There is something that really bothers me about the term 'luxury watch', to some measures it undermines the designs that have become legendary and desirable by associating them with something unnecessary. 'Luxury' is something that most mortals can presumably go without, and yes, most people could go without telling the time on an expensive watch however, to take away from the purpose of a legitimate instrument is unjust, not only to the designer but to the reputation of a legendary icon of high-end instrumentation such as the Rolex Sea Dweller.
The Sea Dweller is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 4000 ft, that's a 1000 ft on top of its brother, the Submariner. The Sea Dweller was never intended to have become a fashion accessory, unlike the Submariner which has been offered by Rolex in a number of case-materials with a further variation of dial finishes and other embellishments. The Sea Dweller is a watch with a pure purpose, the purpose of deep-sea diving. Its case and crystal have been engineered for that purpose and its dial and bezel for the utmost ease of reading in conditions other than telling the time in clear day light!
Whilst it is described as 'austere' by many, it has a handsome appearance that has been mimicked by many other watchmakers both from the mother country of Switzerland and in the new-wave by watch makers like Citizen and Seiko. The unidirectional bezel and the dial style are perhaps the most recogniseable of any watch design and it goes without saying that in stainless steel, on an accompanying bracelet there is no timepiece more purposeful that is also so charming and timeless. Perhaps the Porsche 911 of timepieces?
Like all the greatest designs then, it is an object that has come to being as a solution to a long list of requirements by a small group of people. Never designed to cater to the masses, but pursued by many it is surely one of the all time design classics.
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