Is the Hype Surounding the New Rolex Sea-Dweller Justified?

It is truly amazing what Rolex has achieved over the years with timepieces designed for science, mountain climbing, racing, yachting, diving, and even deep-sea diving.  This is not to mention the enhancements made to their ever-more-accurate caliber and advanced designs such as the day-date.  However, the Sea-Dweller is probably one of the most impressive achievements of Rolex history.  Creating a timepiece that can sustain accurate time keeping in the most treacherous and deepest waters on earth is a massive achievement.

Displayed above is the side angle of the new Rolex Sea-Dweller with its Helium escape valve which allows the timepiece to become waterproof to an outrageous 4,000 feet.

This new reference 126603 was released at Baselworld 2019 with tremendous fanfare because it is the first time Rolex has brought 18 ct yellow gold to the Sea-Dweller line-up.  Utilizing this finest of metals allows the new Sea-Dweller to finally achieve the beauty and elegance that other Rolex models have enjoyed for decades.

The black dial has the inscription "Sea-Dweller" in yellow, mirroring the gold touches on the bezel, winding crown and on the center links of the bracelet.  Previous models had a red Sea-Dweller.  Certainly the golden lettering ties the coloring of the rest of the dial together.

Each of the hour markers contain large luminescent dots, dashes and the 12 o'clock triangle for visibility.  The outside of the hour markers are surrounded in 18 ct yellow gold and inside there is a long-lasting luminescent coloring which glows blue in darkness.  The luminescence is extended to the hour, minute and second hands and to the unidirectional rotatable bezel at the 0 or starting second position.  The besel has a 60 minuet graduated insert in recessed numerals and graduations.

The case is an impressive 43 mm Rolex Oyster designed case.  It has a new caliber 3235 which comes with a Superlative Chronometer certification - guaranteeing accuracy within 2 seconds per day for 5 years.  The resistance to magnetic forces, Paraflex shock absorbers and Parachrom hairspring provide reliability in difficult situations such as deep sea diving.  Yet, Rolex has improved this timepiece's power reserve to approx. 70 hours - a significant increase from earlier models.

The Rolesor gold case and bracelet are matched by a satin finish 904L Oystersteel.  The bracelet has a Oysterlock folding clasp for safety and the Rolex Glidelock extension system - a patented and highly useful system for adjusting the bracelet for divers - outside or inside the wetsuit.

I do believe there is worthwhile fanfare to the hype surrounding the new Rolex Sea-Dweller.  The combination of the Rolesor coloring (Gold and Oystersteel) along with the black bezel and dial provide a perfect combination and a look that can please both men and women in nearly any sporting or elegant situation.