…on the main site. Outrageous!

The Rockshell MKII

Launched in August 1971, with an MST 482 (modified ETA 2630) as the fully in-house MST522 calibre was not yet in production, and the existing MST471 was not available with a Day-Date function. Shown below is the red dial version of this watch.

This was was probably the desk-diver version of the range, as we will see later the MKIII is much more a true diver’s watch. None-the-less, this watch features a compressor case 100% waterproof up to 200 m., a sloping easy-read housing in high grade saltwater resistant stainless steel with hardened anti-reflective mineral crystal with tritium to the hands and markers.

Here are some more photos (the schmutz is gooey gasket)

Note the plain bracelet clasp

Wristies

The white stuff on the dial is some of the white lines from the crystal, it will brush off when I service the watch. I am really happy with the condition of this one, as often the inner bezel is quite degraded. Win

Next up – the Rockshell MKIII, Electronic

This one is near mint – I would almost suggest NOS, as there is not a trace of wear on the strap (the links are tight as new) or case – however it didn’t come with box or papers.

Also launched in August 1971, with an MST 916 (ESA 9154 Dynatron) – this was a true diver’s watch, featuring 100% waterproof up to 200 m., sloping housing in saltwater resistant stainless steel, with a hardened anti-reflective mineral crystal, dial with raised hour markers and hands in tritium, a large adjustable graduated internal bezel for dive times…

…and the heavier duty strap included an additional clip to expand the bracelet when wearing a wetsuit, plus a clasp lock and the clasp itself is increased in size from 17mm to 20mm.

Wrist shot

Compressor case construction

Fathom Dive Magazine Advert

Wearing it

So, what’s it like to wear. Heavy. Very heavy. But, wrist presence plus. And, that sloping angle, on a watch this thick is great, it makes it much more comfortable to wear. Love it.

Size: 46mm without crown(s) and 160 grams (incl. bracelet).

Update: My Roamer Diver Collection

Also, a little update on my Roamer Diver collection, all on the correct factory straps:

Left to right, early, mid and late Stingray S, Stingray Chrono (Valjoux 72) and the two Rockshells in this post.

Actually there is one more to post, a Seth-Thomas branded version of the Pasadena Valjoux 7734 powered chronograph.