Rolex Sea-Dweller 126603 - Opinions on this watch?

zinterz · Jan 6, 2026

A family member has one and I'm just wondering what OF members' thoughts are on it? He got it upon release in 2019, but I don't see him wearing it much... his Speedmaster and Seamaster always take precedence it seems (not that that's a bad thing!). To me, it doesn't seem to be a particularly popular watch compared to GMT Master II and Submariners (as two examples).

Rolex main site link

Hodinkee "Introducing" link

Rolex-Sea-Dweller-43mm-Rolesor-126603-6.jpg.webp

duc · Jan 6, 2026

I like it. I recently went with a TT Datejust (on an Oyster bracelet) to scratch the itch. If I didn't already have a 16610, I would have looked in this direction.

Over the years I've steered clear of gold, but over the recent past, the look has begun to appeal to me more and more. The TT DJ could represent a sea change in my watch buying habits.

zinterz · Jan 8, 2026

duc
I like it. I recently went with a TT Datejust (on an Oyster bracelet) to scratch the itch. If I didn't already have a 16610, I would have looked in this direction.

Over the years I've steered clear of gold, but over the recent past, the look has begun to appeal to me more and more. The TT DJ could represent a sea change in my watch buying habits.

That's interesting. Gold generally doesn't appeal to me. I'm in my mid-thirties. I'm definitely more of a silver-colour sort of guy.

duc · Jan 8, 2026

zinterz
That's interesting. Gold generally doesn't appeal to me. I'm in my mid-thirties. I'm definitely more of a silver-colour sort of guy.

Until the DJ, almost all my watches tended to be utilitarian, and stainless (or black). Just in the past couple of years gold has started to appeal to me more and more. I'm no Auric Goldfinger, but a little gold has now become acceptable, where before it didn't interest me in the slightest.

That said, I've been studying the gold Day Dates on a presidente' bracelet more than ever...

97TJ · Jan 9, 2026

It's bulky, boring, ostentatious and ugly imo, no wonder he doesn't wear it.
At least he has good taste in Omega.

nkhandekar · Jan 11, 2026

I have the stainless version of this watch and I love it. I think this is a really good-looking watch and if I were looking for another sea-dweller this would be top of my list.

zinterz · Jan 11, 2026

97TJ
It's bulky, boring, ostentatious and ugly imo, no wonder he doesn't wear it.
At least he has good taste in Omega.

Every cloud… 😉

zinterz · Jan 11, 2026

nkhandekar
I have the stainless version of this watch and I love it. I think this is a really good-looking watch and if I were looking for another sea-dweller this would be top of my list.

Over a different Rolex?

nkhandekar · Jan 11, 2026

zinterz
Over a different Rolex?

Yes. If it were a blank slate, I would be choosing between the two versions of 43mm Sea-Dweller.

The only watch in the Rolex line-up that might make me think twice would be the titanium yacht master.

zinterz · Jan 11, 2026

nkhandekar
Yes. If it were a blank slate, I would be choosing between the two versions of 43mm Sea-Dweller.

The only watch in the Rolex line-up that might make me think twice would be the titanium yacht master.

See I think I much prefer the YM. But that’s just me I guess! 😄

97TJ · Jan 12, 2026

zinterz
Every cloud… 😉

...has a silver lining, at least he has the superior Omega.

Rolex Sea-Dweller 126603 - Opinions on this watch?

zinterz

duc

zinterz

duc

97TJ

nkhandekar

zinterz

zinterz

nkhandekar

zinterz

97TJ

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Opinions on this watch?