Rolex Sea-Dweller Differences: New VS Old
| NEW: Sea-Dweller | OLD: Sea-Dweller 4000 | |
| Introduced: | Baselworld 2017 | Baselworld 2014 |
| Reference: | 126600 | 116600 |
| Movement: | Automatic | Automatic |
| Caliber: | Rolex caliber 3235 | Rolex caliber 3135 |
| COSC? | Yes | Yes |
| Case Material: | 904L Stainless steel | 904L Stainless steel |
| Case Diameter: | 43mm | 40mm |
| Thickness: | 15mm | 15mm (needs confirmed with a precision caliper) |
| Helium Escape Valve? | Yes | Yes |
| Bezel: | Black Cerachrom (ceramic) Uni-directional 120 clicks |
Black Cerachrom (ceramic) Uni-directional 120 clicks |
| Dial: | Black with glossy finish | Black with satin finish |
| Sea-Dweller Text: | Red | White |
| Lume: | Chromalight | Chromalight |
| Rehaut Engraved? | Yes | Yes |
| Crystal: | Sapphire | Sapphire |
| Cyclops Lens? | Yes | No |
| Band: | Oyster bracelet Oysterlock clasp Glidelock extension system Fliplock extension link |
Oyster bracelet Oysterlock clasp Glidelock extension system Fliplock extension link |
| Crown: | Triplock screw-down | Triplock screw-down |
| Water Resistance: | 4,000ft / 1,220m | 4,000ft / 1,220m |
| Retail Price at Launch: | $11,350 USD | $10,400 USD |
Differences are in blue
Some of points in the chart above might seem obvious but we wanted to be as specific as possible to show the similarities and differences between the new and old Sea-Dweller professional dive watches.
The main differences that are going to make or break your decision between a 126600 over a 116600 are:
- The larger 43mm case size
- The addition of a Cyclops lens over the date
- The red Sea-Dweller text
As an aside: The bezel does appear to be wider on the new model, but we do not have specifications to confirm that, so it was left out of the chart.
Many Rolex enthusiasts predicted that the Sea-Dweller text on the new model to be in different color than white. That was expected, but the most surprising things about the Baselworld 2017 Sea-Dweller were the large 43mm size and the Cyclops over the date.
Is bigger better?
Rolex has been slow and calculated about enlarging the case sizes beyond 41mm, and the new 43mm came at quite a shock. This new diameter is going to be a desirable size for many, but a real deal-breaker for some.
Although the larger size might not be for everybody, the 43mm diameter allowed for the caliber 3235 to have a larger barrel than the old model’s caliber 3135. This change gives the new model a very useful 70 hour power reserve. Now you can have an extra day or so between wearing the watch and having to set it to the correct time.
Cyclops or nah?
The same can be said about the iconic look of the Cyclops date magnification lens. One of the biggest differences between the Rolex Submariner and the Sea-Dweller was the helium release valve and the Cyclops lens. The Sub has it, but the Sea-Dweller didn’t – until now. This was what attracted many dive watch collectors to the Sea-Dweller… most collectors either love the Cyclops or hate it. It was nice to have the option before, but now the option is gone – you will have a Cyclops lens or you will not have a new Sea-Dweller.
Here is our review of the newer 50th Anniversary Sea-Dweller from Baselworld 2017. Here is our Watch Identifier post about the Sea-Dweller 4000 back at Baselworld 2014.
We hope this information was useful to you. Please consider buying your next timepiece from our watch shop.
As an amateur diver the new Sea Dweller is the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen because you don’t need a date when you’re diving!
But the old one had a date too. By the way, do you dive down at Tiger Beach?
As I’ve dove Tiger Beach twice I will not bite your head off. ;o) FYI… although it’s a divers watch, maybe people like the watch so much that they also wear it when they are not diving. And… nowadays we have something even better than a divers watch… a dive computer!! So, my dive watches stay dry, besides the pool and are all warn when I’m not diving. that said… happy with the date funtion… Read more »
You very well might need a date in a decompression chamber.
I will take the old one. New one isn’t a Sea-Dweller.
