Letter from the Publisher

Historically, it was in order to protect
movements from dust and damp that
watchmakers began seeking to make their
watches air- and watertight over a century ago.
While the hermetic seal of the caseback and
watch glass was ensured by highly compressed
joints, the Achilles’ heel of the watch was
for many years its crown. By inventing its
“screw-lock” crown in 1926, Rolex can be
credited with the first genuinely watertight
watch. The system, which is still used today
and known as Triplock, is composed of around
ten parts, including three joints or gaskets. It
is screwed to the case like a submarine hatch,
thus preventing any infiltration even at 500-bar
pressure, equivalent to 50 kg/cm2 .
• 474 Grand Complications, Vol. VII
top left
Oris, Col Moschin Limited Edition
top right
Rolex, Submariner