Watch Paparazzi

Actor Sylvester Stallone spotted wearing Rolex

Sylvester Stallone, no stranger to serious timepieces, was recently photographed wearing the Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea in its special 'James Cameron' deep blue dial configuration, reference 116660 — a variant that occupies a distinct and highly regarded corner of the Rolex catalogue.

The Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea ref. 116660 was launched in 2008 as the most capable diver Rolex had ever built. Rated to an extraordinary 3,900 metres — nearly four times the depth rating of the standard Sea-Dweller — the watch achieves this through Rolex's proprietary Ringlock System: a nitrogen-alloyed steel compression ring, a domed sapphire crystal 5.5mm thick, and a helium escape valve working in concert. The case measures a substantial 44mm and houses the in-house calibre 3135, a 28,800 vph automatic movement with a 48-hour power reserve and Rolex's Parachrom hairspring. The 'James Cameron' edition, introduced in 2012 to mark the director's record-breaking solo descent to the Challenger Deep aboard the Deepsea Challenger submersible, swaps the standard black dial for a deep gradient blue that fades from inky navy at the outer edge to a lighter cerulean toward the centre — visually referencing the ocean's depth gradient.

For collectors, the 116660 in Deep Blue dial form is the more desirable of the two dial options. The standard black dial ref. 116660 was already well regarded, but the James Cameron edition introduced a visual drama and a storytelling provenance that resonated strongly with enthusiasts. It is one of relatively few Rolex references with a genuine commemorative narrative attached to it, rather than a simple dial variation.

Stallone's watch taste has long leaned toward bold, technically impressive pieces — Richard Mille, Patek Philippe, and Rolex have all featured prominently on his wrist over the years. The Deepsea Deep Blue fits his aesthetic: substantial, technically unimpeachable, and impossible to miss.

The Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea ref. 116660 has since been succeeded by the 44mm ref. 126660 introduced in 2018, which brought an updated calibre 3235 movement. This makes the 116660 an increasingly interesting proposition on the secondary market, where examples in strong condition trade at or above original retail — the Deep Blue dial commands a modest but consistent premium over its black-dial counterpart.