The Rolex Sea-Dweller has long held a revered position among professional divers and watch enthusiasts alike. Its robust construction, exceptional water resistance, and unwavering reliability have cemented its legacy as one of the most capable and desirable dive watches ever created. In 2017, Rolex introduced a significant update to the Sea-Dweller line, the reference 126600, sparking considerable interest and debate, particularly surrounding its thickness. This article will delve into the specifics of the 2017 Sea-Dweller’s dimensions, comparing it to its predecessors and successors, and exploring its place within the broader context of Rolex Sea-Dweller models and the market as a whole.
The 2017 Sea-Dweller, ref. 126600, marked a departure from its immediate predecessor, the ref. 16600. While maintaining the core DNA of the Sea-Dweller, the new model incorporated several key improvements, some of which directly impacted its thickness. Similar to preceding models, the Sea-Dweller ref. 126600’s construction makes it water-resistant to 4,000 feet/1,220 meters, a testament to its robust engineering and suitability for extreme underwater environments. This impressive water resistance is achieved through a combination of factors, including a highly durable case, Triplock crown, and meticulously sealed components. The 2017 model, however, also boasts a significantly larger case than its predecessor. This increase in size, while contributing to the watch's overall presence, also played a role in its increased thickness.
While precise measurements vary slightly depending on the measuring method and individual watch, the 2017 Sea-Dweller's thickness is generally cited as being around 12.5mm to 13mm. This is noticeably thicker than the previous 16600, which typically measured around 11.5mm to 12mm. This increase in thickness is largely attributed to the incorporation of the new Calibre 3235 movement.
The Calibre 3235, introduced in 2015, is a significant advancement in Rolex's watchmaking technology. This movement offers improved performance, chronometric precision, and power reserve compared to its predecessors. Its increased size and complexity, however, necessitated a larger case to accommodate it. This directly contributed to the increased thickness of the 2017 Sea-Dweller. The added thickness, however, is generally considered a worthwhile trade-off by many enthusiasts, given the enhanced performance and longevity offered by the Calibre 3235.
Furthermore, the new 2017 Sea-Dweller retains the popular black, unidirectional rotating bezel, a crucial element for divers to accurately track their dive time. The bezel is made from high-quality ceramic, offering superior scratch resistance compared to aluminum bezels found in earlier models. The ceramic bezel, while contributing to the overall durability of the watch, does not significantly impact its thickness.
The increased size and thickness of the 2017 Sea-Dweller also resulted in a slightly larger case diameter of 43mm, compared to the 40mm case of some earlier models. This larger size provides a more substantial feel on the wrist and improves readability of the dial, especially in low-light conditions. This larger case, however, further contributed to the overall thickness of the watch.
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