One of the brands that has a lot of speculation going on in the weeks, even months before Baselworld. Rolex. Rumours spread fast on forums. Photoshopped images of new models people think that will be presented, or which they hope to see, go round on social media. As anniversary dates are easily calculated it is no wonder that rumours for the Sea-Dweller been going round strong online.
And today, during the opening of Baselworld 2017 the new anniversary Sea-Dweller was on display at the Rolex booth. Probably amongst the most photographed watches already. The new version of the Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller continues the heritage of the Rolex professional divers’ watches. First designed in 1967, exactly 50 years ago, the Rolex Sea-Dweller was created to be on the wrist of deep-sea divers and able to withstand extreme pressures as encountered during deep underwater missions.
During the years the Sea-Dweller has been evolving to adapt the conquest of reaching the deeper parts of the ocean. Where the case of the first model was ‘only’ waterproof to a depth of 610 metres (2,000 feet), this changed to 1,220 metres (4,000 feet) in 1978. Only possible because of an innovation developed and patented by Rolex: the helium escape valve. This safety valve resides in the left side of the case and allows the Sea-Dweller to safely “decompress”, just as the diver wearing it has to do this after working at great depths.
As mentioned before, 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the Sea-Dweller. For this occasion Rolex is launched a new version of this legendary divers’ watch. This anniversary model is features a 43mm case in 904L steel, which is waterproof to 1,220 metres (4,000 feet). Powered by Rolex’s latest-generation mechanical movement, calibre 3235 with a 70 hour power reserve. For the frist time the Rolex Sea-Dweller is fittet with a Cyclops lens at 3 o’clock – something usually only found on other Rolex sports watches. For the anniversary model the red writing has been re-created as for the name “Sea-Dweller”. The modern single-red Sea-Dweller is born. On the oyster bracelet there are the Rolex Glidelock and Fliplock systems which allow the bracelet to adjust easily and extend without the use of tools in order to wear the watch over diving suits of up to 7 mm thick.
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