The history of this Rolex Sea-Dweller
Introduced in 1967, the Rolex Sea-Dweller addressed a specific problem in professional saturation diving. During long missions in hyperbaric chambers, the helium breathed by divers seeps into the case and creates internal overpressure during decompression. In the same year, the company patented a helium escape valve that allows this gas to escape, thereby preserving the watch’s integrity upon return to the surface. Water-resistant to 610 metres at its launch, and then to 1,220 metres from 1978 onwards, the Sea-Dweller accompanied the first experiments in underwater habitation, including the 1969 Tektite programme, in which four aquanauts equipped with Rolex watches spent 58 days beneath the Caribbean Sea. In 2017, to mark the model’s 50th anniversary, the Sea-Dweller 126600 was increased to 43 mm and featured the ‘Sea-Dweller’ inscription in red, in a nod to the original model. This detail earned it the nickname ‘Single Red’ amongst collectors.
Case, movement and bracelet of this Sea-Dweller
The 43 mm Oyster case in Oystersteel is built on a monobloc middle, with a screw-down case back and crown. The Triplock crown creates three waterproof seals; the valve is situated on the side at 9 o’clock and the screw-down caseback bears the engraving ‘Original Gas Escape Valve’. The unidirectional rotating bezel features a black Cerachrom ceramic disc graduated to 60 minutes, with the numerals and markings coated in a thin layer of platinum. Beneath the sapphire crystal and its Cyclops lens, the black dial features large Chromalight hour-markers and hands, whose blue glow lasts for up to 8 hours in the dark. The ROLEX-engraved flange frames the dial. The calibre 3235, a Rolex Manufacture movement with bidirectional self-winding, offers a power reserve of approximately 70 hours. Its paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring and Paraflex shock absorbers ensure a precision of -2/+2 seconds per day, once the watch is fully assembled. It drives the central hours, minutes and seconds, as well as a quick-set instant date. The watch is water-resistant to 1,220 metres. The steel Oyster bracelet fastens with an Oysterlock folding clasp that prevents accidental opening.
Why choose this Rolex watch
Compared to the Submariner, the Sea-Dweller offers four times the water resistance, a helium escape valve and a construction designed for professional diving, without compromising on the understated elegance of a black dial. This generation features the calibre 3235 and its power reserve of nearly three days, meaning you can leave it to rest over the weekend and find it still running accurately on Monday. The single red line on the dial is enough to distinguish it from the brand’s other divers’ watches, without altering the original design in any way. When purchased second-hand, it is ready to wear immediately, authenticated and covered by our 24-month warranty.
Contents and condition
This Rolex Sea-Dweller comes with 1 Rolex watch box, 1 outer box, 1 card holder, 1 Rolex booklet and 1 green Rolex label. The warranty card is not included. The watch has just been polished. The case, bezel and bracelet show no marks visible to the naked eye, and both the sapphire crystal and the Cerachrom insert – which are virtually scratch-proof – are intact. It is therefore in the condition of a new watch, ready to be worn.
Warranty and delivery
The Swiss Collector guarantees the authenticity of this watch, which is covered by a 24-month warranty. We accept returns within 10 days in accordance with our terms and conditions. As Switzerland’s leading second-hand retailer, backed by the largest network of shops, we offer online booking for a fitting and in-store collection, or fully secure international delivery.
* Like new – a new watch, never worn or in exceptional condition. No defects visible to the naked eye.
