Explorer 216577 replica

Located in the middle of the American continent and running through the Isthmus of Panama, the Panama Canal is a lock-type canal that connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The canal is 81.3 kilometers long, 152 meters at its narrowest point, and 304 meters at its widest point. The United States signed the Panama Canal Treaty in 1903, gaining the right to dig the canal and “permanently use, occupy and control” the canal and the canal zone, and the Panama Canal was officially opened to navigation on August 15, 1914. The opening of the canal shortened the east and west coasts of the Americas by 7,000 to 8,000 nautical miles and the distance between Asia and Europe by 4,000 to 5,000 nautical miles. After the opening of the Panama Canal, the growth of the world maritime industry was greatly boosted.

Therefore, the Panama Canal is known as the “bridge of the world.” However, the United States turned the Canal Zone into a true colony, appointing governors in the canal zone, enforcing United States law, and establishing the United States Southern Command, with tens of thousands of U.S. troops, making the Canal Zone a “state within a state.” In September 1977, the United States signed a new Panama Canal Treaty and a treaty on permanent neutrality and operation of the Panama Canal with Panama. On December 31, 1999, the United States officially ended its colonial rule in Central and South America.

This Rolex Submariner Panama Limited Edition was made to celebrate the return to the Panama Canal Zone, with Panama Canal designs on the dial and a limited edition number engraved on the case back, made of only 75 pieces (a mix of stainless steel Ref. 16610 and 18-carat semi-gold Ref. 16613). Regardless of the political troubles of the Panama Canal or the oppression of the powerful, Rolex‘s marketing can be said to be everywhere. It’s clever, and it’s playful. Rolex has used it for promoting international events such as the POW Cosmograph and the Panama Canal; sports such as Daytona 24, America’s Cup, and Golf Masters; adventures like crossing the Strait of Dover and climbing Everest; research organizations such as COMEX and the United States military; and even partnerships with Tiffany, Cartier, Eaton, Coca-Cola, and PanAM.