Reviews
Rolex DEEPSEA Sea-Dweller: Detailed Video Review
The Rolex DeepSea Sea-Dweller, model 116660 (aka 116660-BKSO) is powered by the Rolex caliber 3135 mechanical automatic winding movement. It is a Certified Chronometer (COSC), The case is constructed from high quality stainless steel with the Rolex patented Ring Lock System and a titanium caseback. At 44mm (approximately 48mm with crown) and a thickness of about 18mm, the DEEPSEA weighs in at 215g grams.
The black dial features a date at the 3:00 position. The bezel is the new Rolex Cerachrom (ceramic) style and rotates uni-directionally. The stainless steel Oyster bracelet has the new Rolex Glidelock clasp with the Rolex Fliplock dive suit extension link. In case you want to change over to a NATO strap, the lug width is 21mm. The dome shaped sapphire crystal is 5mm thick. And the DEEPSEA has an incredible depth rating of 3,900 meters or 12,800 feet! This watch is equipped with a helium escape valve and a screw-down crown.
The Rolex DEEPSEA Sea-Dweller that is featured in this video includes the original Rolex boxes, papers, warranty card and tags. The condition is like new. While the retail price is $9,800, we are asking much less for this V series originally purchased in 12/10.
| Rolex DeepSea Sea-Dweller Watch |
|
|---|---|
| Model: |
116660, 116660-BKSO |
| Movement: | Automatic, Certified Chronometer (COSC) |
| Caliber: | Rolex 3135 |
| Case: | Stainless steel, Ring Lock System, titanium caseback |
| Diameter: | 44mm (approximately 48mm) |
| Thickness: | 18mm |
| Weight: | 215g |
| Dial: | Black |
| Features: | Date at 3:00 |
| Bezel: | Black ceramic (Cerachrom) |
| Band:
|
Stainless steel Oyster bracelet, Glidelock clasp, Fliplock dive suit extension link |
| Lug Width: | 21mm |
| Crystal: | Domed sapphire (5mm) |
| Depth Rating: | 3,900m or 12,800ft, equipped with a helium escape valve |
| Crown: | Screw-down |
| Includes: | Original Rolex boxes, papers, warranty card, tags |
| Condition: | Like new |
| Retail Price: | $9,800 |
| Extra Info: | V series. The original date of purchase was 12/10 |
Rolex GMT-Master “Pepsi” Bezel Vintage 1675
This is a fine example of a vintage Rolex 1675 GMT-Master with a “Pepsi” bezel insert. The automatic movement is a Rolex caliber 1575. The 40mm stainless steel case is about 13mm thick with the crystal and gives this watch a weight of about 110g with the steel Oyster bracelet attached. The black dial features “Swiss T < 25″ marking at 6:00. The date window is at 3:00 as usual and the red GMT hand displays nicely against the dark background for an easy glance at the second timezone.
One of the most distinguishing characteristics of the Rolex GMT series is the bezel. This watch has a blue and red “Pepsi” insert installed. Later models came in blue/red, black/red (known as the Coke bezel), and black which makes it look similar to the Submariner. There are also brown models out there that are commonly referred to as “Root-Beer” models. The newest GMT-Master II watches have a slate colored ceramic bezel installed. Fans of this watch are eagerly waiting for Rolex to release the ceramic GMT watches with the split color style, but who knows if they will ever launch such a thing. Another note about the GMT bezel is that it’s bi-directional and has the 24 hour scale which helps you time events or set a third time zone.
The bracelet installed on this watch is a stainless steel Oyster bracelet. It has been upgraded from the original bracelet. The lug width is 20mm, and the watch would look just as great on a blue and red stripe nato strap. This watch is not equipped with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, instead it has a plastic crystal that scratches easily, but luckily any light surface scratches can be buffed out by a professional. It has a screw down crown and a depth rating of up to 100m.
This particular watch from KeepTheTime.com is a 3 million series which dates to around 1971.
Hamilton Khaki X-Wind
This Hamilton Khaki X-Wind chronograph watch is model H77696793. It has a Swiss made automatic movement with 25 jewels. It is the tried and tested caliber Valjoux 7750, which is often recognizable by the feeling of the rotor spinning powerfully inside. One of the reasons for this mini-helicopter-like spinning is because the rotor on a 7750 doesn’t ratchet backwards.
The case is stainless steel, but finished with a high quality gold plating that is 10 microns. The diameter is a comfortable 44mm (and approximately 50mm including crowns on the right and left) with a thickness of 16mm. The black dial is actually black carbon fiber with rose gold Arabic numerals. The layout of the dial features a day/date window at 9:00 and an internal bi-directional rotating bezel – controlled by the crown located at 4:00. The outer bezel is black (this is available in rose gold tone on other models) and also bi-directional rotating.
The original Hamilton strap is black leather with a carbon fiber texture that matches the dial. The “H” tang buckle is an especially nice touch. If you want to changeto a NATO or other style strap, the lug width is 22mm. The total weight of this watch is 142g. The crystal is a scratch resistant sapphire. Equipped with a screw-down crown, the X-Wind has a depth rating of 100m. This set from KeepTheTime.com includes the Hamilton boxes, manual, warranty card. It is in unworn condition.
Retail Price: $1,795
Kobold “Spirit of America” Titanium
Simplistic yet stylish, this Kobold Spirit of America is housed in a titanium case with a perfect finish. It is model KD657122 and is powered by a mechanical hand-wound Unitas 6497 which was modified into the Kobold caliber K.421. The movement has 17 jewels and a 50 hour power reserve. The case measures just over 44mm without the crown and just over 48mm with the crown. The watch sits 13.5mm high on the wrist and has a lug width of 22mm in case you ever want to buy an extra strap for it. It comes with a Kobold handmade leather strap installed and a brand new and still in the plastic extra strap of the same description. The crystal is a scratch-resistant sapphire with anti-reflective coating. The exhibition caseback is also a sapphire crystal. The Spirit of America has a depth rating of 100m or 330ft. The crown is push and pull style and winds the movement. The Spirit of America was also Kobold Watch Company’s first watch to be completely assembled in the United States. It retails for $3,350. (more…)
Rolex GMT-Master II 16710 vs. 116710 IIc
Rolex GMT-Master watches are arguably some of the best timepieces ever produced. The classic GMT-Master II (16710) has been updated with the new and improved GMT-Master IIc (116710) and this video serves as a visual guide to the differences between the two. If there’s anything we missed, we welcome your comments below.
