Rubber B was the first company in the world to develop custom rubber watch straps exclusively for Rolex timepieces, and since then, the company has added several other prominent watchmakers to its product portfolio. Rubber B also creates custom rubber watch bands for watches produced by Panerai, Roger Dubuis, and Audemars Piguet. We proudly offer both Rolex Sea-Dweller rubber straps and Rolex Deepsea straps, which tie into the two watches that this piece will focus on.
In large part, Rolex is as famous as they are today due to the extremely high quality of their dive watches, as well as in how effectively they were able to market them. Since Mercedes Gleitze became the first woman to swim the English Channel in 1927 while wearing a Rolex Oyster watch, Rolex has been continually improving upon ways to make dive watches more durable and better looking.
Two of the most well-known products in their line of dive watches are the Rolex Sea-Dweller, and one of that watch’s offshoot timepieces, the Rolex Deepsea. This piece is going to take a closer look at the history of both of these watches and then examine both their technical specifics and their overall design style. We will conclude the article by looking at some of the best options for replacement straps for both of these watches.
A Brief History of the Rolex Sea-Dweller
The Rolex Sea-Dweller was originally completed in 1967, but it would not become commercially available to the public until several years later, in 1971. The reason for this is because Rolex has issues obtaining a patent for the helium escape valve that is used in the watch.
Originally, the first Sea-Dweller models did not have helium escape valves on them. This version of the watch, which is considered to be a rare find among collectors, is known as the “Single Red” and is highly prized. Many of these timepieces were distributed to notable underwater researchers of the time, such as Richard Waller or Ian Koblick.
In the latter part of 1967, an archeological diver named T. Walker Lloyd approached Rolex about implementing these valves into their watches because the Sea-Dweller suffered from decompression problems, and would become damaged when diving at great depths. This issue is what experienced divers call “the bends,” and people can also suffer from this same issue as well.
Rolex decided that they liked the idea and agreed to implement it on future models of the watch, which would appear on the market in the early 1970’s. The initial idea to use a one-way helium release valve to solve decompression sickness problems was conceived by Robert A. Barth, a highly decorated U.S. Navy diver and aquanaut who is considered to be the “father of the Rolex Sea-Dweller.”
The Rolex Sea-Dweller had one of its most notable moments in many years in 2019. That year, the Rolex Sea-Dweller was made available in a two-tone option for the first time. Rolex does not often do this with its dive watches, as they view them more as “tool watches” than anything else.
How Did the Rolex Deepsea Come Into Existence?
Though the Rolex Sea-Dweller would be updated several times in the following decades, in 2008, a version of the timepiece premiered at Baselworld that was different enough from its predecessor to warrant an entirely new name. This would mark the first appearance of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Sea-Dweller Deepsea, which is often just shortened to Rolex Deepsea.
The year it was released, the Rolex Deepsea was deemed to be the most water-resistant mechanical watch that was currently available in mass production. In order to achieve this designation, the watch needed to be tested at 4,875 meters, which is the 25% safety reserve standard required by the ISO 6425 international standard.
In 2014, a special version of this watch was released in collaboration with James Cameron to honor his successful record-setting solo voyage to the bottom of the Marianas Trench
In 2018, a new version of this watch, reference number 126600, was revealed to the public at Baselworld. Its primary updates were the implementation of a new caliber, the Caliber 3235, a wider bracelet, a resized folding clasp, and a slightly different watch case.
How Does the Rolex Sea-Dweller Fair in Terms of Technical Specs?
Made from Rolex’s trademarked Oystersteel material, the Sea-Dweller measures 43 mm in diameter, making it only slightly bigger than the average luxury sports watch. However, the case is svelte and highly wearable, so the watch does not feel bulky when you wear it on your wrist.
This timepiece is powered by the 3235 Caliber, which is manufactured in-house by Rolex, and consistent with most of their other watches. The perpetual movement is both mechanical and self-winding and has a power reserve of 70 hours.
The bezel is unidirectional and rotatable and is marked in gradiations up to 60 minutes. It is also made from scratch-resistant Cerachrom to help ensure its durability in more trying conditions.
The Rolex Sea-Dweller is water-resistant for up to 4,000 feet and has a helium escape valve, giving it some of the highest water resistance of any dive watch currently available on the market today.
What Does the Rolex Sea-Dweller Look Like in Terms of Its Style?
While this is still a very elegant-looking watch, the fact that Rolex considers the Sea-Dweller a tool watch is very apparent in its design, especially where the dial is concerned. It is far less opulent than many other Rolex watches and has a more practical aesthetic, which is reflected in the mostly black dial, as the name of the watch, which is printed in red, is the only color on the dial.
Does the Rolex Deepsea Stack Up in Comparison In Terms of Its Mechanics?
In many ways, the Rolex Deepsea is a mechanical improvement on its immediate predecessor. It measures at a slightly bigger 44 mm, but the most significant improvement has to do with how water-resistant the timepiece is. This timepiece is able to travel to 12,800 feet underneath the ocean, making it one of the only watches in the world truly suitable for deep-sea diving explorations.
It is powered by the same caliber as the Sea-Dweller and, as such, has the same power reserve time. The bezel is also the same as the older model of the watch as well.
Do The Rolex Deepsea and the Rolex Sea-Dweller Differ in Terms of Style?
The Deepsea is much less austere in terms of its design, as the deep blue dial, in keeping with the nautical theme of the watch, is much more calming to look at. It should also be noted that the word “Deepsea” is printed in green instead of red, a small but visible attempt to further create contrast between these two watches.
Are You In Need of a Replacement Sea-Dweller Deepsea Strap or a Rolex Deepsea Strap For Your Watch? Visit Rubber B Today
If you are currently looking for a rubber watch band for your Rolex Deepsea or a Rolex Sea-Dweller rubber strap, please visit the Rubber B website today to learn more about our complete product catalog. We offer a wide variety of rubber straps for both of these watches, including options available in our Classic, Tang Buckle, Velcro, and Rubber Cuff styles.
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