The oyster case is one of Rolex's most iconic features. Waterproof cases were developed by the company by 1926. Over the past 90 years, it has been the company's backbone for manufacturing watches. This accessory will be useful to everyone regardless of their background. It is suitable to wear these watches during physically demanding occupations and activities because they are protected from the elements. Although Oyster case designs are ubiquitous now, they serve as a reminder of how well (and for how long) they have done their jobs.
A Rolex Oyster watch was released for the first time in 1926. A selection of octagonal and cushion-shaped cases, both decorated in the Art Deco style, could be ordered depending on the size of the watch.
When Mercedes Gleitze swam the English Channel in 1927, he wore one. Even after 10 hours submerged in ice water, the device continued to function. Wilsdorf was so impressed with the watch that he bought a front page photo of the swimmer and his watch together for the Daily Mail.
This design has not changed much over the past nine decades. A threaded crown is attached to a tube attached to the side of the case. A few years after the Oyster was introduced, the internal spring design was modified so that the stem would disengage as the screw was tightened. There are about ten different parts in the crown arrangement of most contemporary Rolex watches. Depending on the model, these parts create two sealed zones (Twinlock) or three sealed zones (Triplelock). As for the case, it has advanced significantly. As part of the original design, the dial and hands were also attached to a metal ring instead of directly to the movement.
Through the years, Rolex has refined the design of the Oyster watch. Water resistance was further improved in 1953 by adding additional seals. A simplified case was introduced in place of the rotating bezel. A watertight Oyster case continues to be used as part of the Rolex Submariner, one of the brand's most iconic watches.
New types of winding crowns with O-ring seals were introduced as early as 1970.
The feature was revolutionary on Rolex's original Sea-Dweller, and it has since been integrated into many of their professional watches, such as the Submariner, the Daytona, and the GMT-Master II.
The Oyster case and twinlock crown of Rolex watches allow them to be waterproof to a depth of 100 meters, even the dressiest Oyster Perpetuals and Day-Dates.
The Rolex Submariner is Rolex's best-selling dive watch
In the 1950s, the Rolex Submariner helped to popularize diving watches due to recreational diving after World War II.
A Rolex Submariner was one of the first sport watches commercially available at the time. Research on deep sea commercial divers contributed to the development of water-resistant watches. Rolex manufacturers became determined to reach this goal. In the course of its research into diving, COMEX supported experiments in the deepest parts of the ocean.
Deepsea can reach 3,900 meters of depth and the Submariner can go to 300 meters of depth, the Seadweller can go to 1,220 meters of depth, and the incredible Submariner is 300 meters deep.
Rolex and the sea have been inseparable for nearly a century.
With the ROLEX SUBMARINEER OYSTER PERPETUAL, you will have a watch to accompany every scientific exploration during the Deep Sea Challenge.
Hans Wilsdorf, the company's founder, envisioned Rolex as synonymous with pushing human achievement and discovery to the edge.
The twentieth century was an exciting period for Hans Wilsdorf and the Rolex company as he witnessed big technological advances as well as global exploration.
On the deepest dive in the world, a Rolex watch was used, proving it to be sturdy, accurate, and reliable.
