Rolex
Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600
The Rolex Sea-Dweller (reference 16600) is a 40 mm stainless steel watch with a black dial. It runs on the automatic caliber 3135 with a 48-hour power reserve and is water resistant to 1220 m. It is no longer in production.
Specifications
Case
- Reference
- 16600
- Collection
- Sea-Dweller
- Case size
- 40 mm
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Case shape
- Round
- Crystal
- Sapphire
- Water resistance
- 1220 m
- Bracelet / strap
- Oyster, stainless steel bracelet
Dial and bezel
- Dial
- Black
- Bezel
- Black aluminium unidirectional 60-min dive bezel
Movement
- Movement
- Automatic
- Caliber
- 3135
- Power reserve
- 48 hours
- Frequency
- 28,800 vph
- Jewels
- 31
- Functions
- Date, Dive bezel, Helium escape valve
Production
- Production
- Discontinued
Dial versions
This reference was made with these dials and finishes.
16600 Black Tritium indexes
Tritium indexes (used through 1998); gloss black
16600 Black SuperLuminova indexes
SuperLuminova indexes (from 1999)
16600 Comex
Comex dial/caseback engravings · “Comex”
How it compares within the Sea-Dweller family
Side by side with other references in the same collection, from the catalog.
| Reference | Size | Material | Dial | Caliber | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16600 (This watch) | 40 mm | Stainless steel | Black | 3135 | — |
| 116600 | 40 mm | Oystersteel | Black | 3135 | 2014–2017 |
| 116660 | 44 mm | Oystersteel and titanium | — | 3135 | 2008–2018 |
| 126067 | 50 mm | RLX titanium | Black | 3230 | 2022–2025 |
| 126600 | 43 mm | Oystersteel | Black | 3235 | 2017– |
| 126603 | 43 mm | Yellow Rolesor | Black | 3235 | 2019– |
| 126660 | 44 mm | Oystersteel and titanium | — | 3235 | 2018–2022 |
| 136660 | 44 mm | Oystersteel and RLX titanium | — | 3235 | 2022– |
| 136668LB | 44 mm | 18k yellow gold | Blue | 3235 | 2024– |
About the Sea-Dweller family
The Sea-Dweller was introduced in 1967 with ref. 1665 for professional saturation divers, adding a helium escape valve and a deeper water rating to the Submariner design. The ref. 16600 continued the line from the late 1980s, and the Rolex Deepsea joined in 2008 with its Ringlock case system and much greater depth rating.
In 2017 the Sea-Dweller grew to 43 mm with ref. 126600, which brought back a line of red text on the dial and added a Cyclops lens. A Rolesor version, ref. 126603, followed. The catalog also covers Deepsea references such as the 126660 and 136660, the yellow gold 136668LB and the RLX titanium Deepsea Challenge ref. 126067. Dealers note the dial version and, on Deepsea models, the dial colour.
Quick answers
- What size is the Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600?
- The Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600 has a 40 mm case.
- What movement does the Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600 use?
- It uses the automatic caliber 3135, with a 48-hour power reserve.
- How water resistant is the Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600?
- It is water resistant to 1220 metres.
- Is the Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600 still in production?
- Discontinued.
- What is the Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600 made of?
- The case is stainless steel. Bracelet or strap: Oyster, stainless steel bracelet.
Catalog facts checked September 2026.