"Sea-Dweller" removed from the Deepsea dial

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Well it's an Oyster case, and Perpetual (auto) movement with Date function. That verbiage goes back to the 1920s/30s/40s so is part of the heritage of the company and links most models, past and present.

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[Kingranch]

Originally Posted by Eric88

Prior DSSD with 5 lines of text



New DeepSea with 4 lines of text

Don’t forget the Original Deepsea, the face is completely different, ref 116660.

I would post a pic but this site is so antiquated, just google it.

[worldofoyster]

looks cleaner and less cluster

[RustyW]

Remove the text on the rehaut (ring around the dial) and you have nearly the perfect diving watch in the black dialed model IMO. Make it a two liner ala the old ND Sub...Rolex & Deep Sea is all that is needed on that dial. Minimalist it out. Let it and its specs to the talking. If only I was a Rolex designer ha ha.

I owned the first iteration of the DSSD. Loved the size and the way it sat on the wrist. Didn't love the out of proportion bracelet and all that text (20+ words/numbers on the dial. Lord. After 10-12 years, I grew very tired of the cluttered up mess looking up at me and opted for the red SD 43.

Love the wider bracelet/clasp on the newer DS and it looks like they have begun to de-cluttered dial. A move in the right direction in my book. If they axe the rehaut text at some point and keep that beautiful steel ringlock ring around the dial bare (never happen in my lifetime I bet), I would be all in on it.

[Avs Fan]

Originally Posted by Eric88

Prior DSSD with 5 lines of text



New DeepSea with 4 lines of text

It does look less technical and better balanced.

[Baracus]

Originally Posted by RustyW

Remove the text on the rehaut (ring around the dial) and you have nearly the perfect diving watch in the black dialed model IMO. Make it a two liner ala the old ND Sub...Rolex & Deep Sea is all that is needed on that dial. Minimalist it out. Let it and its specs to the talking. If only I was a Rolex designer ha ha.

I owned the first iteration of the DSSD. Loved the size and the way it sat on the wrist. Didn't love the out of proportion bracelet and all that text (20+ words/numbers on the dial. Lord. After 10-12 years, I grew very tired of the cluttered up mess looking up at me and opted for the red SD 43.

Love the wider bracelet/clasp on the newer DS and it looks like they have begun to de-cluttered dial. A move in the right direction in my book. If they axe the rehaut text at some point and keep that beautiful steel ringlock ring around the dial bare (never happen in my lifetime I bet), I would be all in on it.

I still have the 126660 JC but basically agree with everything you said, removing all that text would really improve it.

I also have the SD43, but think removing the cyclops would improve that.

There's always something!

[CaptT]

Originally Posted by CaptT

Yeah, thanks, I’m aware of the history, and appreciate the Rolex heritage. These three words just don’t add any value to me, and I’m not certain that they are an important factor for anyone when buying a Rolex, as such could be removed and wouldn’t detract from the marketability or enjoyment of the watch, and in fact might improve the dial esthetic.

Said differently, it appears to me that including “Oyster Perpetual Date” is a legacy/antiquated marketing tactic that doesn’t have the same impact today.

Opinions could vary on this though.

:cheers:

Reflecting on this further… I recalled some information from years ago that “Oyster” was simply marketing, and found at least one post that supports this (courtesy of Padi56):

“Wilsdorf came up with the name oyster while he was having a dinner party and having a hard time getting into an oyster. He made a remark to his guests that he hoped the new design of watch case would prove to be as resilient as this oyster mollusk”

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=830661

The “Date” part seems quite obvious, and superfluous given you can look at the watch to determine if it does or does not include the date.

The “Perpetual” part also seems unnecessary (as text on the dial), especially given all Rolex watches today are mechanical (not quartz). Although, when I think back to my earliest memories of Rolex watches, the perpetual nature of these watches was one of the features that had me intrigued. So perhaps there’s merit in still including this text on the dial?

Wonder too if, in the spirit of simplifying the text on the dial, the official cert could be shortened to C.O.S.C. (or removed altogether?). The 2-liner 14060 comes to mind; same performance expectations of the movement, but not tested to COSC standards and thus no claim on the dial. And yet still highly regarded for it’s minimalism.

