Rolex introduces a modern version of the legendary Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller watch.
Waterproof to a depth of 1,220 metres (4,000 feet), this 40 mm technical divers’ watch in 904L steel features the latest in Rolex innovation: Cerachrom bezel insert in ceramic, long-lasting Chromalight luminescence, paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring, Oysterlock safety clasp and Rolex Glidelock bracelet extension system.
Originally designed for the pioneers of professional deep-sea diving, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller 4000 is equipped with one of the inventions that contributed to its stature: the helium escape valve, patented by Rolex in 1967.
This ingenious safety valve releases helium from the watch case as the gas expands during the decompression phases of deep-water saturation dives, while preserving the water-proofness of the watch.
The Sea-Dweller 4000’s 60-minute graduated, unidirectional, rotatable bezel enables divers to precisely and safely monitor their dive and decompression times. It is equipped with a patented black Cerachrom bezel insert manufactured by Rolex in a virtually scratchproof ceramic whose colour is unaffected by ultraviolet rays.
The graduation is coated via PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) with a thin layer of platinum. The sleek black dial features large Chromalight hour markers and hands filled with luminescent material that emits a long-lasting blue glow for excellent legibility in dark conditions.
The Sea-Dweller 4000’s Oyster case is water proof up to a depth of 1,220 metres (4,000 feet). The characteristically shaped middle case is crafted from a solid block of particularly corrosion-resistant 904L steel.
The fluted case back is hermetically screwed down with a special tool exclusive to Rolex watchmakers. The winding crown, fitted with the patented Triplock triple water-proofness system, screws down securely against the case, offering watertight security akin to a submarine’s hatch. It is protected by a crown guard that is an integral part of the middle case.
The crystal is made of virtually scratchproof sapphire. The waterproof case of the Sea-Dweller 4000, housing its high-precision movement, ensures optimal protection from water, dust, pressure and shocks.
The new Sea-Dweller 4000 watch with a black dial (reference 116600-0001) is equipped with calibre 3135, a self-winding mechanical movement with a date display entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex.
Like all Rolex Perpetual movements, the 3135 is a certified Swiss chronometer, a designation reserved for high-precision watches that have successfully passed the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) tests. Its architecture, like that of all Oyster watch movements, makes it singularly reliable.
The oscillator has a blue Parachrom hairspring patented and manufactured by Rolex in an exclusive alloy of niobium and zirconium. Insensitive to magnetic fields, the Parachrom hairspring offers great stability when exposed to temperature variations and remains up to 10 times more precise in case of shocks than a traditional hairspring.
The Sea-Dweller 4000’s Oyster bracelet is equipped with an Oysterlock safety clasp that prevents accidental opening, and with a double extension system that allows the watch to be worn comfortably over a diving suit up to 7 mm thick.
The Fliplock extension link extends the bracelet by 26 mm, while the Rolex Glidelock system allows fine adjustments of the bracelet length in 2 mm increments for a total of approximately 20 mm.
Technical details
Model: Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller 4000 (with 904L steel case and black dial)
Reference: 116600
Case
Oyster (monobloc middle case, screw-down case back and winding crown)
Diameter: 40 mm
Material: 904L stainless steel super-alloy, satin finish
Helium valve
Case Back: Screw-down with Rolex fluting
Bezel: Unidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated bezel with black Cerachrom insert in ceramic, engraved numerals and graduations coated with platinum via magnetron sputtering (PVD)
Winding Crown: Screw-down, Triplock triple water-proofness system
Crown Guard: Integral part of the middle case
Crystal: Scratch-resistant sapphire
Water-proofness: 1,220 metres (4,000 feet)
Movement
Calibre 3135, Manufacture Rolex
Mechanical movement with bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor
Officially certified Swiss chronometer (COSC)
Frequency: 28,800 beats/hour (4Hz)
Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring
Breguet overcoil
Large balance wheel with variable inertia
High-precision regulating via four gold Microstella nuts
Traversing Balance Bridge
Jewelling: 31 rubies
Power Reserve: Approximately 48 hours
Functions
Centre hour, minute and seconds hands
Instantaneous date at 3 o’clock
Stop-seconds for precise time setting
Dial
Black, satin finish
Hour markers: Highly legible Chromalight appliques (long-lasting luminescence) in 18 ct white gold
Hands: Chromalight hands in 18 ct white gold
Bracelet
Type: Oyster three-piece solid links
Material: 904L stainless steel super alloy, satin finished, polished edges
Clasp: Oysterlock folding safety clasp
Rolex Glidelock extension system (20 mm in increments of 2 mm)
Fliplock extension link (26 mm)
Note: I think, the full reference number of this watch is 116600-0003.
