Rolex
Deepsea
116660
The watch that redefined deep-dive engineering for a new era.
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Overview
The Rolex Deepsea ref. 116660 is a professional diver's watch belonging to the storied Sea-Dweller lineage, introduced in 2008 as the most technically ambitious water-resistant timepiece Rolex had produced to that point. Its 44 mm Oystersteel case houses the Ringlock System — a proprietary architecture of a nitrogen-hardened steel ring, a domed sapphire crystal of exceptional thickness, and a solid titanium caseback — engineered to withstand pressure to 3,900 metres. The reference remained in production for a decade, establishing itself as a benchmark in the high-specification dive-watch segment.
History
The 116660 emerged from Rolex's long collaboration with deep-sea exploration, a tradition stretching back to the original Submariner and the subsequent Sea-Dweller of the 1960s. Its development was closely associated with filmmaker and explorer James Cameron, whose deep-ocean expeditions informed the engineering brief; a special "James Cameron" D-blue dial variant was released to mark his record-setting solo dive to the Challenger Deep in 2012. Throughout its production run from 2008 to 2018, the reference was offered in black and the distinctive D-blue gradient dial — the latter becoming one of the most recognisable dial designs in modern Rolex history. The 116660 was succeeded by the ref. 126660, which introduced an updated case size and movement.
Notable points
- The Ringlock System is the structural core of the case, combining a high-strength steel compression ring, a 5 mm-thick domed sapphire crystal, and a titanium caseback to achieve a water-resistance rating of 3,900 metres (12,800 feet).
- Power is supplied by the in-house Cal. 3135, a self-winding movement with a bi-directional Perpetual rotor, Parachrom hairspring, and Rolex's own escapement — a movement that also serves the Submariner family.
- The 44 mm Oystersteel case represented a significant departure in scale from the classic Sea-Dweller, signalling Rolex's intent to position the Deepsea as a distinct, more extreme tier within the dive-watch range.
- The D-blue dial — shading from deep black at the lower half to a rich midnight blue at the upper — was introduced in connection with James Cameron's 2012 Mariana Trench dive and became one of the most sought-after dial variants of the reference.
- The Oyster bracelet on the 116660 features a Glidelock extension system, allowing the wearer to adjust bracelet length in fine increments without tools — a practical feature designed for use over a diving suit.
