Dilemma - Sea Dweller 116600 vs. Pepsi 16710

[hhtwaijri]

Hello,

This will be my first ever discussion, great to be in such a community.

I'm a big fan of Rolex. Big fan of their sports watches. But I never owned one... I have a Daytona, I have an Explorer i... But never a Submariner or GMT.

As I grew older, I realized more and more that the Sub and GMT (I'll call them sports watches from now on) have such a beautiful design. The size is just perfect, the bezels are incredibly attractive to the eye... Just sublime !!

I saved enough money to buy one. But I only wanted the pre-maxi case sports watch, but the flimsy bracelet was a disappointing feature. That made me look into the discontinued SD4K, as it has all the new features like the ceramic bezel and an incredibly solid bracelet, but also has the smaller lugs, like the cases from yester-year.

I got the SD50, thinking maybe It'll grow on me... But it didn't, at all... 43 mm is not for me. So I went to sell it, and the AD gave me a 2003 no holes Pepsi GMT, telling me to keep it for a week in hopes he can sell it to me if I like it... Well, I LOVED IT !!... Incredible piece, the size and proportions are impeccable.

My concerns are, 1) the bracelet (of course) 2) its in too good of a condition to be unpolished, as the AD claims. 3) I'm looking for watch that can take some abuse, I'm sure '03 Rolex watches are tough enough, but 2017 Sea Dweller is practically a rock.

Should I get the GMT (it's a Pepsi on Jubilee, need i say more?), or a NOS SD4K as a watch for daily use and abuse ?

Sorry to blab so much, just felt the need to explain my issue.

Thanks!


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[henrylee]

If you like the 16710 then that would be my choice. The 5 digit case is charming and the added function is very nice.

[watchmework]

SD4K but I’m a fan of the SD over the GMT in general.

[SG56]

NOS SD4K would be my choice.
5 digits GMT will keep popping up. SD4K is a lot harder to find at the moment.

[dmhines]

I switch between my Milgauss and 5 digit GMT II all the time ... after 10 seconds you forget about the difference in bracelet weight.

[gaeleus]

I can tell you which i like. The real question is what do you like. Its your wrist and your wallet.

[Armyguy03]

Originally Posted by hhtwaijri

...the AD gave me a 2003 no holes Pepsi GMT, telling me to keep it for a week in hopes he can sell it to me if I like it... Well, I LOVED IT !!...

You loved the Pepsi.

[shalako]

SD4K, especially as your fortunate enough to be able to get one new old stock.

[Shiny1]

It depends on what you really like, you're in the best position to make a decision

[lcs77]

Sd4k

[douglasf13]

When it comes to bracelets, the lighter and more lithe the better. Not only do I prefer the 5-digit bracelets to the 6-digit, but I prefer folded links bracelets to the bracelets that come on the 5-digit watches.

[Speed]

What wrong with the bracelet?

[Nikrnic]

SD4K

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[mph90]

It is possible to use your Explorer’s braclet (assuming newer Explorer I) with the 16710 Pepsi. You just need new springbars

[Toivonen]

HEV always wins vs everything

[sugarl4nd]

I was at the same situation, if you can keep both would be the way to do. 116600 is investment piece. But I decided to let 116600 go, prinary reason is fitment to my wrist, 16710 just perfect. Hence, I choose 16710.

If your wrist can rock 116600 and you are ok with thickness + weight, I would choose SD4K.

[PJitz]

Originally Posted by gaeleus

I can tell you which i like. The real question is what do you like. Its your wrist and your wallet.

+1, if you don't know what you want on your wrist we can't help you much

[1William]

I guess a lot of it would have to do with the price. If you could keep the GMT and add a SS Submariner ND into the deal for the SD43 then you would be good. Think the money may be a little off though. I have a friend the sold his SD43 back to a TS that was a year old and got 12k for it. Be careful that you don't get taken on the deal. The SD43, as well as other Rolex watches, are 62% of retail for the cost to the dealer. So figure what the AD had in the watch originally and see what he is doing with a deal. Good luck.

