The year 2017 marked a significant moment in Rolex's storied history, particularly for enthusiasts of their professional diving watches. While the brand's iconic Submariner remains a cornerstone of its collection, the 2017 release of the 43mm Sea-Dweller represented a subtle yet impactful evolution, addressing long-standing desires within the diving community and solidifying the Sea-Dweller's position as a superior tool watch for extreme depths. This article will delve deep into the specifics of the 2017 Sea-Dweller, comparing it to its Submariner counterpart, exploring its place within the broader Rolex Sea-Dweller lineage, and examining its impact on the market, including its price and available alternatives.
Rolex Sea-Dweller 2017: A Refresher
The 2017 Rolex Sea-Dweller, reference 126600, marked a significant departure from its predecessors in one crucial aspect: size. Previous iterations had generally hovered around the 40mm mark. This new 43mm case, coupled with the inclusion of the coveted Cyclops lens over the date window – a feature previously absent from the Sea-Dweller line – addressed many of the criticisms levelled at the previous models. The increased size provided improved wearability and legibility, while the Cyclops lens finally brought the Sea-Dweller in line with the Submariner’s functionality for many.
The 2017 model retained the Sea-Dweller's core strengths: exceptional water resistance (1,220 meters, or approximately 4,000 feet), a robust Oyster case, a highly legible dial, and the reliable calibre 3235 movement – a significant upgrade from previous generations, offering enhanced precision, power reserve, and shock resistance. The inclusion of the Chromalight display, with its long-lasting luminescence, further reinforced its practicality in low-light underwater environments. The watch showcased Rolex's commitment to both aesthetic refinement and robust functionality, a hallmark of the brand's professional timepieces.
Rolex Sea-Dweller VS Rolex Submariner: A Tale of Two Divers
The comparison between the Rolex Sea-Dweller and the Submariner is a perennial debate among watch enthusiasts. Both are undeniably iconic diving watches, but their intended purposes and specifications differ significantly. The Submariner, with its 300-meter water resistance, is designed for recreational diving. It's a versatile and elegant timepiece suitable for everyday wear.
The Sea-Dweller, on the other hand, is built for professional saturation diving. Its significantly higher water resistance (1,220 meters) reflects this purpose. While both watches share the Oyster case and many design elements, the Sea-Dweller's increased depth rating necessitates a more robust construction and different engineering solutions. The 2017 model's larger size, arguably a more significant differentiator, is not purely aesthetic; it contributes to the watch's enhanced durability and functionality at extreme depths. The inclusion of the Cyclops lens in the 2017 model further differentiated it from the Submariner, while still maintaining a clear distinction in terms of its intended use and overall aesthetic.
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