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Sea Dweller |
Comex Sea Dweller
Sea Dweller 1665 |
Sea Dweller 16660 |
Sea Dweller 16600 |
Sea Dweller DEEPSEA 116660
Rolex Sea Dweller
The Rolex Sea-Dweller is an exceptional watch, crafted specially for
divers. While older varieties of the Rolex Sea Dweller had a depth
rating of 2000 feet, currently available models are rated up to 4000
feet, and a staggering 12,800 feet in the newest model, the Rolex
Sea Dweller DEEPSEA 116660, introduced at the Basel Fair in 2008.
Although Rolex Submariner is also a diver's watch, it cannot
withstand nearly the same pressure as that of the Sea-Dweller.
History Behind its Creation
Rolex discovered the need to create something even more
sophisticated than the Submariner when, during the 1960s, COMEX--a
French commercial diving company--reported a technical problem that
its divers faced with the model 5513 Rolex Submariner and later the
Rolex Comex Submariner 5514. It was caused due to the de-compression
chambers where the watch literally exploded from the case. This
occurred after long periods of extreme pressure at great depths,
whereby helium particles would penetrate the watch's crystal and
seal but were unable to escape when the diver went through the
decompression chambers. Rolex quickly realized that while
Submariners were awesome performers even at excessive amounts of
pressure from outside, they actually failed due to the inner
pressure created on deep dives.
As a quick solution, Rolex fitted a one-way gas escape valve on one
side of the case, positioned opposite the winding crown in the
special Submariner 5513 models. As these were specially issued to
the COMEX divers, some of these models even bore the “COMEX” logo.
The problem with this solution was that after every six months, the
watches needed to be sent in for maintenance. Later in 1967, Rolex
rolled out another model: 5514. These were also specially fitted
Submarines. But this time, they bore not only the “COMEX” logo on
the dial and also the COMEX identification numbers on the back. The
commitment of Rolex to deliver the best encouraged it to come out
with a new, special line of watches which would be meant for only
harsher conditions at great sea depths, leading to the birth of the
Rolex Sea-Dweller.
*The 5514 models was a batch of watches that was specially made for
COMEX and its divers and never sold by retailers.. It was delivered
after the successful testing of the 5513 with HEV and COMEX made a
special order of these watches.
The Earliest Versions of Sea-Dweller
The first Sea-Dweller was launched by the end of 1967, bearing the
model number 1665. It had a depth rating of 2000 feet, which was
clearly engraved in red color as “Sea-Dweller Submariner 2000” on
the dial.
This model featured the 1575 movement, the new Triplock crown, a
thicker crystal, and a larger case. The new Triplock crown featured
a triple gasket system which helps in tightly screwing down the case
tube against the Oyster case. As a result, another layer of
protection is created. This model did not carry the date
magnification bubble, present on all Rolex watches. The special
version of 1665 that was issued to the COMEX divers, however,
continued to display the standard “COMEX” logo.
Later, to strengthen the image of Sea-Dweller, the tag “Submariner
2000” was dropped leaving only “Sea-Dweller” on the dial in white
color. This look started by the mid 1970s and continued until 1981.
The Modern Versions of Sea-Dweller
The model that succeeded the 1665 was launched in 1978 as the 16660.
This model was indeed a big leap as it had a depth rating of 4000
feet as opposed to a mere 2000 feet in the earlier model. Fitted
with the 3035 movement, it features a sapphire crystal and an
improved, larger helium escape valve. This is the model that can
currently be found on the market. It has also been used by the COMEX
divers since 1992.
The 39mm Sea-Dweller 16600 is in steel, featuring a black dial with
white markings and a black rotating bezel. The Oyster Fliplock
bracelet complements it perfectly.
As there is no limit to Rolex's ambitions, it announced the
introduction of a new, much improved Sea-Dweller model at the Basel
World Watch and Jewelry Show of 2008. It has been named as the
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA with a staggering
depth rating of 12,800 feet. It is the first watch of its kind and
something that every underwater treasure hunter and professional
diver will look forward to owning.
Rolex discontinued the production of the Sea
Dweller 16600 in 2009. It becomes a collectable item that is highly
sought after through out the world among the collectors.
References:
*Melrosejewelers
*DoubleRedSeaDweller
*R-Olex
*BreitlingSources
The Rolex Sea Dweller Models:
Sea Dweller 1665
Sea Dweller 16660
Sea Dweller 16600
Sea Dweller DEEPSEA 116660
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