Deep Sea Mini Review

[eltonbalch]

I was going to wait a couple of weeks to adjust to the Deep Sea before doing a review because the first time I saw the watch in person was when I acquired it this past Friday. I was almost assuming I wouldn't like it but as soon as I saw it, the deal was done. Basically, it hasn't been off my wrist since Friday afternoon. I'm sure I'll find something to complain about at some point but at the moment I'm unbelievably impressed with the Deep Sea. Here's my short take on the watch:

Fit and Finish: You've got to see it to believe it, because pictures really don't do it justice. Everything about it has an incredibly solid feel. The bezel turns with a smooth positive action, the crystal has a gem like reflection, and everything just feels like it works together perfectly. Someone posted a complaint about the back not fitting well into the case and claimed there were areas of separation, but that isn't a problem with the one I have. I'd give it a ten.

Size: It's big but it honestly doesn't seem out of proportion on my 7" wrist. You won't likely be wearing this with a suit however; I'm guessing it won't come close to fitting under your french cuffs. Definitely a real tool watch more at home with jeans or swim/diving wear. Viewed from above, the size is actually not as apparent as you might think but when you look at it from the side it sits well up on the wrist. The watch is 16 MM thick and looks it. Some might find that offputting, but I'm already used to it.

Bracelet: This isn't a weak point anymore! I do think a 22 MM bracelet would have been "better" but I'm being picky. The micro adjustment makes it a snap to minutely adjust the watch right on your wrist for expansion/contraction of the wrist on hot or cold days. I think the watch is a tad top heavy so a good comfortable bracelet fit is necessary in my opinion though perhaps not so much for someone with larger wrists than mine.

Timekeeping: Mine's running almost spot on; I seem to be losing about a second a day. All the time setting features work perfectly and the lume is more than adequate. The bezel has 120 detents and aligns perfectly. The date is a little small but that's why it's a Sea Dweller! A cyclops would be just a little out of place here.

Ceramic Bezel: The numbers and detents are recessed a tiny bit; not as much as the GMT however. They look flush but you can feel them if you run your fingernail over them. It just looks fantastic in person. The bezel action is the smoothest i've ever used for sure.

Other details: I was worried that the "Escape Valve/Ring Lock lettering would be ugly and distracting. I personally think it's not necessary, but it is not at all obvious when wearing the watch and the rolex/rolex/rolex is invisible to me without a loupe.

Comparison to other Rolex dive watches: Two of the following three pictures show the Deep Sea with my no-date Sub and LV for comparison. It will give you at least some idea of the size differences.

Overall rating: a true 10!!!

[Z-Sub]

Nice photos!

[JF23]

Thanks for the review.

Great comparison pics!

[GVmil]

Very nice review and great pics.
Thanks for sharing
J

[mickeydainish]

nice... I like it..... Good pics man!!!! :-)

[cody p]

nice review, thanks. wasn't a fan of the deep sea initially, but it's starting to grow on me.

[JJ Irani]

Excellent review, Elton.....very well planned out and nicely scripted.

Thanks - JJ

[Dalton]

good review. i might give that fat chick another looksy. Got any wrist shots?

[Singslinger]

Gppd stuff - thanks for that. I saw a SDDS in the flesh for the first time last Friday and was impressed with its build quality and overall finish. I'd be prepared to buy one for myself when the price settles to a more reasonable level. Enjoy!

[topcat30093]

Nice review.
Thanks for taking the time to write and post it.

[Dubai]

Thanks for sharing ! :)

[Dylan Wade]

Enjoyed reading that Elton,

To help get an idea for how it sits/looks on a 7" wrist, can you provide any wrist shots?

Appreciated

[ayecarumba]

Nice review and nice pics...thanx! I like what you said about seeing it in the flesh. I found that it is much more impressive in person as well. When my AD called me I went with a buddy and we were both impressed. I had to pass as I just got my GMT IIc this summer, but he fell in love and took her home on the spot! Don't poo poo it till you see it!

