The Rolex Sea-Dweller has long held a legendary status among dive watches. Its robust build, exceptional water resistance, and unwavering reliability have cemented its place as a favorite among professional divers and watch enthusiasts alike. In 2017, Rolex unveiled a significant update to the Sea-Dweller line with the ref. 126600, a watch that refined the classic design while incorporating several crucial advancements. This article provides a comprehensive hands-on review, accompanied by original photographs from Baselworld 2017, exploring the specifications, price, history, and overall analysis of this remarkable timepiece.
Baselworld 2017: A First Look
The unveiling of the Rolex Sea-Dweller 126600 at Baselworld 2017 was met with considerable excitement. The updated model represented a significant departure from its predecessor, the ref. 16600, while retaining the core DNA that defined the Sea-Dweller lineage. The original photos from the event showcased a watch that was both familiar and undeniably modern. The increased size, the subtle design tweaks, and the gleaming Oyster case all contributed to a powerful visual impact. (Insert original Baselworld 2017 photo here – ideally multiple photos showcasing different angles, close-ups of the dial, bezel, clasp, etc.)
Design and Specifications
The Rolex Sea-Dweller 126600 boasts a 43mm Oyster case, a noticeable increase from the previous 40mm model. This larger size enhances both the watch's presence on the wrist and its legibility. The case, crafted from Oystersteel, is renowned for its exceptional durability and resistance to corrosion. The unidirectional rotatable bezel, a hallmark of dive watches, features a Cerachrom insert in black ceramic, ensuring exceptional scratch resistance and long-term color stability. The crisp numerals and markings on the bezel are highly legible, even in low-light conditions.
The dial, a classic black, is clean and uncluttered, prioritizing functionality. The Chromalight display, with its long-lasting luminescence, ensures optimal readability in the depths of the ocean or the darkest night. The signature Cyclops lens over the date window remains, providing magnification for easy date reading. The hands, filled with luminescent material, are sharply defined and easily distinguishable against the black dial. (Insert close-up photos of the dial, bezel, and hands here.)
Powering the Sea-Dweller 126600 is the calibre 3235, a self-winding mechanical movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. This movement represents a significant technological leap, incorporating several innovations that improve performance and reliability. It features a Chronergy escapement, offering greater efficiency and resistance to shocks, and a Parachrom hairspring, a highly resistant and anti-magnetic component made from a paramagnetic alloy. The power reserve is approximately 70 hours, providing ample timekeeping even if the watch is not worn for a couple of days.
A Deeper Dive into the History:
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