DeepSea Sea Dweller....Technical Data..

[Tools]

ROLEX OYSTER PERPETUAL SEA-DWELLER DEEPSEA
TECHNICAL FEATURES

CASE ARCHITECTURE AND WATERPROOFNESS

A watch developed for extreme depths, guaranteed waterproof to 3,900 metres (12,800 feet), the Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA required the design of a case with a unique architecture, the RINGLOCK SYSTEM. This innovation patented by Rolex consists of a combination of three distinctive features:

• The high-performance ring
Set inside the middle case of the watch between the crystal and the case back, the high-performance nitrogen-alloyed stainless steel ring withstands the pressure exerted by water on the crystal and the case back.
The middle case is made from 904L steel.

• The sapphire crystal
To resist pressure, the synthetic sapphire crystal is slightly domed and substantially thicker than the crystals of other Oyster models.

• The case back
The case back is made of a titanium alloy, an extremely resistant stainless material. It is held in place against the high-performance ring by means of a 904L-steel ring. The titanium back is used, not because it is more pressure resistant than steel; in fact it is used because it will flex slightly under extreme pressure and then revert to its original form.

• The Helium valve.
The helium valve is made of high-performance stainless steel. Its size is adapted to the dimensions of the case to achieve optimal waterproofness. The helium valve is a safety feature, which, during the decompression phase, releases the gases that infiltrate into the watch during caisson dives.
Indeed, between dives at great depths, professional divers use pressurised caissons in which they breathe high-pressure gas mixtures, notably containing helium, a very volatile gas that penetrates into the watch. As the diver resurfaces, the helium valve prevents damage to the watch.

• The Triplock winding crown.
The Triplock winding crown, equipped with three seals and screwed onto the case, completes this ingenious waterproof system.

DISPLAY AND LEGIBILITY

• The bezel
The Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA is equipped with a unidirectional rotatable bezel with a 60-minute graduated black CERACHROM disc that allows the diver to precisely track his dive time. Engraved in the CERACHROM, the numerals and the graduations are filled with platinum through the use of a PVD technique patented by Rolex. The zero marker of the graduated bezel, represented by a triangle, is visible longer at night or in the depths of the ocean thanks to a capsule containing a new luminescent material that emits a blue glow.

• The dial
To enhance legibility, the gold indexes and hands are wider and partially coated with the same new luminescent material and also emit a blue colour.

• The movement
The Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA is equipped with calibre 3135, known for its chronometric precision, its reliability and its robustness; it also features a PARACHROM hairspring with high resistance to shocks and magnetic fields.
Certified as a chronometer by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), the movement has a 48-hour power reserve.

• The bracelet
Manufactured from solid 904L steel, the Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA bracelet can be adjusted for wear over a diving suit up to 7 mm thick thanks to a double extension system:
• Fliplock extension links,
• The new GLIDELOCK clasp, allowing fine adjustments. (see below)

• A series of rigorous tests
Because deep-sea diving requires absolute reliability and safety, each Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA must pass Rolex’s rigorous waterproofness tests. To this end, special equipment has been developed with the help of COMEX (Compagnie Maritime d’Expertise), a world-renowned French company specialising in underwater engineering and hyperbaric technologies.

ROLEX OYSTER PERPETUAL SEA-DWELLER DEEPSEA FUNCTIONING

• THE UNIDIRECTIONAL ROTATABLE BEZEL
The Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA allows a diver to safely track his dive time thanks to the unidirectional graduated bezel featured on the watch.

At the beginning of a dive:
Once in the water, before beginning his descent, the diver turns the bezel to align the triangle on the graduated bezel to the minute hand, thus indicating the start time of his dive.

During the dive:
The dive time can be read against the graduated bezel.
Since the DEEPSEA bezel turns only counterclockwise, any accidental rotation can only have the effect of shortening the dive time.

• THE GLIDELOCK CLASP
The new GLIDELOCK clasp allows for fine adjustments to the bracelet length, up to 18 mm by increments of 1.8 mm, without removing the watch.
1 Pull up the clasp’s safety catch.
2 Pull up the centre panel of the clasp cover. The teeth located underneath it become visible.
3 Pull gently on the 12-o’clock side of the bracelet to lengthen it, or slide it into the clasp to shorten it. Adjustments can be made in 1.8 mm increments, up to a total of 18 mm.
4 Once the bracelet has been adjusted to the desired length, close the centre panel.
5 Close the safety catch.

