News: Baselworld 2017 — Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller
True to form, Rolex has unveiled a number of very subtle watch revisions for this year’s Baselworld—first up, the new Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller. The brand’s robust diver’s watch keeps its classic design, but has been modernised with the very latest Rolex engineering.
Most discernible of the Sea-Dweller’s updates is the new cyclops lens at 3 o’clock; a common sight on other Rolex models (such as the Submariner), this feature has now been added to the Sea-Dweller for the first time in its history. The original omission of the window is mainly due to the Sea-Dweller’s water resistance of 600m when it was released in 1967, which meant that the weak point created by adding a cyclops lens would cause the crystal to crack under the high pressure. The latest Sea-Dweller is capable of withstanding a depth of 1,220m, but new developments in watch crystal provides protection from cracking.
The other most noticeable difference is the new watch’s size; it is the largest Sea-Dweller to date with its 43mm case. Due to the increased size, the watch also features a redesigned bracelet to ensure the watch sits comfortably and securely on the wrist. The bracelet offers a double extension system (handy for wear over bulky diving suits) as well as a more precise adjustment system that allows for alteration of the bracelet length in 2mm increments.
The 2017 Sea-Dweller is also powered by a new movement, the automatic calibre 3235. Rolex describes the 3235 as a ‘new-generation’ movement; it offers the very best hardiness and precision that the luxury brand has to offer, and uses the new Rolex ‘Chronergy’ escapement—an updated and improved Swiss level escapement. The modified barrel and the efficient escapement of the movement means the watch has a power reserve of three days.
