Deep Sea Thoughts...

[Incurable]

There's been a lot of back and forth since the Deep Sea was announced and especially now that it's starting to show up at AD's. It seems to me, many are trying to fit the DS (DeepSea) into the wrong box. Most of us are desk-divers or relatively so. I clearly don't think the DS was designed or aimed at that market. Regardless, I think many are attempting to view the DS using an old paradigm. The DS is truly a tool watch and that is reflected in it's design. Things like comfort, size, weight, etc. have all taken a back seat to depth rating. I'm sure Rolex made this watch as small as they were comfortable with but not at the cost of depth rating. The resulting product has some inherent compromises that effect the daily wearer pretty significantly, to the point of impractical. IMO, this watch is designed for the professional where weight, size, etc. aren't important in the short term. I don't think the DS fills the need for those just looking for an 'uber' dive watch because they like the idea of it. I admit, I'm one of those. Rolex crossed over that line with this one. That said, at the cost of the SD, was this a good move for Rolex?

For those considering the DS as a daily wearer, it remains to be seen if it works out well for most. Were I Rolex, I would have lowered the depth bar some (technically, raised it) and made a more ergo-friendly upgrade to the SD. I think that's what most of us love about our Rolexes is the fact they are industrial-tough, exquisitely engineered and constructed, attractive watches that are intended to be worn daily. I'm not sure we should be judging the DS by those standards. If you look at it as a true tool watch designed to do a specific job, it's a ground breaker. As a desk-diver's daily wearer, maybe not so much...

What say you?