The watch weighs 215grams with a case diameter of 43mm.

DSSD.jpg
DSSD2.jpg
DSSD4.jpg
SEA-DWELLER-DEEPSEA_3.jpg
SEA-DWELLER-DEEPSEA_6.jpg
DSSD5.jpg
DSSD3.jpg
deepseainfo01.jpg
deepseainfo02.jpg
deepseainfo03.jpg
deepseainfo04.jpg
deepseainfo05.jpg
deepseainfo06.jpg
glidelockinfo01.jpg

[BigHat]

One of the most lucid explanations for the helium valve too!!

[JJ Irani]

Excellent post, Larry.....many thanks!!

JJ

[Dan Pierce]

Great post, Larry. Love eveything but the writing on the chapter ring.
dP

[JJ Irani]

Does anyone know how many links come on that baby? Like how many on the '12' side and how many on the '6' side?

Thanks - JJ

[Trev]

The "Original gas escape valve" writing seems entirely unnecessary. I'm surprised Rolex would include that.

A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.
- Antoinè De Saint-Exupéry

[Terry Newton]

That's going to be a whopping big size at 43 mm. Wow. I can hardly wait to see the pictures of the first one here that is owned by one of our fellow TRF'rs.

I won't be getting one. Have no need for this but think it is sharp looking. The ultimate tool watch with a price tag to match I bet.

Terry Newton

[topcat30093]

Thanks Larry for an excellent report, it was so informative
I can't wait to see one.

[Marrk]

Man, this watch is giving me severe bracelet envy.

Guess the GMT IIc has the same bracelet . . . ?

[shedlock2000]

When i looked at the GMT IIc, i did not notice any ratchet style expansion system, but they did have a quick half link thing there for wrist expansion in hot/humid weather i quite liked.

That watch is fantastic, but help me out here, if it extends to 7 mm over size on the bracelet, for the suit, does that mean that the "enormous pressures experianced by the watch' are not also experianced by the divers wrist? If it can crush stainless steel, and crystal, what kind of suit does the geeza wear so he dont get crushed?

Nevertheless, the watch is a sharp looking thing, i would love one. Also not to impressed by the chapter ring properganda.

[Magik]

Thanks for the information and pics. Been waiting for someone to post all the scoops. Great job.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Credit goes to MIKE for spotting the following in this thread:

When you compare the bezel insert of the current SD 16600 with the one of the coming Deepsea Sea-Dweller 116660, you will note that the "DSSD" bezel insert have minute markers ALL the way around the bezel insert unlike the SD 16600 that only have minute markers between the first 15 minutes of the bezel insert ("diver's elapsed time").

Also, only other place to have FOUR minute markers between the 5-markers on the bezel is between "55" and the triangle marker.

SD 16600 (my watch):




DSSD 116660:

(Pic originally posted by Warren).


What Mike pointed out:

Although this bezel style has been seen on other watch brands, it has only been seen on one other Rolex model before, the models popularly known as the "Milsubs".

Here are some pics, originally posted by Mike, to show the likeness of the DSSD and "Milsub" bezel inserts:

[Marrk]

[QUOTE=SPACE-DWELLER;601075]

Great info.

But it looks like you mean between the 55 and the 15.











DSSD 116660:

(Pic originally posted by Warren).

[shedlock2000]

Can anyone tell me, if the watch is only able to extend by the ammount alowed on the bracelet, what does the diver wear that will protect him from the great pressure experianced by the watch? I imagine, if the pressure can crush stainless steel, chrystal and so on, the divers suit must be made of something far more pressure resistant? Anyone any ideas?

Anyone any idea of what the pressure is at 12,000ft?

[Andad]

Originally Posted by shedlock2000

Can anyone tell me, if the watch is only able to extend by the ammount alowed on the bracelet, what does the diver wear that will protect him from the great pressure experianced by the watch? I imagine, if the pressure can crush stainless steel, chrystal and so on, the divers suit must be made of something far more pressure resistant? Anyone any ideas?

