The Rolex Deepsea 136660 is the current Deepsea: a 44 mm Oystersteel dive watch rated to 3,900 metres (12,800 feet), built around Rolex's Ringlock case with a nitrogen-alloyed steel ring, a 5.5 mm sapphire crystal and a grade 5 titanium caseback, with a helium escape valve and the calibre 3235 with 70 hours of power reserve. Rolex introduced it in 2022, replacing the 126660 with a slimmer case and a wider 22 mm bracelet, and offers it with a black dial or the blue-to-black gradient "D-blue" dial. This guide covers the specifications, how the Ringlock system works, what changed from the 126660 and the 116660, the black versus D-blue decision, how the Deepsea compares with the Sea-Dweller 126600, how it wears, dated 2026 prices and what to check before buying. Bizak & Co. sources the 136660 to order; the Deepsea collection lists the configurations we can seek.
Last reviewed on September 25, 2026 by Filip Biczak. Prices are dated observations, not quotes.
Rolex Deepsea 136660 specifications
| Attribute | 136660 |
|---|---|
| Case | 44 mm Oystersteel, about 17.7 mm thick, 22 mm lug width; Ringlock system with nitrogen-alloyed steel compression ring, domed 5.5 mm sapphire and grade 5 titanium caseback; screw-down Triplock crown with crown guards; helium escape valve at 9 |
| Bezel | Unidirectional 60-minute, black Cerachrom ceramic insert with platinum-coated numerals |
| Movement | Calibre 3235, automatic, Chronergy escapement, Parachrom hairspring, 70 hours power reserve, Superlative Chronometer to plus or minus 2 seconds a day |
| Dial | Black lacquer, or D-blue gradient from blue at the centre to black at the edge with "DEEPSEA" in green; white gold surrounds, Chromalight; date at 3 without Cyclops |
| Crystal | Domed sapphire, 5.5 mm thick, no Cyclops |
| Bracelet | Oyster three-piece links, 22 mm, Oysterlock safety clasp with Glidelock and Fliplock extensions |
| Water resistance | 3,900 m (12,800 ft) |
| Predecessors | 126660 (2018 to 2022), 116660 (2008 to 2018) |
Sources: the Rolex Deepsea collection page for the current specification and dials, and Rolex watch care and service for service intervals and pressure testing.
How does the Ringlock case work?
A conventional Oyster case resists pressure with the thickness of its middle case. The Deepsea instead carries the load on a separate ring of nitrogen-alloyed stainless steel that sits inside the case middle. The thick domed sapphire presses down on the ring from above and the titanium caseback presses up from below, so the outer case holds the parts together rather than carrying the pressure itself. The result is a 3,900 m rating in a watch that is thick but not absurd; Rolex tests each Deepsea in a hyperbaric tank to 125 percent of its rating. In daily life the practical effects are a heavy watch, a crystal that shows a visible ring of the dial's edge, and a caseback that is grey titanium rather than polished steel.
What changed from the 126660 and 116660 to the 136660?
| 136660 (2022 to date) | 126660 (2018 to 2022) | 116660 (2008 to 2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case | 44 mm, slimmer profile and lugs | 44 mm, slimmer lugs than 116660 | 44 mm, original wide case |
| Lug width | 22 mm | 21 mm | 21 mm |
| Movement | 3235, 70 h | 3235, 70 h | 3135, 48 h |
| Dials | Black or D-blue | Black or D-blue | Black; D-blue from 2014 |
| Clasp | Glidelock and Fliplock | Glidelock and Fliplock | Glidelock and Fliplock |
| Bizak catalogue, 25 Sep 2026 | US$15,132 black, US$17,880 D-blue new; US$15,054 D-blue pre-owned | US$13,969 D-blue new; US$13,448 pre-owned | US$11,794 black, US$13,949 D-blue; from US$10,920 pre-owned |
The 116660 introduced the Deepsea in 2008 with the calibre 3135 and, in 2014, the D-blue dial marking James Cameron's solo dive to the Challenger Deep. The 126660 of 2018 brought the calibre 3235 and slimmer lugs but kept the 21 mm bracelet, which many found narrow on so wide a case. The 136660 fixes that with a 22 mm bracelet and a case that sits closer to the wrist. If you are choosing between generations, the 136660 is the most wearable; the 126660 offers the same movement for less; the 116660 is the value route to the Deepsea and the only one with the 48-hour calibre 3135.
Black dial or D-blue?
The black dial is the tool-watch version and the closer of the two to the original 2008 Deepsea. The D-blue dial grades from bright blue at the centre to black at the edge and prints "DEEPSEA" in green; it is the version most buyers picture and carries a premium at retail and on the secondary market. On 25 September 2026 our sourced catalogue listed the 136660 black at US$15,132 and the D-blue at US$17,880 brand new, and a pre-owned D-blue at US$15,054. If you want the watch rather than the story, the black dial is cheaper and easier to source; if the gradient is why you want a Deepsea, the D-blue holds its value better.
Deepsea 136660 vs Sea-Dweller 126600: which to buy?
The Sea-Dweller 126600 is 43 mm, about 15 mm thick, rated to 1,220 m and fitted with a Cyclops; the Deepsea is 44 mm, about 17.7 mm thick, rated to 3,900 m and has no Cyclops. They share the calibre 3235, the helium valve, the Cerachrom bezel and the Glidelock clasp. On 25 September 2026 our catalogue listed a new steel Sea-Dweller at US$16,800 against US$15,132 for the black Deepsea, so price will not decide it. Wrist size will: the Deepsea needs a wrist above about 18.5 cm to sit well, while the Sea-Dweller works from about 18 cm. Our Sea-Dweller collection lists the configurations we can seek if the smaller watch suits you.
