Wearing the 16600 Sea-Dweller today.

This was the very last model V-Series 16600 Sea-Dweller in stock at the authorised dealer in Malaysia.

Surprisingly for other products once discontinued, the price goes down. For Rolex, the SD has been replaced by the bigger, thicker Deep Sea Sea-Dweller (DSSD). The DSSD is RM29k. I believe Rolex dealers were able to give 5-15% discounts as do Watatime and others, and the SD used to be RM18,999 but the last few units were sold at RM22k, WITHOUT any discount.

PROS
- It's a ROLEX (A 'Reference Brand')
- It's a Sea-Dweller, a 'Cult Watch'
- 4000ft / 1220m depth rating
- Thick sapphire crystal
- Value doesn't depreciate as much as other brands (there's always someone ready to buy a used Rolex)
- 904L Steel (Very hard)
- Quite thick
- Everyone thinks its a fake (hence less likely to chop your arm off to get it!)
- Smooth sweeping seconds hand
- No need to wind up watch as it's automatic (3135 movement)
- Has date display
- Doesn't have ugly 'cyclops' magnifier as per the date display Submariner (Originally I was aiming for the non-date Submariner)
- Comfortable bracelet
- It's actually as light as, or lighter than an Omega Speedmaster, probably due to the bracelet being simpler, and the clasp being made of thin stamped steel
- Bracelet links are thicker than Deep Sea Sea-Dweller

CONS
- Everyone thinks its a fake
- 'Old Man' image (especially amongst those who don't know the history of Rolex, and/or what a Sea-Dweller is)
- 39mm or 40mm diameter, shows its age. 42mm would be OK I guess
- Dial face is small, about 29mm
- Shiny hands reflect things and can get hard to see compared to the all-white (matt) hands of Speedmaster, for example
- Quite thick
- Bracelet links simple (compared to Omega Speedmaster)
- Clasp is made of thin stamped steel.
- Stamped-in 'fake bracelet link' pattern on clasp

This post has been edited by BikerVoodoo: Sep 17 2009, 11:13 AM

The Stainless Steel Sub No Date (SSSND) was RM14k (after discount, retail RM17k or something), but 2 weeks ago or thereabouts it jumped to RM15k!!

That's when I decided to go for the SD. I don't mind the date on the SD, it's in fact quite practical but the cyclops magnifier just doesn't look right, for me. The DSSD would look perfect if they removed that ring inside which loudly proclaims its 'technology'. The thickness is a bit absurd but that's the price to pay for its unbelievable 12,800 feet / 3,900 metre depth rating.

Rolex is good but you're paying a lot for that 904L Steel, Parachome Blue spring (IF the one you're buying has it) and unique 3135 movement but most of all it's the brand.

There are tons of 'Homage' versions around, but I've found the best 'Bang For Buck' is a small direct-to-customer (he cuts out the middlemen and keeps the price down) watch company called OWC (Orange Watch Company), run by Daniel Fock.

Dan Fock has two homages, MS-5517 is an ISO (In the Spirit Of) of the R-5517 of 1972, a special issue to the SBS (Special Boat Squadron), with 200m water-resist. MS-9411 is apparently an ISO of the Tudor 9411/0 of early 1970’s, WR200m. He has increased it to 300m. Actually the T-9401/0 of 1976 was issued to the French Navy. Both similar watches… but he liked the 9411 number so went with that one.

Quality is good and they use an ST movement, which I believe is a close equivalent to an ETA 2824/2836. Even Swiss makers like Valanvron use ST movements, assemble them in Switzerland and qualify for 'Swiss Made'.


200M Milsub, 316L stainless steel, sapphire crystal


300M Snowflake, 316L stainless steel, anti-reflect, sapphire crystal

Check out their website and specs here: OWC WATCH SPECS

Value for money, good service from watchmaker Daniel Fock. He's very transparent and gives details about movements too: OWC MOVEMENTS

This post has been edited by BikerVoodoo: Sep 17 2009, 10:24 AM

IMHO the BM looks too complicated, the surfaces are too highly polished giving it an almost comical look. There are reasons why it's been discontinued I suppose. The Maurice-Lacroix designs also look ephemeral.

The Carrera is OK I suppose but at close to RM10k you'd be better off getting a stainless steel, no-date Rolex Submariner at RM15k!

Get something that will last you a lifetime. Research until you're absolutely sure, buy once.

Buy in haste, regret at leisure.



No regrets with the Rolex. It's a 'reference' watch.

