SD waterproof rating of 4000 ft. WHY?

[JJ Irani]

Okay guys,

Here are a few obvious questions coming your way...please answer them as best you can. Thanks!!

1. What is the maximum depth a professional trained diver can go down to with the usual breathing apparatus, but only wearing a normal dive suit?

2. What is the maximum depth a professional trained diver can go down to with a special extra thick diving suit and the huge metal helmet on top?

3. Whatever the depth, I'm pretty sure no human being on earth can get anywhere even close to 4,000 ft without being crushed like a tin can. So why this enormous depth rating on the SD when it can never be actually WORN by any man to that depth?

Cheers - JJ

[cbrenthus]

Well, seeing as how you didn't specify that the diver needed to return alive, I would say the answer to #1 and #2 is ~36000 feet (the Challenger Deep; the deepest part of the ocean)

Therefore the answer to #3 is "That's the best Rolex can do!







Seriously, I don't really know.

[Gaijin]

In case you are diving and it slips off of your wrist. Then if some oceanographers are looking for parts of the Titanic or something with a remote controlled robot sub and if they find it on the ocean bottom and can retrieve it they have a functioning watch.

[madformac]

I think we are looking at this the wrong way.

The SD can withstand the pressure to 4000ft but what we need to ask is can it withstand the pressure of being on JJ's wrist?

Its only a matter of time before it becomes worried about heading on down to flipper land...

[JJ Irani]

Okay, you tossers, you've had your laughs (as usual)....now how about some serious answers?

[mike]

Pffft! A measly 4000 ft.! Get a real watch and then talk to me!
If only I could get it under a shirt cuff.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by mike

Pffft! A measly 4000 ft.! Get a real watch and then talk to me!
If only I could get it under a shirt cuff.

You too, Mike? At least I expected a serious reply from you!!

[worktolivelife]

I'd actually be interested in any knowledgeable replies,did Rolex create this tool watch specifically to meet specs for this depth rating, or did they "just" produce it then tested it till it blew-up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,

steve

[cbrenthus]

Found these to be interesting:

http://www.themercury.co.za/index.ph...icleId=2555327

http://www.mediacen.navy.mil/pubs/al...jun00/pg14.htm

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by cbrenthus

Found these to be interesting:

http://www.themercury.co.za/index.ph...icleId=2555327

http://www.mediacen.navy.mil/pubs/al...jun00/pg14.htm

Thanks, my friend....very interesting links....especially the second one. Would need the SD for that one...and still have 2000 ft. to spare.

Cheers - JJ

[mike]

Ok, I'm not a diver so I have to defer to those that are, but my guess (and it's only that) is the depth rating was an out growth of the improved HE valve that came out on the reference 16660. This, along with the thicker case and saphire crystal led to the greater depth rating.

Lot's of information here under COMEX,

http://www.doubleredseadweller.com/

[langejl]

Very interesting. I was thinking the samething about the rating. Guess it is for the brag'ing rights.

[Russel]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Okay guys,

Here are a few obvious questions coming your way...please answer them as best you can. Thanks!!

1. What is the maximum depth a professional trained diver can go down to with the usual breathing apparatus, but only wearing a normal dive suit?

2. What is the maximum depth a professional trained diver can go down to with a special extra thick diving suit and the huge metal helmet on top?

3. Whatever the depth, I'm pretty sure no human being on earth can get anywhere even close to 4,000 ft without being crushed like a tin can. So why this enormous depth rating on the SD when it can never be actually WORN by any man to that depth?

Cheers - JJ

A couple of thoughts...

The first, in my opinion, is that Rolex makes a watch with that rating because people want it, or like it. Yes JJ, that means you! (and Me!)

Second thought: The rating is for 4,000 ft static water pressure. I wonder what pressure the seals may see if diving into water head first from 20ft? Or taking a spill water sking?

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Russel

Second thought: The rating is for 4,000 ft static water pressure. I wonder what pressure the seals may see if diving into water head first from 20ft? Or taking a spill water sking?

I don't think that really matters with the SD. I'm pretty sure that if the SD were somehow strapped onto a deep diving submersible and plunged straight down to 4000 feet, nothing would happen to the watch.

In fact, someone once posted an interesting thread with fantastic pics of an SD actually undergoing this treatment....and coming back up in full working order!!

[nko51]

I think the reason for the 4000' depth rating is for that special someone who may find themselves suddenly wearing cement block shoes and being thrown overboard.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by nko51

I think the reason for the 4000' depth rating is for that special someone who may find themselves suddenly wearing cement block shoes and being thrown overboard.

Provided the "hoods" who throw him overboard still have the grace to allow him to keep his SD on!!!

[cbrenthus]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Provided the "hoods" who throw him overboard still have the grace to allow him to keep his SD on!!!

Oh come on! Like anyone who would get thrown overboard wearing cement shoes would ever be seen wearing a watch with any stainless steel in it. Now if the SD cam in YG, that would be another matter!

[Russel]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

... So why this enormous depth rating on the SD when it can never be actually WORN by any man to that depth?...

Well, that's not entirely true, I would say why this enormous depth rating on the SD when it can never be actually WORN by any man _alive_ to that depth?...

[sevykor]

So that Rolex can say they "did it". How many other watch brands can make that claim and prove it. Kind of like swimming the English Channel one cold October 7th day in 1927 and proving Rolex superiority(myth or fact???). Yeh babe, Who's you Daddy!

