Quick Take
It's the giant Rolex you know and love, but now with the brand's cutting-edge caliber 3235 movement and a slight redesign of the case and bracelet. After last year's introduction of the updated 43mm Sea-Dweller, the Deepsea was due for a refresh and Rolex has made just a few simple updates to keep the depth king firmly on its throne.
Initial Thoughts
The biggest of Rolex's dive watches is a perfect example of a love or hate design – you either get it or you don't. Like the G-Wagen of watches, it's big, very well built, and very seldom pushed to its limits by owners. While I don't possess the pure fortitude of wrist for a Deepsea, I get the appeal and the level of engineering is undeniably impressive. With the welcome update to Rolex's modern 3235 movement, the Deepsea now has the same movement found in the latest generation of the Sea-Dweller. Representing the current standard of Rolex's movements, the 3235 offers 70 hours of power reserve, Rolex's Chronenergy escapement, and anti-magnetic nickel-phosphorus construction. Rolex is so sure of the 3235's performance that once the movement has been COSC-certified they then re-certify the movement to their own standard (-2 to +2 seconds a day) while it is installed in the watch case.
Still a submarine for your wrist, the 44mm Rolex Deepsea has been updated with a new movement and few subtle tweaks to the bracelet and case.
Not content with simply updating the Deepsea to their latest and greatest movement, Rolex also redesigned the lugs and the corresponding bracelet to ensure a better integration with both the case and an updated Oysterlock clasp setup. Featuring both Fliplock (Rolex's wetsuit extension) and Glidelock (their sliding in-clasp extension system), this updated bracelet features wider center links and an overall wider footprint.
Given that I was unable to try the bracelet with it sized for my wrist, the result of these tweaks feel entirely background to me. That said, I would be interested to hear feedback from Deepsea owners or experience both versions side by side on my own wrist. While the Deepsea doesn't have the nearly universal appeal of the Daytona or even the Submariner, it's hard to argue against it being a weighty and shining example of Rolex's incredible approach to technical watch design.
The Basics
Brand: Rolex
Model: Deepsea
Reference Number: 126660
Diameter: 44mm
Case Material: Rolex Osytersteel (904L)
Dial Color: Black or gradient blue/black "D-blue"
Indexes: Applied
Lume: Chromalight on hour markers and hands
Water Resistance: 3,900 meters
Strap/Bracelet: Oystersteel (904L) bracelet with Glidelock and Fliplock extensions
With an updated bracelet and Rolex's Superlative Chronometer spec 3235 movement, the Deepsea remains the king of the ultra-deep divers.
The Movement
Caliber: 3225
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Power Reserve: 70 hours
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800)
Jewels: 31
COSC Chronometer Certified (plus Rolex certification with the movement in the watch)
As you'd expect, there is no question as to the build quality of the Deepsea.
Pricing & Availability
Price: $11,700 (black), $12,000 (D-blue)
Source: https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/rolex-deepsea-126660-introducing
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