Know What "Deepsea 4000" Means
Rolex builds no watch called the Deepsea 4000. Two names get mixed in listings. The Deepsea is rated 3,900 m (12,800 ft). The Sea-Dweller 4000, refs 16600 and 116600, is rated 1,220 m (4,000 ft). A seller who uses both names in one listing is describing a watch Rolex never made. Ask for the reference number before anything else.
Parameters to Check
- Case width. Deepsea is 44 mm. Sea-Dweller 4000 is 40 mm. A 42 mm or 46 mm case is wrong for both.
- Case height. The Deepsea 116660 measures about 17.7 mm thick. A thin case under a Deepsea dial is a mismatch.
- Crystal and bezel. Deepsea uses a domed sapphire about 5.5 mm thick and a ceramic insert. Sea-Dweller 4000 uses a black ceramic insert with 60-minute graduations.
- Cyclops. Deepsea models have a date window with no magnifier. The Sea-Dweller 126600 from 2017 added one. Confirm which dial you are buying.
- Dial. The D-Blue gradient dial arrived in 2014 on ref 116660.
- Movement. Real 116660 runs calibre 3135. Ref 126660 and 136660 run calibre 3235. Replicas ship with an Asian clone 3135, a clone 2824, or a DG2813. The date-change direction and crown position tell you which one is inside.
- Helium escape valve. On a Deepsea it sits at 9 o'clock and opens. Many replicas fit a fixed plug.
- Bracelet. Oyster, 904L Oystersteel, Glidelock clasp with 18 mm extension. Check clasp edge sharpness and link play.
Water Resistance
Replica dials print 3,900 m. No replica case passes a 3,900 m pressure test. Most are not tested at all. Do not swim or dive with one. Gasket material and caseback torque are the failure points.
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Prices and Red Flags
Online prices run from about $80 to $500. Price proves nothing about quality. A $500 replica can hold the same DG2813 as a $90 one. Ask for photos of the caseback threads, the rehaut engraving, and the crown. A serial number that repeats across two listings means stock photos. A shop with no street address, no phone number, and payment by gift card or crypto carries the highest risk.
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Legal Status in the US
A counterfeit Rolex is illegal to sell, buy for resale, or import. 18 U.S.C. § 2320 sets a 10-year maximum for a first offense. Customs and Border Protection seizes shipments under 19 U.S.C. § 1526. The buyer gets no warranty, no Rolex service, and no resale value.
Quick Checklist
- Ask for the reference number.
- Match case width and thickness to the real spec.
- Ask which movement, then ask for a photo of the balance wheel.
- Confirm the date window treatment.
- Confirm a return address before payment.