<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2017-05-19</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001060736</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SEATTLE GENETICS INC /WA</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SGEN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001263508</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BAKER BROS. ADVISORS LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISON AVENUE, 21ST FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10065</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001087940</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BAKER FELIX</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISON AVENUE, 21ST FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10065</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001087939</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BAKER JULIAN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISON AVENUE, 21ST FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10065</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001580575</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Baker Bros. Advisors (GP) LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISION AVENUE, 21ST FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>New York</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001551139</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>667, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISION AVENUE, 21ST FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10065</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001363364</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Baker Brothers Life Sciences LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISION AVENUE, 21ST FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10065</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>107511</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>107504</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2017-05-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3700</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>66.60</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4888564</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F10"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F11"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2017-05-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3700</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>66.60</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>40898792</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnotes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F10"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F11"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Options (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>66.60</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2017-05-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>9260</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2018-05-18</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2027-05-18</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>9260</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9260</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Footnotes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F9"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F10"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F11"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Options (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>66.60</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2017-05-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>9260</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2018-05-18</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2027-05-18</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>9260</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9260</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Footnotes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F10"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F11"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F12"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Reflects shares of common stock of Seattle Genetics, Inc. (the &quot;Issuer&quot;) held directly by Felix J. Baker.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Reflects shares of common stock of the Issuer held directly by Julian C. Baker.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Restricted Stock Units (the &quot;Restricted Stock Units&quot;) payable solely in Common Shares granted to Felix J. Baker on May 19, 2017, pursuant to the Amended and Restated 2007 Equity Incentive Plan. The Restricted Stock Units fully vest on May 18, 2018. Felix J. Baker serves on the Issuer's Board of Directors (the &quot;Board&quot;) as a representative of the Funds (as defined below). Pursuant to the policies of Baker Bros. Advisors LP (the &quot;Adviser&quot;), Felix J. Baker does not have a right to any of the Issuer's securities issued as part of his service on the Board and the Funds (as defined below), are entitled to receive all the pecuniary interest in the securities issued. 667, L.P. (&quot;667&quot;) and Baker Brothers Life Sciences, L.P. (&quot;Life Sciences&quot;)(collectively the &quot;Funds&quot;) each owns an indirect proportionate pecuniary interest in the Restricted Stock Units. Solely as a result of Julian C. Baker's and Felix J. Baker's ownership interest.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">After giving effect to the transactions reported herein and as a result of their ownership interest in Baker Biotech Capital (GP), LLC, Julian C. Baker and Felix J. Baker each may be deemed to have an indirect pecuniary interest in the Issuer's shares of Common Stock reported in column 5 of Table I directly held by 667, a limited partnership of which the sole general partner is Baker Biotech Capital, L.P., a limited partnership of which the sole general partner is Baker Biotech Capital (GP), LLC, due to Baker Biotech Capital, L.P.'s right to receive an allocation of a portion of the profits from 667.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Includes beneficial ownership of 14,400 previously issued restricted stock units payable solely in common shares issued to Felix Baker in his capacity as a director of the Issuer pursuant to the Amended and Restated 2007 Equity Incentive Plan of which the fund may be deemed to own a portion and 40,000 shares received previously from exercise of 40,000 stock options of the Issuer that were issued to Felix J. Baker in his capacity as a director of the Issuer, of which the fund may be deemed to own a portion.