Rolex Deepsea D-Blue Sea Dweller - anything to know?

[Honeywell]

I've never bought a premium watch (I've had a couple of Steinharts) but fancy a Rolex Deepsea blue and don't mind if it's not brand new as long as it's quite new and in excellent condition from somewhere reputable.

Are there any pitfalls or issues I should be aware of? Where is a good place to buy from? Does anyone here want to sell one and cut out the middle man?!

Thanks in advance.

[T6 vanman]

Just they are very big in comparison to a normal 'diver' style watch.

They don't sit on the wrist quite so discreetly and will ride up over a cuff.

Your money, your choice

[Honeywell]

Thanks. I'm going to need to try one on I think. It wouldn't be an everyday watch, more of a bling thing. Residual values OK?

[marine boy]

It's a big watch, I tried the Deep Sea, Sea Dweller and Submariner

Sea Dweller was just the right size for me and would be my choice

[Ninjin]

Honeywell said:

Thanks. I'm going to need to try one on I think. It wouldn't be an everyday watch, more of a bling thing. Residual values OK?

You need to try one on. It's a big boy and top heavy. I found it uncomfortable and you can only really wear it without sleeves/Cuffs. That means whenever you wear it, you will be flexing it for all to see. Depending on your reason for buying it, this may be all and well but it will never be discreet.

As to residuals, its peak has past and now its mediocre. Buy a watch because you like it, not because its good value. As I say to my mates, if the watch doesn't give you a stiffy on first sight, then it's never going to be a keeper.

[Yex RS4]

OP, have a chat with Dom Hackett.

He is very well known to the PH watch community and will be able to explain the size differential mentioned by others here as the Deepsea Blue is 44mm wide and 18mm thick.

If you still want one after chatting to him he should also be able to source one for you with perfect provenance.

https://www.hackettwatches.com/

[997.1]

I’ve seen a mint one coming up for auction. First series. 116660 d blue

Are the changes in the 12/13 series noticeable?

[dom9]

Despite it being in the window with a price, I suspect you have to be on the list but.... if you're anywhere close to Kingston (Upon Thames), there is one at the M&W AD that I am sure they would let you try on and play with.

[The Gauge]

I've had my name down for one of these at an AD since November 2022. I did get contacted a few weeks ago asking if I wanted a back face that had come in, but I decided to wait for the blue.

Text I copied from elsewhere..



Between the classic Sea-Dweller and the Deepsea, the entire current Rolex Sea-Dweller collection now consists of 4 watches. The classic Rolex Sea-Dweller is offered in both stainless steel (ref. 126600) and two-tone steel and 18k yellow gold (ref. 126603). 
Additionally, the Rolex Deepsea is also offered in two different variations, both of which are crafted exclusively from stainless steel. The standard version of the reference 136660 Rolex Deepsea is fitted with a classic black dial, while the other (nicknamed the “James Cameron”) has what Rolex calls the ‘D-Blue’ dial

Deepsea ref. 116660 (Introduced 2008)
Deepsea ref. 116660 D-Blue (Introduced 2014)
Deepsea ref. 126660 (Introduced 2018)
Deepsea ref. 136660 Black Dial (Introduced 2022)
Deepsea ref. 136660 D-Blue Dial (Introduced 2022)

126660 has slightly wider bracelet
136660 had change to bracelet with no divers extension

Movement
- 2017 3135 movement
2017+ 3235 movements

Despite being a part of the Sea-Dweller collection, the Deepsea is a significantly different watch from a case architecture standpoint. 
While the case design of the regular Sea-Dweller is similar to a traditional Rolex timepiece, the 44mm case of the reference 136660 Deepsea uses Rolex’s patented Ringlock System that allows the Deepsea to survive depths up to 3,900 meters (12,800 feet). Due to this highly specialized case design, the Rolex Deepsea is chunkier than the regular Sea-Dweller, and its extra thick, domed sapphire crystal (without Cyclops magnification lens) gives the watch a noticeably different appearance both on and off the wrist. 

[Honeywell]

Goldsmiths in Shrewsbury had one but it sold last week so I missed trying it on today. I think it will be too big for my wrist. My daily is a Steinhart Ocean One 39mm and that is spot on for my wrist and I really like it. The Deep Sea Blue would be a bling thing and I adore the styling.

If it wouldn't lose much value I could justify it if for no other reason then to get the Rolex itch scratched for a while then sell it on.

[997.1]

The Gauge said:

Movement
- 2017 3135 movement
2017+ 3235 movements

I think this is key. The one I have found is 2018 so will have the latest movement

[Honeywell]

Goldsmiths in Shrewsbury had one but it sold last week so I missed trying it on today. I think it will be too big for my wrist. My daily is a Steinhart Ocean One 39mm and that is spot on for my wrist and I really like it. The Deep Sea Blue would be a bling thing and I adore the styling.

If it wouldn't lose much value I could justify it if for no other reason then to get the Rolex itch scratched for a while then sell it on.

[Cupid-stunt]

Honeywell said:

Goldsmiths in Shrewsbury had one but it sold last week so I missed trying it on today. I think it will be too big for my wrist. My daily is a Steinhart Ocean One 39mm and that is spot on for my wrist and I really like it. The Deep Sea Blue would be a bling thing and I adore the styling.

If it wouldn't lose much value I could justify it if for no other reason then to get the Rolex itch scratched for a while then sell it on.

Plenty of others that won't swamp your wrist that you can get , wear and get out of for not too much money.
Have you looked at an older 'Bluesy'?
116613LB released in 2009
126613LB updated in 2020

16618 is gold rather than bimetal - but a lot more cash
https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/buying-guid...

[dom9]

I have wrists large enough (>7in) that a 'standard' 40mm looks quite small and a 42mm can be about right (even though I still favour a 39/40)... I owned the original DSSD and it was just too chunky and top heavy. It was reasonably quickly sold. I think they updated the case design though to make it less top heavy, in subsequent models. However, I would be interested in trying the new SD, which looks a little less bulky.

[AB]

Very large and quite in your face, I've had my 2023 since new and I wear it a couple of times a month. Do find myself aware of how much it stands out.

Prefer my Sub in size tbh. It's a nice watch though. Seems to be one of the ones that have taken a hit value wise, certainly worth less than I paid.

[paralla]

Defo try one on before you buy, they are pretty chunky and very heavy.

I prefer wearing my 116600 40mm Sea-Dweller 4000 than my Deepsea. I thought I'd get used to the weight of the Deepsea but I never did, whenever it's on I'm always very aware of it which isn't the case with smaller watches. It does make you feel very powerfly built though.

[AB]

Cupid-stunt said:

Plenty of others that won't swamp your wrist that you can get , wear and get out of for not too much money.
Have you looked at an older 'Bluesy'?
116613LB released in 2009
126613LB updated in 2020

16618 is gold rather than bimetal - but a lot more cash
https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/buying-guid...

I can help a bit here...

Bluesy is my go to, wear it 90% of the time



JC as I mentioned before gets a lot less wear but I'm WFH today so I can demonstrate the difference on a relatively small wrist.



If anything the Bluesy is a bit more 'bling' tbh.

[paralla]

I find the thickness and the weight of a Deepsea is what makes them less comfortable to wear than the diamater.

[Olivera]

"anything to know?" - they look god awful?

[TownIdiot]

I think with a big watch like this you really need to try it on - as it's as much about the shape of your wrist as the size.

I had a massive Radiomir that just sat really nicely and didn't feel big compared to watches that were on the face it much smaller. Other smaller watches can sometimes sit "on top" of the wrist and never feel right.