[TK-710]

I own the SD4K and pretty much wear it 24/7. Depending on what I’m doing at the gym that day I might take it off (I wouldn’t wear any watch then) but otherwise I do everything else with it on. I find it extremely comfortable and it’s been up to every task I’ve thrown at it. For me it’s the perfect watch. With that being said based on your write up it sounds like you really like the GMT. Trust your opinion not mine.

[samson66]

I would stick with the GMT. The GMT will wear smaller and much lighter so it depends on what you are looking for.

The SD4000 is similar in weight to the SD43, so if you didn't like the 43 you may not like the 4000 either. It's going to sit up higher and be significantly heavier than the GMT

You have any pictures of the GMT and/or the SD43 on your wrist?

[hhtwaijri]

Originally Posted by henrylee

If you like the 16710 then that would be my choice. The 5 digit case is charming and the added function is very nice.

I did like the the added function more than I thought i would, quite useful.


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[Rolex.c6]

For me it would be the SD4K. It's just my favourite ss Rolex. The advantages of the new bracelet are the biggest advantages compared with a 5 digit GMT. If you don't mind the older bracelet it's gonna be a hard choice, that GMT also is a beauty.

[33JS]

Ceramic all the way...

[sensui]

I would dig deep and think about which complication you like best and which you like more aesthetically (think about the ceramic vs aluminum insert, the look and feel of the 5 digit vs 6 digit bracelet, versatility of the 16710 in terms of changing inserts/bracelet....all factors to consider). IMO good conditioned SD4k's are still around since it's more or less recently discontinued so if you want one for a daily beater....you don't need a NOS unless you can get a great deal on it. 16710 however will get harder and harder to buy for a nice conditioned watch. Wouldn't wanna be deciding on this, 2 of my favorite watches.

[hhtwaijri]

Originally Posted by 33JS

Ceramic all the way...

Wow.. how do I get my hands on that GMT ?!

Question, does that ceramic GMT SS have smaller lugs like the SD4K ?... I can't tell... Or are they as big as subC?


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[hhtwaijri]

Originally Posted by sensui

I would dig deep and think about which complication you like best and which you like more aesthetically (think about the ceramic vs aluminum insert, the look and feel of the 5 digit vs 6 digit bracelet, versatility of the 16710 in terms of changing inserts/bracelet....all factors to consider). IMO good conditioned SD4k's are still around since it's more or less recently discontinued so if you want one for a daily beater....you don't need a NOS unless you can get a great deal on it. 16710 however will get harder and harder to buy for a nice conditioned watch. Wouldn't wanna be deciding on this, 2 of my favorite watches.

You're right about NOS...

Is the 16710 a good watch as a daily beater ?... And how easy can find inserts ?


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[hhtwaijri]

Originally Posted by Toivonen

HEV always wins vs everything

I'm not a diver or anything of that sort. But it just feels great having a watch ready for the occasion

That HEV is a touch of genius.


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[hhtwaijri]

Originally Posted by 33JS

Ceramic all the way...

Wow.. how do I get my hands on that GMT ?!

Question, does that ceramic GMT SS have smaller lugs like the SD4K ?... I can't tell... Or are they as big as subC?

[faz]

Between those two, if I had to choose, I would go with .... nah', I can't choose. You are on your own on this. Two very fine examples of 5 digit log shape.

But seriously, for an everyday watch, 16710 is unbelievably comfortable and I can assure you, regardless of how the bracelet 'feels', I have seen 40+ year old examples that were daily worn and still looked like brand new.

[hhtwaijri]

Originally Posted by samson66

I would stick with the GMT. The GMT will wear smaller and much lighter so it depends on what you are looking for.

The SD4000 is similar in weight to the SD43, so if you didn't like the 43 you may not like the 4000 either. It's going to sit up higher and be significantly heavier than the GMT

You have any pictures of the GMT and/or the SD43 on your wrist?

The weight wasn't an issue as much as the larger surface area of the ceraic bezel, which makes it quite shiny and reflective. And the 43 size and height.





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