Anyway, the feeling that there is too much text on the dial extends to other brands as well (Tudor Pelagos “5-liner”, for instance), and like others I’d enjoy seeing what the Rolex line looks like with a simplified dial.

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Well it's an Oyster case, and Perpetual (auto) movement with Date function. That verbiage goes back to the 1920s/30s/40s so is part of the heritage of the company and links most models, past and present.

Now, Adam, if what you’re essentially saying is “it’s always been done this way, so it should continue as is”, I’m not sure I agree with that as a blanket statement (I’m also not sure that’s what you’re trying to say, though maybe it is). However in some instances for truly iconic design elements, that probably make sense.

[RustyW]

Originally Posted by Baracus

I still have the 126660 JC but basically agree with everything you said, removing all that text would really improve it.

I also have the SD43, but think removing the cyclops would improve that.

There's always something!

Love it, but would get a DS in addition to it with the aforementioned changes.

[alphadweller]

I love a big diver and I love gold. I'd be lying if I didn't admit I'm a sucker for this new Deepsea. The only minus, the Ti caseback should have been gold, the price should have been lower. I hit the gym 3 times a week, I can pull the weight . On a serious note though, it'd be unwearable as a daily driver.

[phobby]

Does this change make the 2023 136660 a possible collector?

Since it was only made for 1 year with Sea Dweller.

[Tom Arai]

Originally Posted by phobby

Does this change make the 2023 136660 a possible collector?

Since it was only made for 1 year with Sea Dweller.

No only Deepsea like this the very first one.

[Jackie Daytona]

Sort of interesting move.

It has its own page on the site separate from the Sea Dweller line now as well to distinguish them. Deep Sea Challenge still states Sea Dweller however. Sort of un Rolex like with the lack of uniformity.

Honestly it feels to me like the Exp II would’ve been a better break off into its own line as different as it is from the Exp I.

[phobby]

Originally Posted by Tom Arai

No only Deepsea like this the very first one.

The 136660 was the model redesign. Not very different but date window, bracelet, bezel height, and case back were changed for only a year and a half.

[Tom Arai]

Originally Posted by phobby

The 136660 was the model redesign. Not very different but date window, bracelet, bezel height, and case back were changed for only a year and a half.

First was new design brand new model always best for collection. The one you want is not special but nice watch.

[Kingranch]

Originally Posted by phobby

Does this change make the 2023 136660 a possible collector?

Since it was only made for 1 year with Sea Dweller.

So was the 116660 and the 126660.

[trailblazer68]

i wish they remove the date as well

[Mastergreenhand]

Looks great. Wish I had a bigger wrist (and budget)👍

[steved]

Originally Posted by phobby

Does this change make the 2023 136660 a possible collector?

Since it was only made for 1 year with Sea Dweller.

I believe so picked mine up yesterday from my AD, very short run 2022 - 2024

[acurry420]

Originally Posted by CaptT

Yeah, thanks, I’m aware of the history, and appreciate the Rolex heritage. These three words just don’t add any value to me, and I’m not certain that they are an important factor for anyone when buying a Rolex, as such could be removed and wouldn’t detract from the marketability or enjoyment of the watch, and in fact might improve the dial esthetic.

Said differently, it appears to me that including “Oyster Perpetual Date” is a legacy/antiquated marketing tactic that doesn’t have the same impact today.

Opinions could vary on this though.

Agreed. I don't think it is necessary and is only there as a part of history. For the typical buyer, their buying behavior won't be any different if the wording was on the dial or not.

[steveclr]

Originally Posted by 2loaded

Been joking with the AD for years about a full PM DeepSea.
Unbelievable. What a beautiful chunk of star debris.

Agreed. I never thought a PM DeepSea would happen. I'd love to try one for a few days - never had a watch where the weight was a bother but maybe this would do it.

[phobby]

Originally Posted by steved

I believe so picked mine up yesterday from my AD, very short run 2022 - 2024

Exactly, that guy with a 2 month old account from Japan “credible”. Since the DeepSea was already a low production watch with the two faces. I could see how the original 136660 of mostly 2023 models would be kinda rare. The JC 136660 already sells for over MSRP on the grey market.