This post has been edited by BikerVoodoo: Sep 26 2009, 11:28 AM

Nah it doesn't matter anyone can wear a Rolex. It's just that Malaysian society perceives it to be a certain way. The Submariner isn't common and is a watch you can keep for a lifetime.

By ephemeral I mean that the design isn't long lasting, it is, to me just a 'fad' and won't be here 50 years from now.

Classics like the Submariner have been around since 1954. The Omega Speedmaster has been around since 1957. Both are classics, with timeless designs. Both look up-to-date and perfectly acceptable even today.

The Speedmaster has hardly changed since 1962. Used in space, on the moon, etc. A legend. It looks absolutely NOT dated and even people who know hardly anything about watches are totally shocked when I tell them it was used on the moon.

One thing to keep in mind though, it's a MANUAL wind-up watch. This might be a hassle to you. The bracelet is amazing. The design puts Rolex to shame and the machined-from-solid clasp makes the stamped-steel Rolex clasp look like pasar malam stuff. The case has a beautiful combination of polished and brushed surfaces, with good curves.

Also, the NASA spec requires that the crystal be made of plastic. This means it's shatterproof but it can get scratched more easily than sapphire crystals (as per the Submariner, OWC MilSub, etc.). You'll need to give it a polish with Polywatch abrasive cream once in a while if the Omega crystal gets scratched.

The Speedmaster is RM10,900 but I believe you can get 10-15% off retail. The size is 42mm. Perfectly sized, and not insanely large. Good enough for daily use and to wear to formal events. The Sub is 40mm so it's a little too small.

Actually you probably don't need chrono, and the wind-up and plastic crystal can be a hassle. I think what you need is a classic Swiss mechanical watch, sapphire crystal, 300m water resistance, date display and a beautifully crafted metal bracelet/clasp.

This is my recommendation for you, the Omega 300M Sea-Master. http://www.amazon.com/Omega-Seamaster-Auto...0/dp/B000EJNL8U

This post has been edited by BikerVoodoo: Sep 26 2009, 12:31 PM

I believe there's the smaller 39 or 40mm 'Speedmaster Reduced' or the much more expensive Speedmaster Co-Axial which is 44mm and has a date display. Unless mistaken I think its closer to RM20k. This is like a mutant Speedmaster and doesn't really appeal to me.

http://www.omegawatches.com/index.php?id=1...1002&no_cache=1

I'd say get the Submariner. Being young you're gonna hit it on gates, walls, etc. The Sub is tough and won't look bad with a few scratches and dents on it. The date to me is a non issue. If you really must have a date there's the Deep Sea Sea-Dweller (DSSD), but is it worth the RM29k it's going for?

Not in favour. I'd rather go for an OWC. My brother is going to use one. Should be good. I'd say the quality will be at least Tudor Submariner level if not Rolex. OWCs are built with passion and in very limited quantity for the price of a Tissot. Everything a mechanical collectible divers watch should be.

Yes OWC is run by Dan Fock in Australia. Very transparent and straightforward guy. I will do my best to review and post my findings here.

The no date Submariner looks better. No cyclops magnifier so it looks clean and stylish.

Yes I think you should get the Rolex Submariner, Stainless Steel - No Date (SSND). It's a classic and a reference. If you don't wanna spend so much the OWC Milsub can be an alternative and you can save up for a DSSD.

Daytona is way too pricey and IMHO doesn't look that good.

If in doubt just take it to your nearest Rolex dealer. They can open it and check the movement inside. Rolex watches are insanely simple. I told everyone at the office that my Sea-Dweller was a Grade AAA fake and they believed it!!!

For a youthful age, active lifestyle, nothing beats the Casio DW5600!! Even the F91W is OK. Costs about RM45 to 50 now though. I got one for a friend on sale at RM39! Good stuff.

CP-MH just take it to Rolex KLCC and ask them to check if it's real. If you're gonna sell it also take into the account that servicing costs about RM3000 I think.

I'd still go for the Omega Speedmaster. Size is a fad. If you want to move up later I think there'd be buyers for a Speedmaster but little or none for a ML. Just my 2 Sen.

I think Rolex, Omega dealers can do it. Personally I use a cotton bud to give it a good wipe in the hard-to-reach places.

Nah don't worry they treated me relatively OK there. Speak to someone else, there's this Punjabi guy there who's quite helpful. Look him up.

Pah! No way. The Arrr-Money shop guys sort of thumbed their noses at me!