
Mizur9999 shares his initial impressions of the Rolex D-Blue Sea-Dweller, focusing on its striking dial and surprising wearability. This article offers a personal perspective on how a watch's aesthetic can overcome preconceived notions about size and weight, providing valuable insights for collectors considering this distinctive Rolex reference.
Further to my Sunday's coffee escapade, without further a due, first impressions on a Rolex D-blue DEEPSEA attached.
- Weight and Size - Weighting in a very hefty 220g (almost exactly half a pound!) this is a super heavy weight category; for me at least. By far the heaviest watch I have ever owned.
(Now I know what guys wearing large platinum watches feel like). This is what you call a real wrist presence I guess. After two days I do not mind the weight, the watch constantly reminds you it is where it is supposed to be - on your wrist that is.
- Dial - Lets be honest here, the reason, the only reason I have purchased this watch was its dial. The dial is ...mesmerizing! It makes the whole watch. It is truly unbelievable, absolutely fascinating, it makes you look at it at any given opportunity. You can easily stare at it for 15 min and it is not enough. You just want to look at it again and again. I have looked at it under a magnifying glass and there is no clear cut between blue and black, they just merge into each other flawlessly and unnoticeably. Spectacular!
The old saying is still valid today - Make a dial, sell the watch!
I have passed by a regular Deepsea more than hundreds of times, never even thinking of acquiring one. Wow, what a power of a dial!
- Water Proofness - Lets be honest again, I am not a pro diver, this watch will never be any close to 4K underwater, unless I will have dropped it from a cruise ship into the Pacific.
The deepest it will go is a few feet at some swimming pool in Vegas. That said, I do appreciate all the engineering necessary to make it water proof to 4K.
Conclusion - I am astonished, but the watch is fully wearable, I do not mind its size or weight at all. That comes from a guy that considers a 40mm watch BIG.
- Glass - The glass is REFLECTIVE, very difficult to take pictures as the glass reflects light back. Maybe it has got something to do with its thickness - an unbelievable 5,5 mm.(This is more than double your regular window glass panel). Stunning again!
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.
Envy you and those who have meatier wrists.
I would not hesitate to try one if you could. I would not consider my wrist particularly large, quite to the contrary medium sized at best. Yet the watch sits on my wrist just perfectly fine. The biggest watch I have worn until now was a 40mm GMT. I know it sounds strange, but I think that the watch wears smaller than it actually is. Thickness is another issue - it is really, really thick - difficult to wear with a dress shirt. Best regards.
I've owned the 116600 sea-Dweller, and thickness is an issue. It felt nice at first, but after a few hours of activity, the thickness would make me feel a little bit uncomfortable. The DEEPSEA is even thicker and larger, so I'm afraid that it's probably out of my range.
I think that after a while I will only be wearing this watch summer time or on a winter vacations in a sunny place. On a long run the thickness may proof to be too much, and seasonal wear will be the answer. Best again.
I totally agree with you, the dial makes this watch. Best, Nicolas
Not that it does not look good on you! Saw the "standard" model a few times and it looked good on people. This Cameron edition adds a bit more spice to it with the dial. Enjoy your new purchase. Best Moritz
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