Rolex Seadweller 43mm Guide

Rolex Seadweller 43mm 50th Anniversary

Rolex is known for making incremental and sometimes hardly noticeable changes to their watches. With such timeless designs and iconic models, even the smallest changes can be big news.

When the Rolex Sea-Dweller, the brand’s ultra-resistant saturation dive watch turned 50 in 2017, a brand new look and design was unveiled, changing some elements that have been in place for half a century.

 

Here are 5 key changes made to the current Rolex Sea-Dweller models:

 

The 43mm Rolex Sea-Dweller

 

The 40mm Rolex Sea-Dweller 4000 Steel Watch ref 116600 vs Rolex Sea-Dweller 43mm ref 126600
The 40mm Rolex Sea-Dweller 4000 Steel Watch ref 116600 vs
Rolex Sea-Dweller 43mm ref 126600

While there were a couple of updates with the current 43mm Rolex Sea-Dweller, one thing that remained the same with its predecessors, is its depth rating. The Sea-Dweller remains water resistant to an astonishing 4,000 feet or 1,220 meters and has a helium escape valve just as it should. It is still very much a Rolex Sea-Dweller, with the following updates:

THE CASE

The Rolex Sea-Dweller stayed at 40mm for the past half-century, while the current model measures 43mm. With the new size came an increase in lug width — from 20 to 22mm, but the larger dimensions still sit comfortably on the wrist.

THE DIAL

For the first time since the 1970s, the Rolex Sea-Dweller comes with a red detail on it. The 43mm has a single red line of text that says “Sea-Dweller”, last seen in the ref 1665. Another change, although not as noticeable, is the finish of the dial. The old black dial had a satin finish, while the current one has a somewhat glossy finish.

 

Rolex Sea-Dweller 43mm ref 126600 side by side with the Rolex Daytona
Rolex Sea-Dweller 43mm ref 126600 side by side with the Rolex Daytona. Note the single red line of text with the model’s names.

 

THE CRYSTAL

Perhaps the most noticeable, and most controversial change in the model, is the addition of the Cyclops lens on top of the date window. The Cyclops has been a customary addition to Rolex date watches since the 1950s but has never been used in the Sea-Dweller until now. As controversial as it may be to Rolex purists, it does make it easier for divers to read the date both above and under water.

THE MOVEMENT

The Sea-Dweller is now powered by Rolex’s latest, and best, time and date movement – the Caliber 3235. It has 14 patents not seen in the previous movement (cal 3135) and provides a host of improvements, including a 70-hour power reserve (from 40 hours) and Superlative Chronometer standards of -2 / +2 seconds per day precision.

 


 

The Two-Tone 43mm Rolex Seadweller

 

Rolex Sea-Dweller Steel Yellow Gold Black Dial ref 126603
Rolex Sea-Dweller Steel Yellow Gold Black Dial ref 126603

Just two years after the new 43mm Rolex Sea-Dweller came out, Rolex introduced another first for the Sea-Dweller family: a two-tone Rolex Sea-Dweller. From its previous top to bottom stainless steel and black dial-bezel construction, Rolex added a few gold touches.

 

Rolex Sea-Dweller Steel Yellow Gold Black Dial ref 126603
Rolex Sea-Dweller Steel Yellow Gold Black Dial ref 126603

The Rolesor Sea-Dweller keeps the same dimensions as the 43mm model, but rocks 18k yellow gold in all the right places: on the crown, markers, and hands; on the solid gold knurled edge on the bezel, the bezel markings, and the center links. Where the “Sea-Dweller” designation is in red for the steel model, it’s done in yellow gold for the Rolesor model. These touches take the serious tool watch and adds a bit more luxury.

Like its stainless steel counterpart, the Rolesor Sea-Dweller is equipped with the Caliber 3235 self-winding movement.

 


 

These two models present more options for those who have always loved the Rolex Sea-Dweller but want a bigger size; and those who’ve always loved the subtle glow of Rolesor Rolex watches. Both watches will be right at home, whether you’re taking them diving or simply wearing them everyday.

 

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