Originally released in 1988 as the next generation of the Rolex Sea-Dweller, the Ref. 16600 was in production for twenty years, making it a classic in Rolex's archive. The example we are presenting for sale is in great condition and is from 1999. The watch is accompanied by its original box.
Condition Report:
The Ref. 16600 features an Oyster case made from tough 904L stainless steel and measures 40mm in diameter and 14.5mm in thickness. The case is in great condition, with only hairline scratches evident, it remains exceptionally sharp, likely unpolished. On the left side of the case is the subtle helium escape valve opposite the screw-down crown. As this is the more professional model of the Rolex Submariner, the water resistance for the 16600 is 1220m.
The dial of this Sea-Dweller is a nice, crisp black with subtle gloss. Since Rolex transitioned from using tritium in 1998, this watch features luminova, which glows strongly in low-light conditions. The hour markers are also made from 18k white gold. The hands and hour markers are filled with luminova, with "Swiss Made" present under 6 o'clock. The aluminium bezel is free of any chips or dents. The sapphire crystal is clean and shows little dust or wear.
The caseback, movement, and crown are all signed by Rolex; the crown in particular exudes its logo well. The crown features Rolex's "triplock" system, allowing the watch to be fully sealed for water resistance. Powering the watch is the in-house Caliber. 3135, with a 48-hour power reserve. The 93160A Oyster steel bracelet features can fit wrist sizes up to 7.25 inches, exclusive of the diver's extension. The watch is fully functional and winds smoothly.
