How Much Is a Rolex Sea-Dweller? Full Price Guide

A Rolex Sea-Dweller typically retails between $14,550 and $22,550, while pre-owned Sea-Dweller models range from roughly $10,000 up to $65,000 for solid gold pieces. In this guide, we break down current prices for popular Sea-Dweller references, and explain what drives those numbers to show you where the real value sits in today’s market.

Key Takeaways

The steel Sea-Dweller 126600 retails for $14,550 and currently trades around $12,000 pre-owned, one of the few Rolex sport models selling below its list price

The two-tone Sea-Dweller 126603 retails for about $20,300, with pre-owned examples typically between $18,000 and $19,000

The Deepsea 136660 retails for $15,550, and the D-Blue “James Cameron” dial commands a premium on the secondary market

The titanium Deepsea Challenge retails between $15,550 to $68,100. Pre-owned models start around $12,000 but can sell for as much as $65,000 or more.

Vintage references like the Double Red 1665 can reach $40,000 to $50,000 and beyond

Sea-Dwellers at retail often involve a waitlist at authorized dealers, while pre-owned examples are available immediately

Whether you are shopping for your first Sea-Dweller, valuing one you already own, or comparing it against a Submariner, the numbers below will give you a clear picture of what this watch costs across every generation. Let’s start with a quick overview, then dig into each model.

Rolex Sea-Dweller Prices at a Glance

Here is a summary of current retail and pre-owned pricing across the Sea-Dweller family as of July 2026.

Model / Reference | Retail Price (MSRP) | Pre-Owned Market Price | Status
Sea-Dweller 43mm Oystersteel (126600) | $14,550 | $12,000 – $16,000 | In production
Sea-Dweller 43mm two-tone (126603) | $22,450 | $18,000 – $20,000 | In production
Deepsea 44mm (136660) | $15,550 | $15,000 – $20,500 | In production
Deepsea 44mm yellow gold (136668LB) | $68,100 | $65,000+ | In production
Deepsea Challenge 50mm titanium (126067) | $29,100 | $40,000 – $45,000 | In production
Sea-Dweller 4000 (116600) | Discontinued | $13,000 – $15,000 | 2014 – 2017
Sea-Dweller 16600 | Discontinued | $9,000 – $12,000 | 1989 – 2008
Sea-Dweller “Triple Six” 16660 | Discontinued | $10,000 – $15,000 | 1978 – 1989
Double Red Sea-Dweller 1665 | Discontinued | $40,000 – $45,000+ | 1967 – 1977

Retail prices reflect current Rolex USA list pricing. Pre-owned figures are based on recent secondary market sales and vary with condition, completeness, and dial variant.

Current Rolex Sea-Dweller Retail Prices

Rolex currently produces the Sea-Dweller in two 43mm versions, alongside the larger Rolex Deepsea models that share the same family DNA. Retail prices are set by Rolex and apply at authorized dealers, though getting one at list price usually means joining a waitlist. Here is what each current model costs and what you get for the money.

Sea-Dweller 126600 (Oystersteel, 43mm)

The steel Rolex Sea-Dweller 126600 carries a retail price of $14,550 and pre-owned sells for about $12,000-$16,000. Introduced in 2017 to mark the model’s 50th anniversary, it brought back the red “Sea-Dweller” text from the original 1967 watch and added a Cyclops lens over the date for the first time in the model’s history. It runs on the in-house Caliber 3235 and is built for professional saturation diving.

For that price, you get one of the most capable dive watches Rolex has ever put into regular production. It wears like a serious tool watch but still works with a suit, which is a big part of why it remains the most popular reference in the collection.

Case: 43mm Oystersteel

Water resistance: 1,220 meters (4,000 feet)

Movement: Caliber 3235, 70 hour power reserve

Bezel: Unidirectional black Cerachrom ceramic

Bracelet: Oyster with Glidelock extension

Helium escape valve for saturation diving

Sea-Dweller 126603 (Oystersteel and Yellow Gold, 43mm)

The two-tone Rolex 126603 retails for about $22,450 and can be found pre-owned for about $18,000-$20,000. Released in 2019, it was the first Sea-Dweller ever offered in anything other than full steel, and it caused a stir among collectors when it debuted. Pairing yellow gold with a professional saturation dive watch seemed unusual at first, but the combination found its audience quickly.

The premium over the stainless steel model comes down to the 18k yellow gold used on the bezel, crown, and center bracelet links. Mechanically, it is identical to the 126600, with the same case, movement, and depth rating. If you want a Rolex sport watch that pulls double duty as a dress piece, this is one of the strongest options in the catalog.

Case: 43mm Oystersteel with 18k yellow gold accents

Water resistance: 1,220 meters (4,000 feet)

Movement: Caliber 3235, 70 hour power reserve

Bezel: Yellow gold with black Cerachrom insert

Bracelet: Two-tone Oyster with Glidelock extension

Rolex Deepsea 136660 (44mm), Including the D-Blue “James Cameron”

The Rolex Deepsea 136660 retails for $15,550. This model is offered with either a black dial or the D-Blue gradient dial that honors James Cameron’s 2012 solo dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. Rated to 3,900 meters, it more than triples the depth rating of the standard Sea-Dweller thanks to the patented Ringlock System, a 5.5mm thick domed sapphire crystal, and a titanium caseback.

