The Rolex Sea-Dweller DeepSea mens (ref # 116660) watch is nothing short of a sea monster! Rolex finally caved to the large watch trend and came out rocking a 43 mm replacement to the Rolex Sea Dweller (ref 16600). The Sea-Dweller DeepSea dive watch comes equipped with a revolutionary Ringlock System, built to withstand the immense pressure exerted by water at an extreme depth of 3,900m (12,800 feet).
Some of the new improvements come from the movement and the bracelet. The DeepSea uses Rolex 3135 automatic movement with the new Parachrom hairspring. The bracelet is a feet of technology, the new Glidelock clasp system is amazing. There has been rumblings for years about their clasp, the Glidelock system puts that conversation to rest. The watch has a large presence, at almost 18 mm thick and domed sapphire crystal.
A Functional Watch
The legibility of the dial is excellent – even if we are impatiently waiting for the day when Rolex will apply an anti-reflection coating on the sapphire glass of its watches…
The blue luminous material (Chromalight) applied on the hands and the markers is of awesome efficiency.
The unidirectional 120 clicks bezel is now declined in black ceramics, as on the Rolex GMT-Master II for instance.
But above all, it has eventually an integral gradation of the minutes, the one that every Rolex’s enthusiast has been waiting for years.
The Triplock crown, which efficiency is exemplary, did not request any improvement.
The Dial & Crystal of the Sea-Dweller DeepSea 116660
As usual with any Rolex the dial is a work of perfection. Absolutely flawless.
The dial has a very nice smooth matte finish which harks back to the days of the 1680 Submariner and 1665 Sea-Dweller. Most watches that I have seen with a matte dial have a very grainy appearance similar to 2000 grit wet/dry sandpaper. The Deepsea Sea-Dweller has a very fine finish which doesn’t reflect light like the glossy enamel versions of the recent Sea-Dweller and Submariner. The dial is the now familiar maxi dial and if I recall correctly it’s the same size as the dial on my old LV Submariner. Where it differs from the LV Submariner is the use of a fatter hour hand as well as the minute hand. I think they are of the same size as the hands on the new GMT Master II models. Rolex have upgraded the lume to a new version that glows bright blue. I was initially sceptical of their claims but I should have known better. Rolex IMO do not change things unless it is to improve the watch. The new lume is just as advertised. It glows very bright and easily lasts all night.
As usual with any Rolex the dial is a work of perfection. Absolutely flawless.
The dial has a very nice smooth matte finish which harks back to the days of the 1680 Submariner and 1665 Sea-Dweller. Most watches that I have seen with a matte dial have a very grainy appearance similar to 2000 grit wet/dry sandpaper. The Deepsea Sea-Dweller has a very fine finish which doesn’t reflect light like the glossy enamel versions of the recent Sea-Dweller and Submariner. The dial is the now familiar maxi dial and if I recall correctly it’s the same size as the dial on my old LV Submariner. Where it differs from the LV Submariner is the use of a fatter hour hand as well as the minute hand. I think they are of the same size as the hands on the new GMT Master II models. Rolex have upgraded the lume to a new version that glows bright blue. I was initially sceptical of their claims but I should have known better. Rolex IMO do not change things unless it is to improve the watch. The new lume is just as advertised. It glows very bright and easily lasts all night.
Surrounding the dial is the new engraved ringlock which was lambasted by nearly everyone when the Basel pics were released. To my eyes it makes the watch even more of a “tool” watch. To me it looks “all business”. It sets off the matte dial perfectly and adds a bit of interest to the dial. The engraving is not as eyecatching as most pics would have you believe.
The domed crystal is massive. That’s the only word to describe it accurately. At 5.5mm thick you know this watch is built to take whatever you can throw at it. It’s also a nice salute to the old 1665 Sea Dweller with their domed plexiglass crystals.
The automatic caliber of this Rolex Deepsea is the 3135 (the one that also equips the Yacht-Master as well as the Datejust), certified chronometer by the C.O.S.C..
Its balance, that receives an accurate microstella screw setting, beats 28.000 alternations/hour and is now endowed with the Parachrom spiral. The rotor moves in both ways for a better winding.
This movement is equipped with a stop second and a quick date.
Its regularity and its strength answer perfectly the demands of the technical level of the Deepsea.
The Ceramic Bezel of the Sea-Dweller DeepSea 116660
The numbers and detents are recessed a tiny bit; not as much as the GMT Master however. They look flush but you can feel them if you run your fingernail over them. It just looks fantastic in person. The bezel action is the smoothest i’ve ever used for sure.
The Strap of the Sea-Dweller DeepSea 116660
The bracelet and especially the clasp are a work of art in themselves.
Gone is the stamped and folded clasp and the hollow center links on the bracelet of the old Sea Dweller. While I never, ever had a problem with the older bracelets I could see why some would prefer a more refined bracelet and clasp given the price of the watches.
The links on the new bracelet are solid throughout. They start at 21mm wide at the lugs and taper down to the clasp which is 17mm IIRC. They have the standard Rolex brushed finish which I love and the sides of the bracelet are polished as per the old Sea Dweller.
The clasp is just amazing. I have never seen one like it. Every little part has been machined and the tolerances are extreme. There is no play whatsoever in the clasp. Everything fits together perfectly – nice and tight. The extension system is a godsend if you live in an unpredictable climate. No more getting tools out and mucking around re-adjusting the bracelet. All you need now is a quick flip of the clasp cover, slide the extension in or out and close the cover again. You can easily adjust the bracelet in a few short seconds without taking the watch off your wrist. I’d like to see Rolex add this clasp onto every sports model in their lineup. It’s a huge winner.
Summing UP of the Sea-Dweller DeepSea 116660
For me this is a once in a lifetime purchase. I can’t afford to own more than one Rolex at a time and if I can only have one than I’m glad it’s the Rolex Deep Sea-Sea Dweller.
For me this is a once in a lifetime purchase. I can’t afford to own more than one Rolex at a time and if I can only have one than I’m glad it’s the Rolex Deep Sea-Sea Dweller.
IMHO it’s the best dive/sports watch on the planet. Even though it’s way over-engineered and most mortals will never utilise it to its full capabilities it’s a hell of a nice watch to own and use on a daily basis. After wearing it for nearly a month I can honestly say that there is nothing on this watch that I’d change if given the chance.
Being a big fan of Rolex history I also appreciate the historical influences that have gone into the design of the Deep Sea. From the first huge prototype DeepSea models of the early 1960’s it has taken over 50 years to come up with the desire, technology and materials to effectively re-make the DeepSea into a wearable watch that can be enjoyed by folks like me.
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