Reply With QuoteNice write-up and great catch Simon.
Earlier this year in another thread I mentioned that after 14 years on this forum and having developed what I felt was a fairly carefully put-together collection that I was very happy with (and that contained no Rolexes whatsoever), I had rather surprised myself by realising that I was interested in the possibility of acquiring a Deepsea Sea-Dweller to function as my ‘best black dialled watch’. Those who have read my previous SOTCs will be aware that I like watches exclusively in a comparatively narrow size band between 43mm and 46mm in diameter – so the DSSD was truthfully the only Rolex that had ever grabbed my attention as a possible acquisition (I have family members with both Subs and Daytonas and been distinctly underwhelmed by both).
Buying a Deepsea would necessitate me selling watches off to raise the funds. Having made the decision to go down that path I started off by reluctantly selling my beautiful Panerai ref. PAM00156 because it netted me the most money. Just as that had gone off to it’s new home in the Netherlands and the proceeds were in the bank, life suddenly intervened and for various reasons I won’t go into here, buying a Rolex didn’t seem so important and things stopped at that point.
Some weeks ago, while idly glancing through Sales Corner I saw an ad for a DSSD being sold on a Rubber B strap but with no bracelet. It immediately caught my attention, but I was too late – it had already been sold to another forum member. So, I was surprised and intrigued last week to see that the same watch was back on SC, as the new owner had had a change of circumstances and was looking to recoup his money.
The rest as they say is history, and after a swift exchange of PMs and a trip up the M1 yesterday morning, I am now the owner of a Rolex for the first time in my life…
Here are the compulsory photos…
So, what do I think of it? Well, the decision to buy a Deepsea with no bracelet is not one that would work for everybody, but I’m entirely comfortable with it as I wanted to wear it on rubber anyway. Also, it obviously presented me with the opportunity to access DSSD ownership at a reduced price point.
The watch is in astonishing condition and is a tribute to the long-term owner (the member I actually bought it from never got round to wearing it at all….) There is literally barely a mark on it, yet it’s just over 8 years old.
I obviously don’t know how comfortable they are on bracelet, but I do feel that the bracelet on the 116660 tapers far too much (from a slightly odd 21mm down to a rather weedy 17mm) and so I can imagine that the watch could feel a little top-heavy? There’s no such issue with the Rubber B as it is 27mm wide at the widest point where the strap meets the end of the lugs and it ends up at 22mm wide at the buckle. It’s very stable, perfectly shaped to the wrist and extremely comfortable.
The watch itself doesn’t seem at all over-sized to me in comparison to other 44/45mm dive watches in my collection. Partly I think this is because the crystal and bezel slope gently downwards from the centre of the watch which reduces the height of the side profile, and partly it’s because the dial diameter is fractionally less than either of my Avengers and considerably less than my Field Engineer and my Navitimer. The whole watch is beautifully engineered with a good mix of brushed and polished surfaces, well executed crown and a lovely ceramic bezel with a smooth 120-click action.
As can be seen in the photos it’s a full set, right down to the bezel protector and both tags. I’ve just realised that I’ve not shown the COSC certificate, but it’s there in the back of the wallet.
Overall I’m extremely pleased and the Deepsea fits right into the collection (an updated SOTC will come in due course). The slightly difficult decision I’m going to have to make is whether or not I can justify to myself keeping my black dialled Breitling Avenger Skyland on rubber, since they really occupy the same territory in my collection (yes, before anyone says it, I know one's a chrono and the other isn't...) and I don’t think I can truly defend keeping both…
I hope you’ve enjoyed the brief musings of a Rolex virgin!
Simon
Last edited by mycroft; 14th December 2018 at 16:28.
Nice write-up and great catch Simon.
great detailed post and pics
one of the few Rolex steel sports that I think is better on a rubber than the bracelet
intrigued why such a good condition set came to be separated from the steel bracelet
Very nice, and if you wanted to try/wear it on rubber it makes perfect sense. Although I do love the DSSD clasps.
It's just a matter of time...
The long-term owner wore it on the Rubber B, put the bracelet away for safekeeping, moved house twice and lost it in the process!Originally Posted by dandanthewatchman
Simon
Very nice Simon! Wear it in good health.
Looks fab on the rubber!
You were clearly destined to get that watch , and by the sounds of the write up, really pleased with it.
Well done
My favourite Rolex too and I personally think they look far better on a RubberB which makes the dial really pop.
The Rubber B straps are excellent, and for any Panerai owners out there they feel very similar to the Panerai OEM rubber straps.
Mind you, they should be good considering the price...
Simon
Last edited by mycroft; 14th December 2018 at 19:44.
I certainly am!
Simon
Last edited by mycroft; 14th December 2018 at 19:45.
Well done on picking up a great watch! Pm sent btw.
Very nice indeed. Really liking it on the Rubber B too. Interesting to see that it came from Brufords in Eastbourne, that's where my Speedmaster came from in 1965. Good to see a local jeweller like that still in business and not swallowed up by one of the high street chains.
...and replied to...
Cheers, Simon
Looks like a keeper to me!!
looks lovely - and I really like it on Rubber.