The new one is as much of a Sea-Dweller as the older one, but to each their own 😉
I think what he means is, the thing that made it a SD — the whole “no date cyclops” thing — is gone now. So it’s just like every other Rolex sports model. And us SD collectors/owners/fans simply don’t consider it a SD in the traditional sense.
Thanks for making this clear. I kinda like the new one… better start saving now!
Thanks for the comment, glad it could be useful to our readers. It’s a good idea to start saving now lol. $11,350 retail and you won’t see them hit the pre-owned market for a long while!
I bet every Rolex store already has them sold before they even got them in stock. That’s what brands love about blogs like this is that you do all the selling and marketing for them.
I love it. Everything of it, including the wider band that was not mentioned above. Size wise it is perfectly balanced now. I will trade in my 116600 as soon as the new one is out. Regarding the cyclops.. Rolex finally was able to fix a technical issue that prevented it from being present at the start. I agree the date on dive watch is questionable.. but then only the sub no-date would make sense.… Read more »
What was the technical issue?
Maybe they couldn’t get the cyclops to stick on the crystal with higher pressures that come with 4,000 feet water depths? That’s why the DEEPSEA doesn’t have one.
Keep the 116600 and put it in a safe… for sure a better return on investment than putting it in the bank!
Do you think I should get my 116600 now or wait for the 126600? If I get the 116600 now will it increase in value? Thanks
I heard from a friend at an official Rolex dealer that the new SD will arrive as soon as May. So not much to wait. Unfortunately he also mentioned that there will be no discount off the list price, so it will be much more expensive than the 116600, which could be had at over 15% off. He mentioned receiving only about 2 watches per month, so there might be some waiting list.
I’m on the waiting list. Expected for august.
Congrats, Nicola! August isn’t too bad. Come back to post a wristshot when you get it. What will you be wearing until then?
My 116600! 🙂
Actually a person called my dealer asking for a 116600; Said he was not interested in the new model. So my watch is gone. 🙁 but I managed to sell it for 500 $ more than what I paid new.
I don’t understand, you sold your 116600 and are waiting for the new one? What did you get for your 116600? I never wanted a 116600 before but after I saw the 126600 I suddenly wanted the 116600. So that’s where I am now.
Oops… missed this post
Yes that is correct. I sold it for 8700 euros, bought it for 8200 exactly one year ago, list price was 9700.
Is the cyclops plastic or Sapphire? Please send answer to my e
mail.
Hi Mike, the cyclops lens on the new Sea-Dweller will be constructed out of sapphire. This answer has also been sent directly to your email.
It is 3 yrs since Sea-Dweller 4000 was introduced and the production has stopped. Brilliant. The prices quickly will go up. It will be shortly one of the most desirable watches.
I gad my 126600 today, and I paid surcharge for it…. Unfortunately! But here is the good news, I am a tech-diver/trimix and I was born in 1967, (50 this year, like the sea dweller)… + I am a real ROLEX fan, always wore that brand, so I had to have this watch! I wear many other brands, but ROLEX is just ROLEX, nothing beats it….
Congrats on your new Sea-Dweller watch! We’d love to see it on your wrist!
I’d be happy to know the total lengths (lug-to-lug) comparison data!
Choices: for new model: upgraded movement, red script on dial.
For old model: no cyclops, better size (for me) at 40 mm.
Best,
Robert
Can anybody tell me that how the precise thickness of new sea-dweller 126600 is? I have known the thinkness of the old 116600 might be 14.8mm and wondering that new 126600 have the same thickness.
Can anybody tell me that what the precise thickness of new sea-dweller 126600 is? I have known the thinkness of the old 116600 might be 14.8mm and wondering that new 126600 have the same thickness.
That is an excellent question that we will get to the bottom of. We have listed it at 15mm, but will get a hold of one to put up against a precision caliper. So far, none of the other blogs have done this. Check back soon for the results.
My 126600 arrived Saturday… how do I post a wrist shot?
Hi Nicola, congrats on your new SD! Please feel free to email us a wristshot and we’ll add it to the post. Thank you.
Here is Nicola’s wristshot of his new 126600!
43 mm is just too dang big! For me, at least. Plus, the rarity of the 116600 is more appealing… I’m not likely to walk into a room and see some other guy wearing the exact same reference. 116600 all day. Maybe I should sell my ref. 16600 and upgrade?