Rolex Sea Dweller? advice?

[Vipers]

SJR Superlight said:

One thing that has just been raised to me in the office is that Rolex's arn't amazingly accurate? could anyone confirm; is this true or is my colleague spouting out jibberish again???

I usually check my watch weekly, just checked with the radio controlled kitchen clock, my Sea Dweller is 7 seconds out. My handbook is long gone, (maybe someone can verify this next statement), I do recall if you lay the watch on its back at night, it gains/looses, and if you stand it on its side it gains/looses, one or the other, cant remember. Anyway who cares if a watch is 45 seconds out.

Had mine since about 78, as the years wore on, it got quite bad for time keeping, (but only talking maybe a few mins a month), but after the 1st service, which the girl told me it was overdue by about 27 years, it has kept amazing time.

Of course on 30 day months, you have to wind the hands forward 24 hours to set the date to the 1st.

Someone asked about Sea Dweller v Submariner, well unless you feel you may be swimming around at 610 msw, (2000 fsw), then a Submariner will do. Think the Dweller is thicker as well, ie thicker case for deeper depths and hense subjected to higher pressure.

Worth checking out the Rolex dealers for used ones, certainly the one in Aberdeen sell a few which have been used, but fully refurbished.

[uktrailmonster]

SJR Superlight said:

Cheers, it certainly isn't something i was going to rush into. i am more than happy to sit back and absorb all the info i can before i spend my hard earned. i will have a browse and see what arises.

is there any other makes that you would suggest i look into around my price range?

i've had a look at some Panerai's and that's got to be next on the list for me (i've got the bug bad )but i like the classic styling also of the Sea Dweller for the first one i think...

Wise man.

Personally I find Rolex too flash and cliched. They make sime nice watches (the SD being one of them), but way too obvious for my taste. The only well known top end commercial brand I really like is Omega. The Planet Ocean is certainly worth a second look, or any of the Seamaster range for that matter. On quality, they're certainly a match for Rolex and arguably better. You could easily start a big flame war on that subject alone!

But at the sort of price you're considering I'd be looking for something a little more special from the likes of IWC, Girard-Perregaux, or maybe a top end Glycine, Sinn or DOXA. Browse their websites and see if anything stands out.

Edited by uktrailmonster on Thursday 6th December 19:49

[Vipers]

uktrailmonster said:

Wise man.

Personally I find Rolex too flash and cliched.

You might be right, but you have to ask why people buy them, I brought mine when I became an offshore commercial diver in 1975, at that time the only watches, (that I can recall) that were appropriate for diving were Rolex's and Omega, nothing else, of course now there are loads, a lot of divers now buy Seiko watches, cost a LOAD less, and do lots of more things.

A Rolex Sea Dweller only tells the time, date, and has a bezel on it. OK looks nice, but a good Seiko diving watch has Day, Month, Year, stop watch, etc etc....

At the end of the day, its each to their own. For example why do people buy TVR's to drive to work when a Ford KA would do (apologies to TVR owners - YES I do love them as well, but dont want one - but you get my drift).

On the plus side, a Rolex should/will appreciate in value in time, mine cost me £200 in 76, (Brand spanking new), insured now for over 2k... amazing yes, should have brought a bunch then.....

Will a Seiko appreciate?, but then you dont buy a watch I suppose to make money on it do you.

[Tunku]

Rolex cases have always seemed to me to be the ultimate in design and style. No unnecessary metal on the shoulders. The Sea Dweller shows this. My Dad had an Oyster he bought in 1960, which has the same shape. Nothing else touches it. Great unfussy design.
I have a Citizen NY2300 with a metal Oyster style band, looks superficially like a Sea Dweller, if you squint, but everytime I wear it, I wonder how I could shave the shoulders a bit to make it more stylish, Rolex style.

[uktrailmonster]

Vipers said:

You might be right, but you have to ask why people buy them

I think most people buy a Rolex just for the image or because it's the only expensive watch they've heard of. A gold Rolex has got to be one of the most cliched status symbols you can buy. If they really were special watches perhaps I could live with that image, but as there are plenty of other arguably better watches around I've never felt the need.

[SJR Superlight]

Thanks for all your input guys. Thanks Uktrailmonster, i will certainly check out the other brands.

If i am answering the question, 'why do i want a Rolex?' i think i have to start with what attracted me to the brand, and that is, i have to say the fact that it is a very established name (everyone has heard of Rolex), but the more i looked into it the more i fell in love with the stylling. It's so simple and somthing i beleive will never tire of...

I must admit i don't know very much about the inside workings of watches, but this is somthing i wish to change as looking inside watch cases does amaze me somewhat.

i was originally looking at the Submariner as i am no deep sea diver, but wanted the date function on the watch. i am not a fan of the date bubble they put on the Submariner so the Sea Dweller was the obvious next choice for me. i tried one on at Le Mans this year and loved the look of it. the extra height on the watch didn't bother me either.

