Pre-Basel 2008: Rolex Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA Watch

The Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea watch has finally been revealed, after several days of cryptic images shown on the Rolex website.  This new addition to Rolex's famous Oyster Perpetual watch collection pays tribute to a famous Rolex dive watch developed in the 1950's; the historic model was affixed to the bathyscaphe "Trieste", on its record breaking 1960 descent to the bottom of the Marianas Trench.

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller Deepsea watch features a large case crafted from 904L stainless steel, which is equipped with a stainless steel helium release valve.  To facilitate the extreme water resistant capabilities of this watch---3,900 meters/12,800 feet--Rolex has incorporated state of the art constructive techniques and materials, including an extremely thick domed crystal, and a unique "Ringlock" system, which positions a nitrogen-alloyed steel ring in the middle case, to balance the severe pressures that are exerted upon the crystal and caseback at great depths.  Rolex's proven screw-down Triplock crown seals the case tube from water intrusion via a protective system of multiple gaskets.  To ensure that the watch can perform to the warranted depth, Rolex has collaborated with the French specialist firm COMEX to design exclusive testing equipment. For decades, COMEX has been a world leader in hyperbaric technology and high-performance underwater engineering solutions.

Other distinctive features of the DeepSea timepiece include a unidirectional rotating "Cerachrom" bezel with platinum-deposited numbers, unique blue luminous elements on the dial and bezel dot, and a new Oyster bracelet that features a precise "Glidelock" clasp; it permits 1.8mm incremental adjustments within a range of 18mm overall, all without the need to remove the watch from the wrist.  The Rolex Deepsea watch is animated by the self-winding Rolex 3135 caliber movement.  A key feature of the DeepSea's 3135 movement is the exclusive Rolex Parachrom balance spring, whose unique composition gives it great resistance to shock and magnetic fields.