On the pre-owned market, the black dial version typically sells around $15,500+ as a complete set, while the D-Blue commands around $20,500+. The premium reflects the D-Blue dial’s collector appeal, along with a mid-2024 dial text change that created an early and late production divide that collectors track closely.

Case: 44mm Oystersteel, 17.7mm thick

Water resistance: 3,900 meters (12,800 feet)

Movement: Caliber 3235, 70 hour power reserve

Ringlock System with titanium caseback

Dial options: Black or D-Blue gradient

Deepsea Challenge 126067 and the Gold Deepsea 136668LB

The Deepsea Challenge sits at the top of the family. This 50mm RLX titanium watch is rated to an extraordinary 11,000 meters and listed around $29,100 at retail. The Rolex 126067 was launched in late 2022 and supply has never come close to demand. Pre-owned examples now sell between $40,000 and $45,000, well above the retail price. It is the largest watch in the Rolex catalog and one of the few Sea-Dweller family models that trades at a significant premium.

In 2024, Rolex also introduced the Deepsea in solid 18k yellow gold with a blue dial and matching blue ceramic bezel (ref. 136668LB). It is a statement piece in every sense, with secondary market asking prices well above $60,000. Both watches serve a small audience, but they show how far Rolex is willing to push this collection.

Pre-Owned and Discontinued Sea-Dweller Prices

Most Sea-Dweller transactions happen on the pre-owned market, and this is where the price range opens up dramatically. A well-worn 16600 can be found for around $10,000, while a clean vintage Double Red 1665 can command ten times that amount. The table below covers the discontinued references you are most likely to encounter.

Reference | Production Years | Typical Pre-Owned Range | Collector Notes
1665 “Double Red” | 1967 – 1977 | $40,000 – $45,000+ | Two lines of red dial text; four dial marks, with Mk1 and Mk2 most valuable
1665 “Great White” | 1977 – 1983 | $16,500 – $30,000 | White dial text; the last Sea-Dweller with a plexiglass crystal
16660 “Triple Six” | 1978 – 1989 | $10,000 – $15,000 | First sapphire crystal and 1,220m rating; transitional matte dials carry premiums
16600 | 1989 – 2008 | $9,000 – $12,000 | Nearly 20 years of production; a favorite entry point into the collection
116600 “SD4000” | 2014 – 2017 | $13,000 – $15,000 | Only three years of production; 40mm case with a ceramic bezel and no Cyclops
116660 / 126660 Deepsea | 2008 – 2022 | $13,000 – $16,000 | D-Blue dials sit at the top of the range

Several factors move a specific watch within these ranges. A full set with the original box, papers, and accessories typically adds $1,000 to $2,000 over a watch alone, and the spread grows on newer references where missing paperwork raises more questions. Unpolished cases with sharp edges bring premiums on vintage pieces, while heavy polishing and replacement parts push prices toward the bottom of the range.

The current market also presents a rare situation. The steel Rolex 126600 trades below its retail price, according to secondary market data, at a time when most Rolex sport models sell above list. For buyers, that makes the modern Sea-Dweller one of the better values in the entire Rolex catalog right now.

What Determines the Price of a Rolex Sea-Dweller?

No two Sea-Dwellers are worth exactly the same amount. These are the factors that matter most when pricing a specific watch:

Reference and era. Vintage references like the 1665 carry historical significance that modern watches cannot match, while current models are priced closer to their retail benchmarks.

Materials. Oystersteel is the baseline. Two-tone Rolesor, solid gold, and RLX titanium each raise the price tier significantly.

Condition. Unworn and like-new examples bring top dollar. Cases that have been polished repeatedly or show heavy wear sell at a discount.

Box and papers. A complete set typically adds $1,000 to $2,000 in value, and original punched papers on vintage pieces can add far more.

Dial variants. Details like the Double Red dial marks, the D-Blue gradient, or early “Mk1” dials on the 126600 can shift value by thousands of dollars.

Market cycles. Sea-Dweller prices peaked in early 2022 during the broader watch market surge and have since cooled, creating today’s buyer friendly conditions.

Rolex retail increases. Rolex raises list prices nearly every year, which gradually lifts the floor under pre-owned values across the collection.

Where you buy. Authorized dealers sell at MSRP with waitlists, manufacturer certified programs carry premiums, and the open pre-owned market usually offers the sharpest pricing.

Does the Rolex Sea-Dweller Hold Its Value?

The honest answer is that it depends on your time horizon. Over the past five years, the steel 126600 has declined in market value, underperforming the broader Rolex market as prices corrected from their 2022 peak. It currently trades below its retail price, which is unusual for a Rolex Professional model. Anyone who bought at the height of the boom and sold recently took a loss.

