The German based R-L-X forum has a number of excellent authors aboard. One of them is Percy, also known by his initials PCS. Percy wrote a great review on three (later on four) Rolex watches that are priced just over 7000 euro in the current Rolex catalogue.

The Cosmograph Daytona is only marginally available. Although the waiting lists aren’t as ridicilous anymore as a few years ago (when you had to watch 6 years to get one, if you could get on the list at all), you still have to wait for one a few months at the authorized dealer (7200 Euro). In the grey circuit, you can get one for approximately 8000 euro. The Sea-Dweller DeepSea has been introduced during the last Basel Fair, and its available already below list price (between 6500 and 7000 euro). The Yacht-Master was introduced in its gold version in 1992, and five years later, in 1997, this watch was presented in rolesium, which is Rolex’s definition for a stainless steel & platinum combination. Although this model lists for 7200 euro, it can be had for 5500 euro (BNIB) in the grey circuit.

Percy does an excellent job on reviewing and analyzing each of these terrific Rolex watches. Because the market prices of these watches actually vary between the mentioned 5500 euro to 8000 euro, he also includes the successor of the proven Rolex GMT-Master II (16710), the GMT-Master IIc (116710). This watch, with its ceramic bezel and magnificent bezel turning system, has a market price of around 5000 Euro (Lists for 5350 Euro).

The review includes superb comparison pictures, like the ones below. Comparing the size and shape of each watch included in this review with eachother.

The picture above perfectly shows how BIG the new Rolex DeepSea Sea-Dweller is, compared to the regular sportsmodel (GMT-Master IIc).

Below, you’ll see that the watchcase of the Yacht-Master comes very close to the one used for the Daytona. Except for the bezel and pushers ofcourse, the shape is very similair. However, if you’ll observe both of these watches from the side, you will notice that the lugs of the Yacht-Master are bend a bit more downwards.

All aspects of these watches are being discussed in detail. The bracelet, clasp, case, functionality and so on.

The article ends with a small summary per watch. Calling the Yacht-Master the ‘most bang for the buck’, if paid for with a fair discount, the Daytona ‘the watch that no-one is able to get, but everyone has one’, the GMT-Master IIc ‘The Perfect One’ and the Deepsea Sea-Dweller ‘the toolwatch in FULL effect’.

Personally, I could go for each of these watches, with the exception of the DeepSea Sea-Dweller. Although my wrists could easily handle such a large watch, it is too clunky for me and I don’t like the too small-ish tapering bracelet. Actually, I went for the Yacht-Master in 2007. I bought a used version from 2004, complete with box and papers in very good condition at Subgmt.com. The hardcore Rolex fans do not seem to like this watch at all, because they don’t consider this to be a tool watch. Probably because of the use of platinum, polished center links and most importantly, the lack of a black dial. Partly, I agree with them. However, I don’t need a tool watch doing deskwork ofcourse. It was meant to be the ultimate luxury Submariner spin-off with its raised numerals on the solid platinum or gold bezel, polished center links and solid platinum dial. The dial really stand-out in the bright sunlight, but might look a bit dull or grey-ish if you are located inside a building with articial light.

Click here for the full article (it is in German, but the picture alone are worth viewing it anyway). Precisionwatches, one of my blog sponsors, has most of the mentioned watch models in stock, make sure to visit him for the actual prices.

All pictures taken by PCS.

Today, there was a watchfair in Houten/Netherlands. There is currently nothing on my ’shortlist’, but it is only a half an hour drive from the city where I live in, and it’s always nice to meet up with some other watch fanatics. It seemed that the whole Dutch Rolex Forum crew was there. I also shook hands with a few of my forum sponsors, including JK of JK Watchstore.

He showed me this new Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea, a.k.a Rolex Dipsy (ref.116660). Although Rolex is catching up with the orders of this watch, it isn’t a watch that you’ll see often for the coming months. The watch is BIG. At first sight, a lot bigger than my regular Sea-Dweller (ref.16600) and my fairly big IWC Ingenieur (3227-01). However, after trying it on, it actually suited my wrist quite perfectly. This also could be a sign for me to keep a bit more control of my weight ofcourse.

Anyway, the watch looks big and is big. But if you can, try one on to be sure if it suits you or not. On the Basel 2008 pictures and photos (see below) I had seen till now I reckoned that the lettering ‘Original Gas Escape Valve’ and ‘Ring Lock System’ on the innerbezel would annoy me. It didn’t. I actually didn’t even notice it at first, only when I studied the dial/face a bit better. Too bad the photos on the official Rolex site are focussing a bit too much on this lettering. Well, perhaps some people DO like it.

The thickness of the watch suits the large diameter of 43mm. The bracelet is the same as the ‘old’ Sea-Dweller bracelet, until you flip it and see the clasp. The new clasp system is a 100% improvement over the old clasp (that probably wasn’t too hard to achieve). The micro adjustment can be done with minimum effort but pulling the middle part of the GlideLock(r) clasp and re-adjust it. Very nice. The only con I can think of, is the size of the bracelet. In my humble opinion, the bracelet should be a straight bracelet (everywhere the same size) instead of a tapered model. Perhaps a nice rubber diving strap will do the trick I don’t know if the Panerai OEM rubber strap will fit, but that will probably look very cool.

Here are some pictures from JK’s website:

The price of this watch is 7060 Euro (BNIB, 2008) at JK’s watch store.

Additionally, JK sent me some more pictures of the GlideLock clasp.