September 28, 2019

Rolex Seadweller - Deepsea - A watch to conquer the deep

A pioneer in championing sportsmen and adventure-seeking souls, right from  Sir Malcolm Campbell who held the land speed record, to Sir Edmund Hillary, the incredible mountaineer and the first man to climb Mt. Everest, Rolex has had a long history of associating their name with excellence. 

 

Rolex’s adventure with diving watches all started with Mercedes Gleitze, the champion swimmer, endorsing them by swimming across the English Channel, wearing a Rolex Oyster, all the way back in 1927. 

 

The Rolex Deepsea is known to be the largest timepiece produced by Rolex, earning the nickname “The Beast.” With its rugged classic looks and waterproof to a depth of about 12,800 feet or 3900 meters, it sure does live up to its name. 

 

 

Did you know that that Rolex has its own customized alloy blends, specially created for them? Made with Oystersteel, one of their customized alloys which is extremely water-resistant, the Rolex Deepsea has a brilliant finish when polished and has been known to maintain it’s magnificence even in the harshest of temperatures and environments. 

 

In fact, with its width of 44mm wide thickness that is almost double of the Rolex  Submariner, the Deepsea is, by all means, a true beast on your wrist, but the kind we fall in love with! 

Top 3 Reasons to buy a Deepsea 

1.  3900 meters of water resistance because of its special case construction.

 

2. 44-mm case that is the biggest ever built by Rolex.

 

3. Extra luminous blue Chromalight layer on the indices and hands.

 

How much does a Deepsea cost?

You can get a new Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea for about $ 11,100, while a pre-owned model might cost you around $8,600 USD. The successor models of the Deepsea with the reference number 126660 are priced at about $ 11,700 USD for the standard version and $12,000 for the D-Blue dial edition.

 

If you’re someone who’s looking for something smaller, you can take a look at the  40-mm Sea-Dweller 4000, which is much thinner but was only in production for about three years.  Since its production ended, this watch has only grown in popularity, resulting in a spike in price. A Sea-Dweller 4000 can cost you anywhere between $11,000 to $15000. 

 

 

 

Movement and case:

The unbeatable appeal of the Rolex Deepsea increases with what drives this beauty from the inside. The Deepsea comes with the new generation caliber 3235 movements, that has been entirely developed in house by Rolex. 

 

The 3235 movement offers 70 hours of power reserve and also Rolex's Chronenergy escapement, taking this timepiece extraordinaire to a whole new level. The dial which is aptly named “D-Blue” commemorates James Cameron’s mind-blowing solo dive into the sea, the two-color dial catches your eye the moment you see it. 

 

The superb legibility is the first thing you will notice once you look at the dial. The maxi-sized appliqué markers are filled with blue Chromalight, which is said to glow for up to almost eight hours. Both the marker frames and hands are made out of 18k white gold to prevent tarnishing.

 

Finishing and build quality of the dial, hands, and case is superlative with impressive attention to detail. The Oyster bracelet remains as the standard across the industry for its comfort and robustness. Simply put, the Deepsea is a superbly engineered watch entirely.

 

The Rolex Deepsea has a strap made with Oyster Steel, which comes with corrosion resistance, that is one of the most important things needed for a great diving watch. Although a great number of people who wear a Deepsea might not actually take it underwater, it is still great to imagine the magnificent water-resistance it comes with. 

 

Celebrity Usage:

From professional athletes to world-famous musicians and actors, the Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea has always been a favorite among celebrities. And why not? the watch’s incredible water resistance to, large case, and indomitable style speak for themselves. David Beckham is known to love his Deepsea, and Sly Stallone too. Also on the list are the award-winning musician Dave Navarro, the hilarious comedian Joe Rogan, and actress Charlize Theron, too!

 

Buying Guide:

If you’re someone who loves swimming or are interested in adventure sports, this watch is for you. One of the most defining features of the Rolex Sea-Dweller is the helium escape valve, that allows the wearer to go to depths of 4,000+ feet. The Sea-Dweller is also a classic Rolex model and is for people who prefer a heavier and more substantial watch than the others.

 

Is Rolex Deepsea a good investment?

 

The Rolex Deepsea is a great amalgamation of elegance, simplicity and also sportiness, making it perfect for both the great outdoors as well as everyday life. As every Rolex ever made, the Rolex Deepsea has a great retention value, making it a brilliant investment as well. 

 

Conclusion:

The Deepsea has always been a watch that has stood out. Although its quirky design and bulky might not appeal to everyone, it is still an engineering and technical masterpiece. The D-Blue dial is absolutely stunning and adds that zing of color to the otherwise monotonous looking Rolex sports lineup. The versatility of this watch is quite admirable, performing equally well both for desk dives at work and proper diving.

With the update that most Rolex fans have looked forward to, the 3525 which is a welcome update to the watch’s earlier movement, the Deepsea is now coveted the world over, by amateurs and experienced horologists alike. 



In a nutshell, the Rolex Deepsea is quite the shining example of the watch giant Rolex’s amazing and brilliant approach to this watch’s technicalities. The Rolex Deepsea has always stood apart in Rolex’s incredible watch collection and is sure to do so for a long time. The Rolex Deepsea is also both COSC-certified and internally certified, and carries the Superlative Chronometer, ensuring extremely precise performance on your wrist.