Rolex Sea-Dweller
Citizen of the deep

Rolex created the Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller in 1967 to meet the challenge of prolonged submarine missions. The Sea-Dweller is specifically designed for saturation diving. Thanks to the helium escape valve, it resists decompression during ascent by controlling the return to the surface-the final stage of deep-sea exploration.

RolexSea-Dweller

Oyster | 43 mm | acciaio Oystersteel e oro giallo

RolexSea-Dweller

Oyster | 43 mm | acciaio Oystersteel

Guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 610 meters at the time of its launch in 1967, then to 1,220 meters beginning in 1978, the Sea-Dweller brings together all the attributes of the modern dive watch.

Tested under real-world conditions as part of the Tektite program, jointly initiated by NASA, the U.S. Navy and government in 1969, the Sea-Dweller is employed in the first major submarine habitat experiments.

The new face of diving

In the 1960s, so-called "saturation" diving made it possible to stay at depth for longer periods. This technique involves housing divers in a pressurized habitat that mimics the pressure prevailing in their underwater working environments. In this way, they have to undergo a single decompression process at the end of the mission.

This process, however, can damage the watch. Divers breathe a gas mixture composed mainly of helium, whose tiny atoms manage to penetrate the case. Returning to the surface, the helium imprisoned in the case could create a phenomenon of excess internal pressure, which could compromise its integrity.

Control of decompression by helium escape valve

To solve the problem, in 1967 Rolex introduced the Sea-Dweller, a dive watch equipped with a helium escape valve. Screwed to the case, it consists of a hermetic cylinder, piston, gasket and spring, which act as a safety valve. When the pressure inside the case is excessive, the valve automatically opens, allowing the helium atoms to escape.

Infallible readability

The Chromalight display, exclusive to Rolex, gives the Sea-Dweller optimal legibility in all circumstances. The hour markers, hands, bezel, and bezel are filled or coated by hand with a luminescent substance that emits an intense blue glow in the dark, lasting up to twice as long as classic phosphorescent substances.

Increased water resistance

The Sea-Dweller is equipped with the Triplock winding crown. This screw-down crown was invented in 1970 and provides three sealing zones. It enables it to reinforce the water resistance of the 43 mm Oyster case, the case middle of which is machined from a solid block of Oystersteel, a particularly corrosion-resistant alloy.

The watch of the citizens of the seas

Explorers and oceanographers, like Sylvia Earle, and underwater photographers, like David Doubilet, know that the ocean is our most valuable asset and are dedicated to safeguarding it. They wear a Sea-Dweller that reflects their passion and commitment.

Rolex has also been a partner of Comex (Compagnie Maritime d'Expertises) since 1971. For several decades, the Sea-Dweller has been on the wrist of divers from the French company, which specializes in engineering, technology and underwater interventions.