In fact, I think I may do the same to my D-Blue, and try that on a black rubber strap -
Is there a strap that may fit (is it the same one as above?)
Congratulations, I wondered who beat me to it! Just as I got the ok from HID it was marked as sold. Enjoy it and if you ever want to sell please let me know👍
They are made by Rubber B, and available from their website in various colours. Take a look at one of their images on the website with a blue strap fitted to a D-Blue where the blue matches the top half of the dial - it looks amazing!
Simon
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Last edited by mycroft; 14th December 2018 at 19:46.
Sorry mate - I certainly didn’t hang around...!Congratulations, I wondered who beat me to it! Just as I got the ok from HID it was marked as sold. Enjoy it and if you ever want to sell please let me know
Simon
Last edited by mycroft; 14th December 2018 at 19:46.
Shameless plug.... i’m Just about to list a bunch of these straps for sale! Got black, black with stripes, blue, and red, and a black one that uses the original clasp.
Let’s just say I like a deepsea on rubber!
oooh - good timing - sorry to hijack - drop me a pm, interested - thanks!
Congratulations a great watch, it's good to own at least one Rolex.
Congratulations simon, great write up and the watch looks stupendous, I’m sure I’ll get another sometime soon or if you fancy shifting it 😉 which I doubt
Lovely looking watch and strap.
It was 10 years after buying my first Submariner that I realised it was the weight of the bracelet I no longer wanted, rubber or nato works for me too and takes away some of the bling.
Always good to hear a happy ending.
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."
'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.
Enjoy it in good health
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Congratulations on the DSSD, looks fabulous on the rubber, although I would recommend purchasing the bracelet at a later date as they are excellent, well worth it.
Pity you didn’t advertise the Pam 156 GMT Regatta Limited Edition on here though as I would have been very interested, stunning looking Panerai.
Buy the blue one, siysiy!
Simon
Last edited by mycroft; 14th December 2018 at 19:47.
You might have trouble prising it out of my hands now, Dave!Congratulations simon, great write up and the watch looks stupendous, I’m sure I’ll get another sometime soon or if you fancy shifting itwhich I doubt
Simon
Last edited by mycroft; 14th December 2018 at 19:47.
@tz-uk73: I’ve now made some space in my Inbox!
Simon
Last edited by mycroft; 15th December 2018 at 00:29.
Yes, it would have been nice to keep the 156 within the forum but I’d already promised someone I know first refusal on it... You’re right, a stunning watch and if I ever buy another PAM I’d probably look at an 88.
Simon
Last edited by mycroft; 14th December 2018 at 19:47.
I think it will be my only one, alpha...
Simon
Excellent work Simon - as I'm not a big bracelet fan, I think this is a great look. My instinct is a NATO, but knowing the watch not sure it'd work...
Thanks Tony. You would certainly get better photos of it than me!
Simon
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I don’t think it would work, but then I freely confess that I dislike NATOs intensely!
Simon
haha fair enough! I was never a fan until I tried the Haveston NATOs and their 'floating keeper' and now I'm sold on them!
Check this one - http://www.haveston.com/hav017.html
I have it for my Dreadnaught Voyager which is also a chunky beast. This fortress strap is an older and heavier weave and balances it well. Maybe worth trying at some point :)
I think I’ll pass, mate
Simon
Congratulations- looks great on the rubber strap. I had always thought these used the original clasp but when you said the bracelet dimensions a buckle makes far more sense.
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Fantastic post.
The DSSD certainly generates lots of negative comments generally on TZ and it’s great to read such a love filled thread. I have two and the Black is probably the most worn watch of my collection, I absolutely adore it and the whole OTT engineering excercise appeals.
I don’t find the watch too much in terms of weight and size and the bracelet is a work of art but I see the whole appeal of the rubber, having a sudo RB I pop on my 14060 and a Panerai is just so right on a rubber.
So, well done buddy and enjoy and I think you have just cost me a few guid.....
Pitch
Congrats OP
Deepsea was a fave of mine old Rolex collection.
Loved looking at that big chunk side on - an engineering marvel!
Would love to try a JC version at some point
I did try my DSSD on a NATO and it was not a good look or feel. And I am a big NATO fan.
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Thank you.
As I understand it there are 3 versions of the basic strap that Rubber B sell - one with their own buckle like mine, one with different dimensions to which the original Glidelock clasp can be attached and a third with a velcro closure on the end...
Simon
Thanks Pitch. I am thrilled with it and I guess that shows.
I’ve never really understood some of the negative comments to which you refer - yes it’s over-engineered and yes it’s going to be too big for some people, but neither of those points make it a ‘bad watch’, do they?!
If you’ve never tried the DSSD on a Rubber B you really ought to think about it - I happen to know there are some nice ones on SC right now.
Simon
Aha! Vindicated
Simon
Thank you.
I’m a little conflicted about the Cameron to be honest - whilst I do like the look of it, I think the substantial differential in second hand values is completely absurd...
Simon
Congratulations...a great purchase!
That Deepsea looks so right on a Rubber B.
You now have me looking at one for my SD43 .. look what you've started now!
You know it makes senseThat Deepsea looks so right on a Rubber B.
You now have me looking at one for my SD43 .. look what you've started now!
Simon
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