Buying guide: Deepsea Certified Pre-Owned
The Deepsea is the extreme diver of the Rolex range, with a 3,900-metre water resistance made possible by the patented Ringlock System: a 5.5mm sapphire crystal, a high-performance steel compression ring, and a titanium caseback. It's the most technical model and, at 44mm, also one of the largest in the Rolex catalogue.
Main references
- 116660 — the first generation, produced from 2008 to 2018, 44mm case, grade-5 titanium caseback, calibre 3135 movement.
- 126660 — produced from 2018 to 2022, calibre 3235 movement with 70 hours of power reserve: the generation easiest to find in the CPO channel, including the D-blue "James Cameron" variant.
- 136660 — the current version since 2022: same calibre 3235, RLX titanium caseback, slimmer bezel, larger date window, and a lighter bracelet without the Fliplock extension.
What to check before buying
The Oyster bracelet's Glidelock clasp should slide without catching through all its positions; on the 116660 and the 126660, also try the Fliplock extension designed for wearing the watch over a wetsuit (the current 136660 no longer has it). Check that the helium escape valve works properly. Surface wear on the titanium caseback is normal on a watch designed for real-world use and isn't, by itself, a sign of a problem.
Why CPO makes sense for this model
The Deepsea has specific components — the thick sapphire crystal, the compression ring — that require technical expertise to check correctly. Rolex certification guarantees the water resistance has been re-tested to its extreme specifications, a check an uncertified channel can't offer with the same assurance.