Tried the DSSD today...

[Psmith]

Initial thoughts, after a play at an AD...

- love the watch head, much nicer in real life. Rehaut writing not too obvious and domed crystal is nice. Too thick for a shirt cuff, but that's hardly a valid criticism of a dive watch.

- bracelet is disproportionate to the watch head, too narrow & thin.

- Glidelock clasp is great, but seems a bit bulky for the bracelet.

- ceramic bezel turns smoothly, if rather too easily for my liking. And on the watch I handled it was quite badly misaligned.

Overall, I really like the Deep Sea but the bracelet is putting me off.

As a footnote, I am finding too many little quality niggles with new watches – really not good enough, imho.

Cheers

[JJ Irani]

Good, constructive cricitism, Clive.

Yes, the lug width has been increased from 20 mm to 21 mm, but that doesn't seem enough for the bulk and larger 43 mm case diameter. Perhaps a 22 mm lug width would have been more appropriate.

The watch is indeed superbly engineered, but the 18 mm enormous height might put some people off.

As a dive watch, there's no equal. Rolex watches are usually tested to at least 25% deeper than the actual rating printed on the dial.

JJ

[padi56]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

As a dive watch, there's no equal. Rolex watches are usually tested to at least 25% deeper than the actual rating printed on the dial.

JJ

Would agree to a point JJ, but IMHO only around 10%- 15% of all dive watches bought including the DSSD.Will ever see water other than perhaps the shower or swimming pool.

[dalip]

Originally Posted by padi56

Would agree to a point JJ, but IMHO only around 10%- 15% of all dive watches bought including the DSSD.Will ever see water other than perhaps the shower or swimming pool.

All true but I guess JJ is referring to the quality of engineering rather than practical use. Maybe I'm wrong? But for me that's what it's about.

[BigHat]

Originally Posted by dalip

All true but I guess JJ is referring to the quality of engineering rather than practical use. Maybe I'm wrong? But for me that's what it's about.

But when does over-engineering into the realm of stupidity at the cost of aesthetics and wearability go too far? To me, the DSSD.

[SubKing]

Originally Posted by BigHat

But when does over-engineering into the realm of stupidity at the cost of aesthetics and wearability go too far? To me, the DSSD.

If the DSSD bothers you that much then buy the submariner. Rolex's offers many different models for this reason. we all know that myself nor anyone else is not going to be deep sea diving past 12,800 ft.. the point is that you have a watch on that is capable of completing such a feat which is more of a conversational piece than anything else... I think the DSSD is great.

Another reason I think rolex left the bracelet on the DSSD more narrow because if you look at earlier pictures of their prototype vintage dive watches in the past with the huge domed crystal, they all had standard bracelets attached as they were tool watches not meant for a fashion statement.. but with the DSSD i think rolex was trying to keep some of it true to the original design, they really made the watch look nice enough to wear everyday and still be able to achieve such a depth... with something as advanced as the DSSD i think there have to be a couple fashion set backs in the over all design so it can do what it does.

each DSSD we own has been to the depth printed on our dials and even beyond according to JJ when going through rolex testing which i think is equally impressive.

I like the design flaws in the deep sea and thats what makes it unique and sets it apart from your everyday sub... or any other style for that matter.

I had bought the new panerai 328 on a bracelet and had it for a week. i could not get the deep sea out of my head so i took the panerai back and picked up the deep sea.. the rolex keeps much better time then the panerai with the new in house mov btw... gained almost 30 sec a day.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by BigHat

But when does over-engineering into the realm of stupidity at the cost of aesthetics and wearability go too far? To me, the DSSD.

Hi Matt,
I expect a statement like that on a Rolex Forum is going to attract some flack and I disagree with you.

I have tried on the DSSD a few time and IMO it is a big watch but it makes a huge engineering statement for Rolex.
Does it go too far? I don't think so.
Is it over engineered? I don't think so.
Is it in the realm of stupidity? Not at all IMO.

If you want a bit of exclusivity then it would be the one to buy- they are not thick on the ground in Oz.

But hey, buy whatever suits you.



Eddie

[mfer]

I agree with your comments. They really messed up with the thickness of the bracelet.