[Watch Fan]

Nice review and great pics. Enjoyed very much. Congratulations on a stunning watch. Enjoy.

[flwrtears]

one of the best diver watch ever!! and nice shots u have tre...will get one too when the price is right..

[Genevapics]

Enjoy the watch. I had an opportunity to see it in person at my local AD. When she pulled the watch out of the box, I gasped. IMO, the watch is HUGE! It dwarfs my Submariner! I was just amazed at how much bigger it is in person.

It's not for me, but then not all Rolex watches are for me. To those that purchase the watch or are planning on doing so, I wish you nothing but joy and happiness with the watch.

[The_Scroop]

Thanks for the review.

Would love to see a side view comparison shot with a submariner if you could.

[Joey_V]

Originally Posted by The_Scroop

Thanks for the review.

Would love to see a side view comparison shot with a submariner if you could.

It wouldn't be a match... not even close. The DS is insanely thick boned... makes my Sub look like a sissy.

[gone-rolex-mad]

Great little review, still can't bring myself to like the DSSD over the old one.

[Connoisseur]

Great review. I agree completely. Just got mine last Thursday and I am loving it too.

[seodeveloping]

Definitely loving the images and review! Great job!

[moby33]

Originally Posted by The_Scroop

Thanks for the review.

Would love to see a side view comparison shot with a submariner if you could.

Not my pictures, but these gives you an idea of the increase in thickness.

[eltonbalch]

Originally Posted by moby33

Not my pictures, but these gives you an idea of the increase in thickness.

Looks like a bigger difference than I thought. Removing the SS bands for those picture was a good idea.

[Dr.B]

Great review, thank you....That is one TANK of a watch...

[grex]

Oh my!! is that a watch?? looks like a belt buckle man!!! robust....

[JRA]

I walked into an AD in Barcelona, Spain today and tried on the DSSD. It's definitely a big watch but no more so than a Panerai. I've heard the comment that the new lettering is less distracting with the watch on and, after having tried on the watch, I can confirm that this is true - it really doesn't look as cheesy as it does in pictures. I would, however, say that getting used to the weight and the apparent tendancy to move back and forth on your wrist is probably going to be a key factor for a lot of people. My wrist is about 7 3/4 so the watch looks fine on me but, again, it moves around a lot. They had the watch priced at 6,880 Euros. All in all it's a very nice looking watch and I'm tempted but I personally like the old SD better.

On another note, the AD has pretty much every Rolex model you'd like to see in stock, including 2 Milgauss, the new Submariner (yellow & white gold), Yacht-Master, Daytona, etc. plus the DSSD, which clearly indicates that times are rough because they had so many, typically hard to find models in stock and ready to sell. If you're looking for one of the these models and you're in Europe and are interested, please let me know and I will forward you the name, telephone number and address.

[dcrljen]

Hi JAR,

I am interested in getting a SS Daytona (white dial).
Can you please send me the contact details of your AD in Barcelona. Anyway, I am from Zagreb, Croatia.

[JRA]

Sure - the company is called Union Suiza and their website is unionsuiza.com. The website is in both English and Spanish, so if you click on the English icon and then click on the Contact section you'll get the numbers for their 3 stores. They've been in business since 1854 and I understand that their reputation is good; however, I've never purchased from them so I can't offer any positive or negative personal experiences.

Good luck!

[bradg]

Your photos really show a good size comparison. I've never tried a DSSD on my wrist but it certainly towers over the sub. Nice review.

[BZA]

Originally Posted by JRA

I would, however, say that getting used to the weight and the apparent tendancy to move back and forth on your wrist is probably going to be a key factor for a lot of people. My wrist is about 7 3/4 so the watch looks fine on me but, again, it moves around a lot. They had the watch priced at 6,880 Euros. All in all it's a very nice looking watch and I'm tempted but I personally like the old SD better.

Getting the bracelet sized resolves this