

Awsome pictures and story Rob !

Andad · 18 June 2011, 07:56 PM

All the best to you Rob.

raskal83 · 22 June 2011, 03:27 AM

awesome stories! never makes someone want to polish a watch and lose all the character behind it...

Explorer 2011 · 22 June 2011, 04:16 AM

Now that watch looks like it has lived...and been a tool watch. I

the SD

Bruno C · 2 July 2011, 09:50 AM

The only contact with water of my Sub is when i wash my face in the morning!!!
So ashamed!!!!

Great photos!!

les_canadiens · 2 July 2011, 01:15 PM

Love the story and hope it will live on for more years to come.
A person like you gives the watch its soul.

Enjoy and cherish it with your family!

HPY · 2 July 2011, 01:37 PM

fantastic watch, this is how the SD should be worn

gensiulia · 14 August 2011, 05:08 AM

hard work! nice shots.

SWIMPRUF · 21 August 2011, 07:31 PM

Great story. That watch has lots of stories I guess.

poppydog · 2 October 2011, 05:51 AM

I was wondering about an update Rob; did you get the SD serviced?

As an aside, it's not in the same "league" as your story, but in 1982ish I bought a Tudor Sub. I was in the TA at the time and got an issue NATO from our unit's PSI. I still have both but the Tudor "died" a few months ago and will go for some R-and-R when I get around to it.

bujal81 · 3 October 2011, 01:55 PM

superb story and watch....

15 January 2011, 05:01 PM	#37
KirkWilfred "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2010 Real Name: Brian Location: West Hartford, CT Watch: 116710LN Posts: 1,224	looks great! A Rolex with "white hair" __________________ “Time is an illusion.” – Albert Einstein

23 February 2011, 03:12 PM	#40
OCROLEXGUY ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 2024 DATEJUST41 Sponsor & Boutique Seller Join Date: Feb 2011 Real Name: Patrick A. Location: Orange County Watch: 16600 Posts: 34,801	Good Story Thanks for sharing!

28 February 2011, 06:45 AM	#42
youngr "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Real Name: Richard Location: England Watch: 16610 & 16710 Posts: 899	great post thanks __________________ SS Submariner Date "V" SS GMT Master II Pepsi "D"

28 February 2011, 01:41 PM	#44
etp095 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: rudolph Location: chicago burbs Posts: 2,026	rob,thanks for sharing your rolex story.a camera flash really brings out the character lines of a watch,and your watch sure has lots and lots of character.hope you wear it for many more years to come. __________________ tt date circa 69' 5513 circa 81' ss sub w/date (z) pepsi gmt for dad(D) polar expy II(z) 1675 gmt circa 68' ladies datejust on jubilee for mom (z) sea dweller16600(M) SS Sub-C(g) Omega Planet Ocean,45.5 on mesh(2500D)

5 March 2011, 11:10 PM	#45
Tony-GB "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: Tony Location: Oxfordshire, UK Watch: 116680 & 116622 Posts: 3,953	Excellent update. Thanks for sharing. __________________ "...why oh why, didn't I take the blue pill...?" http://www.helenanddouglas.org.uk/ www.cheetah.org

6 January 2011, 01:45 PM	#31
amaninspired "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Scotland Posts: 383	Seeing your watch and imagining it being used for the purpose for which it was originally designed; knowing that it has had a hard life and still does its job makes me appreciate my own Sea-Dweller even more. When I bought my 16600 in 2003, it wasn't much more expensive than the Date Submariner, which some dealers had tried to convince me was the more sensible purchase. To me, however, the Sea-Dweller was the obvious choice. The concept of a watch that was engineered to be waterproof at 1220m seemed much more interesting, particularly with the helium escape valve. I also liked the fact that it was the only Oyster with a date function that didn't have the cyclops lens; I just thought that made the watch more unusual. Finally, at that time, the Date Sub still didn't have solid end links on the bracelet. Mine has only ever been in a swimming pool once...and I'm not about to take it back into one. However, seeing your photos, I almost feel like someone else tested the watch for me and proved its capabilities so that my own Sea-Dweller doesn't have to have such a hard life, but I can rest safe in the knowledge that it could if I wanted it to!

12 January 2011, 08:04 PM	#33
errol0_7 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: UK Watch: them come and go Posts: 689	Cool post and love the watch, its probably time to love it back and see what the chaps at Rolex can do to with an overhaul, refurb and service. It would be great to see some before and after shots and have that beauty back on the wrist as the day it was new. wear in good health my freind your boy is one lucky lad. regards John

13 January 2011, 04:33 AM	#34
watchmancy Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: michigan Watch: sea dweller 16600 Posts: 43	awesome sea dweller!

