The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Yesterday was a special day for me, my first Rolex, a BNIB Deepsea arrived by Fedex from Singapore, at a savings of over $4K vs. my AD.

I went to an AD to try this watch on in comparison with the new GMT IIC, and at the time, I walked out of the AD thinking that the GMT was the better fit. But as I pondered the decision, I realized if I bought the GMT, I would never be able to get the Deepsea out of my mind, as I am, at heart, a big watch guy, and my motto tends to be "go big or go home". So I secured a deal with Yeo Kim Choy for a BNIB Deepsea.

It arrived yesterday and to say I am pleased is an understatement. Once sized correctly, it fits like a glove, very comfortable, balanced, and absolutely stunning to look at. There is something about this watch that makes all my other watches feel inferior... the sturdiness, the tight tolerances, the bezel action, the amazing clasp... all add up to what I believe is now the ultimate Dive watch at any price. Everything checks out, the date snaps at precisely 12 midnight, the date is perfectly centered in the window, the bezel lines up precisely, and the bezel ratchet is hypnotic, by far the finest action of any of the 100+ dive watches I've owned. The watch is tall, but not too tall, and only slightly taller than my Skyracer and SOHC. It measures in at exactly 43mm bezel edge to edge, and yet it wears like a 45 or 46mm watch. You would never guess it is 43mm. The crown has an almost oil damped feel to it when you screw it down, so smooth, so easy to engage the threads, it is by far the nicest feeling screw down crown I've encountered. Even the screw links are a joy to use, the threads all engage easily and smoothly and each link is exactly the same, all torqued the same, and all perfect. No chance of cross threading a link pin here, they just work that well.

Now to dispell some myths and reports:
Myth: "Too much text on dial and rehaut"
Reality: The Rolex marketing shots are highly fabricated, and the contrast is exaggerated. In the flesh, you barely notice the "original gas escape valve" and "ring lock system" on the rehaut. It is there, but doesn't jump out at you or detract from the dial in any way. The engraved "rolex rolex on inner edge of the rehaut is impossible to see without a loupe, as the parallax of the thick crystal makes this inner edge distorted, so thats a non-issue. The text on the dial is only one line more than the old Seadweller, and the type is very delicate and well proportioned, again much less contrasty than the marketing pics lead you to believe. Doesn't bother me at all. I think Rolex did themselves a disservice with the marketing pics.

Myth: "bracelet tapers too much".
Reality: Yes it tapers, and I am a staunch advocate of chunky bracelets. Yet this bracelet seems perfect for the watch and the taper is fine. Would I complain if the clasp was 2mm wider, no, but I also don't mind it just the way it is.

Myth: "the new clasp is too complicated, they should have left the clasp alone"
Reality: The old clasp, while funcional, was an embarassment to Rolex and shouldn't have been seen on any watch over $100. It is the sole reason I've never owned a Rolex sport watch until now. The new clasp has jumped to the head of the class, possibly the best designed and engineered clasp available. You need to try it to believe it. A raging success in my opinion.

Final comments:
If I have one criticism, it is small, but nonetheless, I prefer that the hands glow brighter than the indices. In this case the hands glow slightley less than the indices. The lume is excellent and easily readable at 5am, but I just like the hands to be the brightest.

I love how the sapphire crystal flows almost seamlessly to the bezel, accentuated by the fact that the ceramic bezel reflects light equally to the crystal, so the overall effect is that of a dress diver. It dances in the light. Its the best of both worlds.

This watch has set new standards in the dive watch world, both from a depth rating and from a quality standpoint. I don't regret paying $7.5K for this watch for one instant. It feels like i got my moneys worth, and then some.

Please excuse the quick pics, this watch is a nightmare to photograph and requires some serious set-up time to do right. I don't have time at the moment as I need to get to work and pay for this thing

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Just a note that even my pics accentuate the type far more than the naked eye notices it. Strange that the camera sees it differently.

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Well there's a man happy with his purchase!

From reading that, I think you got the same kind of thrill as I did when I first picked up my Big Pilot : just a general appreciation for a watch with a little something that puts it ahead of the competition.

I REALLY want one now!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Well I don't really want one like Driver8, but.............

It's great to hear about your excitement - clearly a watch that is going to be very special for you.

Congratulations!!

Congrats on your new purchase.
First photo is great.

Welcome to the club Got to be honest the more I wear mine the more I WANT to wear it, very comfortable and I am getting used to the weight

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"It's not how it's written it's how it's read"

I wish I didn't read this........

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Breitling Colt GMT
Breitling Navitimer World
IWC Portuguese Automatic
Breitling Transocean Chronograph LE

Amazing. Congadulations on a worthy buy!!!

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Mat

Breitling Navitimer 01
Omega Seamaster 300mc
Omega Speedmaster Pro "Mitsukoshi Mod"
Seiko Prospek Orange Samurai

Congratulations, that is an AWESOME watch - definitely my favourite Rolex!! I want one too

Looks great on the wrist, glad you're happy with it!!

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

Congratulations Mark. Great write-up as well.
Will definitely visit my Rolex AD...

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Rolex DeepSea, GMT Master II TT, Pres 18038, DJ TT 16013
Breitling Chronomat 39mm (bullet+UTC), Starliner SS/MOP (wife)

back with ROLEX

I must say this Rolex is sweet. The Deepsea is the only Rolex I would consider getting. (if I could afford one) Excelent choice and congratulations.

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SA Blue Dial Silver Subs Pro 2

Mark, can you please snap a quick one beside your SOHC ?
....please...

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Rolex DeepSea, GMT Master II TT, Pres 18038, DJ TT 16013
Breitling Chronomat 39mm (bullet+UTC), Starliner SS/MOP (wife)

back with ROLEX

Congrats Mark, wear it in good health

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Justin
Please contact me via PM for the contact details for Govberg Jewelers
Govberg is an AD for over 50 fine Swiss and German watch brands.
Visit them on the web at http://www.govbergwatches.com or call 800-528-8463

Thanks everyone!




You ask, you get

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Nice comparison pics Mark. I've only tried one on once and that was a guys at my work, so I didn't really have much time with it, and I've never had a chance to do a side by side comparison. It holds it's own quite niceley against the 3mm larger SOHC doesn't it. Definitely the Best Rolex Ever IMHO.

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Driver8

Site Moderator