The new Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller 4000 brings a legend of professional diving back to life. Revealed at Baselworld 2014, this 40 mm-diameter technical model, waterproof to a depth of 1,220 metres (4,000 feet), features all the latest Rolex standards of innovation while remaining faithful to the original aesthetics of this iconic diver’s watch.
Discover more about the new Rolex Sea-Dweller 4000 on http://on.rolex.com/1g0eJzu
Reader Stephen has a quandary on this hands and in his time of need he made the mistake of turning to us for advice. He writes:
I own a Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600 which I purchased in 1993. I recently had it serviced by Rolex who fitted new dial, hands and bezel. It looks like new and I am very pleased with it. I have considered buying the new Deepsea model but would have to part exchange my 16600 to bring down the price a bit. I have read on the net comments for and against the Deepsea and would value your opinions as I am not sure what to do.
The Prodigal Fool says:
Stephen, I normally make a rule of never giving anyone advice about what watch to buy. Ultimately, it’s the easiest thing in the world: you should simply buy what you like, what sings to your heart – and obviously no one except you can tell what that is. On this occasion though, I’m going to make an exception and wade in guns blazing. My advice is simple and unequivocal: stick with your Sea-Dweller. The reference 16600 is one of Rolex’s best and most iconic designs. It’s one of my all-time favorites and the subject of one of the very first posts I ever wrote for TPG.
I can think of no better authority than myself to quote on this matter: The Sea-Dweller, as I wrote back in 2007 is “one of the greatest tool watches ever designed. Over-engineered to the point of insanity, supremely confident in its almost unparalleled abilities, and with some subtle styling cues to distinguish it from the ‘sea’ of Submariners out there, the Sea-Dweller is a Prodigal watch.”
The Deepsea? Not so much.
Look, the truth is that, since it was first announced, I’ve slowly got over my initial revulsion at the size and gaudiness of the Deepsea. The years have gently made it look a little more acceptable. The writing on the chapter ring will always jar and the super-sizing of the case will never look quite right with the bracelet but I’ve become a little more accepting of it than I first was. Hell, I’ve even been caught occasionally glancing admiringly at its much improved bracelet and new ceramic bezel. But here’s the thing, the Deepsea has none of the subtlety of the reference 16600, it will always look like it – and by association its owner – is trying just a little too hard. Like the rest of Rolex’s current line-up, it was designed for people who want to show off rather than get a job done. Despite its impressive engineering accomplishments, it still looks too much like jewelry to me rather than a tool watch.
Straight-Six says:
Stephen, let me tell you a story: I know a Dutchman. He’s tall, big, loud and an incredible shot with any firearm you might care to challenge him with. He hunts (well) and is an incredible cook, when he hasn’t downed more than a half-bottle of vino first. He licks his fingers during mealtime prep and is a genuine man’s man. This is cemented by his having owned and been entirely faithful to one watch for almost a decade: a Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600.
This watch has served him flawlessly during all this time despite being worn daily and subject to abuse that would shame a boar’s intestines. He wears it with suits, jeans and loud shorts. He wears it to work, at home and in bed. I even wash his Sea-Dweller for him whilst he prepares magnificent feasts. We both concur that this is truly the watch for him and the remainder of his years, and a timepiece for his sons to fight over when the time comes. The way he drinks and carries on, this will no doubt be sooner rather than later.
Anyways, this Dutchman’s brother bought one of the very first DSSDs. In the first months after sales began, prices doubled on the secondary market. And then they tanked. Hard. I was unfortunate enough to once catch sight of this monster from the deep on the brother’s wrist. It looked like a piss-poor fake, its cartoon-like dimensions, accenting and design so glaring I had to turn away to save my eyes and fine sensibilities.
Being far less diplomatic and self-effacing than the Fool – particularly when the bar doors close, the blinds come down and the after-party starts – I’m always ready to help a fellow watch enthusiast with their quest. Whether it’s to the corner to merely ogle watches in a display case or the first tentative steps into the terrifying yet incredibly rewarding world of vintage timepieces.