[Andy_H]

I've just had "the call" for my JC and I have my appointment on Friday :-)

I'm intrigued to see which dial it is. Will it be a sea dweller or just a Deep Sea ?

Should I want a specific dial or be happy with whichever ?

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Andy_H

I've just had "the call" for my JC and I have my appointment on Friday :-)

I'm intrigued to see which dial it is. Will it be a sea dweller or just a Deep Sea ?

Should I want a specific dial or be happy with whichever ?

I saw the DEEPSEA dialed watch a couple of days ago on display.
It looked really nice and clean down there at the bottom without the extra text proclaiming that it's a Sea-Dweller.

[maximilianmuller]

Your Rolex-wearing forearm will have a few more inches of circumference after a few months of lifting this golden beast. 😛

[fozzyf18]

Originally Posted by Andy_H

I've just had "the call" for my JC and I have my appointment on Friday :-)

I'm intrigued to see which dial it is. Will it be a sea dweller or just a Deep Sea ?

Should I want a specific dial or be happy with whichever ?

I got the call 6 weeks ago and am in the holding pattern to travel to pick it up. I received the DSSD at that point before they changed the dial, which is fine because I prefer the previous model.

Which dial do you like better? That would be your answer to your response to the AD. You can also ask your AD to send you a picture of the watch and then you won't have to guess. If the dial on the watch they have for you is a deal-breaker, you can tell them that you would prefer the newer dial and are willing to wait (if you are willing to wait). You might risk going to the back of the line for Sea Dweller requests, but you shouldn't pay for a watch you don't want.

[Kingranch]

I have always kept the Sea Dweller in a special place in my heart for tradition wise with the non cyclops,…etc. Now that I look forward I really like the new Deep Sea with the less lines on the face (but not a deal breaker). With that being said, I am happy to have one of “both” on my wrist at the same time with my 116660…haha

[Andy_H]

Originally Posted by Dirt

I saw the DEEPSEA dialed watch a couple of days ago on display.
It looked really nice and clean down there at the bottom without the extra text proclaiming that it's a Sea-Dweller.

I think I like the new one too as its crisp and clean as you say.

[Andy_H]

Originally Posted by maximilianmuller

Your Rolex-wearing forearm will have a few more inches of circumference after a few months of lifting this golden beast. 😛

Haha -I have a ND Sub now, but this has always been my dream watch. Hopefully catch up with the right forearm haha

Originally Posted by fozzyf18

I got the call 6 weeks ago and am in the holding pattern to travel to pick it up. I received the DSSD at that point before they changed the dial, which is fine because I prefer the previous model.

Which dial do you like better? That would be your answer to your response to the AD. You can also ask your AD to send you a picture of the watch and then you won't have to guess. If the dial on the watch they have for you is a deal-breaker, you can tell them that you would prefer the newer dial and are willing to wait (if you are willing to wait). You might risk going to the back of the line for Sea Dweller requests, but you shouldn't pay for a watch you don't want.

Nice, I'm impatient, I couldn't wait that long. I'm going on Friday thankfully. Although I must be some form of patient, I think I've waited pretty much three years to the day for this one.

I'm not sure which i prefer I think both look great.

Originally Posted by Kingranch

I have always kept the Sea Dweller in a special place in my heart for tradition wise with the non cyclops,…etc. Now that I look forward I really like the new Deep Sea with the less lines on the face (but not a deal breaker). With that being said, I am happy to have one of “both” on my wrist at the same time with my 116660…haha

Hahaha - thats just greedy ;-) love it hahaha

[kittansett]

Originally Posted by phobby

Does this change make the 2023 136660 a possible collector?

Since it was only made for 1 year with Sea Dweller.

There are still some 5 liner 136660 available in AD displays that eventually will be sold.

[kittansett]

Originally Posted by phobby

Exactly, that guy with a 2 month old account from Japan “credible”. Since the DeepSea was already a low production watch with the two faces. I could see how the original 136660 of mostly 2023 models would be kinda rare. The JC 136660 already sells for over MSRP on the grey market.

This dial will be the last of the Deep Sea/Sea Dweller mark. After this, it's a new category. Sort of like the transitional models of yester years. It's an opportunity if still available with the AD's.