A fake Rolex 16660 is a replica of the vintage Sea-Dweller nicknamed the "Triple Six," a 40mm dive watch Rolex built from 1978 to 1989. Strong replicas match the sapphire crystal, the 1220m depth rating printed on the dial, the helium escape valve at 9 o'clock, and the 20mm lug width. The details that expose a fake are the dial text, the bezel insert font, and the shape of the crown guards.
What Is the Rolex 16660?
The 16660 replaced the 1665 "Great White" and ran until the 16600 took over in 1989. It was the first Sea-Dweller with a sapphire crystal instead of plexiglass, which let Rolex raise the depth rating from 610m to 1220m. The reference keeps the 40mm Oyster case, the unidirectional bezel, and the gas escape valve that vents helium during saturation diving.
- Case: 40mm steel, about 15mm thick, 20mm lugs
- Crystal: flat sapphire, no cyclops
- Movement: caliber 3035, quickset date, hacking
- Dial: matte black on early examples, glossy later, with white gold surround markers
- Depth rating: 1220m / 4000ft, printed above the date window
Rolex moved from matte to glossy dials around 1984. That split matters for replicas because most factories build the later glossy version and then sell it as an early watch.
What Does a Fake Rolex 16660 Cost?
Replica pricing falls into three rough bands, and the band says more about the movement and finishing than about how close the watch looks to the real thing.
- $120 to $250: entry builds with a 21-jewel 2813 movement, 316L steel, and mineral or low-grade sapphire
- $280 to $500: mid tier with a better case, sapphire crystal, and an A2836 or clone 3135 movement
- $500 and up: top tier with 904L steel, a cloned 3135, sharper dial printing, and a solid bracelet
A high price does not promise accuracy. Some mid-tier 16660 replicas get the dial and bezel right and beat a costlier build that misses the crown guards or the case flank.
Which Details Give a Fake 16660 Away?
Four areas carry most of the tells. Check them in this order, because a wrong dial matters more than a soft case back.
Crown Guards and Case Profile
Genuine 16660 crown guards are wide and flat-topped, and they sit close to the crown without swallowing it. Replica guards often look rounded, too tall, or too thin where they meet the midcase. Look at the lug holes too, since early 16660 cases were drilled and later ones were not.
Dial Printing and Lume
Dial text is the fastest tell. The real dial uses a specific serif shape, tight letter spacing, and "SWISS - T<25" or "SWISS MADE" at 6 o'clock. Replica dials show thick fonts, uneven spacing, or lume plots that glow bright green instead of the cream tone that aged tritium gives off.
Bezel Insert and Pearl
Original inserts have crisp numbers, a wide triangle at 12, and a pip set inside a metal ring. Copies show soft printing, a crooked triangle, or a pearl that sits proud of the insert and catches light at the wrong angle.
Crystal, Cyclops, and Case Back
The 16660 has no cyclops, so any replica with a magnifier is the wrong model. Turn the watch over and check the engraving between the lugs, where the reference number should read 16660 with clean stamps rather than shallow laser etching.
What Movement Comes in a 16660 Replica?
Most factories drop a modern clone into a vintage case, so the movement inside rarely matches a real 3035. What matters is whether it runs, hacks, and keeps time.
- DG2813: cheap, noisy rotor, and some versions do not hack
- A2836-2: an ETA clone with quickset date that any watchmaker can service
- SH3135 or VS3135: a Rolex-style clone with the correct hand stack and date flip feel
- ETA 2824 or Sellita SW200: the Swiss option, uncommon in vintage-styled builds
A solid case back hides the movement, so the choice affects feel and repair cost rather than looks. A service on a clone 3135 runs $100 to $200 at an independent shop.
Can You Swim With a Fake 16660?
Do not dive with it. Replica cases leave the factory without a pressure test, and the gaskets may sit dry or misshapen. A rinse in fresh water is fine, but chlorine, salt water, and steam will find the weak points.
If you plan to wear the watch near water, ask a watchmaker to test the case and swap the gaskets. That service costs $40 to $80 and still does not guarantee the 1220m rating printed on the dial.
How Do You Check a Fake 16660 Before You Pay?
- Ask for photos of the dial, crown guards, and case back in normal light. Studio shots hide flaws.
- Request a timegrapher readout. Rate, amplitude, and beat error show whether the movement is healthy.
- Confirm the size. A 16660 is 40mm wide with 20mm lugs, so a 42mm case belongs to another reference.
- Watch the date change at midnight and compare the date font to reference photos.
- Buy from a seller who offers a return window and has a repair history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a fake Rolex 16660 worth buying?
It can be, if you want the vintage Sea-Dweller look without paying vintage money. A genuine 16660 sells for thousands of dollars on the secondary market, while a replica costs a small share of that. The trade-off is water resistance, service life, and resale value.
Will a replica 16660 fool a watchmaker?
No. Under a loupe the dial, hands, and case finish show clear differences from an original. Across a table, most people will not notice.
What size is a replica 16660?
Good ones measure 40mm across, 20mm between the lugs, and about 15mm thick. If a listing says 42mm or 22mm lugs, the case comes from a different model.
Do replica 16660 watches hold value?
No. Replica prices track factory supply and demand, not the vintage market, and a used copy sells for less than new.
Quick Buying Checklist
- Crown guards flat-topped and tight to the case
- Dial text with correct serif shapes and even spacing
- No cyclops over the date
- Bezel insert with crisp numbers and a centered pearl
- 40mm case, 20mm lugs, 15mm thick
- Movement that hacks and holds time on a timegrapher
- Seller with returns, real photos, and a service option
A fake Rolex 16660 lives or dies on the small parts. Spend your budget on the dial, bezel, and case shape first, then on the movement.