How does the Deepsea 136660 wear?
It is the heaviest and thickest watch Rolex makes in steel, and no amount of case slimming changes that: about 17.7 mm tall and well over 200 grams on the bracelet. It sits high under a cuff and is happiest on a bare wrist or under a loose sleeve. The 22 mm bracelet of the 136660 balances the case far better than the 21 mm of the earlier references, and the Glidelock lets you loosen it by 2 mm steps as the wrist swells through the day. Legibility is excellent: large Chromalight markers, a wide bezel and, on the D-blue, a dial that changes with the light. If you have not worn one, try it on before you order; the Deepsea is a watch people either love or return to the box within a week.
How much is a Rolex Deepsea 136660? Prices in 2026
- Retail. Rolex's US list price for the steel Deepsea has sat in the mid US$10,000s in 2026, with the D-blue a little above the black; the current figures are on the Rolex collection page linked above. Allocation at authorised dealers is generally quicker than for the Submariner because demand is narrower.
- Secondary market. Through 2025 and 2026, unworn full-set 136660 examples have generally been asked at or modestly above retail, the D-blue above the black, and pre-owned full sets at or a little below retail. The premium is small compared with the GMT-Master II and Daytona.
- Bizak catalogue asks. On 25 September 2026 our sourced catalogue listed the 136660 black at US$15,132 and D-blue at US$17,880 brand new, a pre-owned 136660 D-blue at US$15,054, the 126660 D-blue at US$13,969 new and US$13,448 pre-owned, the 116660 at US$11,794 black and US$13,949 D-blue, pre-owned 116660 examples from US$10,920, and the 50 mm titanium Deepsea Challenge 126067 at US$38,315, all sourced to order.
Those figures describe what we saw and will move. Ask for a dated quote for the exact dial, year and card; our Rolex price guide explains how to compare quotes.
Is the Deepsea a good investment?
It is a watch to own rather than to trade. The premium over retail is small, the buyer pool is narrower than for the Submariner because of the size, and discontinued Deepseas have appreciated slowly rather than sharply. The 2014 D-blue 116660 has done best of the older references because it was the first gradient dial. Buy it because the Ringlock case and the 3,900 m rating are what you want on the wrist; if resale matters, ask for a written cash-buy assessment before you commit.
Buying a used Deepsea: what to check
- Warranty card. Card serial and rehaut engraving should match; every 136660 is inside its five-year warranty until at least 2027. Rolex does not reissue cards.
- Crystal. The 5.5 mm domed sapphire is expensive to replace; check the edge for chips under a loupe.
- Caseback. The titanium back scratches more easily than steel and cannot be polished bright; light marks are normal, deep gouges are not.
- Bezel. The Cerachrom insert should be unscratched with bright numerals and the bezel should click in one direction only.
- Helium valve. The valve at 9 should be flush and undamaged; a bent or proud valve points to a knock.
- Bracelet and clasp. Check for stretch by holding the watch by the clasp; the Glidelock should move cleanly and the Fliplock should fold flat.
- Pressure test. Ask when the watch was last tested; after any case opening it should be tested again before it goes near water.
- Price against the band. A full-set D-blue offered well under the market is the single most reliable warning sign.
Our authentication process describes what we inspect before dispatch.
Quick answers
How much is a Rolex Deepsea 136660?
Rolex's US list price sat in the mid US$10,000s in 2026. Bizak's sourced catalogue listed the 136660 black at US$15,132 and the D-blue at US$17,880 brand new on 25 September 2026, sourced to order.
What is the difference between the Deepsea and the Sea-Dweller?
The Deepsea is 44 mm, about 17.7 mm thick, rated to 3,900 m with the Ringlock case and no Cyclops; the Sea-Dweller is 43 mm, about 15 mm thick, rated to 1,220 m and has a Cyclops. Both use the calibre 3235.
What is the D-blue dial?
A gradient dial from blue at the centre to black at the edge with "DEEPSEA" in green, introduced on the 116660 in 2014 to mark James Cameron's Challenger Deep dive and carried over to the 126660 and 136660.
What changed on the 136660 from the 126660?
The 2022 136660 has a slimmer case and lugs and a wider 22 mm bracelet in place of 21 mm. The calibre 3235, the dials and the 3,900 m rating are unchanged.
Is the Deepsea too big to wear daily?
It suits wrists above about 18.5 cm and sits high under a cuff. Many owners wear one daily, but anyone with a smaller wrist should try the Sea-Dweller or Submariner first.
Request a Deepsea 136660 sourcing quote
Tell us the dial, preferred year range, condition and whether the warranty card is required, plus your budget and timing, through our sourcing enquiry form. We confirm the specific watch, photographs, card and final price before you commit. Catalogue entries: 136660 black dial, 136660 D-blue, pre-owned 136660 D-blue, 126660 D-blue, 116660 D-blue; browse the Deepsea collection, the Sea-Dweller collection, or sell or trade your Deepsea.
Related reading: Submariner 126610LN guide · Submariner 124060 guide · Explorer II 226570 guide · Rolex price guide.
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