Alright, so I got this thing for the Rolex Sea-Dweller 126600, the original order version. Let me tell you, it’s been a journey, and I’m here to spill all the beans about my little adventure with it.
First off, I gotta say, I’ve always been fascinated by dive watches, and the Sea-Dweller, man, that’s like the king of the hill. It’s a watch that Rolex made back in ’67 for those crazy deep sea dives, and it’s been getting better and better over the years. They did some improvements together with Comex.
So, I started digging around. I mean, this isn’t just any watch; it’s an “Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller” with this awesome black ceramic bezel and the Oyster bracelet. That 60-minute unidirectional bezel, it’s a trip. It’s one of the main features. I spent hours just reading about it. The real deal is waterproof up to some crazy depth, and I was like, “I gotta see how close I can get to that with a replica.”
I finally got my hands on one. They call it a “high imitation.” I guess it’s like a fake, but man, it’s a good one. It feels solid, got some weight to it. First thing I did? Took it apart. Yeah, I know, probably not the best idea, but I had to see what was inside. I carefully removed the back and examined the inner workings. The movement looked impressive, but I’m no expert.
I started playing with the helium escape valve, which is a big deal for saturation diving, apparently. I mean, I’m not planning on doing any of that, but it’s cool to have. I tested it to see if it actually released any pressure. I found a small pump and tried to pressurize the watch. It held for a bit but eventually, the valve popped open. Success! I guess, this one has the function.
- The Bezel: I tried turning the bezel. It clicked nicely, just like I read it should. 60 clicks, all smooth. It felt satisfying, and precise.
- The Bracelet: It felt good on my wrist. I even tried adjusting it a few times. Not too shabby, not too shabby at all.
- The Dial: The details are amazing, the words are clear. The hands and markers glowed in the dark as they should.
Then came the “waterproof” test. I put the watch in a bowl of water, heart pounding a little, not gonna lie. Left it there for a while, took it out, and… it was still ticking! Dried it off, no issues. Then I went deeper, literally. Filled up the sink, same result. Finally, I took it to the pool, strapped it on, and jumped in. Swam around, did a few laps, and it was still going strong. I checked for any signs of water inside the case. Nothing! I was genuinely surprised.
The Verdict?
This “high imitation” Sea-Dweller? It’s something else. I’m not saying it’s the same as the real thing, but for what it is, I’m impressed. I even compared it side-by-side with some pictures and videos of the real deal. The resemblance is uncanny. Of course, a real Rolex expert could probably spot the differences, but to me, it’s pretty darn close.
I wore it for a week, got some compliments, even had a few people fooled. It’s become my daily beater, and I’m not even worried about scratching it up. All in all, it was a fun little experiment, and I’m happy with my almost-Rolex. I definitely have the confidence to buy something that I really like in the future now.
Click to consult