Rolex premiered its first divers? watch, the Submariner, in 1953. The Sea-Dweller, which followed in 1967, had a nearly identical design. But since it was made for professional divers, it had an even more pressure-resistant case and a helium valve developed by Rolex. Rolex released a new model in 2017 to celebrate the Sea-Dweller?s 50th anniversary. It replaces the previous version, which debuted just a few years ago, in 2014.

The changes are unusually numerous and extensive for Rolex. The red letters that spell out the name ?Sea-Dweller? recall their counterparts on the original model. Rolex?s improved manufacture Caliber 3235 is used here for the first time in a sporty model. The most noticeable changes are the larger diameter of the case, which has grown from 40 mm to 43 mm, and the ?Cyclops? magnifier in the crystal above the date. This lens had never been included on any previous Sea-Dweller. Purists may criticize the fact that the Sea- Dweller now comes with a magnifying lens because this model never had one in the past. Along with the significantly enlarged case, this results in a change that clearly exceeds the cautious modifications that Rolex customarily undertakes in its models and that are the reason for the constant value of vintage Rolex watches. On the other hand, changes have never harmed the Sea-Dweller. Both the new model and its predecessor, which had not been a bestseller, are now eagerly coveted and are trading at prices far above the manufacturer?s re...