The Rolex Sea-Dweller 116600, a robust and reliable dive watch renowned for its exceptional water resistance and rugged design, has been officially discontinued by Rolex. This news has sent ripples through the collector community, driving up prices on the pre-owned market and sparking conversations about the legacy of this iconic timepiece. While Rolex hasn't explicitly stated the reasons behind the discontinuation, the introduction of the new generation Sea-Dwellers, including the 43mm Sea-Dweller and the Sea-Dweller Deepsea, strongly suggests a strategic move towards a modernized product line. This article delves into the details of the discontinued 116600, examines its features and reviews, explores its current market value, and discusses what its discontinuation means for collectors and potential buyers.
The Rolex Sea-Dweller 116600: A Retrospective
Before diving into the implications of its discontinuation, let's revisit the key features that made the 116600 such a coveted timepiece. This 40mm watch, a direct descendant of the legendary 16600, offered a compelling blend of classic design and modern technology. Its robust construction, featuring a high-grade stainless steel case and bracelet, ensured durability even under the most extreme conditions. The unidirectional rotating bezel, a crucial tool for divers tracking their bottom time, was crafted with a highly legible ceramic insert, resistant to scratching and fading. This ceramic bezel, a significant upgrade from the aluminum bezels of its predecessors, significantly enhanced the watch's overall longevity and aesthetic appeal.
The 116600's dial design was a hallmark of its understated elegance. While various dial variations existed, many collectors prized the clean, uncluttered layout, often featuring luminous hour markers and hands for optimal readability in low-light conditions. The date window, subtly positioned at 3 o'clock, further enhanced the watch's functionality without compromising its overall aesthetic balance. Under the hood, the 116600 housed the caliber 3135, a highly reliable and robust automatic movement known for its accuracy and power reserve. This movement, a workhorse within the Rolex family, provided the watch with its dependability and precision.
Rolex Sea-Dweller 116600 Review: A Consensus of Excellence
Numerous reviews of the 116600 highlight its exceptional build quality, its comfortable wearability, and its impressive performance. The watch's versatility is frequently cited, making it suitable for both professional diving and everyday wear. Its water resistance of 1220 meters (4000 feet), although slightly less than the Deepsea, remains more than adequate for recreational diving and significantly surpasses the capabilities of most other dive watches. The robust construction, combined with the scratch-resistant ceramic bezel, ensured that the 116600 could withstand the rigors of daily life without showing significant wear and tear.
The 116600's legibility, a crucial aspect for any dive watch, was consistently praised. The luminous markers and hands provided exceptional visibility in low-light conditions, while the clear, uncluttered dial design ensured that the time was easily read at a glance. The watch's overall aesthetic, a blend of classic design cues and modern refinements, appealed to a wide range of watch enthusiasts, from seasoned collectors to newcomers to the world of luxury timepieces. In short, the 116600 consistently earned high marks across the board, reinforcing its reputation as a top-tier dive watch.
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