Rolex Deepsea D-blue Dial Edition Review

Baron - Mr Red · 2014-08-05T00:28:08Z

Review the Rolex Deepsea D-blue Dial edition, a tribute to James Cameron's dive. Explore its unique features, engineering, and collector opinions on its size.

Baron - Mr Red

WPS member · Rolex forum

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Baron - Mr Red introduces the Rolex Deepsea D-blue Dial edition, a tribute to James Cameron's Mariana Trench dive, highlighting its distinctive blue luminescence and gradient dial. This article explores the watch's engineering prowess and its place within Rolex's professional diver lineup, while also addressing its polarizing size and wearability. Readers will gain insights into the D-blue's unique features and the ongoing debate among collectors regarding its design and practicality.

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So, a "new" watch from Rolex. Well, not entirely new but certainly with some new features. The Rolex Deepsea D-blue Dial Edition. First, a shot of the watch.

The watch is a tribute edition commemorating James Cameron's solo dive to the bottom of the Mariana trench. Of course, it borrows heavily from the previous Deepsea reference, but with a few added features...specifically the blue luminescence of the dial.

I am attaching here the link to the official Rolex website that features the launch of the watch.

www.rolex.com

What do you think of it? My initial thoughts are the following.

Rolex is renowned for breaking new barriers and pushing the bounds of endurance for their watches. They excel at reliability and engineering. So many historic moments have been associated with the Rolex brand. It is appropriate and fitting that Rolex associates James Cameron's incredible solo dive with a watch that is also incredible in design. In this sense, the watch represents yet another milestone in Rolex history and it is quite rightly marked.

Having said that, I am not sure there is much more to add than from the original Deepsea. OK, there are some dial features that distinguish the new Deepsea, but that was necessary in order to create a distinction. In truth, there is not a great deal more too review from the original.

For me, this watch has a clear place in the Rolex reference list, but this is not one I will chase myself. I definitely tried on the Deepsea and desperate wanted to buy one. To be fair they are extremely cool watches. But for me, just too big to wear. 44mm is beyond where I will take a watch and that is especially true when the watch has a lot of depth to it (no pun intended). For those with much bigger wrists, this represents a very cool watch. The Deepsea has not been a massive seller for Rolex, and it may be that the size of the watch has been a factor here. But for those with big wrists, this is one that is super cool.

The Deepsea differentiates itself from many other dive watches from Rolex in that it is truly moulded as a professional diver watch. Its engineering is based on the need for diving to extreme levels. Now, the Sea-Dweller and Submariner will cope for most mortals, but the Deepsea is built to take you down to depths of 3900m. In reality it will go even deeper, but Rolex wanted to err on the side of caution! With the helium escape valve also part of the diving DNA, this is very much the professional diver watch. Again, the number of professional divers who will "need' a watch with that type of depth rating could probably be counted on the fingers of a soccer team, so its not that there is a "need" as such. Its more that Rolex are just showing that they "can". Rolex are pioneers of watch development and engineering.

What do you think?

This message has been edited by Baron on 2014-08-05 00:29:10 This message has been edited by Baron on 2014-08-05 00:36:30 This message has been edited by Baron on 2014-08-05 00:39:00 This message has been edited by Baron on 2014-08-05 00:47:41 This message has been edited by Baron on 2014-08-09 06:08:15

About the Rolex Sea-Dweller 4000 Ref. 116600

The Sea-Dweller reference 116600 marked the return of the 40mm case size for the model, a dimension that had been absent from the Sea-Dweller lineup for some time. This reference reintroduced several classic Sea-Dweller design elements, distinguishing it from its larger contemporary, the Sea-Dweller 4000. It was produced for a relatively short period, making it a notable transitional model within the brand's professional tool watch offerings.

This reference features a stainless steel case measuring 40mm in diameter and 15.3mm in thickness. It is equipped with a unidirectional rotating bezel made of black ceramic with a 60-minute graduation. The watch is powered by the automatic caliber 3135, offering a power reserve of approximately 48 hours. A sapphire crystal protects the black dial, which includes a date complication without the cyclops lens, a characteristic feature of the Sea-Dweller line.

Appealing to collectors who appreciate traditional proportions and the technical capabilities of a professional dive watch, the 116600 is recognized for its blend of heritage design and modern materials. Its limited production run contributes to its appeal among enthusiasts seeking a Sea-Dweller with a more classic case size and specific aesthetic details, such as the matte-like black dial and the absence of the cyclops over the date.

Specifications

Caliber: 3135

Case: Stainless steel

Diameter: 40 mm

Dial: Black

Water Resist.: 1220m

Crystal: Sapphire crystal

Key Points from the Discussion

The D-blue dial adds significant cosmetic appeal to the Deepsea, transforming a model that previously evoked mixed emotions for some collectors.
The Deepsea's extreme thickness, heavy case, and domed crystal, necessary for its 12,800-foot rating, make it unwieldy and oversized for most wearers, including professional divers who often find it impractical for their work.
The D-blue edition, with its unique credentials, has the potential to attract collectors who previously overlooked the standard Deepsea model.
Despite its size, the Deepsea D-blue is a desirable watch for those with larger wrists or those accustomed to larger timepieces like Panerai, making it a potential addition to their wishlist.
The Deepsea's height and weight remain significant deal-breakers for individuals with wrists under 7.5 inches, despite its impressive engineering.
The green 'DEEPSEA' text on the dial is a point of discussion, with some wondering about its significance and suggesting a red color might have made it even more popular.

The Discussion

Andy

Aug 5, 2014

is there a reason for the Green wording.? Cant help thinking if it was red it would be very popular. As usual though whatever Rolex do it's spot on although it's also too big for me unfortunately. Very nice though :) Thanks for the info, Andy.

Baron - Mr Red

Aug 5, 2014

.....green is the Rolex company colour. Also, if it was red, it would be more reminiscent of the Sea-Dweller....

Andy

Aug 5, 2014

My dealer is getting one this month on their allocation so I'll get to see it very soon in the flesh. I do love a Rolex..!! Andy.

SALMANPK

Aug 5, 2014

Good to see Rolex doing some variations. S

Baron - Mr Red

Aug 5, 2014

I just wished i could wear one.

senort75

Aug 5, 2014

but as the Deepsea Sea Dweller was not a popular model, I'd say Rolex has a bucketload of inventory it still needs to move. Change the dial color, add a pinch of green to the writing on the dial, and bam! Extra large cases, dial backs and bracelets move on out! YMMV

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About the Rolex Sea-Dweller 4000 Ref. 116600

Specifications

Key Points from the Discussion

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