A Nearly Solid-Gold Replica Rolex Deepsea Watch

Feel that burn? Your arm should be tired by now because this “dive watch” tips the scale at nearly 320 grams – almost three-quarters of a pound! To put it in perspective, Vacheron just released the most complicated replica watch in the world, and it weighs less than three times as much. Even the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 25721, widely believed to be one of the heaviest wristwatches ever made, is only slightly heavier at 429 grams. But here’s where Rolex takes it to another level: this Deepsea model can dive 39 times deeper than the Offshore, making it arguably the most over-engineered “tool” watch ever created. And yet, somehow, it’s absolutely mesmerizing.

Ben Clymer might be able to pull off wearing this beast with a double-breasted suit and a white dress shirt for a yacht party, but for the rest of us, it’s a bit much. This isn’t just a heavy watch – it’s massive. At 44mm in diameter and 17.7mm thick, it’s made from nearly solid gold, which gives it an undeniable swagger (one that, frankly, I lack). These are the same dimensions as the 2025 Oystersteel-cased Deepsea ref. 136660, but this version is in a league of its own.

The watch features a 5.5mm thick crystal, a helium escape valve, and a stunning blue lacquer dial that matches the blue Cerachrom unidirectional bezel, which is accented with yellow gold numerals. There’s no “Sea-Dweller” text on this watch, though. Instead, the dial proudly displays “Deepsea” in gold lettering, a fitting tribute to where this heavyweight might drag you if you’re not careful. To quote one of Ben Clymer’s signature phrases for absurdly over-the-top watches: “What are we even talking about anymore?”

This latest Deepsea doesn’t just swim with the Replica Rolex Sea-Dweller; it surpasses it, carving out its own identity. The removal of “Sea-Dweller” from the dial marks a new era, with the Deepsea now standing as its own collection. Even the Oystersteel models, like the “D-Blue” and black-dialed Deepseas, no longer bear the Sea-Dweller name, introducing subtle yet significant changes.

You’ll spot the helium escape valve, a crucial feature for deep dives, although I barely noticed it at first – this watch is that overwhelming. There’s also a new blue ceramic compression ring, working in tandem with the helium escape valve to ensure water resistance at insane depths, a nod to the seriousness of its engineering.

The Oyster clasp is equipped with Glidelock, allowing for up to 20mm of bracelet extension in 2mm increments, perfect for slipping the watch over a wetsuit. The attention to detail is remarkable, even if most of us won’t be saturation diving anytime soon. Rolex treats this as if it’s an everyday Deepsea, despite its hefty gold construction. If you’re actually using this for work on an oil rig, I’d love to hear from you!

One noteworthy detail: the caseback isn’t solid gold. Instead, it’s crafted from RLX Titanium, likely for structural integrity rather than weight reduction. Rolex clearly wasn’t trying to keep this watch lightweight – if that ship hasn’t already sailed, it’s long gone. It’s all about maintaining pressure resistance at extreme depths, a challenge Rolex seems to have embraced wholeheartedly.

If you want to own this spectacularly excessive creation, prepare to part with CHF 49,900. Yes, it’s a lot, but can you imagine the fun you’ll have wearing it? As we passed the watch around at the office, laughter filled the room. Everyone was in disbelief at how heavy it felt, and yet, people kept asking to try it on one more time. It was the perfect example of how absurdity can be delightful.

Sometimes it’s about having fun with the excess. Just because you don’t need it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have it – and clearly, someone at clone Rolex agrees. The same logic driving the creation of this watch will likely drive people to buy it: simply because they can. While that might seem like an obnoxious reason, I can’t help but appreciate it.

If “Her Deepness” Sylvia Earle – a legendary marine biologist – can wear a gold Datejust while diving, then why not anyone? Although most people won’t be diving to 12,800 feet (coincidentally, the average depth of the Atlantic Ocean), there’s a big part of me that wants to strap this watch on and take it for a deep-sea adventure, just to see what it’s like. Of course, I might need two – one for each wrist – so I don’t end up swimming in circles all day.