Posts Categorized ‘Miscellaneous’
THE TITANIUM CASEBACK: The titanium caseback protects the Deepsea from giant pressure by water at great depths. Deeper water pressure will cause tighter combination about Titanium Caseback and compression ring. Harder but less flexible materials can not suit this case, like ceramic, they will be cracked in this environment.
THE HYPERBARIC TANK: Rolex uses this instrument to measure the watches about if they can or not resist 3900 meters (12, 8000 feet) pressure. This instrument is in a single piece, weighs 1.3 ton and emulates 4875 meters (16, 000 feet) pressure underwater. If the watches could pass this test, they can undoubted work well in deep sea. This system is researched and manufactured by Compagnie Maritime d’Expertise, an international and professional company specializing in underwater engineering and hyperbaric technology. What is more, this company has collaborated with Rolex for several decades.
BLUE LUMINESCENCE: There is little light in deep sea. But the Blue Luminescence could make the hour legible. The zero markers of graduated bezel, gold dial indices and the hour, minute and second hands which have this material on them will emit a blue glow.
THE RINGLOCK SYSTEM: This system contains a complex three-piece case architecture which has been developed and patented for the Rolex Deepsea. There is a nearly indestructible nitrogen-alloyed stainless steel support ring in it. The backbone could resist the pressure which would crush a submarine. In order to protect the watch from outside pressure, a dense 5 mm dome-shaped sapphire crystal have been used . Because of the high-purity aluminium oxide material, it can withstand 3 metric tons of pressure at about 3900 meters water. Besides, an excellent grade-5 titanium alloy case back seals the watch, making it actually impenetrable.
THE HELIUM VALVE: The danger submariner could feel but can not see is pressure. In order to resist pressure, Rolex Deepsea uses the proper helium valve which is made of a nitrogen-alloyed, stainless steel. Because the atoms of helium are very small, they can penetrate into watch easily. If the decompression pauses during resurfacing aren’t long enough, the helium remains trapped. And then the pressure will increase which will cause explosion finally. This problem has been solved by this valve. When the difference between inside and outside of the watch reaches about 3 bars, a cobalt super alloy spring within the helium valve would be compressed and release the pressure.
TACHYMETER on Daytona: This tachymeter which is engraved on bezel could be used to calculate speed through measuring elapsed time. So the Cosmograph Daytona is really a perfect instrument to measure speed which is up to 400 units per hour no matter considering the unit people use.
START. DRIVE. STOP: Rolex works hard to combine the aesthetic design and perfect function. Engineers use the most advanced technology to create perfect spring. Once finger pressure exert on the pushers, it will activate the chronograph mechanism. The distinctive feature is not only the reliable operation, but also a crisp, clear “click”, well-known by the wearers of this unique timepiece.
MULTIPLE TIME ZONES: GMT Master II has two series of hands, one is for 24-hour hand and the other is an independent and adjustable 12-hour hand. This design could make the watch to set hour for two different time zones. People can read two different hours through one watch.
The Fluted Bezel: It could be fitted onto the crystal and the case by friction. Without any function, it is used only for aesthetic reason. But it is really a Rolex feature and available on yellow, everose or white gold models.
The President Bracelet: Rolex combines tradition and creativity with technical innovation and cutting-edge manufacturing to ensure the utmost comfort for whoever wears it. This bracelet is designed for the Day-Date specifically.
4130 Chronograph Movement: This movement was designed exclusively by Rolex in 2000 for Cosmograph Daytona. There are only 290 components in it, which is much fewer than a standard chronogrph. This movement can reserve 72 hours, and 66 hours if the stopwatch is in use. The Blue Parachrom hairspring is also in it to protect Rolex from magnetic field and shocks.
Ring Command bezel: Rolex make an innovation on the bezel. Traditionally, the bezel operates independently from the internal mechanism. However, Ring Command bezel could connect with the movement. Countdown has been realized because of this design.
Triplock winding crown: Rolex invented and patented the Triplock winding crown to protect itself from water and dust. There are ten separated elements have been used to consist the Triplock winding crown. All of these elements are building by excellent material. Such as 18ct gold for the crown and special polymers for the gaskets. Once assembled, it is as tightly and securely as a submarine hatch.
The Rolex Glidelock Clasp: This bracelet is a proper one only for The Submariner. Divers can expand the band incrementally up to 21 mm, which is secure and can make the people feeling comfortable even they are wearing diving suits.
The parachrom hairspring has got people’s attention until it has been used in the GMT-Master II. James Dowling (Mr. Rolex) of timezone said that the parachrom blue hairspring was fitted to all Daytona’s 4130 movement in 2007.
Hairspring and balance form an oscillator which is really important to watch. It is the protector of watch’s precision. Traditional hairspring is iron-nickel-chromium base, so it is susceptible to magnetic fields and to shocks. In order to guarantee the precision of the watch no matter what terrible environment it is, people have to choose the very special and proper materials to make it.
New hairspring came out at this time. There were 2 patents for this innovation. One for the special alloy named parachrom which is niobium-zirconium-oxygen based, and the other is for the blue coloring which has been used to stabilize its properties. In the past, the blue hairspring can only be used in the most accurate and sophisticated watches.
