Rolex Sea-Dweller 4000 (photo: Rolex)

The Sea-Dweller is equipped with a 3135 self-winding mechanical movement manufactured by Rolex in-house. A Superlative Chronometer, this watch has a power reserve of 48 hours and comes equipped with Rolex's proprietary blue Parachrom hairspring that helps it achieve a precision of -2/+2 seconds per day.

This professional dive watch also features a unidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated bezel, allowing divers to keep track of their time underwater. The bezel insert is made of black Cerachrom, a ceramic material patented by Rolex that is virtually scratch-proof. It also has a helium escape valve to avoid damage to the case and crystal during decompression. A Triplock winding crown provides triple waterproofing protection for the Oyster case.

This model's Oyster bracelet is made from 904L stainless steel. Its Oysterlock clasp is fitted with Rolex's Fliplock extension link that extends the bracelet by 26 mm. It also comes with the Glidelock system that allows for an additional 20 mm extension in increments of 2 mm.

While the Submariner and the Deepsea receive more praise than the Sea-Dweller 4000, its features make it the perfect alternative to both dive watches. Like the Deepsea model, the Sea-Dweller 4000 does not come with the Cyclops magnifying lens that is customary on Rolex date models. However, it shares the same case size as the Sub.

The suggested retail price for the Rolex Sea-Dweller 4000 (reference # 116600) is 9,900 Swiss francs, or approximately $10,130 USD based on current exchange rates. For more information on this model, visit rolex.com.

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First Rolex Sea-Dweller, 1967 (photo: Rolex)

While Rolex had already introduced the Submariner model for professional divers, COMEX divers required a wristwatch with an improved depth rating. In 1967 Rolex introduced a small amount of Sea-Dwellers to meet these needs. The 1665 model, shown above, featured a helium escape valve that allowed helium to escape the case of the watch during decompression without damaging it. The 'Sea-Dweller' and 'Submariner 2000' lines on the dial were colored red, giving them the nickname 'Double Red' by collectors.

In 1978, they introduced reference 16660 equipped with a 3035 movement and a depth rating of 4,000 feet. They also improved the vibrational speed of the Sea-Dweller, increasing it from 19,800 bph to 28,800 bph. The next set of improvements to this model didn't come until 2008 when the Deepsea was introduced.

The legacies of the Submariner and Sea-Dweller live on today in the current models. While some changes have been made throughout the years, the spirit of oceanic exploration and innovation remains an integral part of their popularity.

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