What's the best waterproof Rolex watch?

[alicefred]

Maybe this has been asked before in general terms, but I could not find the perfect answer. I am looking at buying a new waterproof Rolex watch. Just wondering what makes a watch water proof? If it is rubber seals then how can they determine a watch is waterproof down to 600 feet or 1000 feet. Can anyone point me in the right direction and shed some lights on waterproof watches? I gonna check out some sites to find out the discount deals.

Any advice and recommendations are welcome.

[Subexplorer]

Hello Alicefred!!
All Rolex watches marked as Oyster are completely waterproof up to different pressures, depending of model.
Waterproof character of a watch is based on its design, and the use of a system of gaskets (O rings), and in most cases, winding crowns which are sealed with O rings and then threaded to case. All Rolex use this type of crowns, but some models like the Submariner use a more complex combination of seals.

Models of the DateJust line, GMT, etc, are waterproof up to 100 meters depth (330 ft)

The Submariner is rated for higher depths (1000 ft/300 meters). The now discontinued Sea Dweller was rated to a higher depth (4000 ft/1220 meters).

Then you got the King of them all the Deep Sea Sea Dweller, which can withstand pressures at depths of 12800 ft/3900 meters!!

Now, which one you need?
That´s depending the intended use you are going to give the watch.
For Sport scuba diving the plain 16610 Sub (or 14060 M no date version) will give you more than needed safe waterproof margin of safety with its 1000 ft rating.

Deep Sea Sea Dweller offers a lot more than a diver could need, or even a submarine ship will need! Anyway, it is a monster of a watch and a great exponent of Rolex technology in making watches.

For casual daily use any Rolex Oyster model rated to 330 ft will be more than what you´ll need for peace of mind swiming, taking a shower, diving into a pool, etc.
Personally, I wouldn´t hessitate to take a "common" Rolex Oyster, rated to a 330 ft depth in a scuba dive up to say 70 or 80 feet of depth, if it is brand new, or had a service done recently.
Anyway, having several Rolex to chose from, I prefer my Submariner for this task, for a greater peace of mind.

May be other more technical Forum members can give you a better explanation, and counsel, but it all depends in the intention of use you are thinking about for your watch.
Hope my comments can help.
Very cordially, Abel

[BASSETHOUNDS]

Welcome to TRF .Any modern Rolex Oyster model can probably take more depth then you can . No worries .

[Idle Swede]

Welcome to the forum.

I think Abel summed it up pretty nicely.

[swissautopro]

Never forget one critical and often overlooked component ... the caseback.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by alicefred

Maybe this has been asked before in general terms, but I could not find the perfect answer. I am looking at buying a new waterproof Rolex watch. Just wondering what makes a watch water proof? If it is rubber seals then how can they determine a watch is waterproof down to 600 feet or 1000 feet. Can anyone point me in the right direction and shed some lights on waterproof watches? I gonna check out some sites to find out the discount deals.

Any advice and recommendations are welcome.

Dont think there is any Oyster Rolex watch that will not be waterproof for 100% of all Rolex watch wearers.But if you are going to use the watch for say scuba diving then I would recommend one thats rated to 300m plus.But most Rolex watches will be quite happy at recreational diving depth of around 40m.Now you will see some have twinlock and triplock crowns these are rated for 100m if stated on dial.But most with the triplock are rated to 300m plus.Watches like the SD or DSSD are rated to a depth that no man present or I would doubt in the future will ever need.

[smallcandle]

Well it's a bit rainy here today in Kansas, so naturally I got out the Deepsea!

[JMIND]

Welcome to TRF! Hope the answers given helps.

[mike]

Originally Posted by Subexplorer

Hello Alicefred!!
All Rolex watches marked as Oyster are completely waterproof up to different pressures, depending of model.
Waterproof character of a watch is based on its design, and the use of a system of gaskets (O rings), and in most cases, winding crowns which are sealed with O rings and then threaded to case. All Rolex use this type of crowns, but some models like the Submariner use a more complex combination of seals.

