What the Name Covers
The phrase "Deepsea 4000" gets used for two Rolex references. The Sea-Dweller 4000 (ref 116600) ran from 2014 to 2017 with a 4,000 ft / 1,220 m rating. The Deepsea (ref 116660) ran from 2008 to 2018 with a 12,800 ft / 3,900 m rating, then the 126660 replaced it. Both share a helium escape valve at 9 o'clock, a black ceramic bezel, and a 3-link Oyster bracelet. Fakes of both ship in the same three price bands.
Spec Sheet: Genuine vs Common Replica
- Case width: 44.0 mm genuine. 43.5 to 45.0 mm on fakes.
- Case height: 17.7 mm genuine. 16.5 to 19.0 mm on fakes.
- Weight on full bracelet: about 212 g genuine. 150 to 190 g on fakes.
- Crystal: 5.5 mm domed sapphire genuine. Mineral glass or 2 mm to 3 mm sapphire on fakes.
- Movement: cal. 3135 at 28,800 vph genuine. A2824 or decorated clones at 21,600 vph on many fakes.
- Power reserve: 48 h genuine (3135), 70 h on the 126660 (cal. 3235). 36 h to 40 h on fakes.
- Bezel insert: Cerachrom with platinum-coated numerals genuine. Painted or PVD-filled digits on fakes.
- Lume: Chromalight blue, 8 h glow genuine. Green or dim blue on fakes.
- Rehaut: engraved with the serial at 6 o'clock genuine. Blank, misaligned, or missing on fakes.
The Five Checks
Weight and Balance
A genuine 116660 fills the palm. The case is Oystersteel (904L) and the caseback is titanium. Most replicas use 316L, a thinner caseback, and hollow center links. Put the watch on a kitchen scale with all links fitted. A genuine unit lands near 212 g. Anything under 195 g is a fake.
rolex deepsea 4000 fake vs real
Crystal, Cyclops, and Date
The real crystal is 5.5 mm thick with a dome. Look at the cyclops at 3 o'clock. Rolex coats the underside, so the date shows a blue sheen at an angle. On fakes the date sits off-center, the numerals look thin, and the cyclops magnifies 1.5x instead of 2.5x.
Bezel and Crown
Turn the bezel. A real one gives 120 clicks with no back play, and the triangle stops at 12 o'clock. Fakes give 60 to 90 clicks, rattle, and show a soft edge on the ceramic. The crown is a Triplock with three dots under the coronet.
Movement and Beat Rate
The cal. 3135 beats 8 times per second, or 28,800 vph. The A2824 inside many fakes beats 6 times per second, or 21,600 vph. A timegrapher app on a phone reads the rate in minutes. 28,800 vph plus a 48 h reserve points to a real 3135 or a high-grade clone. A 21,600 vph reading with a 36 h stop is a giveaway.
Caseback and Bracelet
The Glidelock clasp extends 18 mm in 2 mm steps with no tools. Fakes use a friction slide with a stamped safety flap. End links on a real Deepsea sit flush at the lugs, with no gap and no side play. Fake link welds show under a 10x loupe.
First Pick: 116660 Super Clone, Black Dial
Start with the 44 mm 116660 pattern in the top grade. It matches the genuine case height of 17.7 mm, carries the 5.5 mm sapphire and the 2.5x cyclops, and runs a clone 3135 at 28,800 vph. Ask the seller for a 904L case and a titanium caseback. Weight should land near 205 g. Price band: $900 to $1,500. That is the closest match you can buy without a Rolex account.
Other Options
Budget 116660, $150 to $350
316L case, mineral glass, A2824 at 21,600 vph, 40 h reserve. Weight near 155 g. Good for a display shelf, weak for daily wear. The bezel insert fades in 12 to 18 months.
Mid Grade 126660, $500 to $800
Better ceramic insert, sapphire crystal, clone 3235 at 28,800 vph, 60 h to 70 h reserve. Case height runs 18.2 mm, which is 0.5 mm over spec. Weight near 180 g.
Sea-Dweller 4000 116600, $400 to $700
40 mm case, 1,220 m rating, no Ring Lock. Smaller on the wrist and easier to source. Check the dial text: the 116600 prints "Sea-Dweller" with no "Deepsea" line.
Checks Before You Pay
- Weigh the watch with all links.
- Time the beat rate on a timegrapher app.
- Read the rehaut serial at 6 o'clock under a loupe.
- Count the bezel clicks.
- Test the Glidelock steps with the clasp closed.
No replica matches every number. The 116660 super clone gets closest on case height, crystal thickness, and beat rate. Budget builds fail the weight check and the reserve test.