Rolex Sea-Dweller 126600 | Black Dial | Oystersteel | Saturation Dive Watch

The Original Saturation Dive Watch

Born in the late 1960s at the frontier of commercial deep-sea work, the Rolex Sea‑Dweller was co-developed with pioneering firms like COMEX to withstand the brutal realities of saturation diving. Its breakthrough Helium Escape Valve solved the critical issue of trapped helium during decompression—transforming a professional challenge into an elegant, robust engineering solution.

Purpose-Built for Decompression

• Reference Number: 126600
• Helium Escape Valve (HEV): Integrated automatic valve for safe helium release during decompression
• Depth Rating (1,220m / 4,000ft): Professional-grade water resistance for saturation diving
• Case Material and Diameter: Stainless steel (Oystersteel), 43 mm
• Red Text on Dial: Signature single line of “Sea‑Dweller” in red, a nod to the original
• Calibre: Rolex 3235 automatic movement with high energy efficiency and extended power reserve
• Additional notes: Includes Box & Papers; Stainless steel Oyster bracelet with secure diver’s extension; High-visibility Chromalight display

The Curator’s Insight:
The HEV remains one of horology’s most elegant ideas—an unobtrusive valve that quietly enabled a new era of scientific and commercial exploration. It is the detail that cements the Sea‑Dweller’s status as a true tool watch, not a mere design motif.

A Legacy of Undersea Exploration

Wearing the Sea‑Dweller is to hold a direct link to the heroic age of saturation diving, when ingenuity met the unknown with steel and certainty. This is not a desk diver—it is a professional instrument with an unmatched pedigree, refined over decades yet faithful to its original purpose.

This Watch is Ideal For…

• The professional or enthusiast who values authentic tool-watch history and purpose-driven design
• Collectors seeking Rolex’s most storied saturation-diving reference with the iconic red-line dial
• Individuals who demand uncompromising reliability, clarity, and durability in any environment