Models of the DateJust line, GMT, etc, are waterproof up to 100 meters depth (330 ft)

The Submariner is rated for higher depths (1000 ft/300 meters). The now discontinued Sea Dweller was rated to a higher depth (4000 ft/1220 meters).

Then you got the King of them all the Deep Sea Sea Dweller, which can withstand pressures at depths of 12800 ft/3900 meters!!

Now, which one you need?
That´s depending the intended use you are going to give the watch.
For Sport scuba diving the plain 16610 Sub (or 14060 M no date version) will give you more than needed safe waterproof margin of safety with its 1000 ft rating.

Deep Sea Sea Dweller offers a lot more than a diver could need, or even a submarine ship will need! Anyway, it is a monster of a watch and a great exponent of Rolex technology in making watches.

For casual daily use any Rolex Oyster model rated to 330 ft will be more than what you´ll need for peace of mind swiming, taking a shower, diving into a pool, etc.
Personally, I wouldn´t hessitate to take a "common" Rolex Oyster, rated to a 330 ft depth in a scuba dive up to say 70 or 80 feet of depth, if it is brand new, or had a service done recently.
Anyway, having several Rolex to chose from, I prefer my Submariner for this task, for a greater peace of mind.

May be other more technical Forum members can give you a better explanation, and counsel, but it all depends in the intention of use you are thinking about for your watch.
Hope my comments can help.
Very cordially, Abel

nuff said.

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by smallcandle

Well it's a bit rainy here today in Kansas, so naturally I got out the Deepsea!

You wore a Deepsea, in the rain!?! You might have gotten it wet!

[sirjohnbrian]

I got the Deep Sea on the off chance I would end up in the Marianas Trench some day.

Realistically, not only is it more waterproof than I need, the extra steel makes it the perfect beater watch.

[alicefred]

Thank you so much for your valuable suggestions..

[Boopie]

There are some thorough and thoughtful responses here. That's why I like TRF!

I have a Yachtmaster, which isn't rated as a "dive watch," but is part of Rolex's "Professional" line. I have worn it almost daily since I got it in 2001. I've worn it swimming in the ocean and in the pool numerous times. I have never been worried about its "waterproofness." The sturdiness of the Rolex is yet another great thing about the brand. I had considered getting a Patek Phillippe "Twenty-4" instead, but I would not have nearly gotten the same amount of use as my Rolex.

[andypandy]

Many years ago I noticed I experienced "Liquid Ingress Anomaly" with an old Gmt. I
noticed condensation inside the crystal , I took it immediately to my watchmaker and
he was able to make it better. He advised me not to wear it when I went swimming...
" But it's a waterproof watch " I protested..."NO such thing Laddie...and you just proved it ! " Exit stage left ....quietly.

[Subexplorer]

Originally Posted by andypandy

Many years ago I noticed I experienced "Liquid Ingress Anomaly" with an old Gmt. I
noticed condensation inside the crystal , I took it immediately to my watchmaker and
he was able to make it better. He advised me not to wear it when I went swimming...
" But it's a waterproof watch " I protested..."NO such thing Laddie...and you just proved it ! " Exit stage left ....quietly.

Hello Andrew:
I regret your bad experience, but what happened to you only means that your watch gaskets were not ok, or other type of sealing problem (e.g. crown imporperly screw down) or seal on back case.
Swimming or taking a bath can´t do any harm to a Rolex watch (or any other reputable brand with similar waterproof rating), be it a GMT, DJ or Sub.
All these watches have a pressure resistance rating superior to what you subject your watch in a pool diving to its bottom, or swimming.
I always use my watches for swimming, with no problems with any moisture entering.

I´m realy surprised with your watchmakers answer, but you can check with your offcial Rolex Service.
Other more technical oriented members here at TRF will certainly back my comments above.

Have your great GMT checked and serviced at an official Rolex service, and put it in use with no regrets.

Best cordial regards, Abel

[sergio27]

The best is the Deep Sea if your wrist can't handle it go for the sea dweller if you dont like this go with the all time classic submariner. I am a sea dweller man till the end. I take my babt diving everytime and I actually use the divers bezel to time my dive.

If you got money to throw away get a DRSD, my grail watch.