The blue-colored version has been used in the new GMT-Master II and the Cosmograph Daytona. This patented “blue hairspring” has a more stable performance than people’ expectation.
When I browse the official Rolex website, I always read one word—904L. Why Rolex always indicate this word and proud of it? Let’s see it.
904L is a high-alloy austenitic stainless steel with only a little carbon content. It is standardized and approved for pressure vessel use in some countries. Unlike traditional austenitic grades, 904L is not very sensitive to precipitation ferrite and sigma phases.
Because there are chromium, nickel (results in better resistance to stress corrosion), molybdenum and copper (results in resistance to sulphuric and other reducing acids) in it, 904L has good resistance to corrosion, especially in sulfuric and phosphoric and chloride condition. Both pitting and crevice attack could be prevented. Even though 904L express well in acid resistance, it is not the best one in fact. Additionally, it has a good performance in warm sea water and high chloride environments. However, 904L should not be used above about 400℃.
The 904L can also avoid magnetization in all conditions. Moreover, it is also an excellent weldability and formability alloy. 904L could be welded by all standard methods. It is high in purity, but low in sulphur grade, so it can not be machine well. Austenitic structure also gives 904L steel excellent toughness, even in cryogenic temperatures.
Appendix: 904L Chemical Composition %
C: Max 0.02;
Cr: 19.0-23.0;
Cu: 1.0-2.0;
Mn: Max 2.0;
Mo: 4.0-5.0;
Ni: 23.0-28.0;
P: Max 0.045;
S: Max 0.035;
Si: Max 1.0.
Sixth, THE EASYLINK. You watch may extend if an increase in temperature, altitude or physical activity which will cause your wrist feels uncomfortable. This is the reason that Rolex research the patented Easylink, which allows you to increase the length of the bracelet by about 5 mm to receive maximum comfort. Moreover, the perfect Easylink system has been tested thousands of times in the most extreme conditions, without sacrificing reliability.
Seventh, THE OYSTER CASE. Very few people around the world are able to inside a Rolex Oyster. In fact, open the sealed case need a massive torque of five Newton meters. The back of any Oyster can protects the movement from shocks, pressure, dust, water and any other damages.
Eighth, SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER. There is a important institute should be indicated—COSC which is the acronym of Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres. This is an independent and not-for-profit association. Every watch must prove its super precision in a variety of extreme positions and temperatures.
The case of the Seamaster Planet Ocean (SPO) is the combination of polished and brushed surface; it can resist 600m/2000ft water. The helium release valve in the case helps you to prolong the time diving in water.
How about the bezel? You can easily grip the new coin edge underwater. Furthermore, if you make its way around the dial you can hear a nice “click ” sound. Besides that, the markings on the bezel fit the dial markers and hands perfectly. You will feel the artistic value when you see it.
The whole dial is very clear because of the oversized markers and the large hands.
SPO applied both sides with the Sapphire crystal which has an anti-reflective. However, some people said that this is not a sensible choice. From the technology point, some impact from rigid things will scratch the coating on the top of the crystal; from the aesthetic point, it will add some blue view of the crystal from some lighting angle.
The bracelet of the SPO is really heavy and thick. It does not taper as most other watches. The bracelet top and bottom have a brushed finish, and the sides are polished.
The SPO uses the two-button deployment clasp with integrated diver suit extension. The clasp can easily open and close, but feel very study. The large
The most important part is the movement. There are 29 jewels in it, the most great advantage of it is that the friction has been reduced largely. What is more, the Caliber 2500 uses a free-sprung balance to improve the timing precision. 25, 200 VPH speed is also incredible.
Apparently, the Seamaster Planet Ocean is really a creative, classic art.
Today is a fine day. The weather is clear; temperature is comfortable; little wind… If I have to choose a word to describe today’s weather, I think “perfect” is the exact one. The same and only one that should be used to describe Rolex. Why? Let’s see it.
Firstly, THE MOVEMENT. It has the peculiar self-winding Oyster movement which is entirely researched and manufactured by Rolex. Every movement is an officially certified Swiss chronometer.
Secondly, THE PARACHROM HAIRSPRING. Rolex researched the blue Parachrom hairspring in five years. Crafted from a paramagnetic alloy, it is unaffected by magnetic fields and up to 10 times more resistant to shocks. In the past, the unique blue colour of the hairspring was a representative of prestige, which can only use in the most accurate timepieces. But today, it serves for Rolex.
Thirdly, THE CERAMIC BEZEL. Rolex choose the ceramic to make the bezel. Ceramic has the excellent performance in resisting corrosion, color remains from affecting by ultraviolet rays and protection from scratching.
Fourth, 904L STEEL. 904L steel has been used to make the steel watch cases. Because it can resist against corrosion, 904L steel is usually served for the chemistry industry. Besides this, 904L is also a highly polishable and extremely resistant alloy.
Fifth, A CLASSIC ART. Every Rolex is the product of know-how and artistry from watchmakers, designers, gem-setters and chemists.
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