Datejust 81161 replica

In response to the development of saturation diving technology, Rolex launched the first Sea-Dweller diver’s watch in 1967, featuring the first helium escape mechanism, which dominated the deep sea with its strong waterproof performance and sporty classic shape.

Rolex was actively involved in various deep-diving expeditions and research, accumulating unprecedented technological breakthroughs, including launching the first Sea-Dweller diver’s watch in 1967, with a water resistance of 610 meters (2,000 feet), well above the standard at the time, and a patented automatic helium evacuation mechanism. In the early days, when saturated divers breathed a mixture of gases containing large amounts of helium in a hyperbaric chamber to decompress, the extremely fine helium would slowly seep into the case through the rubber ring.

During the subsequent decompression process, the air trapped inside the watch could cause the mirror to fly off like a champagne cork, as the gas in the case was released at a slower rate than in the chamber.