Rolex Rolex Deepsea vs Rolex Yacht-Master 40
Ref. M136660-0005 vs Ref. M126621-0002
The Rolex Rolex Deepsea and Rolex Yacht-Master 40 both carry the Rolex name but serve different purposes — the Rolex Rolex Deepsea as a dive watch and the Rolex Yacht-Master 40 as a sport watch. At $15,200 and $17,550 respectively, the question isn't which is better — it's which better fits your collection and investment goals.
Price Comparison
Rolex
Rolex Deepsea
Rolex
Yacht-Master 40
At retail, the Rolex Rolex Deepsea is listed at $15,200 while the Rolex Yacht-Master 40 comes in at $17,550. The Rolex Rolex Deepsea saves you $2,350 (15% less), a meaningful difference for most buyers. On the secondary market, the gap narrows: the Rolex Rolex Deepsea trades around $16,500 and the Rolex Yacht-Master 40 around $18,428, a difference of $1,928 favoring the Rolex Rolex Deepsea. Trading at 9% above retail and holding steady, this model holds its value well on the pre-owned market. The Rolex Yacht-Master 40 also shows a healthy market premium of +5.0%, holding steady. Both watches score equally on flip potential at 5/10, making neither a clear investment winner over the other.
Specifications
| Specification | Rolex Rolex Deepsea | Rolex Yacht-Master 40 |
|---|---|---|
| Case Diameter | 44mm | 40mm |
| Case Thickness | 17.7mm | 12.0mm |
| Case Material | Oystersteel | Oystersteel and 18ct Everose gold |
| Bezel | Cerachrom (ceramic) in black | 18ct Everose gold, bidirectional rotatable, sandblasted |
| Crystal | Sapphire, 5.5mm thick | Sapphire with Cyclops lens |
| Water Resistance | 3900m / 12800ft | 100m / 330ft |
| Movement | Rolex calibre 3235 | Rolex calibre 3235 |
| Movement Type | Automatic | Automatic |
| Power Reserve | 70 hours | 70 hours |
| Bracelet/Strap | Oyster, three-piece solid links | Oyster, three-piece solid links in Oystersteel and 18ct Everose gold |
| Clasp | Oysterlock safety clasp with Fliplock extension and Glidelock extension system | Oysterclasp with Easylink 5mm comfort extension |
| Lug Width | 22mm | 20mm |
Key specification differences stand out between these two: The Rolex Rolex Deepsea leads in water resistance (3900m / 12800ft vs. 100m / 330ft), and the Rolex Rolex Deepsea uses Oystersteel while the Rolex Yacht-Master 40 opts for Oystersteel and 18ct Everose gold. With 6 notable spec differences in total, the choice depends on which features matter most to your use case.
Value Per Feature
Per millimeter of case diameter, the Rolex Rolex Deepsea costs $375 versus $461 for the Rolex Yacht-Master 40. For water resistance, the Rolex Rolex Deepsea delivers better value per meter of depth rating. The Rolex Rolex Deepsea offers more power reserve per dollar spent.
Which Should You Buy?
Choose the Rolex Rolex Deepsea if you value a lower entry price, better value retention, serious diving capabilities. Go with the Rolex Yacht-Master 40 if you prioritize the Rolex heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more affordable, the Rolex Rolex Deepsea or the Rolex Yacht-Master 40?
The Rolex Rolex Deepsea is more accessible, priced at $15,200 compared to $17,550.
Which holds its value better on the secondary market?
The Rolex Rolex Deepsea currently trades at 8.6% above retail, indicating strong value retention on the pre-owned market.
How do the Rolex Rolex Deepsea and Rolex Yacht-Master 40 compare in size?
The Rolex Rolex Deepsea measures 44mm in diameter and 17.7mm thick, while the Rolex Yacht-Master 40 is 40mm by 12.0mm. Water resistance differs too: 3900m / 12800ft versus 100m / 330ft.