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Photo: Rolex
Titled Oyster Perpetual Submariner – The Watch that Unlocked the Deep, this 252-page book is written by watch expert and author Nicholas Foulkes, and delves into the remarkable legacy of one of the most influential timepieces in horological history.
Published in English and French, the fresh-off-the-press tome marks the first of a series of titles dedicated to Rolex’s legendary watches.
The Rolex Submariner, first introduced in 1953, was a groundbreaking watch designed for divers, offering an unprecedented waterproof guarantee to a depth of 100m (330ft). The book chronicles the technical innovation behind this timepiece, which transformed underwater exploration, and shares captivating stories of the pioneers who put these early prototypes to the test in some of the world’s most demanding conditions.
Unlocking the deep
Arnaud Boetsch, director of communication & image at Rolex, explains the watch’s significance: “The Submariner, the archetype of the divers’ watch, epitomises the historic link between Rolex and underwater exploration. Over time it has evolved into an iconic timepiece whose renown extends well beyond the marine world, becoming the true action watch of choice for a wide range of sports and other activities.”
Through the Submariner, Rolex had defied underwater pressure by creating watches that could go ever deeper. Subsequent models became benchmarks in the diving world, namely the Sea-Dweller (1967), the Rolex Deepsea (2008), and the Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Challenge (2022) that can descend as far as 11,000m (36,090ft). What’s remarkable about the watch is that its instantly recognisable design has remained virtually the same through the years, while its technical capacities have been steadily enhanced.
Esteemed US marine biologist and oceanographer Sylvia Earle is one of the Rolex Testimonees featured in the book (Photo: Rolex)
Also featured in the pages are lauded Rolex Testimonees through the prism of Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Initiative, which supports organisations and individuals involved environmental exploration and protection.
Brought to life
In this partnership, Wallpaper* brings its sharp cinematic eye to the book, combining new and original photography with historical images from Rolex to illustrate accounts from renowned witnesses to the Submariner’s illustrious 71-year history.
The magazine’s editor-in-chief Bill Prince adds that the book is “an essential companion for anyone interested in the creation and evolution of a masterpiece in precision timekeeping“. He continues, “The Submariner represents the essence of this design-led approach, its emblematic features and quintessential appearance sculpted over decades by those pioneers who led the field in underwater exploration and continue to illuminate our world beneath the waves, many of whom are featured in this richly illustrated book.”
Expect to see new and original photographs, along with historical archived images (Photo: Rolex)
Foulkes, its London-based author, is known for his deep expertise in watches and has written around 40 books. Considering this latest project a significant honour, he explains, “Rolex is much more than just a watchmaker; it is an enterprise with global significance. There can be few, if any, corners of the world in which the name is unknown. The company has been a participant in many of the defining human endeavours of the last 100 years.”
Describing himself as “a historian with a lifelong obsession with watches”, Foulkes says that he was thrilled to be given unique access to the Rolex archives. “I am very grateful to Rolex for having placed its trust in me to be the one to write its story. It is a fascinating tale, to which I have tried to do justice.”
Hardcover copies of the book will be available for international purchase online from October 1 through ACC Art Books, which is currently taking registrations of interest. The WallpaperSTORE* is also offering a limited number of silk-bound copies for pre-order from now until September 19, following which the remaining stock is immediately up for grabs.
