From SwissWatchExpo… Spotlight on: the 43 millimeter Rolex Seadweller.
The current Seadweller and its features.
Rolex is known for making incremental and sometimes hardly noticeable changes to their
watches.
With such timeless designs and iconic models, even the smallest changes can be big news.
When the Rolex Sea-Dweller, the brand’s ultra-resistant saturation dive watch turned
50 in 2017, a brand new look and design was unveiled, changing some elements that have
been in place for half a century.
What sets the current Seadweller apart from its predecessors? Here are 5 key changes made
to the current Rolex Sea-Dweller models:
The Rolex Sea-Dweller stayed at 40 millimeters for the past half-century, while the current
steel model measures 43 millimeters.
With the new size came an increase in lug width — from 20 to 22 millimeters, but the
larger dimensions still sit comfortably on the wrist.
Despite the bigger case, the Sea-Dweller remains water resistant to an astonishing 4,000 feet
or 1,220 meters and has a helium escape valve just as it should.
For the first time since the 1970s, the Rolex Sea-Dweller comes with a red detail on it.
The 43 millimeter has a single red line of text that says “Sea-Dweller”, last seen
in the reference 16-65.
Another change, although not as noticeable, is the finish of the dial. The old black dial
had a satin finish, while the current one has a somewhat glossy finish.
Perhaps the most noticeable, and most controversial change in the model, is the addition of the
Cyclops lens on top of the date window.
The Cyclops has been a customary addition to Rolex date watches since the 1950s, but
has never been used in the Sea-Dweller, until now.
As controversial as it may be to Rolex purists, it does make it easier for divers to read
the date both above and under water.
From the previous 3-1-3-5 caliber, the Sea-Dweller is now powered by Rolex’s latest, and best,
time and date movement – the Caliber 3-2-3-5.
It has 14 patents not seen in the previous movement, and provides a host of improvements,
including a 70-hour power reserve - from 40 hours - and Superlative Chronometer standard
of plus 2 minus 2 seconds per day precision.
Just two years after the new 43 millimeter Rolex Sea-Dweller came out, Rolex introduced
another first for the Sea-Dweller family: a two-tone Rolex Sea-Dweller with the same
size and movement.
From its previous, top to bottom stainless steel and black dial-bezel construction, Rolex
added a few gold touches.
The Rolesor Sea-Dweller rocks 18k yellow gold in all the right places: on the crown, markers,
and hands; on the solid gold knurled edge on the bezel, the bezel markings, and the
center links.
Where the “Sea-Dweller” designation is in red for the steel model, it’s done in
yellow gold for the Rolesor model. These touches take the serious tool watch and add a bit
more luxury.
The current Rolex Sea-Dwellers present more options for those who have always loved the
Rolex Sea-Dweller: a bigger size; and the subtle glow of gold. They will be right at
home, whether you’re diving, or simply wearing them everyday.
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