2024 Rolex Deepsea Dive Watch In Yellow Gold
Rolex has taken a surprising turn with the introduction of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Deepsea 136668LB in 18k yellow gold. This move is unexpected for several reasons, so let’s delve into them.
Rolex watches, particularly those in recent years, have steered away from the ostentatious approach that characterized the brand and the broader watch industry in the ’90s and ’00s. Instead, there has been a shift towards emphasizing inherent functionality and conceptual integrity. While this evolution occurred within the realm of luxury products, it marked a positive and tasteful development. We began to see new watches crafted from materials like RLX Titanium or, when in gold, featuring comfortable and durable Oysterflex elastomer straps. Additionally, there have been notable advancements in movement technologies and durability. It seemed replica Rolex was returning to its roots of creating finely crafted, functional, and robust tool watches, albeit maintaining the veneer of luxury it has cultivated over decades.
The debut of the Rolex Deepsea in yellow gold is unexpected because it contradicts this approach. It presents a 3,900m (12,800ft), 44mm wide dive watch enveloped in 18k yellow gold, with an enormous 18k yellow gold bracelet. For those unaccustomed to wearing a solid gold watch on a gold bracelet, the weight can be shockingly excessive, even impractical. This departure raises questions about both utilitarianism and taste. While a simple description suffices, a glance at the new 136668LB suggests it belongs to a bygone era, reminiscent of what one might have seen Sylvester Stallone sporting in 2004. Fortunately, it’s 2024, and the reference points for watch collectors have evolved since then.
During our attendance at replica Watches & Wonders Geneva 2024, we learned that the entire Yacht-Master II collection has been discontinued from this year. Nonetheless, there remains a robust market for large gold watches, and this unlikely configuration may cater to that demand. While the Submariner has been available in gold for over 50 years, it has traditionally been narrower and thinner than the Deepsea, making it more wearable.
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Deepsea has shed its Sea-Dweller designation. The inner Ringlock high-performance compression ring system is now crafted from Cerachrom ceramic, perfectly complementing the blue Cerachrom bezel, exclusive to gold and two-tone Rolesor watches, and absent from Oystersteel pieces.
The massive 18k yellow gold Oyster bracelet features ceramic inserts, a feature previously seen in the 2015 Day-Date model, enhancing suppleness and resistance to stretching. Equipped with the Oysterlock safety clasp, the bracelet includes a Rolex Glidelock tool-free 20mm extension system crafted from solid 18k gold, a highlight of the new Rolex Deepsea in yellow gold.
Powering the watch is the fake Rolex Caliber 3235, known to those familiar with date-equipped, larger Rolex watches. Operating at 4Hz with a 70-hour power reserve, it boasts the highly efficient Chronergy escapement, Parachrom hairspring, and Paraflex shock absorbers. Surprisingly, the caseback is crafted from RLX Titanium, an unexpected pairing with 18k yellow gold from Rolex’s own gold foundry.