W&W 2024 Rolex Deepsea 44mm Yellow Gold

Rolex is unveiling an original version of the Oyster Perpetual Rolex Deepsea. This divers’ watch is presented in 18 ct yellow gold for the first time and sports a 60-minute graduated Cerachrom bezel insert in blue ceramic as well as a blue lacquer dial bearing the name ‘DEEPSEA’ in powdered yellow.

This new version also incorporates a technical innovation: the high-performance compression ring within the Ringlock system is crafted from ceramic. A marvel of precision engineering, this Cerachrom ring is the result of a pioneering manufacturing process. Coloured blue and embellished with a circular satin finish and inscriptions that are engraved then gilded, this component also marks a new way of integrating ceramic into a watch case: the compression resistance and anti-deformation properties of this high-tech material contribute to the waterproofness of the watch.

The Rolex Deepsea is equipped with calibre 3235, a movement at the forefront of watchmaking technology, enabling it to display the date as well as the hours, minutes and seconds.

Like all Rolex watches, the Oyster Perpetual Rolex Deepsea carries the Superlative Chronometer certification, which ensures excellent performance on the wrist.

The watch of the deep

The Rolex Deepsea fully illustrates the innovative ability of Rolex. At its launch in 2008, this deep-sea divers’ watch, guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 3,900 metres (12,800 feet), inaugurated the Ringlock system – a unique case architecture that allows it to withstand the pressure exerted at this extreme depth. While featuring the aesthetic DNA and intrinsic characteristics of the Professional watches in the Oyster Perpetual collection, it meets the exacting requirements of professional divers in terms of resistance to underwater pressure, precision and reliability.

Legibale and functional

In the underwater depths, being able to read the time with absolute certainty is a matter of survival. Great attention was paid to the legibility of the Rolex Deepsea: this professional divers’ watch features a dial with a pared-back design and incorporates the Chromalight display. The simple forms of the hour markers – triangles, circles and rectangles – and the hands, which are clearly differentiated in size and shape, are filled or coated with a luminescent material emitting a long-lasting blue glow – for up to two times longer than traditional phosphorescent materials. On the bezel, the triangular ‘zero’ marker of the graduation is visible in the dark thanks to an embedded capsule containing the same luminescent material.

High-technology ceramic

Rolex played a pioneering role in the development of special ceramics for creating monobloc bezels and bezel inserts. Not only are these materials virtually scratchproof, their colours are also of a rare intensity and are resistant to environmental effects. In addition, thanks to its chemical composition, the high-tech ceramic is inert and cannot corrode. Rolex has developed exclusive expertise and innovative manufacturing methods that grant it complete independence in the production of these ceramic components.

On the new version of the Rolex Deepsea, the unidirectional rotatable bezel is fitted with a 60-minute graduated Cerachrom insert in blue ceramic that allows divers to monitor their time underwater. The high-performance compression ring of the Ringlock system is also made of blue ceramic. The moulded, recessed graduations and numerals on the insert, as well as the engraved inscriptions on the Cerachrom ring, are coated with yellow gold via PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition). The bezel’s knurled edge offers excellent grip and can be manipulated with ease.

Oyster case and ringlock system

A paragon of robustness and reliability, the 44 mm Oyster case of the Rolex Deepsea is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 3,900 metres (12,800 feet). The middle case of the new version is crafted from a solid block of 18 ct yellow gold. Its case back, edged with fine fluting, is hermetically screwed down with a special tool that allows only Rolex watchmakers to access the movement. The Triplock winding crown, fitted with a triple waterproofness system and protected by an integral crown guard, screws down securely against the case. The waterproof Oyster case provides optimal protection for the movement it houses.

The Rolex Deepsea benefits from the Ringlock system, a patented case architecture developed by Rolex. This system comprises three superposed elements: a thick, slightly domed sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating, a high-performance compression ring, which withstands the water pressure, and a case back in RLX titanium. The crystal of the Rolex Deepsea is 5.5 mm thick, and the case back is held tight against the compression ring by a screw-down ring. The compression ring on the 18 ct yellow gold version is manufactured in a blue high-tech ceramic – a first for this component.

The Oyster case of the Rolex Deepsea is also equipped with the helium escape valve, patented in 1967. This safety valve works to protect Rolex divers’ watches created for great depths by allowing excess pressure built up inside the watch case to escape during a diver’s decompression phase in a hyperbaric chamber – a process inherent to saturation diving – without compromising the waterproofness of the watch.

Caliber 3235

The Rolex Deepsea is equipped with calibre 3235, a movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex that was released in 2015 and introduced on the model in 2018. A distillation of technology, this self-winding mechanical movement delivers outstanding performance, particularly in terms of precision, power reserve, convenience and reliability.

Calibre 3235 incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement, which combines high energy efficiency with great dependability. Made of nickel-phosphorus, this escapement is resistant to strong magnetic fields. The movement is fitted with a blue Parachrom hairspring, manufactured by Rolex in a paramagnetic alloy. The hairspring offers great stability in the face of temperature variations as well as high resistance to shocks. It is equipped with a Rolex overcoil, ensuring the calibre’s regularity in any position. The oscillator is mounted on the Rolex-designed, patented high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, increasing the movement’s shock resistance. Since 2023, the oscillating weight has been fitted with an optimized ball bearing.

Calibre 3235 is equipped with a selfwinding system via a Perpetual rotor. Thanks to its barrel architecture and the escapement’s superior efficiency, the power reserve of this movement extends to approximately 70 hours.

Oyster bracelet and oysterlock safety clasp

The Rolex Deepsea in 18 ct yellow gold is fitted on an Oyster bracelet. Developed in the late 1930s, this three-piece link metal bracelet is known for its robustness; it remains the most universal bracelet in the Oyster Perpetual collection.

The Oyster bracelet of the Rolex Deepsea is equipped with the Oysterlock folding safety clasp, which prevents accidental opening. It also features the Rolex Glidelock extension system, developed by the brand and patented. This inventive toothed mechanism located under the clasp cover enables fine adjustment of the bracelet length, without the need for tools. The Rolex Glidelock on the Oyster bracelet has 10 notches of approximately 2 mm each, allowing the bracelet length to be adjusted easily up to some 20 mm. The Oyster bracelet of the Rolex Deepsea in 18 ct yellow gold includes patented ceramic inserts – designed by the brand – inside the links to enhance its flexibility on the wrist and its longevity.

Technical specifications

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Deepsea

Reference: 136668LB

Case

• Material: Yellow gold
• Diameter: 44 mm
• Crystal: Domed, 5.5 mm-thick scratchresistant sapphire
• Bezel: Unidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated, scratch-resistant
• Cerachrom insert in blue ceramic, numerals and graduations coated in gold
• Screw-down case back and winding crown
• Rolex Ringlock System case architecture with Helium escape valve
• Water-resistant to 3,900 metres / 12,800 feet, helium escape valve

Dial and hands

• Blue dial
• Highly legible Chromalight display with long-lasting blue luminescence

Movement

• Caliber 3235, Manufacture Rolex
• Perpetual, mechanical, self-winding
• Power reserve of approximately 70 hours
• Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex certification after casing)

Functions/Indications

• Centre hour, minute and seconds hands.
• Instantaneous date with rapid setting.
• Stop-seconds for precise time setting

Strap and buckle

• 18 ct yellow gold bracelet
• Folding Oysterlock safety clasp with Rolex Glidelock extension system

MSRP: CHF 49'900

For more information, please visit rolex.com