Rolex Sea-Dweller 'Triple 6' , 16660

We are proud to present this Rolex Sea-Dweller, reference 16660, offered for sale in mint condition for its age.

Developed in 1967, the Rolex Sea-Dweller was created to meet the extreme demands of professional saturation divers. Unlike the Submariner, which was designed for conventional diving, the Sea-Dweller was engineered for prolonged deep-sea missions where helium molecules could infiltrate the watch case during saturation diving. During decompression, this trapped helium caused crystals to eject from conventional watches. Rolex’s solution was the patented helium escape valve, permanently changing the landscape of professional dive watch engineering.

The reference 16660, often nicknamed the “Triple Six”, represents a major technical evolution within the Sea-Dweller lineage. Produced between 1978 and 1989, it was the first Sea-Dweller to feature a sapphire crystal, a significantly increased depth rating, and the high-beat calibre 3035 movement. It is also the transitional model between early matte-dial Sea-Dwellers and later glossy dial variants.

This example is housed in the classic 40mm stainless steel Oyster case with pin-hole lugs and a unidirectional diving bezel fitted with a black insert and silver depth graduations. The glossy black dial features tritium luminous hour markers edged in white gold, Mercedes hands, and a date aperture at 3 o’clock, notably without a Cyclops lens, preserving the tool-watch purity of the Sea-Dweller. The dial is protected by a flat sapphire crystal, while water resistance to an impressive 1,220 metres (4,000ft) is ensured by the robust Oyster case, screw-down crown, and helium escape valve positioned at 9 o’clock.

Powering the watch is the Rolex calibre 3035 automatic chronometer movement, and it is fitted to a brushed stainless steel Oyster bracelet with folding clasp and safety catch.

Originally purchased in June 1989, this Sea-Dweller remains in exceptional condition and benefits from a Rolex service carried out in February 2012 and June 2020. It is supplied with a highly complete and desirable set including its original inner and outer boxes, both swing tags, punched paper warranty, original purchase receipt, green leather card holder, booklets, bracelet adjustment tool, and Rolex service cards.

A landmark reference in the Sea-Dweller story, the 16660 is widely regarded as one of the most important and collectible professional dive watches ever produced.