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.

[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.

[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.

[BigHat]

Originally Posted by SubKing

If the DSSD bothers you that much then buy the submariner.

Already have a Sub -- thanks. Happy that you like your SDDS, but that doesn't mean others have to and can't discuss what we don't like about it. If you want to take it personally, well that's your issue.

Suggest you study up if you think your SDDS with "been to that depth." Also if you think your COSC certified Panny running 30 secs off each day is something typical you'd be wrong there too. Sad if that's the case, but an occasional Rolex watches needs immediate regulation as well.

Oh and why are you still listing and showing the 328 in your avatar if you don't own it and find it to be part of a poor brand?

[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!

[SubKing]

Originally Posted by BigHat

Already have a Sub -- thanks. Happy that you like your SDDS, but that doesn't mean others have to and can't discuss what we don't like about it. If you want to take it personally, well that's your issue.

Suggest you study up if you think your SDDS with "been to that depth." Also if you think your COSC certified Panny running 30 secs off each day is something typical you'd be wrong there too. Sad if that's the case, but an occasional Rolex watches needs immediate regulation as well.

Oh and why are you still listing and showing the 328 in your avatar if you don't own it and find it to be part of a poor brand?

never said panerai was a "poor brand" as i have had 4 of them... i have also had many rolex's... rolex dd II milgauss gv sub lv ect list goes on, so i can say my experience when dealing with rolex service was faster than dealing with richmont... I think your taking this too far buddy and putting words into my mouth that i didnt say, I happen to love panerai.. this is just a forum so i think you need to chill, i was never stating that you have to like the DSSD just bc i do. only stating what i think motivated rolex to design the watch the way they did. so take a break from your computer, fix a snack, come back and chill...

stop with the attacks.
leaving this thread now.

[ElPrimero]

Wow, I've only been subscribed to this forum for a few days and I can't believe how many unfriendly people there are here.
I know everyone has an opinion, but I really didn't expect such attitude and blinkered vision!!

[BigHat]

Delete.

[tthopp05]

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

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by ElPrimero

Wow, I've only been subscribed to this forum for a few days and I can't believe how many unfriendly people there are here.
I know everyone has an opinion, but I really didn't expect such attitude and blinkered vision!!

Please don't take this thread as a yardstick, as a general rule, this is one of the friendliest forums out there. Hope you stick with us, it's always nice to see a fellow Brit here



Chris

[davor]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Please don't take this thread as a yardstick, as a general rule, this is one of the friendliest forums out there. Hope you stick with us, it's always nice to see a fellow Brit here



Chris

x2 billion except the Brit part (since im from Croatia)

[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?

[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

[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.

[jagwap]

Originally Posted by SubKing

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.

I hear you on the Panerai acuracy. I have a 233, and the first few weeks it was +15-16 seconds a day. After a while it settled down to +1.5-3 seconds a day. I don't know why, I'm more than happy now.

The DSSD is calling gently, ( it's a hole lotta watch) but oddly it's the height that still holds me off. Sure it's the same height as my 233 and the 328, but looks so much taller. I may still pull the trigger, but I can't see it surplanting the 233 as my favourite. The domed crystal on the 233 is so much taller than either of the others that it helps the proportions somehow. I think I may have to wait for the new sub for a daily beater...

[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.

[BigHat]

Originally Posted by directioneng

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

Hi Eddie,
Late getting back to TRF. You make good points...as usual... but I still disagree. Maybe "over-engineer to the point of stupidity" just gets people's backs up. Of course, if I stated it a different way you'd still disgree with me so why bother. I along with others have been debating the pros and cons of the SDDS since the first peek at the pics from Basel. Really nothing to say that hasn't been said before. Bottom line is it's a "hit" for some and a "miss" for others. As I understand it from discussions with ADs (one with a national presence) they aren't selling very well. The most likely reason (IMO) is that they're too big for a significant piece of the watch buying demographic. Thus, striving for a meaningless depth rating cost at the price of excessive size has cost them sales.

Finally, as I stated before, I don't get upset if others disagree with my conclusions regarding the watch. I'm happy for anyone that gets happy from buying ANY watch.

[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!