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">After giving effect to the transactions reported herein and as a result of their ownership interest in Baker Brothers Life Sciences Capital (GP), LLC, Julian C. Baker and Felix J. Baker each may be deemed to have an indirect pecuniary interest in the Issuer's shares of Common Stock reported in column 5 of Table I directly held by Life Sciences, a limited partnership of which the sole general partner is Baker Brothers Life Sciences Capital, L.P., a limited partnership of which the sole general partner is Baker Brothers Life Sciences Capital (GP), LLC, due to Baker Brothers Life Sciences Capital, L.P.'s right to receive an allocation of a portion of the profits from Life Sciences.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">The disclosure of the grant of Restricted Stock and Stock Options (as defined below) reported on this form is a single grant of 3,700 Restricted Stock Units and 9,260 Stock Options. The 3,700 Restricted Stock Units and 9,260 Stock Options (as defined below) are reported for each of the Funds as each has an indirect pecuniary interest.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">Non-qualified stock options (&quot;Stock Options&quot;) convertible solely into Common Shares granted to Felix J. Baker on May 19, 2017, pursuant to the Issuer's Amended and Restated 2007 Equity Incentive Plan. The Stock Options with a strike price of $66.60 vest on May 18, 2018. Felix J. Baker serves on the Board as a representative of the Funds. Pursuant to the policies of the Adviser, Felix J. Baker did not have a right to any of the Issuer's securities issued as part of his service on the Board and the Funds, were entitled to receive all the pecuniary interest in the securities issued. The Funds each own an indirect proportionate pecuniary interest in the Stock Options. Solely as a result of Felix J. Baker's and Julian C. Baker's ownership interest in the general partners of the general partners of the Funds, Felix J. Baker and Julian C. Baker may be deemed to have an indirect pecuniary interest in the Stock Options (i.e. no direct pecuniary interest).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F9">As a result of their ownership interest in Baker Biotech Capital (GP), LLC, Felix J. Baker and Julian C. Baker may be deemed to have an indirect pecuniary interest in 9,260 options to purchase the Common Stock of the Issuer beneficially owned by 667, a limited partnership of which the sole general partner is Baker Biotech Capital, L.P., a limited partnership of which the sole general partner is Baker Biotech Capital (GP), LLC, due to Baker Biotech Capital, L.P.'s right to receive an allocation of a portion of the profits from 667.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F10">The Adviser serves as the Investment Adviser to the Funds. In connection with the services provided by the Adviser, the Adviser receives an asset-based management fee that does not confer any pecuniary interest in the securities held by the Funds. Baker Bros. Advisors (GP) LLC (the &quot;Adviser GP&quot;) is the Adviser's sole general partner. Julian C. Baker and Felix J. Baker are principals of the Adviser GP. The Adviser has complete and unlimited discretion and authority with respect to the investment and voting power of the securities held by the Funds. The general partners of the Funds relinquished to the Adviser all discretion and authority with respect to the investment and voting power of the securities held by the Funds. Pursuant to agreements between Felix J. Baker and the Adviser, the Adviser has investment and dispositive power over the Stock Options and any shares received as a result of the exercise of options.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F11">Julian C. Baker, Felix J. Baker, the Adviser GP and the Adviser disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities held directly by the Funds except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that any of Julian C. Baker, Felix J. Baker, the Adviser GP or the Adviser is a beneficial owner of such securities for purposes of Section 16 or any other purpose.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F12">As a result of their ownership interest in Baker Brothers Life Sciences Capital (GP), LLC, Felix J. Baker and Julian C. Baker may be deemed to have an indirect pecuniary interest 9,260 options to purchase Common Stock of the Issuer beneficially owned by Life Sciences, a limited partnership of which the sole general partner is Baker Brothers Life Sciences Capital, L.P., a limited partnership of which the sole general partner is Baker Brothers Life Sciences Capital (GP), LLC, due to Baker Brothers Life Sciences Capital, L.P.'s right to receive an allocation of a portion of the profits from Life Sciences.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>Felix J. Baker is a director of Seattle Genetics, Inc. (the &quot;Issuer&quot;). By virtue of his representation on the Board of Directors of the Issuer, for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the reporting persons are deemed directors by deputization of the Issuer.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Baker Bros. Advisors LP, Name: Scott L. Lessing, Title: President /s/ Scott L. Lessing</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-05-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Felix J. Baker</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-05-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Julian C. Baker</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-05-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Baker Bros. Advisors (GP) LLC, Name: Scott L. Lessing, Title: President /s/ Scott L. Lessing</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-05-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Baker Bros. Advisors LP, Mgmt. Co. and Inv. to 667, L.P. pursuant to authority granted to Baker Biotech Capital, L.P., GP to 667, L.P. Name: Scott L. Lessing Title: President /s/ Scott L. Lessing</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-05-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Baker Bros. Advisors LP, Mgmt. Co. and Inv. Adviser to BAKER BROTHERS LIFE SCIENCES, L.P., pursuant to authority granted by Baker Brothers Life Sciences Capital, L.P., GP to Baker Brothers Life Sciences, L.P. Name: Scott L. Lessing /s/ Scott L. Lessing</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-05-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