[montecristo]

Between the SD and the IWC, I am still wanting that IWC aquatimer, with 2000m rating.

http://www.time2watch.net/IWChome.htm

Not that I will ever go beyond 50M, but for the gimmick factor.

[Ragu]

JJ,
I don't think you'll have to worry too much if your SD will survive a 4K' dive my friend.

First thing you'll have to do is learn to "swim" without the use of your "water wings".

Then you'll be able to go deeper than your 2 foot inflatable above ground backyard pool.

[Flyjet601]

Why the rating to 4000 ft....so they can charge more for it.

...and the plan seems to be working doesnt it.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Ragu

JJ,
I don't think you'll have to worry too much if your SD will survive a 4K' dive my friend.

First thing you'll have to do is learn to "swim" without the use of your "water wings".

Then you'll be able to go deeper than your 2 foot inflatable above ground backyard pool.

Ragu....you're a bloody tosser!!

[leopardprey]

AS for ratings, how about the GP SeaHawk Pro rated to 3000meters!

I do know that about the deepest recreational dive I ever did was about 150 feet deep. Anything over 90 feet is considered a "Deep" dive.

One of the guys I worked with was a diver in the Navy and then later a commercial diver. The deepest he ever went was 350 feet. That was in a special suit and breathing some weird gas mixture.

[ohlins]

yeah it could be a sales ploy.......it could also be about having extra buffer or tolerance.....

just like a 2000 watts RMS amplifier........or a 800 bhp car.......BIG figures sell....you may never use all of it.....but it's nice to know u have it....:)

[pcarson]

JJ, no human has ever been to 4000 ft with or without a watch, in fact no-one has come close. I think the current record for technical diving descent breathing mixed gases (designed to reduce the chance of getting bent) is about 315M.

Most recreational SCUBA divers don't do things like that; they breath air and go much less deep. Usually to between 100-120feet. Below that it gets dark and cold, so the professionals do it with mixed gas. The limiting element is the "area under the nitrogen curve" which is influenced by a number of things, chiefly depth and time spent at that depth.

Tolerance to the temperature varies from individual to individual, fitness levels, activity underwater and water temperature. Most reasonably fit people will need a 2-4 mm suit if they want to dive tropical or sub-tropical 80 or greater feet at a surface temp of 20-24 degrees. Even then it can be chilly. It's a rough guide, and the only trade-off is that thicker wetsuits are more buoyant at less depth, so buoyancy is harder to manage for the novice.

But the deepest a professional has been is 310-315 meters, and this was a "technical" dive ie a dive done for its own sake. The guy took 6 hours to decompress.

Incidentally, you don't get crushed at depth because you're made of water. The air in you is compressed and that can be a problem in sinuses, including the middle-ear. Also, the deeper you go the higher the amount of nitrogen you absorb (not the proportion). You can go as deep as you like; pressure is not the limiting force. Limiting forces are nitrogen retention (decompression sickness or bends -only an issue if you get back), temperature, light and compression of air in trapped spaces. There is a whole book you can read on how this stuff affects the lungs, but it's boring.

Does that hep?

[JJ Irani]

Some good info there, Peter....thanks a lot - appreciated!!

[TARDIS]

I am going with the marketing theory. Rolex have always been into marketing in a sensational way. The channel swim in 1927 was one of the first of many.

When Rolex brought the 4000ft model out it was unbeatable at that time with such a gob smacking depth figure. Some of the buyers of this model may be associated with marine sport or even professional divers, but I would say far and away the majority of SD buyers wanted the watch because of the depth rating enscription on the dial. A big WOW factor if you like.

Lowering a watch by line overboard into the sea and measuring the line is impractical.

The pressure tests that Rolex carry out on their models in the factory are simulating ocean depths in special tanks. I read that years back, they pressure tested an Explorer I to some phenominal depth equivalent before the oyster case actually crumpled. (can't remember where I read it). This was used in an advertisement in magazines for the watch and showed pictures of it caved in. A great increase in sales of the model followed, they realised that pressure testing, especially on sports models used for snorkelling or scuba recreation would be more saleable with the marine depth 'limitation' enscribed on the dial. Similar advertisements were of the Sea Dweller being strapped to the outer hull of a submersible.

Rolex usually understate the pressure that is the marine depth equivalent. The Submariner is 1000ft (300m) and I'm optimistic it may go half as much again before any water penetration or case damage occurs.

Rolex were smart enough to know that their Sea Dweller would sell far better if it had the impressive 4000 feet written on the dial rather than 150 BAR or just "waterproof"

I would say that today more Rolex Submariners and Sea Dwellers are sold because of this and that the majority of buyers are not scuba divers either.

Rolex marketing may believe that to wear a Sea Dweller gives the owner a feeling of achievment and invicibility. He has no intention of diving to that depth for obvious reasons, but it gives him an dream image in his own mind that if he could descend to those cold black crushing depths, he would be able to so with the SD on his wrist.

So JJ that's a few reasons why the SD has the 4000ft rating.

Steve

[Andad]

If it plunged straight down could it handle the speed?

[leopardprey]

I think the extra protection from the increased Depth rating of the SD, just gives that extra edge you need. If you are a saturation commercial diver, you may only go down to couple hundred feet but you may be doing work and banging the watch against things that could cause additional pressure and stress on the watch. The SD was created out of a need by the COMEX divers. Of course the original SD's depth rating was less than it is today. But still had the HEV.