[BigHat]

Originally Posted by mfer

I agree with your comments. They really messed up with the thickness of the bracelet.

There are other aspects of the watch that I don't like, but I discovered those in the early pics and reviews. 3 seconds in my hand though was enough to discover they REALLY missed it on the bracelet. A disaster coming from the maker of some to the best bracelets in the world too.

[OneArmMan]

I was fortunate enough to try on the Deep Sea yesterday at a local AD and there is no way on God's Green Earth am I getting involved in this thread!

[shandy]

I tried one on yesterday and now it is going to be my next watch!

[tthopp05]

I love my DEEPSEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. :d ude::dud e: :d ude::dud e:::dude :: dude::du de::dude :: dude:

[KidK]

Originally Posted by Psmith

Initial thoughts, after a play at an AD...

- Too thick for a shirt cuff, but that's hardly a valid criticism of a dive watch.

I've had my tailor make my left cuff bigger than the right cuff because of watches for some time. Even before the Panerai craze made this a must, I've had the left cuff bigger to keep the sleeve edge from wearing due to my Brietling.

[Singslinger]

I own the Deepsea and think it's a fantastic watch - looks and feels great and I think the Glidelock is brilliant.

However, I can appreciate that it isn't to everyone's tastes - it's larger and thicker than other Rolexes and will probably not fit smaller wrists. When it was first launched it garnered more than its fair share of criticism; I recall lots of threads about how ugly, over-engineered and over-the-top it is.

I think ugliness is in the eye of the beholder and I'm not a technical person so I can't comment on the engineering. As to whether it's over-the-top I think you could say that of any number of other Rolexes, eg. the Leopard Daytona, "Ice'' GMT2 and "Zebra'' Datejust, just to name a few. Also, I wonder how many people who own solid gold Subs (or even the two-tone version) actually use their watches to dive?

[esm]

tried it on a couple of months ago, this thing was huge but great looking! agreed on the size of the bracelet & height of the case, but it was quite comfortable for those 30 seconds i had it on my wrist.

imo - it is an amazing watch, but i will never be able to pull it off.

saw it in the wild the other week, it looked amazing!

[brochblue72]

Well here is a thing, Rolex make many models & in several of those models there are different dial, bracelet & bezel combinations. This is due to the fact every one has their own personal taste. If everyone liked the same thing they would only ever need to make ONE type of watch. Life is not like that. I for one own & love the Deepsea but I can certainly see why others don't. I would never dream of owning a Yacht master ii but I am sure that it is a grail watch for many others.
This is a friendly forum, let's try keeping it that way & allow everyone to express their own opinions without taking it personally....

[Singslinger]

Originally Posted by brochblue72

Well here is a thing, Rolex make many models & in several of those models there are different dial, bracelet & bezel combinations. This is due to the fact every one has their own personal taste. If everyone liked the same thing they would only ever need to make ONE type of watch. Life is not like that. I for one own & love the Deepsea but I can certainly see why others don't. I would never dream of owning a Yacht master ii but I am sure that it is a grail watch for many others.
This is a friendly forum, let's try keeping it that way & allow everyone to express their own opinions without taking it personally....

[marke]

I love my deep sea to bits still, but it will have competition for wrist time with my new tudor hydronaut 1200 , which is a fantastic watch at half the price of a deep sea...

[The GMT Kid]

I'm going to let this picture do the talking for me.

[Blueoctopus007]

The dream ticket is to own a Sea Dweller and a SDDS.

Greedy and over the top?

Yes, yes - but cool to have, especially if you are a Scuba Diver.

[Nick1959]

my watches are fighting each other for my attention. Anyway presently SDDS has it all

[ingoodtime]

I love the look of the DSSD but would not consider one for myself. Living here in Florida and swimming frequently, I love a tough water resistant watch. In March of 2008, I bought my Breitling Super Ocean Steelfish X plus. With the blue dial, it is a watch I consider to be sporty and stunning. It is rated to 6600 feet. Again, way over engineered for most folks. It has a 44 MM case and is 16.1 MM tall, 122.5 grams per Breitlings website. Like the DSSD, it is tall, thick and top heavy. I had always wanted a new Breitling and still can't believe I am so lucky. But now,owning a Sub and GMT, I see that a "tool" watch can be sleek and comfortable. Sadly,my Breitling is not worn as much anymore. In fact, the other night, I went swimming and wore the GMT instead of the Super Ocean. Hey, had to break the GMT in sooner or later!

