In 1967, Rolex launched a robust professional dive watch. Waterproof to a depth of 610 meters, the 50 year old timepiece capable of depths triple that of its cousin, the Submariner. Today, the beloved diving behemoth with revolutionary helium escape valve returns in new case dimensions and a highly desirable single red line of text, we give you the Baselworld 2017 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller now 43mm with a Cyclops for the date.
Baselworld 2017 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller Now 43mm with a Cyclops
The size of the new Baselworld 2017 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller is a point of distinction because at 43mm, this is the largest Rolex non-Deep Sea dive watch since 1967. Furthermore, earlier editions never possessed a magnifying bubble or Cyclops for the date window – those were found on other models like the Submariner Date or Datejust. Additionally, the red Sea-Dweller name is a throwback to the vintage models which fans literally go berserk for and now the new 2017 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller has one – interestingly, the Sea-Dweller was on a bit of a hiatus for 5 years beginning 2009 before being reintroduced after 2014, but it still struggled to find its footing sitting between the ever-popular Rolex Sub and the highly sought Deep Sea, with the “single red” model, it’s probably a good bet that Rolex is hoping to inject a little excitement back into the range and we believe that it will succeed.
The original Sea-Dweller played an important role in deep ocean exploration – It was the watch COMEX (Compagnie Maritime d’Expertises) turned to when Submariners would fail (because of internal pressure, divers often observed that during decompression the watch crystal could pop out like a champagne cork from a bottle) necessitating the invention of a patented Rolex helium escape valve which allowed the Sea-Dweller to “decompress” within manual adjustment, the diver would dive and the escape valve would just function as needed. The oyster case of the Rolex Sea-Dweller initially dove to 610 metres eventually making it to 1,220 metres just 11 years after its introduction.
Thus its fitting that Rolex celebrates the 50th anniversary with a new Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller at Baselworld 2017. All manner of technical improvements have gone into the new Baselworld 2017 Sea-Dweller, we finally get a Cerachrom uni-directional bezel with platinum numerals and graduation markers for that extra legibility oompf with silvery contrast. There’s also a new calibre new calibre 3235 automatic movement with a 70-hour power reserve which makes the watch more functional. That said, not all improvements are well-received, the cyclops is arguably a bit of an acquired taste specifically for this model and an odd choice for Rolex but the hype of the “single red” seems to reduce this design element to the level of “nitpick”. The hour markers and hands are filled with blue Chromalight lume that we have all come to associate with Rolex.
Retail price of the new Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller Ref. 126600 expected to be $11,350.
7 Comments
Perfection at last. I’ve owned a Submariner, Sea Dweller 400 and a Sea Dweller Deep Sea. I dive, I dive deep. I found all the watches perfect, alas my last , the Deep sea was I thought to heavy out of water and normal daily wear.
The latest addition is going to be just perfect all round. I have made arrangements with my dealer since Baseleorld showed the watch off, and I’m gob smacked to say having spoken on the phone today , I will be collecting mine on Monday 1st May release day. Feeling fortunate and awaiting to see it in the big blue.
Future collector’s piece for sure. Rolex has done its research. Rest assured that MORE than 50% of Rolex consumers will like/want a cyclops, which is exactly why this new Sea Dweller
model has one. It’s about sales. Not a fan? Then have your (gasp!) jewler remove it after purchase, and when you sell the watch down the road have Rolex replace it ( I have personally done this, but involuntarily, as my cyclops popped off when the watch was dropped from height on tile). Love the red, love the size, love the cyclops. i’m all in! BTW, 40mm dive watches are for girls.
Finally a watch made for a man’s wrist…about time!
Well said!!! What a ridiculous decision to add the cyclops!!!! Whats ‘s next … maybe Porsche will celebrate the 911 with a front wheel drive version!!
With Rolex “underwhelming” yet again at BaselWorld it can only mean more sales for the other manufacturers!!
Same depth rating, bigger but not better. What’s the point?
They have ruined the seadweller as far as I’m concerned by adding the cyclops to the date, they have taken away the very distinctive difference between that and the submariner.
I think Rolex have lost the plot.