Introduction
Debuting in 1967, with the specific aim of bolstering Rolex's dive watch offering, the Rolex Sea-Dweller built upon the industry-leading dive watch credentials that the Submariner had earned Rolex over the previous 14 years. Created specifically with professional divers in mind, Rolex collaborated with diving companies like COMEX to perfect the Sea-Dweller's design and ensure it would be the ultimate dive watch. Featuring the ingenious Helium-Escape Valve that Rolex had patented the same year, a hugely impressive water resistance, and a sizeable case design, the Sea-Dweller rightfully toppled the Submariner as Rolex's most hardcore dive watch. Today offered in a few separate styles, such as two-tone, with various dials, and in two different case sizes (43mm and 44mm), the Sea-Dweller has taken a leaf from the rest of Rolex's offerings and merged its tool-watch-focused design with tasteful aesthetics, to create one of the most sought-after and best-equipped dive watches that any diver might ever need.
While the Sea-Dweller had long been a dive watch industry leader, in 2008, a new model was added to the collection that beefed up the collection’s already impressive level of water resistance, the Deepsea Sea-Dweller ref. 116660. Taking its name very seriously, the Deepsea featured more than triple the previous reference’s water resistance with a depth rating of 3900 meters, 12800 feet, just shy of 4 kilometers – the deepest depth rating of any serially produced timepiece at the time. With its new Ring Lock System, which seals the 5.5mm thick sapphire crystal to its slightly enlarged 44mm case, the ref. 116660 exists as Rolex’s most robust dive watch ever produced. While the reference has since been added to with the Deepsea D-Blue variant in 2014, the original black dial variant, which is what we have here, continues to sit at the top spot as Rolex’s most water-resistant timepiece. With its black Cerachrom bezel and black dial providing a sleek aesthetic, this 44mm behemoth continues to exist as one of Rolex’s largest and most commanding timepieces ever.
Loupe This Scorecard
Grade
M 9
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Box and Papers
Est. value range
$8,000 – $12,000
The Details
Brand
Rolex
Dimensions
44mm x 17.7mm
Model
Deep Sea
Movement
Automatic cal. 3135
Reference
116660
Bracelet
Stainless steel Oyster bracelet
Year
2008
Condition
Near-MInt
Material
Stainless steel
Included
Watch, box, papers and hang tags
Dial Color
Black
THE CONSTRUCTION
As per the Sea-Dweller's historically monochromatic aesthetic, this Deep Sea features a black Cerachrom bezel with silver inscriptions that match its black dial's silver periphery, which highlights its Ring Lock System and Helium Escape Valve.
THE CONSTRUCTION
Boasting one of Rolex's largest constructions ever, the ref. 116660 requires its 44mm x 17.7mm stainless steel case to house its Ring Lock System and helium escape valve - both of which are referenced on the silver ring that encircles the timepiece's black dial and contribute to the ref. 116660's mammoth water resistance.
TIMING MACHINE READOUT
This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
Condition
Watch is in near mint condition. Minor signs of careful use, small scratches along the surface of the case and bracelet.
Our Perspective
Inarguably existing as Rolex's most robust model ever, the Deepsea Sea-Dweller demonstrates Rolex's ever-present ability to blow their competition out of the water (pun intended) with a feat of engineering that can remain just as impressive now as it was then, over 14 years later.
Eric Ku
Co-founder