You know that I agree with the Fool and would go even further in saying there is absolutely nothing redeeming about the DSSD. At all. This said, you’re the one who is going to potentially wear it. And if you truly desire it, and it moves you ‘deeply’, then by all means take the plunge. But to me, this would be trading all that was great about Rolex for all that currently ails it. Stay clear of this trap. Stay with a true classic: the Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600.
read entire & original post here: By TPG
Along with our colleagues from WatchTime.com, the Monochrome team also spent a busy week at Baselworld 2014, and had the chance to see and review a number of new watches introduced at the fair. In this article from our online magazine monochrome-watches.com, we take a closer look at the new Rolex Sea-Dweller 4000, a highlight piece for many Rolex fans.
To be honest, we have missed the Sea-Dweller over the past six years. After the introduction of the Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea in 2008, the existing reference 16600 Sea-Dweller disappeared from the collection. That was one of the reasons to include it in the wish list that we published a few weeks before Baselworld. After several years of absence from Rolex’s collection, the Sea-Dweller is back in a contemporary version, featuring a Cerachrom bezel insert, the Oysterlock safety clasp and the Rolex Glidelock bracelet extension system.
Besides the re-introduction of the Sea-Dweller, we also predicted (and wished for) a GMT-Master II with a blue/red bezel (nicknamed “Pepsi”), a Daytona with a silver dial and black chronograph subdials (nicknamed “Panda dial”) with black ceramic bezel, and a Milgauss with a blue dial. Rolex delivered on the Milgauss and GMT-Master II Pepsi, though not the Daytona. Fortunately, the world’s most iconic dive watch is now available again.
read entire & original post here: By Frank Geelen
It’s the watch I have been waiting for all my life and it’s finally here. Rolex unveil their new prototype dive watch, the 39’370ft, 12’000m Rolex Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA Challenge. Once again Rolex will be part of history as they were 52 years ago, when in 1960 the legendary Trieste deep sea submersible made its historic decent to 35’800ft, 10’916m with two intrepid explorers of the deep on board, Jacques Piccard and Lt. Don Walsh.
This time the new Rolex prototype dive watch will be attached to the hull of acclaimed director (he directed The Abyss in 1989) and National Geographic explorer-in-residence, James Cameron’s new deep sea submersible, the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER as it makes its way to the deepest point on earth, the bottom of the Marianas Trench.
This is a watch that makes my 3’900m DEEPSEA look like a mere toy in comparison, well maybe not a toy, but certainly like a Submariner. I have only ONE question for Rolex: will this ever become a production model? I’m really hoping the answer will be yes!
read entire & original post here: By TLex
There are few status symbols more coveted or revered than a Rolex watch. It is at once a decadent indicator of a man’s success and a rugged, yet tasteful, timepiece. And when one thinks of a Rolex, the image that most likely comes to mind is the Submariner. Introduced as a durable dive watch designed to withstand extreme conditions, it was the go-to timepiece for the 1960s scuba set and later found its way onto the wrists of preppy boating types. The Sub, as it’s been nicknamed, has since evolved over 58 years and 11 iterations into a modern classic favored by men both on land and at sea.
The key to the Submariner’s success begins with the airtight Rolex Oyster case—first developed back in 1926—which is stamped from a solid block of corrosion-resistant stainless steel (or platinum or gold). Inside, more than 220 individual parts work with the perpetual rotor to self-wind the Swiss-made watch. The option for a date window was added in 1969, which beefed up the case (and the price) and transitioned the Submariner from a specialized sport watch to more of an everyday timepiece. Today, vintage Subs have gained a cult status among the style set and certain distinguishing features—original, thicker bezels and red “Submariner” labels on the dial—can mean paying up to $40,000 for one of these beauties. But even buying one brand new, the watch is an instant heirloom.
AN ICON AMONG ICONS Proud past owners include James Bond (in 11 different films), test pilot Chuck Yeager, Che Guevara and Steve McQueen, whose 1967 Submariner 5512 sold for $234,000 at auction.
To differentiate a genuine model from a counterfeit, Rolex now adds such security features as a microscopic crown logo laser-etched into the crystal at the 6 o’clock position.
read entire & original post here: By CORY OHLENDORF
Give your luxury timepiece the proper care, and it will keep ticking for a long time. Follow these steps to thoroughly clean a Rolex.
