Watches at J2 Trading

If the Submariner is a workhorse underwater, then the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller 4000 is the entire cavalry. The Sea-Dweller, introduced in 1971, is a heavier-duty version of the Submariner, with a thicker case and crystal.

The Sea-Dweller incorporates a helium escape valve for withstanding decompression, and is guaranteed to operate perfectly at 4000 feet or 1220 meters of water depth.

Other features include:

• 40mm - all steel
• Black dial
• Black unidirectional rotating bezel
• Perpetual rotor self-winding movement
• Oyster fliplock bracelet with extension links
• Helium escape valve

Chosen time and again by professional divers and especially saturation divers, this watch thrives where few others can even survive.

Related products: Sea-Dweller - see all selections.

Rolex Submariner. The name itself pretty much says it all. With just two words you know you’ll find the epitome of quality, at home in the depths of an underwater world.

In fact, Rolex invented the first waterproof watch in 1926, labeling it the Oyster. Every Oyster is water-resistant down to 300 meters or 1000 feet, and subjected to rigorous testing even beyond this guaranteed depth.

Several features have made the Submariner the preferred choice of professional divers for over 50 years. The oyster case is crafted from a block of solid stainless steel. Taking over 150 steps to manufacture, this miniature vault insures absolute water-tight integrity and protects the movement under the most extreme conditions.

The stainless steel used is not the usual 316L, but 904L which is a more corrosion-resistant, stainless steel alloy that can withstand the harshest environments. It can also be highly polished giving the Oyster, its impeccably brilliant finish.

Finally the Rolex Submariner has a unique Triplock winding crown which is designed to function at depths greater than most submarines. This complex device incorporates over ten components plus three separate gaskets to seal out water and foreign matter. Once screwed down, it provides water-resistance to a pressure of 500 bar, or 1000 lbs per square centimeter.

First introduced at the 1954 Basel Watch Fair, the Submariner has continued to evolve and become one of the most easily identifiable watches ever made. Part of this is no doubt due to its being the watch preferred by James Bond in most of his earlier movies.

Today, with its rugged good looks, and esteemed reputation, it’s hard to imagine a better watch choice for the guy wanting the ultimate in style and sophistication, not to mention making a not so subtle statement about being on top of his game.

View all available Rolex Submariner watches here.

Ian Flemings James Bond hit the stage in 1953, the same year that Rolex developed their Submariner. In his books, Fleming had Bond wearing a Rolex Perpetual Oyster, and when Sean Connery finally came to the big screen in 1962 with Dr. No, he did so wearing a Submariner.

Since then, the first four Bonds, Sean Connery, Roger Moore, George Lazenby, and Timothy Dalton, spanning eleven movies, all wore one. There’s an article done by John E. Brozek for International Wristwatch Magazine, called “The James Bond Submariner, An Unauthorized History…”, that is well worth reading to learn more about the association between James Bond and the Rolex Submariner.

Actually, “Q” branch had one specially made for Roger Moore in “Live And Let Die” that had a spinning buzz-saw bezel, and a magnetic field that could deflect a bullet. Not sure how magnetism can affect a lead bullet, but there you go.

It wasn’t until Pierce Brosnan took over in “Goldeneye” that Bond commenced wearing an Omega Seamaster. Most recently, Daniel Craig has continued to do so.

According to Wikipedia,

“another reason for the change from the Rolex Submariner watches that Bond previously used to wear is the change in the business environment that surrounds modern high-profile films. Omega was amenable to participating in high profile co-promotions and product placements in the movies, something that the conservative Rolex company avoids”.

Related products: Rolex Submariner - view all styles.

The M50 DSS picks up where the legendary M1 Momentum leaves off. It is still ruggedly stylish and incredibly reliable, but even more so with a 10-year battery and almost unheard of 6-year warranty. If you’re serious about diving, then you owe it to yourself to take a closer look. 

The meticulously finished case is machined from a block of high-grade 316L stainless steel, and utilizes a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal to let it stand up to rough handling. The calendar date displayed at the 3 o’clock position, is easy to read with the over-size date magnifier made into the crystal.