Anyone any idea of what the pressure is at 12,000ft?

Does 882 psi sound about right?
Here you are shedlock I googled this for you - again.
http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=e...e+Search&meta=

[gan1hck]

more like around 6000 psi

[djemmtee]

wow thanks for making this thread, just makes me want one even more!

[WatchTimes]

I do not like these threads!
They make me want it more
yet they make me realize I do not dive (well not anymore but would like to start again (heck they would only be reefs I wouldn't even test the depths of the Sub))
They make me realize I could get a GMT II or A GM II C and an explorer etc.... (I could get two Rolexs (perhaps both second hand) for the price of one watch whose limits I will never test. Whose a bit big for my 6 3/4 in wrist.
BUT at the same time I think it looks really great, is quite a feat to create, I will be one of the first one the block with it and heck who cares NO ONE will EVER test the limits of it (even you SERIOUS divers) BUT many are getting it.
Why do I want this more than two Rolexs I have wanted for eons?

Come on, someone tell me why I am an idiot getting the DSSD and not 2 others or why I am lucky to be getting the DSSD and it will look fine on my wrist like my Breitling does (pics posted)

[Haole]

Originally Posted by gan1hck

more like around 6000 psi

Closer...

About 5360 psia unless I really am succumbing to sinility. The fact that one can purchase a precision instrument engineered to endure that kind of pressure, for not an unreasonable amount of money, is remarkable though.

Don't like the look of the Deep Sea at all, I'd go so far as to call it ugly.

[officialmitsos]

I don't like the writing inside the watch at all. It's like buying a Mercedes and on the back of the trunk there's sth written like 7-speed automatic gearbox, power windows etc.

Other than that the watch is really nice, but I prefer the "old" sea dweller, especially when considering the shiny bracelet is very prone to get easily scratches

[ezmoney46]

Originally Posted by shedlock2000

Can anyone tell me, if the watch is only able to extend by the ammount alowed on the bracelet, what does the diver wear that will protect him from the great pressure experianced by the watch? I imagine, if the pressure can crush stainless steel, chrystal and so on, the divers suit must be made of something far more pressure resistant? Anyone any ideas?

Anyone any idea of what the pressure is at 12,000ft?

I don't know what the pressure is at 12,000 feet. But I know I won't be going that deep

[Alexus]

thanks for the info...

[susan111]

Originally Posted by ezmoney46

I don't know what the pressure is at 12,000 feet. But I know I won't be going that deep

1 psi of pressure is equal to 2.31 feet of water pressure. Seawater has a higher density, therefore a slightly different answer.

Anyways, use 2.31 feet = 1 psi.

12K feet of water is equal to 5,195 psi.

12K feet of seawater is slighly higher than that number.

[Parachrom]

14.7 pounds per square inch for each 33 ft of sea water that is in the water column. let me do some calcs. approx 5336 pounds per square inch on the watch at 12,000. Rolex has a marghin of safety built in that is almost one third more so firgure 18,000 ft waterproof. Flesh being composed of 96 or 98% water is incompressible in a water environment. Our air cavities of course crush easily.

[Tony-GB]

So, the number of the beast is 666 & the DS is 116660 & it is a beast!

Thanks for the review & technical data Larry.

I'm liking the DS more & more. It's 43mm wide, but how DEEP is the DS?

[Daytonaboy1977]

55mm as far as I am aware, had it on my wrist last week, the thing is enourmous!!

[JohnEaton]

Bracelet photos:











These were just some quick photos with indoor lighting and on my coat...

One day I'll have a photo booth and do it right, there never seems to be enough time.............

[ASH]

Got my SDDS today. My first Role, and I really like the size and the fact that I am the first in El Paso with this baby

[wuzzzer]

Originally Posted by Tony-GB

So, the number of the beast is 666 & the DS is 116660 & it is a beast!

Thanks for the review & technical data Larry.

I'm liking the DS more & more. It's 43mm wide, but how DEEP is the DS?

18mm from top of crystal to back of case.

[JohnEaton]

More Bracelet / Clasp photos: