Rolex Deepsea Challenge Watch

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Rolex Deepsea Challenge Watch
by Kyle Stults on March 20, 2012

UPDATE: DEEP SEA HISTORY MADE!!! SEE OUR EXCLUSIVE REPORTING ON JAMES CAMERON’S SUCCESSFUL MISSION TO THE DEEPEST POINT ON EARTH — AND YES, THE ROLEX WENT WITH HIM, WE HAVE THE PHOTOS TO PROVE IT!!

Rolex water resistance: 12,000 meters / 39,370 feet…

52 years after a Rolex watch accompanied the Trieste on its historic descent to 10,916 metres (35,800 feet) in the Mariana trench, National Geographic explorer-in-residence James Cameron, on board the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER, prepares to go even deeper. This time again, a Rolex watch, the Rolex Deepsea Challenge, is part of the expedition. As always, Perpetuelle is here bringing you the first look. Enjoy these shots of the new Rolex Deepsea Challenge watch — rated to 12,000 meters, or 39,370 feet — Images and VIDEO, below (note: official specs and details are ~~yet to be released~~ now posted below).

You can also read all about the Cameron’s Deepsea Challenge, here, at http://deepseachallenge.com/. AND >>>> if you missed it, a MUST SEE: Perpetuelle.com Rolex Deep Sea Special – An Exclusive Report in which I spent some time with Lt. Don Walash and the Rolex Deep Sea Special from his 1960 mission.

Rolex DEEPSEA Challenge Watch (w/ Video)

experimental watch

51.4mm stainless steel case (28.5mm thick), 5.3mm screw down, grade 5 titanium caseback, 14.3mm sapphire crystal, Triplock crown, Rolex Caliber 3135 (automatic mechanical), Chromalight lume, Cerachrom ceramic bezel insert with numerals coated in Platinum (Pt) via PVD

water resistant: 12,000 meters / 39,370 feet

look at the AMAZING profile on this watch: 28.5mm thick CASE, 14.3mm sapphire CRYSTAL!!

note the thickness of the case in the watchmaker’s hand:

VIDEO: Making of the Rolex Deepsea Challenge Watch

*** PERPETUELLE FLASHBACK***

“This is Trieste. We are on the bottom of Challenger Deep. . . . Over.”

– U.S. Navy LT Don Walsh, on January 23, 1960

The Rolex that proved water-resistant to 35,840 feet…in the metal…

click through to visit Perpetuelle’s Exclusive Report on the Rolex Deep Sea Special

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Mattar

will they ever sell it???
I want one!
- James Bond
  
  In the video there was a presentation box shown at the end, much like the kind that come with a production watch. I want one too!!
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TheNotoriousROB

Look how high the glass is above the bezel. Unbelievable. I can’t imagine the looks I’d get wearing this at the local pool.
- James Bond
  
  The beauty of it is, how many die hard dive watch and Rolex fans would buy one? Count me among them!
- http://www.perpetuelle.com/ Perpetuelle
  
  @TheNotoriousROB:disqus LOL — hilarious. you’d probably have trouble keeping your wrist off the bottom of pool, as heavy as that thing looks!
  Kyle
  - Dytttc
    
    Truly amazing what Rolex can achieve, it’s a very profecional and specialized watch and a big step up from the older version!
  - Silverf355
    
    Just when you thought you had the best with the DSSD, they come up with another model. Nice!
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goju1

This is greaattt! So good to see Rolex breaking the boundaries and asserting their dominance as manufacturers of a real diver’s watch.
Thanks for the review Perpetuelle – Fantastic.
It has to be on the ‘I want one list’!
goju1

I’m interested to know if the crystal is sapphire or acrylic (I suspect the latter). It seems to have that sheen to it.
- James Bond
  
  I suspect it also. Unless Rolex engineered an entirely new material for this dive….
  
  The watch is 51.4 mm across, 28.5 thick, with a domed sapphire 14.3 mm.
goju1

Now that I’ve revisited your review of the original Deepsea Special I have to echo the comment of ‘speedmaster’ and say – “Great, no pesky cyclops to scratch off of this new version either!”
goju1

Can’t stop making comments - keep thinking about this watch and I wonder if the Rolex engineers had conceived of this idea when designing the Sea Dweller Deep Sea back around 2008 (or whenever they started designing the SDDS). It’s quite obviously a scaled up version and very attractive compared to the original 1960 version. The only reservation that I have is that it appears they have fitted the same size bracelet as the SDDS, which is already too small on that version. A chunkier bracelet is needed for aesthetics and comfort – probably titanium to keep the weight down.
Now, I have to wind down and try to get to sleep – my wife is not as excited about this watch as I am!
- temptones1
  
  I find that a Bell and Ross strap does wonders for this watch. Any color or material. My black Sting Ray is waterproof as is the Orange Rubber or the synthetic poly that looks like black canvas. It’s wide enough to handle the weight, prevent shifting and is very comfortable. The OE bracelet was very difficult to wear. I was surprised Rolex did it that way. It needs a much wider bracelet and of course Titanium would be a better choice. With SS bracelet the weight is overpowering. With leather or rubber it’s great and Titanium would be probably the best choice unless one prefers the softer leather and the elegance. Few owners will swim with this watch in anything other than a pool I would imagine..
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raja Selvarajan

this is only an experimental watch, not for sale,.
- James Bond
  
  Not for sale, yes. But everything has a price. You just have to figure out what Rolex’s price is to make a few examples for a private collector.
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Marcwalters09

This watch looks amazing this should be James Bonds watch, out standing
http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-F-Rivero/688092586 Michael F Rivero

Rolex! Still keeping time long after your body has been crushed to a bloody pulp!

All jokes aside, it is an amazing feat of engineering, but I think I’ll stick with the Casio Triple-Sensor my wife gave me.
Flyover099

What they don’t tell you about is that with mechanical watches they need to be overhauled every 5 or so years. My Omega Seamaster tune-up cost me over $400. I’m sure Rolex will grab you for double that.
http://profile.yahoo.com/LIQDOFKXBRMT52SRCUSQ4B2TMU WIll

How much 2 million ? who needs a watch at that depth ? THE CREATURE OF THE BLACK LAGOON ?
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momo

Nice