ROLEX SEA DWELLER History
Its really interesting to begin our article with answering the question why the watch was named Sea Dweller but is also easy when you think that this watch had a specific need to fulfil the need of divers to have a working watch in extreme depths.
In 1967 Rolex launched Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller REF 1665, 40mm, waterproof to a depth of 610 metres. To meet the needs of professional deep-sea divers, the case was equipped with a helium escape valve so that, during long decompression phases in hyperbaric chambers, the helium from the gas mixtures used could be released without risking damage to the watch.
ROLEX SEA-DWELLER REF4000 Ref 1665
In 1978 Rolex launched the Sea-Dweller Ref 4000, waterproof to a depth of 1,220 metres (4,000 feet).
Waterproof to a depth of 4,000 feet (1,220 metres) for the Rolex Sea-Dweller, launched in 1967, and 12,800 feet (3,900 metres) for the Rolex Deepsea unveiled in 2008, they are the ultimate manifestation of Rolex’s leadership in divers’ watches and the result of decades of collaboration with diving professionals.
ROLEX SEA-DWELLER- Deep Sea 4000 Ref 116660
The first Deep Sea was introduced to the market by Rolex in 2008 , with its rotatable bezel, a 60-minute graduated Cerachrom insert, Chromalight display and reinforced waterproofness ready to cover every need of adventurous divers.
In 2014 Rolex released a special version of the model, the Rolex Deep Sea with a D-blue dial, to commemorate James Cameron’s historic solo dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, some 11,000 metres deep. From twilight blue to bottomless black, its two-colour gradient dial celebrates one man’s journey to the deepest place on Earth.
ROLEX RAREST MODELS
ROLEX SEA DWELLER “Single Red” Ref. 1665
“Single Red” Sea-Dweller ref. 1665 was the first prototype of the series that carried the red Sea-Dweller logo developed in 1965 but released 5 years later in 1970. Continuing with the “Double Red Sea-Dweller,” featuring two lines of red text on the dial, one reading “Sea-Dweller” and the other reading “Submariner 2000” directly below it.
DIFFERENCES between “Single Red” and “Double Red Sea Dweller”
“Single Red” has a different case back than the “Double Red Sea Dweller” . The Single Red has engraved on the case back Oyster Gas Escape Valve (Patent Pending) but on the “Double Red Sea-Dweller” we can spot Rolex logo with Oyster*Gas Escape Valve* Rolex Patent. Moreover we can observe a noticeable difference on the dial, on the “Single Red” SEA DWELLER is mentioned on the bottom of the dial when on “Double Red Sea-Dweller” we can notice Sea Dweller Submariner 2000, 2000ft- 610m.
ROLEX SEA DWELLER Deep Sea Special (DSS)
The Rolex Deep Sea Special (DSS) is a powerful, rugged dive watch made to withstand unimaginable ocean depths. Only 35 models were ever produced, and this model is #35, which is seen engraved on the case back. It dates back to 1965 after the record breaking dive by Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh took place. With this special watch Rolex was able to prove its excellence and make a clear statement to the world, that there is nothing that they can’t do.
ROLEX SEA DWELLER Deep Sea Special (DSS)Want to learn more about Rolex History? Check out our article that describes how everything started.
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