Things You’ll Need
Soapy water solution
Soft brush
Clean towels
Instructions
1. Check the crown stem and crown. Screw them tight, if necessary. The gaskets that seal these movable external parts keep moisture out of the delicate works inside the watch case. Do not over-tighten the screws and crown, but make sure they form their seal.
2. Prepare a warm soapy water solution. Avoid harsh chemicals when you clean a Rolex. A bit of jewelry cleaner in the soap solution can help dislodge serious grime.
3. Dip a soft brush, such as a child’s toothbrush, into the solution and begin brushing the face and the bezel of the Rolex. If your watch has diamond accents, the jewelry cleaner in the mix helps make the stones sparkle. Use a gentle touch, paying attention to the backside of the watch that lies against your wrist. Brush away perspiration and grime trapped on the grooves of this surface. Rinse your brush frequently under clean running water.
4. Brush the bracelet of the watch with the soapy solution. The movable links of the bracelet are the major areas that trap dirt and body grime. Rotate each link as far as it will go both ways while brushing to expose hidden dirt when the bracelet links are at rest. Gently tap the bracelet against a clean dry cloth to remove the dirty solution and excess water. Continue brushing and moving the bracelet links until the solution dabbed from the Rolex is clean.
5. Lift the clasp. Dirt and lint love to hide behind the double-hinged clasp on the bracelet. Move the hinged portion both ways as you brush with the soapy solution to uncover all areas under the clasp. Dab and tap the watch gently against the clean cloth to remove the cleaning solution. Continue brushing until the solution removed is clear
Dry the Rolex with a lint-free, soft cloth.
Tips & Warnings
Never attempt to polish the bracelet or crown with abrasives or other cleaners. Only a licensed Rolex service center performs this type of service.
If you notice condensation under the crystal of the watch, take it in for repair immediately.
Read more : http://www.ehow.com/how_2248761_clean-rolex.html
Blaken Watches DLC-Coating is created using two multiple-patented hi-tech procedures and are coated in diamond-like carbon. These processes take more than 16 days to reach a stage where they meet our stringent demands for toughness and finish. Both processes are extremely expensive and complex and at the present time are only possible in Germany. From a high-shine polished deep black to a satin anthracite, there are a range of colours available that match their equivalents and what they stand for in the automotive and fashion industries.
What do you think?
Rolex is everywhere. Turn on the TV on a Sunday afternoon to watch the F1 and you may as well be watching the Rolex Show with a guest slot of some racing cars. Rolex is a quiet giant, secretive and powerful, and it makes one of the best selling, most often copied luxury watches in the world: the Submariner. The Submariner did to watch making what the Model T Ford did to the automotive industry, creating a legacy that still goes on to this day. But how?
Contrary to popular belief, the Submariner wasn’t the first water-resistant watch – it wasn’t even Rolex’s first water-resistant watch. When Hans Wilsdorf founded the brand in the early 1900s, he was already focused on a singular concept: making solid, accurate watches for the average person. His watches were affordable, sold in large numbers and did the job they were supposed to do, admirably. The watch market already had its Rolls Royce and Aston Martin in the form of Patek Philippe and Jaeger-LeCoultre, what it needed was a Volkswagen, a hearty, reliable product for the masses, and that’s what Wilsdorf provided.
read entire & original post here: By ablogtowatch
Christie’s brought the hammer down Monday on the most expensive Rolex wristwatch ever sold at auction.
The piece, a rare 1949 Oyster Perpetual model with a cloisonné enamel dial, was expected to sell for between $570,000 and $1.13 million. But strong bidding pushed the final sale price to $1,220,632.
The Christie’s watch sale in Geneva totaled $26.5 million, with 91 percent of the 435 watches selling. The sale shows that the market for high-end collectible watches remains strong despite volatile stock markets and global uncertainty.
read entire & original post here: By Robert Frank
It does not come with much surprise that Rolex is a company with a high reputation. The 2014 Global RepTrak 100 study by the Reputation Institute places Rolex in an exceedingly high position as tied for second place on their overall list of the 100 most reputable companies, and number one when it comes to a reputable company as measured by consumers. Also, Rolex is the most reputable company that exclusively produces a consumer product. In a world where pundits argue that wrist watches are going the way of the LP, how is this possible and what does this mean?
read entire & original post here: By Ariel Adams
