Regarding its popularity among collectors, the Rolex Submariner 16610 has fallen behind the 14060. While it was initially more expensive than the undated version, it is now slightly less expensive. In fact, when the 14060 really started to wake up in the last few years, the 16610 was doing nothing at around 6 euros. But now, the situation has changed and a decent model can easily exceed €8,000. The cost of the original box and documentation can add up.

For me, the Rolex Submariner 16610 has never been my favorite. I’m the kind of person who can live without the date function and the 14060, especially the 14060M that I own, is a real favorite of mine. That replica rolex oyster stayed true to its roots until its demise in 2011. In any case, the 16610 is a true classic that has finally become attractive to collectors. In addition, one could argue that the 16610 is the watch that gave Rolex a place in the hearts and minds of this generation. I also think it is responsible for making stainless steel sports watches acceptable in most environments. Would I own one? I highly doubt it, but it is modern enough for anyone to wear every day and should hold its value.

Another piece that wakes up from its Rip Van Winkle-esque slumber is the Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600. A newcomer to the brand would take one look at this watch and question the difference between it and the 16610. What I like about the Sea-Dweller is that it is made for a purpose. Of course, that purpose is for professional and saturation divers, so it’s completely redundant for almost anyone who owns it. But who cares, because this collection has always demonstrated the best of what Rolex has to offer in terms of underwater durability and capability.

In 1988, the Sea-Dweller 16600 hit the shelves along with the 16610, bringing some similar specifications. This model also had a 40mm case, but with an insane 1200m water resistance. Due to this, the thickness has grown from 13 mm to 14.8 mm and the watch has added a helium valve. Other differences are the engraved motifs that adorn the case back (not common for Rolex) and the taller unidirectional bezel. The defining feature of this model (and most Sea-Dwellers) is the absence of the Cyclops crystal, despite the use of the caliber 3135 with date function.
A serious dive watch

Aside from the cleaner look of the Sea-Dweller over the Rolex Submariner 16610, I always wondered what made people choose this watch when it was new. I guess some people just want a top of the line dive watch from Rolex, or they just like the extra weight. With that said, the Sea-Dweller is a big chunk on the wrist, but it’s still thinner than many dive watches available today. A good example of this is our own Robert-Jan, who liked this watch so much he had one, sold it, and then re-added it to his collection.

When the Sea-Dweller 16600 was phased out in 2008, it had followed the same luminescence trend as the Submariner Date. It also had lug holes at first, so the replica watch rolex does have some of the vintage elements that collectors tend to like. There is an interesting story worth sharing. Back in 2008, my father visited a Rolex advertiser in South Florida. This advertiser purchased over 100 of the remaining 16600s and sold them. I think my dad ended up buying a new one for about 20% off. Imagine that today!

The Sea-Dweller 16600 did exit the market in a whimpering way and remained quiet for many years. For a long time, these watches stayed in the price range of 5 to 6 euros. Now, however, if you want a good one, you have to have a budget of at least €8,000 and assume a small premium over the Submariner 16610. Similar to the Submariner, I don’t think there is much difference in value between the earlier and later models.

Models like the Rolex Submariner 16610 and Sea-Dweller 16600 are the last of their kind. They have engraved cases, in some cases beveled lugs, aluminum bezels, stamped clasps, and stamped end links on the earlier models. On the other hand, these movements are bulletproof and they can be worn every day with regular maintenance. What’s more, the Super-LumiNova models never really age, except for the bezel fading. Are these watches the next biggest investment? Who knows, but with the current Rolex list price climbing year after year, I guess is that these watches will continue to climb at some rate.

