How tough is a Rolex? Testing the Rolex Sea-Dweller (Ref. 16600) to 1200m

[meyersound]

I got some enquiries from a bro here regarding the sea-dweller...

sorry i abit short-sighted...but how cum the seadweller in the pic no date 1?

I hope the following anwsers your doubts and sarcasms... now we all can see the words Sea-Dweller clearly on this watch, can't we? Note the "Depth: 1200m"



I want also to add that if the watch was indeed not an SD but a Submariner (No-Date), the water pressure would have blown the crystal off liao... cos Sub can only dive up to 300m



More pictures to enjoy...

















For complete story of the Sea-Dweller was tested by an individual (Mr. Pol Palacios) to 1200m (note that the website is in French), please visit this URL:
http://bruno.cracco.free.fr/montres/...s/plongee.html


Hope these pictures helps...

Still not convinced the SD is a tough watch?
Wait for the SD Deep Sea (Ref 116600) to arrive... this new Bad Boy can dive 3 times deeper than the Sea-Dweller 4000 (Ref. 16600) !!!


Cheers

[jazz_samz]

Hahah.. cool

[SeaRolex]

it's becos i read this article in Aug 08, then i ended with an SD few days later...coupled with discon.

[ejaan]

Yes sirree, that's one tough cookie alright.

[teo]

Rolex watch very tough.

[meyersound]

i think there are many SD lovers here in SGP...
i think the SD is designed as a professional performance watch...


Upz for all SD owners, SD lovers and SD wana-buyers

[missing_hh]

The main reason for me getting a sea dweller is not because of the diving capability but for it's toughness.

As a rider, I read in the forum (and gave the benefit of a doubt) that a rider wearing a sea dweller skidded and have some contact time with the tarmac. The bracelet and bezel were wasted, the sapphire cracked/came off. but the most amazing part was that the movement was still running fine.

NOW, THIS IS WHAT I CALL A TOUGH NUT TO CRACK.

[meyersound]

The main reason for me getting a sea dweller is not because of the diving capability but for it's toughness.

As a rider, I read in the forum (and gave the benefit of a doubt) that a rider wearing a sea dweller skidded and have some contact time with the tarmac. The bracelet and bezel were wasted, the sapphire cracked/came off. but the most amazing part was that the movement was still running fine.

NOW, THIS IS WHAT I CALL A TOUGH NUT TO CRACK.

Agree with you Bro... Thanks to all Bros for all your inputs...



Bigger pics of the SD which survived a motorcycle accident, for you to enjoy... (pics are from http://www.minus4plus6.com/photos/photo34.htm)





Other Rollies which survived diasaters/accidents/"crazy" tests:

1. Daytona



Quote:
"This stainless Daytona was broken while mountain biking"



2. GMT 16710
Quote:
"First, he put it in a class of water and froze it for 8 hours. it spent 8 hours; this is how it looked like afterwards. To thaw out his 16710, he then put it in a pot of boiling water for a 10 minute boil. Nine hours aftet removing the watch from boiling water, asalles06 indicated that the watch still kept perfect time. This is something I would not recommend to test the toughness of your watch, but this demonstration certainly illustrates the ruggedness of Rolex watches..."






3. DateJust





4. Lady DateJust
Quote:
"Lady DateJust going through a washing machine. The images show the damage after the washing machine..."










To read more about Rolexes which survived accidents/disasters, please visit:
http://www.minus4plus6.com/photos/photo34.htm


Quote from Rolex Geneva: "At ROLEX, the pursuit of Excellence is a Passion..."
- How very true...!!!

[wind128]

Bro, this is a fantastic article and thank you for sharing!

[psee]

Cool info! Thks for sharing

[deadbench]

hi TS no offence when i 1st asked the question

I hope the following anwsers your doubts and sarcasms... now we all can see the words Sea-Dweller clearly on this watch, can't we? Note the "Depth: 1200m"

from the 1st pic i could see seadweller ,depth etc properly except the date looks missing... i could only see the date on subsequent pics...
i have no doubts on the capabilities of a seadweller..no doubts at all...
only curious regarding the pic in question coz i simply can't see the date .... no matter how i scrutinize the pic

regarding how deep a submariner no-date can go... i dun have an answer for that.. coz although written as 300m..it should have no problem exceeding this limit...of coz 1200m for a sub is way-over...like-wise for SD..i believe can go over 1200m..

