The prototype of the Sea-Dweller, "Sea-Dweller," from the Rolex was never put on the market, but rather given to diving companies or individual divers in late '67 and early '68 for testing. Subsequently, it was produced and offered for sale in several variants.
The advertising booklet at the time wrote:
"Underwater exploration has developed spectacularly in recent years.
In order to reach greater and greater depths and to be able to work while remaining in the water, man has built bells, caissons, even cases. In these cockpits, specialists live in an artificial atmosphere consisting of certain gas mixtures, usually with a high percentage of helium. The particularly thin and light molecules of these mixtures slowly infiltrate the clock, thus not altering its operation. Conversely, upon decompression due to ascent, the gas mixture must be able to escape quickly so as not to cause the clock to explode. For this reason, the Rolex has equipped its newest model with a patented "gas escape valve" Oyster; the chronometer Sea-Dweller guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 610 meters."
The pentastar brand has always invested heavily in watch water resistance, reaching its peak, precisely, with the Sea-Dweller.
Thanks to the careful research and continuous innovation that distinguish the house, a watch Rolex has for years been recognized not only as a reliable object, but as a real investment, which can boast even quite significant revaluations over time.
This Oyster in particular is still being produced, with technical features adapted to today's technologies. The new model Sea-Dweller, with red lettering, is in such demand that one must be willing to pay even more than the list price to buy it.
Further confirmation of the guarantee that Rolex, thanks to his work, continues to represent.
We enclose a photo of the watch and, as is our wont, we illustrate with a graph the trend in value over the various years, showing the cost that the object originally had and the equivalent today, so as to emphasize how much over the years it has revalued.
A standard model of the watch in question, with a cost of about 267,000 Lire in 1974, corresponding to today's purchasing power of €1654.62, has now reached a value of €20,000, a figure about 12 times higher than its original cost. The enormous revaluation of the object, and thus the enormous investment it represents, seems evident.
We at Bonanno Jewelry have a large collection of Vintage watches.