Today we will continue to talk about the Part II of our look at the difference between a five-figure Submariner replica and a six-figure one. It seems the smallest of details that make the biggest impact as with most vintage Rolex watches.  
When the first batch of Rolex Submariner fake watches came out, they came without chronograph functions. Therefore, they only included two lines of text leaving behind the ubiquitous “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” text. However, Rolex equipped the Submariner 5512 with a chronometer-certified movement in the end, as a result, added the additional two lines of COSC text.
While all two-liner Submariner 5512 models have glossy dials and gilt text, depending on the year, four-liner versions can either come with a glossy/gilt dial or a matte dial with white printing. Because of their age and rarity, two-liner rolex Submariner watches versions are typically much cheaper than four-liner editions.
A closer look at different dials of the vintage Rolex Submariner model reveals that Rolex changed up the placement of the depth rating. Early editions included meters first where the dials indicate 200m = 660ft. Rolex later switched it up to have the feet rating first where the dials indicate 660ft = 200m. There are two-line and four-line versions of the meters first Submariner 5512.
What’s more, because meters first versions came first and were in production for a shorter amount of time as expected, they are often more expensive than feet first editions.
Apart from the various depth rating configurations, the “SUBMARINER” placement on the ref. 5512 also changed during its manufacturing run. The SUBMARINER label on the dial always came after the depth rating until the mid-1970s when Rolex began placing it above the depth rating. This became the standard and now, the SUBMARINER label is always placed before the depth rating and SCOC text.
While a quarter of a million dollars is surely at the top of the price range for a Submariner model, the value of this special vintage Rolex watch model has risen steadily.
Remember that this replica Rolex watch is substantially less common than its sibling non-chronometer reference, the Submariner model. Some estimates say that Rolex manufactured five times more Submariner models than other models. What is certain is that the rolex Submariner watch is a milestone Rolex model that introduced crown guards and a larger 40mm case size to diving watch family—both of which are still found on today’s Submariner models.

The replica Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea is a great choice among the celeb-set from professional athletes to musicians to actors. It is no surprise to see the watch given a large 44mm stainless steel case, incredible water resistance to 12,800 feet, and heftier-than-the-Submariner style. Big stars need big watches and the replica Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea fits the bill. Let’s take a closer look at the fake Rolex’s extreme diver’s watch and find out which celebrities proudly wear one.
The Rolex Sea-Dweller replica watch made its debut in 2008. To withstand its extreme water resistance, the Deepsea’s bulky 17.7mm thick Oyster case is equipped with Rolex’s patented Ringlock System—a stainless steel inner ring positioned in between the 5.5mm thick domed crystal protecting the dial and the titanium caseback shielding the movement. Actually, you can clearly see the ring thanks to the large “RING LOCK SYSTEM” engraving at 6 o’clock, accompanied by “ORIGINAL GAS ESCAPE VALVE” inscription at 12 o’clock.
The dial of the standard Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea replica watch is in classic black, along with the feature combination of luminescent round, baton, and triangular markers and Mercedes-style hands. There’s also the date window at 3 o’clock. Rolex fans will note the absence of the ubiquitous Cyclops magnification lens above the date aperture. The unidirectional diver’s bezel on the Deepsea is crafted in Cerachrom ceramic bezel, and different from the Submariner, includes the complete 60 markings all the way around.
The Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea D-Blue dial was introduced in 2014 to commemorate James Cameron’s historic dive to the deepest point on earth two years prior. This marks the first and only time Rolex has dedicated a model to a person—the only true celebrity fake Rolex watch, so to speak.
Besides, the dial features a color gradient that transforms from bright blue to deep black to symbolize how the waters get darker the deeper one ventures. What’s more, there’s also the DEEPSEA label in the same bright green color as James Cameron’s Deepsea Challenger submersible.
The list of celebrities that wear both the standard Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea and the D-Blue Deepsea is long. Many have asked why Rolex would even bother making a watch that can dive 100 times deeper than any person could survive. So the answer: because they can. Every so often, the Swiss watchmaking giant likes to remind us that in addition to consistently producing the most popular luxury watches by a mile, the brand can also flex mega technical muscle when it wishes to do so. We would be so glad they do because the replica Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea is a good watch, which comes with awesome looks and incredible innovation.