[brainbizz]

I definitely agree that the depth rating is absolutely silly but I just like the watch. Initially did not care for it much but once I put it on i loved it. I typically wear PAMs so the size is appealing to me. Sure it may be over engineered but if one likes the product who cares. I own several daytonas and chronos which I have never used the chrono function doesnt mean I dont like the watch for some engineering or function which I will never appreciate fully.

[Zgar]

Hey guys big or bigger watches aren't for everyone I have owned many Rolex and now have a DSSD an I love it. I am also 6'0'' tall and weigh 195 lbs. If I were 5'8'' I may not like it on me. and thats ok that's why there are so many different models out there... I think the Panerai 44 mm looks alot bigger because the dial is bigger that the DSSD. the DSSD is tall though but very comfortable IMO.. People tend to wear what they like and in my opinion they are all very nice watches

[Bon Temps]

I recently used my DSSD in trade toward the purchase of a new Rolex. I think it is a great watch. What attracted me to it initially was the technology, amazing. I also think it looked great and it was more accurate than any of my other watches. In the end I just couldn't get comfortable with it on my wrist and I am one who likes to wear all of my watches. If I had money to burn I would have kept it and let it sit in the safe. To me watch selection is a very personal thing and the only thing that matters is how it makes it's owner feel.

[Mike O]

Depth rating on almost every watch made is already overkill.... 12,800, 2,000, 600 feet. 99% of people that are buying dive watches do it because they love the watch for whatever reason it is that makes the watch call out to them.

Like BigHat said, the Deepsea is a hit for some and a miss for others. If you love it buy one, if not get something else. That is why many watch brands have a following. The deepsea is a watch that shocked the Rolex following. It is outside the box thinking from what people are used to seeing.

Some think Rolex made a watch that is now the undisputed king of the ocean, and others feel rolex went in the wrong direction. That is why you can still get a Sub, that will go deeper than most of the population will ever take it.....

[camster]

I tried one on about 2 months ago,and now I have started a secret fund to purchase that beast of a watch. It absolutely makes my SS TOG look like a period at the end of a sentence. But it just feels so good on the wrist. A thing of human created beauty. I hope to own one soon.

[Singslinger]

Originally Posted by Mike O

Depth rating on almost every watch made is already overkill.... 12,800, 2,000, 600 feet. 99% of people that are buying dive watches do it because they love the watch for whatever reason it is that makes the watch call out to them.

Like BigHat said, the Deepsea is a hit for some and a miss for others. If you love it buy one, if not get something else. That is why many watch brands have a following. The deepsea is a watch that shocked the Rolex following. It is outside the box thinking from what people are used to seeing.

Some think Rolex made a watch that is now the undisputed king of the ocean, and others feel rolex went in the wrong direction. That is why you can still get a Sub, that will go deeper than most of the population will ever take it.....

Agree 100%, especially the part about outside-the-box thinking from what people were used to seeing. There were many Rolex fans who, having gotten used to the 40mm Sub/SD/GMT look, were suddenly confronted by this beast of a 43mm watch and so reacted with shock/surprise and in some cases, revulsion.

Funny thing is, I don't think Panerai fans were overly shocked/surprised/repulsed when the brand went in the other direction, and produced a Luminor Marina 40mm version after establishing its name as a maker of 44mm watches.

[Deep Sea]

For those who haven't seen it, here's a link to the Watchtime article on the DSSD, including techincal info & testing info on depth.

If you haven't read it, take a little time to do so; it may answer some of the questions re weight, thickness, etc. Good reference info, if nothing else.

http://www.watchbizz.com/archive/wt_...T_0209_094.pdf

[wsaraceni]

the DSSD is the only rolex i've ever tried on. since its the only one i could get the clasp over my hand when fully extended. having 8.5 - 9" wrists suck.