15 January 2011, 01:05 PM	#35
johnkszabo "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: florida Watch: 16660 SD,SS 116520 Posts: 109	Great story and photos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

15 January 2011, 02:11 PM	#36
Shikar "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Real Name: Azam Location: Texas Posts: 607	.....and here i was....worried about a little scratch on my SD. Thanks for the pictures and the trip down your memory lane. Regards.

28 February 2011, 04:51 AM	#41
gettocard Banned Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Andy Location: EU Watch: them come and go.. Posts: 2,052	Amazing post,amazing watch. My clean,mint and babied SD is feeling ashamed now.

28 February 2011, 06:54 AM	#43
folexhater Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: kel Location: Los Angeles Posts: 481	Thanks for sharing a lovely story. You just added a great respect for the SD! Too bad, Rolex discontinued the model!

14 April 2011, 11:38 PM	#46
Indyzed "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: United States Posts: 37	What scratches? All I see is quality.

18 June 2011, 09:57 AM	#47
Hocksman Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Real Name: Colin Location: Singapore Watch: Oystquartz, GMTIIc Posts: 21	Rob, loved reading your story. It would make for an excellent Rolex advert. I can relate to reaching through time as you put it. I am the recipient of a Rolex from my father. Though no way used as hard as yours, he had used his Oysterquartz on a daily basis. Still a damn tough watch because it has been taken into the jungle as dad used to be in timber. He bought it in the early 80s and passed it to me in 2003. I have been using it daily since. Only yesterday I bought the two tone GMT II ceramic which now replaces the Oysterquartz as a daily wear. I will hand both these watches to my son (due to arrive into this world end of July) and hope one day he will continue a tradition started by his grandfather and continued on by his old man. Truly a testament to the enduring quality of Rolex that it can last generation to generation. In the end it is much more than a watch that passes from father to son.

18 June 2011, 06:02 PM	#48
KarlFr "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Scandinavia Watch: ♛ Posts: 1,330	Cool watch and great story

18 June 2011, 06:53 PM	#49
jimchan Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Singapore Posts: 58	Wow Rob, after reading your posts, I got sort of emotional Your rolex had 'been there' 'done that' with the imprint of your life. When you look at your watch, won't it remind you of your laughter & sadness that you been thru. Thats why people say "Rolex, the crown of achievement". It is not so much of a status symbol, but it is built to accompany you on your ups and downs of your life & will continue to do so for many more years.

18 June 2011, 07:29 PM	#50
le_baroudeur "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Rennes, FRANCE Posts: 802	Awsome pictures and story Rob ! __________________ Card Carrying Member of the Global Assoc. of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons.

18 June 2011, 07:56 PM	#51
Andad 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Eddie Location: Australia Watch: A few. Posts: 36,807	All the best to you Rob. __________________ E

22 June 2011, 03:27 AM	#52
raskal83 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NY Watch: out now! Posts: 70	awesome stories! never makes someone want to polish a watch and lose all the character behind it...

22 June 2011, 04:16 AM	#53
Explorer 2011 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: Kris Location: ENGLAND Watch: Searching Posts: 1,038	Now that watch looks like it has lived...and been a tool watch. I the SD __________________ __________________ ROLEX Explorer 214270 "Nil Satis Nisi Optimum..."

2 July 2011, 09:50 AM	#54
Bruno C "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Real Name: Bruno Location: Argentina Watch: Submariner 14060M Posts: 449	The only contact with water of my Sub is when i wash my face in the morning!!! So ashamed!!!! Great photos!!

2 July 2011, 01:15 PM	#55
les_canadiens "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Real Name: J. Scofield Location: SE Asia Watch: Mechanical Posts: 77	Love the story and hope it will live on for more years to come. A person like you gives the watch its soul. Enjoy and cherish it with your family!

2 July 2011, 01:37 PM	#56
HPY Banned Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: PH Watch: Daytona Posts: 213	fantastic watch, this is how the SD should be worn

14 August 2011, 05:08 AM	#57
gensiulia "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Italy Posts: 250	hard work! nice shots.

21 August 2011, 07:31 PM	#58
SWIMPRUF "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: * Posts: 2,323	Great story. That watch has lots of stories I guess. __________________ Member# 52,675 Est. 3/2011

3 October 2011, 01:55 PM	#60
bujal81 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: MALAYSIA Watch: 14060M,116234 Posts: 28	superb story and watch....

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