[SpydieNut]

SJR Superlight said:

i fell in love with the stylling. It's so simple and somthing i beleive will never tire of...

i was originally looking at the Submariner, but wanted the date function. i am not a fan of the date bubble they put on the Submariner so the Sea Dweller was the obvious next choice.

exactly why i got mine. i love the look of it as much now as i did when i bought it ( almost 9 years ).

i know some people say why rolex, for the money there's x,y or z. that's like saying why porsche, there's ferrari etc etc. they're all excellent - just depends what *you* like the look of on your wrist.

Edited by SpydieNut on Friday 7th December 09:05

[Vipers]

SpydieNut said:

just depends what *you* like the look of on your wrist.

Spot on, if you like it, go for it.

[SJR Superlight]

Cheers guys, yeah i think it's going to have to be done.

I'm going to have a fun weekend trying on a few i think!

[NS24]

SpydieNut said:

SJR Superlight said:

i fell in love with the stylling. It's so simple and somthing i beleive will never tire of...

i was originally looking at the Submariner, but wanted the date function. i am not a fan of the date bubble they put on the Submariner so the Sea Dweller was the obvious next choice.

exactly why i got mine. i love the look of it as much now as i did when i bought it ( almost 9 years ).

i know some people say why rolex, for the money there's x,y or z. that's like saying why porsche, there's ferrari etc etc. they're all excellent - just depends what *you* like the look of on your wrist.

Edited by SpydieNut on Friday 7th December 09:05

Me too! Originally had a sub - then traded up for a Sea Dweller - no ugly bubble & a chunkier feel - although it now looks quite weedy compared to a Seiko Monster.

I'm not sure that something like a SD is at all 'showy' like some Rolex's - which can look pretty grim. I like to think of it like a basic, classic, no-frills 911 - slightly quirky but unadorned with unnecessary chintz.

[fade2grey]

One thing you'll notice is the weight.. it's not light on the wrist, but you get used to it.

Difference between the Sub & the dweller - personally I don't like the date bubble on the sub.. other than that the dweller is slightly thicker if I remember rightly. As for spotting the difference on someone wearing one.. yeah you could but they are as close as makes no difference.

Buy it because you like it & you'll be sorted Only thing I'd trade mine for is a Patek.

[uktrailmonster]

SJR Superlight said:

Thanks for all your input guys. Thanks Uktrailmonster, i will certainly check out the other brands.

If i am answering the question, 'why do i want a Rolex?' i think i have to start with what attracted me to the brand, and that is, i have to say the fact that it is a very established name (everyone has heard of Rolex), but the more i looked into it the more i fell in love with the stylling. It's so simple and somthing i beleive will never tire of...

No worries, just helping to widen your horizons. If you still like the Rolex better than all the rest and it makes you happy, then go for it. If it's the styling you're into rather than the brand, there are other equal quality (in some cases better) clones out there. I'm not talking about cheap fakes or replicas, but genuine peers. Seiko Marine Master 600 for example. See review below:-

http://www.larrybiggs.net/scwf/index.php?mod=103&a...

[Marki]

I have had my rolex Submariner for 18 years , it has put up wih all sort of abuse , have dived to 40 mts with ,it fallen off bikes at speed with it banged it about whilst trousered , they are great watches

[205lad]

Reviving a long dead thread but as a postscript-

The Seadweller is now discontinued and the values of them are rising as they become scarce.

If the original poster did buy one he now owns and appreciating asset which you can't say about many other horological marques.

The appeal of the right Rolex is financial as well as aesthetic.

Let's just ignore the fact they feel cheap and are overpriced to start with, as a hedge against inflation the right steel sports Rolex is on a par with gold.

[Vipers]

205lad said:

Let's just ignore the fact they feel cheap

Tut tut tut, wash your mouth out with soap......

205lad said:

and are overpriced.

Agree with that one though

[Asterix]

Feel cheap - are you kidding?

The strap may feel a little lightweight but it is of excellent performance - and the case feels nuclear bomb proof!

Price - perhaps, shop around for a good dicount and they become more reasonable.

[205lad]

The strap is cheap and nasty which is what I was referring to. I've had my SD for years now and the watch itself is faultless taking knocks without problems.

Even the most ardent Rolex fan has to admit that the perceived build quality of the strap is pish.

Regarding price if you can find a seadweller in stock then you'll be lucky to get anything more than a token amount off because these watches are discontinued and in extremely high demand. In fact some non approved stockists are starting to demand a premium!

[Vipers]

205lad said:

Even the most ardent Rolex fan has to admit that the perceived build quality of the strap is pish.

Well unless the build quality has degraded, than actually NO, brought mine in 75, and I have never ever thought the strap is anything but a strap of some buety. Its still going strong as well.

[205lad]

They last well which is why I said 'perceived build quality'. However compared to 'lesser' brands like Omega the chaps feel nasty and flimsy. Not what one expects of a 3 grand watch. Hope mine lasts as long as yours!

[F360]

The Breitling SuperOcean Steelfish Is Just as Good. with 2000m Depth and a very good looking design, Is far cheaper than a Rolex SeaDweller.

My CHoice. If u gonna get the standard SeaDweller, Get A Submariner, Or wait for the all new SeaDweller Deepsea 3900M.