2017 marked a significant milestone for Rolex's iconic Sea-Dweller line: its 50th anniversary. To commemorate this occasion, Rolex unveiled a completely redesigned Sea-Dweller, significantly larger than its predecessor and boasting a new movement that solidified its position as a benchmark in professional diving watches. This article will delve deep into the specifics of the 2017 Sea-Dweller's movement, exploring its features, advancements, and significance within the broader context of Rolex's horological legacy, while also touching upon related aspects like pricing and the watch's overall design.
The most striking change in the 2017 Sea-Dweller was its increased size. Moving from the previous 40mm case diameter to a robust 43mm, the watch gained a more substantial presence on the wrist, better accommodating its enhanced functionality and reflecting the modern preferences of divers and collectors alike. This larger case, however, wasn't just about aesthetics; it provided the necessary space for the improved movement and other upgrades. The increased thickness, a topic often discussed amongst enthusiasts (Rolex Sea-Dweller 43 thickness), is a direct consequence of this enhanced engineering.
At the heart of this anniversary model lies the calibre 3235, a movement that represents a significant advancement in Rolex's in-house manufacturing capabilities. While not entirely revolutionary in its architecture, the 3235 builds upon the already impressive foundation established by previous-generation movements, incorporating several key innovations that contribute to its superior performance and reliability. These improvements are not merely incremental; they represent a considerable leap forward in terms of accuracy, power reserve, and overall robustness.
The calibre 3235 is a self-winding mechanical movement, a hallmark of Rolex's commitment to traditional horological excellence. It boasts a power reserve of approximately 70 hours, a significant increase compared to its predecessors. This extended power reserve is crucial for professional divers and adventurers who may not have the opportunity to wind their watches regularly. The extended run time provides peace of mind, ensuring the watch remains operational even after periods of inactivity.
One of the most significant features of the calibre 3235 is its Chronergy escapement. This innovative escapement, patented by Rolex, combines the advantages of a traditional lever escapement with the efficiency of a silicon escape wheel. Silicon, with its inherent properties of lightness, resistance to magnetism, and low friction, contributes significantly to the movement's precision and longevity. The Chronergy escapement is a testament to Rolex's ongoing commitment to research and development, constantly pushing the boundaries of watchmaking technology.
Furthermore, the calibre 3235 features a Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring. This hairspring, also made of a paramagnetic alloy, is virtually unaffected by magnetic fields, a crucial characteristic in today's world, where electronic devices and magnetic fields are increasingly prevalent. This ensures consistent accuracy even in challenging environments. The Parachrom hairspring is also highly resistant to shocks and temperature variations, further enhancing the movement's reliability and robustness.
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