Zoom out further and the picture changes. Vintage references have appreciated substantially over the decades, with the Double Red 1665 among the strongest performers in the entire Rolex catalog. Even the humble 16600 has climbed well above what it sold for a retail. Long term, Sea-Dwellers have rewarded patient owners, and the current discount to retail arguably makes this a better moment to buy than to sell. For short term flippers, though, this is not the reference to chase.

How Much Is My Rolex Sea-Dweller Worth?

If you own a Sea-Dweller and want to know its value, the process is straightforward. Follow these steps:

Identify your reference number. It is engraved between the lugs at the 12 o’clock position, visible once the bracelet end link is removed. Your papers will also list it.

Assess condition and completeness. Note any scratches, polishing history, and whether you have the original box, warranty card or papers, and accessories.

Check recent sold prices. Look at what your exact reference has actually sold for recently, not what sellers are asking. Sold prices are the true measure of market value.

Get a professional quote. A reputable pre-owned dealer can give you a firm offer based on the specifics of your watch, which removes the guesswork.

As a general guide, a modern 126600 in good condition with box and papers is worth around $12,000 to $16,000 today, while vintage references vary too widely for a single estimate. Condition, dial variant, and originality can move the number by thousands, so an individual evaluation is always worth the time. Those looking to sell their watch can get a fast quote on our sell Rolex Sea-Dweller page.

Where to Buy a Rolex Sea-Dweller (and Is It Hard to Get?)

Sea Dweller Deepsea

The Sea-Dweller is harder to buy from an AD than most luxury watches for sale, but it is one of the more attainable Rolex Professional models. Authorized dealers typically maintain waitlists, though the wait is generally shorter than for a steel Submariner, Daytona, or GMT-Master II. The Deepsea is often available with even less delay, since its 44mm case limits the buyer pool. The pre-owned market, by contrast, offers immediate availability across every reference, often at prices below retail.

Each buying channel comes with tradeoffs:

Authorized dealer: You pay MSRP and receive a full factory warranty, but you may wait months and purchase history at the boutique often matters.

Certified pre-owned programs: Watches come with a manufacturer backed warranty, though prices typically run above the open pre-owned market.

Reputable pre-owned dealers: Immediate availability, authenticated watches, and current market pricing, frequently below retail on modern Sea-Dweller references.

Private sales and marketplaces: Potentially the lowest prices, but with the highest risk. Authentication, condition, and recourse all fall on the buyer.

For most buyers, the pre-owned route offers the best combination of price, selection, and speed, especially with the modern Sea-Dweller trading below its list price. Just make sure any watch you consider has been authenticated by someone qualified to do so.

The Rolex Sea-Dweller Price: What You Will Really Pay in 2026

So how much is a Rolex Sea-Dweller? At retail, plan on $14,550 for the steel 126600, about $22,400 for the two-tone 126603, and $15,550 for the Deepsea, assuming you can secure one through an authorized dealer. On the pre-owned market, the steel model trades around $12,000+ depending on the model you’d like to purchase. In addition to getting a good price when buying pre-owned, you will also have more to choose from since discontinued model will be available for sale.

The bigger story is timing. Rolex raises retail prices almost every year, yet the modern Sea-Dweller currently sells below list on the secondary market, a discount that rarely appears on Rolex sport models. That gap will not necessarily last. If you have been considering a Sea-Dweller, the current market favors buyers in a way it has not for years. Browse our collection of pre-owned Rolex Sea-Dweller watches to see current inventory and pricing, or reach out for a free quote if you have one to sell.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rolex Sea-Dweller Prices
Most modern Sea-Dweller 126600 models are worth $12,000 to $16,000 pre-owned, while vintage references range from about $9,000 for a worn 16600 to more than $45,000+ for a rare Double Red 1665. The three biggest factors are your reference number, the watch’s condition, and whether you have the original box and papers. Checking recent sold prices for your exact reference or requesting a professional quote will give you the most accurate number. Buying a Sea-Dweller at an authorized dealer usually involves a waitlist, but it is easier to obtain than a steel Submariner, Daytona, or GMT-Master II. Pre-owned examples are readily available at any time and currently sell below retail, which makes the secondary market the faster and often cheaper path to ownership. Over the long term, yes. Vintage references have appreciated significantly, and even standard models have climbed well beyond their original retail prices over the decades. In the short term, the modern 126600 has declined over the past five years and trades below retail, so recent buyers have seen softer values. The most affordable entry point is a well-worn ref. 16600, which typically sells for $9,000 to $12,000. Produced from 1989 to 2008, it offers the same 1,220 meter depth rating as the current model in a classic 40mm case, making it a favorite first Sea-Dweller among collectors. When the original Sea-Dweller ref. 1665 launched in 1967, it sold for a few hundred dollars, in line with other Rolex professional models of the era. Clean examples of that same watch now sell for $40,000+, one of the strongest long term appreciation stories in the Rolex catalog.