It has a patented “Blackout Superluminous” dial and hands providing clarity in the dark, plus large hands with numerals and hour markers for easy reading. The dial comes in several choices of color including black, blue, and white, but the blue is particularly compelling.

With a unidirectional ratcheting bezel, and screw-down crown, this watch is ISO 2281 compliant, and rated water-resistant to a depth of 500 meters or 1650 feet. It comes with a durable black rubber strap.

It also features a Japanese quartz movement and a 10-year battery life. All this is backed by a 6-year manufacturers warranty.

St. Moritz is a leader in specialty watches for water-sports, and a recognized as a leading manufacturer of fine diving watches. 

Here’s just a brief recap of what makes the all-new Momentum M50-DSS stand out above the ordinary:

• Solid 316L stainless steel case
• 500M / 1650FT Water-resistance (ISO 2281 compliant)
• Ultra hard, sapphire crystal with over-size date magnifier
• Superluminous hands and markings
• 10 Year Battery Life
• 6 Year Warranty

Get the price for the Momentum M50-DSS Mens Dive Watch

See all models and styles of the Momentum M50-DSS

It seems like a really good idea. After all, what could be easier or more convenient than a Velcro closure to serve as a watch clasp, letting you get rid of that annoying buckle.

I would suggest it’s not a good plan even though you’ll see it used on a great many watches – especially military styles. They use it both for attaching the watch case to the band, as well as for the band closure itself.

The reason to pass on this is because the hook and loop material will wear away over time and eventually stop holding securely.

I had one of these nylon bands on a dive watch and ended up losing it during a dive somewhere on the bottom of the ocean in the Virgin Islands. The watch was an M1 Momentum, a favorite I’d had for a good many years.

What had happened was the Velcro got worn over time to the point where it almost disappeared from the end of the strap. This allowed the tip to curl up whenever the band rubbed against anything.

I remember setting the elapsed time bezel at the start of a dive, then later on, when looking to check the watch against my computer, the watch wasn’t there. Fortunately the watch was a backup for the dive computer, but I still hated losing it.

I’d evidently caught that curled up tip on my gear and inadvertently released the closure, allowing the watch to simply fall away. Never even felt it.

And yes, I’d noticed the wear, and should’ve replaced the band, but just ignored it too long. I mean it was still holding securely as long as that tip didn’t catch on anything. Oh well, lesson learned.

But I still recommend only watches with a rubber strap & buckle, or a stainless bracelet with locking clasp for diving. It may not be such a big deal on land – definitely easier to find, but underwater is a different problem altogether.

The legendary M1 Momentum is very much a serious dive watch. Considered ground-breaking when first introduced by St. Moritz Watch Corp., it remains a leader in terms of its combination of rugged style and reliable performance, all at a reasonable price.

The case is made of solid 316L stainless steel, and comes with either a heat-tempered mineral crystal, or a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.

It has a Superluminous dial and hands providing clarity in the dark, plus large hands with numerals and hour markers for easy reading. There are several choices of dial color including black, blue, orange, yellow, white, and lime. The calendar date is displayed at the 3 o’clock position.

The M1 can be had in a large (43mm x 12mm) men’s size or the smaller (32mm x 10mm) for women. You can also get the Special Edition M1 PRO version, which has the well-recognized, red & white, “diver down” flag discretely placed on the watch-face.

With a unidirectional ratcheting bezel, and screw-down crown, this watch is rated to a depth of 200 meters or 660 feet. It features a Japanese quartz movement and long battery life.

There are two options for the strap. Either a black rubber band with a latching clasp, or a nylon band that uses a Velcro closure.

I don’t recommend the Velcro as it caused me the loss of my M1 that I’d had for many years. What happened was that the hook and loop of the Velcro gradually wore away at the tip of the band until it curled up a bit. While diving last year I must’ve somehow brushed against it enough to let it slide out during one of our dives, and it disappeared forever.

See all the M1 Momentum watch styles

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