Every Diver ’ s Watch
Rolex has revolutionised the world of diving with its inventive designs – the Oyster Perpetual Submariner and Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller
Legendary oceanographer and Rolex Testimonee Sylvia Earle
SUBMARINER
The Oyster Perpetual Submariner , the archetype of the divers ’ watch , epitomises the historically long link between Rolex and underwater exploration . Launched in 1953 , the Submariner was the first divers ’ wristwatch waterproof to a depth of 100 metres ( 330 feet ). Since then , this revolutionary timepiece has moved beyond the marine depths , becoming the watch of choice for a wide range of sports and other activities .
SEA-DWELLER
A legend among divers ’ watches , the Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller was designed for pioneers of professional deep-sea diving . The Sea-Dweller is equipped with a helium escape valve that allows excess pressure built up inside the watch case to escape during decompression without compromising the waterproofness of the watch . The first versions of the Sea-Dweller were guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 610 metres ( 2,000 feet ); the Sea-Dweller 4000 , introduced in 1978 , was then guaranteed to a depth of 1,220 metres ( 4,000 feet ).
Updated in 2017 for its 50th anniversary , the Sea-Dweller features a larger 43mm case and calibre 3235 , as well as the Cyclops lens on the crystal to magnify the date for easier reading .
Legibility and Functionality
The unidirectional rotatable bezel of the Submariner and the Sea-Dweller is equipped with a 60-minute graduated monobloc Cerachrom insert that allows divers to monitor their time underwater . This insert , patented by Rolex , is made of an extremely hard , virtually scratch-proof ceramic whose colour is unaffected by ultraviolet rays . Thanks to its chemical composition , it is inert and cannot corrode . The moulded , recessed graduations and numerals are coated with gold or platinum using a PVD ( physical vapour deposition ) process . The bezel ’ s knurled edge offers excellent grip , even when wearing gloves . The Chromalight hour markers and hands on the dial and the triangular “ zero ” marker on the bezel are filled or coated with a luminescent material emitting a long-lasting blue glow .
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