[Taurus75]

It's really assuring to know that Rolex watches designs not only can stand the test of time but it's well built quality can also hold up against the abuses and rigours of daily wear. Everytime I read such material (although taken with a pinch of salt), it still kinda justified my sensibility of parting hard earned money for a Rolex watch and reinforced my choice in the Rolex brand

[meyersound]

hi TS no offence when i 1st asked the question

Hey Bro,


No Offence too... Just trying to make sense of the picture too
Congratulations!!! Now that we all can see and understand the same picture

[meyersound]

A simple anatomy of the Rolex Sea-Dweller (Ref. 16600) - Part 1

A simple anatomy of the Rolex Sea-Dweller (Ref. 16600):


1. Case Material:
Steel Alloy (Grade 904L)


Steel Alloy (904L) Specifications
ref URL: http://www.azom.com/details.asp?ArticleID=1022

904L Steel Background:
904L is a non-stabilised low carbon high alloy austenitic stainless steel. The addition of copper to this grade gives it greatly improved resistance to strong reducing acids, particularly sulphuric acid. It is also highly resistant to chloride attack - both pitting / crevice corrosion and stress corrosion cracking. This grade is non-magnetic in all conditions and has excellent weldability and formability. The austenitic structure also gives this grade excellent toughness, even down to cryogenic temperatures.


Corrosion Resistance:
In most environments 904L has a corrosion performance intermediate between the standard austenitic grade 316L and the very highly alloyed 6% molybdenum and similar "super austenitic" grades.


Heat Resistance:
Good resistance to oxidation, but like other highly alloyed grades suffers from structural instability (precipitation of brittle phases such as sigma) at elevated temperatures. 904L should not be used above about 400°C. - Looks like the SDs will not be able to make it on NASA Missions ;-)


(ref URL: http://montresuisses.blogspot.com/20...-in-watch.html)
Only Rolex uses 904L steel for its steel watch cases. 904L is a super alloy usually reserved for the chemical industries, where maximum resistance against corrosion is essential. Such resistance stems from 904L's higher chromium content, which forms a thin, impervious barrier on the alloy's surface when exposed to oxygen. In the event of a scratch, the chromium oxide barrier fills and protects it immediately, effectively reducing propensity of the scratch for corrosion. 904L steel is so hard that Rolex even had to develop special equipment to machine it. A mighty 250-ton press is necessary just to stamp out a single oyster case from a solid block of 904L. When it comes to ensuring the lasting beauty of your watch, no measure is too extreme for Rolex." According to Charles Newgas, who is considered a reliable source and moderator of the Timeszone.com, both the Rolex stainless steel watch heads (cases) and the bracelets are constructed of the 904L alloy. The comment "In the event of a scratch, the chromium oxide barrier fills and protects it immediately" sounds like the result of a chemical treatment known as "passivated" or passivation.


image of Sea-Dweller Casing, Bezel and Bezel Insert (from http://www.horologist.com)

[meyersound]

A simple anatomy of the Rolex Sea-Dweller (Ref. 16600) - Part 2

2. Movement/Calibre:
Rolex Cal. 3135, COSC certified automatic chronometer with central seconds and date indicator.





Year Introduced: 1988
Power Reserve: 50 Hours
Jewels: 31 Jewels
Description: Date - Certified Chronometer with Microstella regulating system with free-sprung balance, Breguet overcoil balance spring and KIF system shock absorption.

In service since 1988, the Cal. 3135 is considered as a Work-Horse Movement.
Rolex Cal. 3135 is used in the following Rolex watches:
Sea-Dweller Deep Sea
Submariner
Sea-Dweller 4000
Yatch-Master
Datejust
Datejust Special Edition Masterpiece







Microstella Regulating System








The Cal. 3135 movement is adjusted for five positions and temperature. The visible parts of the bridges are finished with a Colimaconnage pattern. On the rotor there are special slots (see Fig.15) - these are a traditional Rolex design. The surfaces of Bridges are rhodium plated, edges are beveled. The screws are finished to a high level (the surface and the walls are polished, edges including the slot are chamfered). Almost all parts are made by Rolex, except the Hairspring which is made by Nivarox. However, Rolex specialists are working towards to producing In-House Rolex Hairsprings.












The balance bridge is placed on two supports, which provides better stability. The bridges and the plate are finished with circular graining. This is not only for decorative purposes but also for better dust protection.