OYSTER CASE AND RINGLOCK SYSTEM
The 44 mm Oyster case of the Rolex Deepsea is a paragon of robustness and reliability. The middle case is crafted from a solid block of Oystersteel or 18 ct yellow gold. The Triplock winding crown, fitted with a triple waterproofness system and protected by an integral crown guard, screws down securely against the case, helping to ensure its complete watertightness

The Rolex Deepsea benefits from the Ringlock system, a patented case architecture developed by Rolex that allows it to resist the colossal pressure exerted by water at the depth of 3,900 metres.

The Ringlock system is based on three superposed elements:
• a thick, slightly domed sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating – on the Rolex Deepsea it is 5.5 mm thick;

• a high-performance compression ring, positioned inside the middle case of the watch between the crystal and the case back, which alone bears the pressure exerted by the water  – this ring is made of nitrogen-alloyed steel on Oystersteel versions of the watch and of high-tech blue ceramic on the version in 18 ct yellow gold;

• a case back in RLX titanium – which, on this watch, is held tight against the compression ring by a screw-down ring made of either Oystersteel or 18 ct yellow gold, depending on the version.

The Oyster case of the Rolex Deepsea is also equipped with the helium escape valve, patented in 1967. This safety valve works to protect Rolex divers’ watches created for great depths by allowing excess pressure built up inside the watch case to escape during a diver’s decompression phase in a hyperbaric chamber – a process inherent to saturation diving – without compromising the waterproofness of the watch. The helium escape valve is made of steel on Oystersteel versions of the Rolex Deepsea and of RLX titanium on the watch in 18 ct yellow gold.

STRINGENT WATERPROOFNESS TESTS
In deep-sea diving, absolute reliability and security are of the essence. The waterproofness of every Rolex Deepsea watch is tested with a safety margin of 25 per cent, in accordance with the standard in effect for divers’ watches.

The Rolex Deepsea, guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 3,900 metres, is thus effectively subjected to the pressure exerted at 4,875 metres deep. For these stringent tests, Rolex developed a special hyperbaric tank in conjunction with COMEX (Compagnie Maritime d’Expertises), the world-renowned French company specializing in underwater engineering and hyperbaric technologies. The crystal on the watch therefore withstands the equivalent of almost 4 tonnes in weight, the compression ring 4.5 tonnes, and the case back 5 tonnes.

CERACHROM COMPONENTS
The unidirectional rotatable bezel of the Rolex Deepsea is fitted with a 60-minute graduated monobloc Cerachrom insert in black or blue ceramic that allows divers to monitor their time underwater. This patented insert is made of an extremely hard, virtually scratchproof ceramic whose colour is unaffected by ultraviolet rays. In addition, thanks to its chemical composition, the high-tech ceramic is inert and cannot corrode. The moulded, recessed numerals and graduations are coated with yellow gold or platinum using a PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) process. The bezel’s knurled edge offers excellent grip and can be manipulated with ease, even when wearing gloves.

On the version of the Rolex Deepsea in 18 ct yellow gold, unveiled in 2024, the compression ring of the Ringlock system is also made of high-technology blue ceramic. This Cerachrom ring features a circular satin finish and inscriptions coated with yellow gold via PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition). A marvel of precision engineering, it is the result of a pioneering manufacturing process and marks a new way of integrating ceramic into a watch case: the compression-resistance and anti-deformation properties of this material contribute to the waterproofness of the watch.

LEGIBLE AND FUNCTIONAL
In the underwater depths, being able to read the time with absolute certainty is a matter of survival. Great attention was paid to the legibility of the Rolex Deepsea: the dial of this professional divers’ watch presents a pared-back design and incorporates the Chromalight display – a Rolex innovation unveiled on the model at its launch in 2008. The simple forms of the hour markers – triangles, circles and rectangles – and the hands, which are clearly differentiated in size and shape, are filled or coated with a luminescent material emitting a long-lasting blue glow – for up to two times longer than traditional phosphorescent materials. On the bezel, the triangular ‘zero’ marker of the graduation is visible in the dark thanks to an embedded capsule containing the same luminescent material.

THE ROLEX DEEPSEA, SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER CERTIFIED
Like all Rolex watches, the Rolex Deepsea is covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification redefined by Rolex in 2015. This exclusive designation attests that every watch leaving the brand’s workshops has successfully undergone a series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories and according to its own criteria. These certification tests apply to the fully assembled watch, after casing the movement, guaranteeing superlative performance on the wrist in terms of precision, power reserve, waterproofness and self-winding. The Superlative Chronometer status is symbolized by the green seal that comes with every Rolex watch and is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.

