[Rolex] A thorough comparison of the three generations of the Sea-Dweller Deepsea, old and new!

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Good evening everyone.

The "Sea Dweller" was launched around 1967 as a higher-end model, and was launched around 2008. The Sea-Dweller Deepsea is the largest Rolex model with a 44mm case diameter and water resistance of 3,900m. This model was originally created as a diving tool for professional divers, but today it is popular for its simple design that can be used both on and off the job and its robustness that makes it suitable for everyday use.

This time, we will go back three generations of the Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea and compare them thoroughly (Ref. 116660, Ref. 126660, Ref. 136660)! If you want a Sea-Dweller Deepsea but are unsure which model to buy, or if you want to know the history of the Sea-Dweller Deepsea, this is a must-read, so be sure to read until the end.

Introducing the 3rd generation of the Sea-Dweller Deep Sea

First, we will introduce the three models we will be comparing: Ref.116660, Ref.126660, and Ref.136660.

Two generations ago Ref.116660
Specifications
Case diameter 44mm Bezel ceramic
Dial Black or D-BLUE Luminous Chromalight
material SS bracelet SS
Waterproof 3,900m Drive system Automatic
Cal 3135 Power reserve Approximately 48 hours

The Sea-Dweller Deepsea "Ref. 116660" was released in 2008 as a higher-end model of the Sea-Dweller. The patented case structure, commonly known as the "Ringlock System," makes it waterproof to 3,900m. In 2014, a D-BLUE dial with a deep sea color was released to commemorate the historic solo dive of film director and explorer James Cameron to the deepest part of the Mariana Trench .

[Representative rare specimens]
◆Around 2008-2009 (serial numbers M and V)
・Crown mark: Both sides of the crown mark are extremely short
・The font of the "S" in the logo: The "S" in "DEEPSEA" and "SEA-DWELLER" has been changed to a rounded "S."
-Water resistance notation: The "f" in "12800ft" is long, the "=" is slanted, and the letters have serifs

Previous generation Ref.126660
Specifications
Case diameter 44mm Bezel ceramic
Dial Black or D-BLUE Luminous Chromalight
material SS bracelet SS
Waterproof 3,900m Drive system Automatic
Cal 3235 Power reserve Approximately 70 hours

"Ref.126660" was released around 2018. [Rolex] Equipped with the new generation movement "Cal.3235", it has improved earthquake and shock resistance. The power reserve has also been upgraded to about 70 hours.

Current model Ref.136660
Specifications
Case diameter 44mm Bezel ceramic
Dial Black or D-BLUE Luminous Chromalight
material SS bracelet SS
Waterproof 3,900m Drive system Automatic
Cal 3235 Power reserve Approximately 70 hours

The "Ref. 136660" was released in 2022. As this new model was released just four years after the previous model, there are no changes to the basic specifications. Many people may not have known what has changed from the previous model when Rolex announced the new model.

Spec comparison between "Ref.116660" and "Ref.126660"

Let's start by comparing "Ref.116660" and "Ref.126660".
The main specifications are as follows:

Reference 116660
Reference 126660
44mm Case diameter 44mm
ceramic Bezel ceramic
Black or D-BLUE Dial Black or D-BLUE
Chromalight Luminous Chromalight
SS material SS
SS bracelet SS
3,900m Waterproof 3,900m
Automatic Drive system Automatic
Cal.3135 Cal Cal.3235
Approximately 48 hours Power reserve Approximately 70 hours

❶【Dial】

Logo at 6 o'clock

Reference 116660 SWISS MADE
Reference 126660 Added a crown mark between SWISS and MADE
The "SWISS MADE" lettering at the 6 o'clock position has been changed to include a crown mark between "SWISS" and "MADE." There are also slight differences in the font.

❷ [Bracelet/Buckle]

Bracelet Width

Reference 116660 narrow
Reference 126660 wide
The lugs, bracelet, and buckle of the "Ref. 126660" are all slightly larger. As a result, the unity between the case and bracelet is stronger.

❸【Movement】

Movement

Reference 116660 Cal.3135
Reference 126660 Cal.3235
The new generation movement "Cal.3235" boasts twice the accuracy of the chronometer standard, uses 14 patented technologies, and more than 90% of the parts are new. Of particular note is the power reserve of approximately 70 hours, which is a significant upgrade from the previous model's power reserve of approximately 48 hours.

Crown operation (advancing the hands)

Reference 116660 clockwise
Reference 126660 Counterclockwise
Due to the change in movement, the direction in which the crown is turned and the movement of the hands have also changed.
Spec comparison between "Ref.126660" and "Ref.136660"

Next, let's compare "Ref.126660" and "Ref.136660".
The main specifications are as follows:

Reference 126660
Reference 136660
44mm Case diameter 44mm
ceramic Bezel ceramic
Black or D-BLUE Dial Black or D-BLUE
Chromalight Luminous Chromalight
SS material SS
SS bracelet SS
3,900m Waterproof 3,900m
Automatic Drive system Automatic
Cal.3235 Cal Cal.3235
Approximately 70 hours Power reserve Approximately 70 hours

❶【Dial】

Letter Weight

Reference 126660 thick
Reference 136660 thin
Although it is a very small difference, the thickness of the letters has become slightly thinner.

Date window

Reference 126660 narrow
Reference 136660 wide
Although this is also a slight difference, the date display window has been enlarged, improving visibility.

❷ [Bracelet/Buckle]

Flip Lock Extension Link

Reference 126660 Yes
Reference 136660 none
The buckle extension function was previously equipped with two options, the Glide Lock Extension and the Flip Lock Extension Link, but has now been changed to only equipped with the Glide Lock Extension system.

❸ [Titanium name change]

Titanium Name

Reference 126660 Grade 5 Titanium
Reference 136660 RLX Titanium
As mentioned above, the overwhelming waterproof performance of the Sea-Dweller Deepsea is achieved by the structure of the "Ringlock System". To achieve this system, grade 5 titanium is used for the case back, but the name has been changed to "RLX Titanium". Since the material itself remains the same, it is hard to say that this is a big change, but it is important to remember that this is the name of the titanium used by Rolex.
summary

What did you think?

This time, we compared three generations of the Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea, and we hope you can see how it has evolved over the years.

There is almost no difference in case size or design, but each Sea-Dweller Deepsea has its own unique charm: the Ref. 116660, which has been produced for the longest period and some rare examples exist, the Ref. 126660, which has an overall upgraded functional specification due to a change in the movement, and the Ref. 136660, which has been further evolved with improved details.

Please come and find your favorite model.

Tags: Other column, ロレックス