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A half-gold watch while diving at depths of 1,000m or more? Because why not

Rolex’s Sea-Dweller is now available in a yellow Rolesor – steel and yellow gold – model.

A half-gold watch while diving at depths of 1,000m or more? Because why not

The Rolex Sea-Dweller Ref. 126603 was unveiled at Baselworld 2019. (Photo: Rolex)

In the last big update to the Sea-Dweller in 2017, Rolex found a way to incorporate its iconic cyclops lens on the crystal without compromising the crystal’s structural integrity, which has to resist the enormous pressures found at depths of 1,220m – the watch’s water resistance rating.

This year, the update is more of an aesthetic one with the new Sea-Dweller  (Ref. 126603) now available in yellow Rolesor, Rolex’s fancy way of describing a steel-and-gold model. With this release, the last remaining bastion of Rolex’s no-nonsense tool watches – typically crafted in full Oystersteel – has succumbed to the gilt-y pleasures of gold.

(Photo: Rolex)

A Rolex watch in full Oystersteel is a subtle symbol of luxury, whereas one in full gold is a statement of opulence. Rolesor models sit somewhere in between. The case and outer bracelet links of the Sea-Dweller Ref. 126603 are in Oystersteel while the bezel, winding crown and centre links are in 18K yellow gold. With a diameter of 43mm and a thickness of 15mm, it’s a watch that’s very hard to miss on the wrist.

The unveiling of a two-tone Sea-Dweller doesn’t come as much of a surprise. The Submariner has had a Rolesor model in its lineup for a long time, and with both the “Pepsi” and “Batman” GMT-Master II watches in Oystersteel now offered with jubilee bracelets (a feature hitherto only used on top-of-the-line Day-Date and Datejust models), it seems that Rolex is bent on upping the luxe factor of their tool watches.

(Photo: Rolex)

Driving the new Sea-Dweller is Calibre 3235. The development of the 3235 led to the filing of multiple patents that offers fundamental gains in terms of precision, power reserve, resistance to shocks and magnetic fields, convenience and reliability. And as with all Rolex watches, Ref. 126603 is also Superlative Chronometer certified.

READ> Meet Eric Tortella: The Patek Philippe and Rolex expert you’ve never heard of

Source: CNA/ds

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