The precision of every movement – officially certified as a chronometer by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) – is tested a second time by Rolex after being cased, to ensure that it meets criteria that are far stricter than those of the official certification. The precision of a Rolex Superlative Chronometer is of the order of −2/+2 seconds per day – the rate deviation tolerated by the brand for a finished watch is significantly smaller than that accepted by COSC for official certification of the movement alone.

The Superlative Chronometer certification testing is carried out after casing using state-of-the-art equipment specially developed by Rolex and according to an exclusive protocol that simulates the conditions in which a watch is actually worn and more closely represents real-life experience. The entirely automated series of tests also checks the waterproofness, the self-winding capacity and the power reserve of 100 per cent of Rolex watches. These tests systematically complement the qualification testing upstream during development and production, in order to ensure the watches’ reliability, robustness, and resistance to strong magnetic fields and to shocks.

CALIBRE 3235
The Rolex Deepsea is equipped with calibre 3235, a self-winding mechanical movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. A consummate demonstration of technology, this movement carries a number of patents. It offers outstanding performance, particularly in terms of precision, power reserve, convenience and reliability.

Calibre 3235 incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement, made of nickel-phosphorus, which combines high energy efficiency with great dependability and is also resistant to strong magnetic fields.

The movement is fitted with the blue Parachrom hairspring, manufactured by Rolex in a paramagnetic alloy. In addition to resisting strong magnetic fields, this hairspring offers great stability in the face of temperature variations as well as high resistance to shocks. It is equipped with a Rolex overcoil, ensuring the calibre’s regularity in any position.

The oscillator of calibre 3235 has a large balance wheel with variable inertia regulated extremely precisely via gold Microstella nuts. It is held firmly in place by a height-adjustable traversing bridge enabling very stable positioning to increase shock resistance. The oscillator is also mounted on the Rolex-designed, patented high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, further enhancing the movement’s shock resistance. 

Calibre 3235 is equipped with a self-winding system via a Perpetual rotor, which ensures continuous winding of the mainspring by harnessing the movements of the wrist to provide constant energy. Its oscillating weight has been fitted with an optimized ball bearing since 2023. Thanks to its barrel architecture and the escapement’s superior efficiency, the power reserve of this movement extends to approximately 70 hours.

The Rolex Deepsea’s movement will be seen only by certified Rolex watchmakers, yet it is beautifully finished and decorated. Since 2023, it has also been marked with the words ‘Chronometer Perpetual’ and ‘Superlative Adjusted’ engraved respectively on the oscillating weight and on the bridges.

BRACELET AND CLASP: SECURITY AND COMFORT
The Rolex Deepsea is fitted on the three-piece link Oyster bracelet. Equipped with an Oysterlock safety clasp, designed by Rolex and patented, which prevents accidental opening, this bracelet is furnished with the Rolex Glidelock extension system, also developed by the brand and patented. On the Oyster bracelet, this inventive toothed mechanism has 10 notches of approximately 2 mm, allowing the bracelet length to be effortlessly adjusted up to some 20 mm. The watch can therefore be worn over a diving suit up to 3 mm thick.

On the version of the Rolex Deepsea in 18 ct yellow gold, the Oyster bracelet includes ceramic inserts – designed by Rolex and patented – inside the links to enhance its flexibility and longevity.

FROM THE ROLEX DEEPSEA TO THE ROLEX DEEPSEA CHALLENGE
In 2012, the Oyster Perpetual Rolex Deepsea and its Ringlock system directly inspired the design of the Rolex Deepsea Challenge, an experimental divers’ watch guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 12,000 metres (39,370 feet). Entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex in only a few weeks, this watch is designed to resist the pressure found in the deepest reaches of the oceans.

On 26 March 2012, attached to the manipulator arm of the submersible, the Rolex Deepsea Challenge accompanied filmmaker and explorer James Cameron on his solo 10,908-metre (35,787-foot) dive to Challenger Deep, the ocean’s deepest point, located in the Mariana Trench. “The Rolex Deepsea Challenge was the reliable companion throughout the dive,” reported Cameron after the historic event.

COMMEMORATIVE D-BLUE VERSION
In 2014, Rolex released a commemorative version of the Rolex Deepsea sporting a dial with a deep-blue to pitch-black gradient. This D-blue dial is reminiscent of the ocean’s twilight zone, where the last trickle of light from the surface disappears into the abyss. It echoes James Cameron’s DEEPSEA CHALLENGE expedition to the deepest point in the ocean, partnered by Rolex and the National Geographic Society. As a tribute to this partnership, the dial was inscribed with the name ‘DEEPSEA’ in lime green, a colour inspired by Cameron’s green submersible.