The Rolex Deepsea Challenger

[Dominic H]

This morning James Cameron became only the 3rd person, and the first solo to have made the descent to the bottom of the Marians Trench in the Pacific, a depth of 35,756 feet (10,898 Meters).
In 1960 Jacques Picard and Lt Don Walsh made the maiden descent with a Rolex Deepsea Special fastened to the exterior of the bathyscope. This is the watch...





Rolex reprised the Deepsea Special, and supplied Cameron with the 'Deepsea Challange'. Naturally, a second was fixed to the outside of the submersible 'Deepsea Challanger. This experimental watch is 51.4mm in diameter, 28.5mm thick with a 14.3mm sapphire crystal. Water-proof to 39370ft/12000m.








A couple of links to more information...

http://www.rolex.com/en#/world-of-rolex/sports-and...

http://deepseachallenge.com/the-science/

Love it!

[sneijder]

I see they've improved the end link gap this time round !

It's basically a beefed up DSSD isn't it, complete with date ?!

Must weigh in at half a kilo.

[Ikemi]

I like big dive watches, but that's big! Impressive engineering though ... I really like the side-on profile

So, out of interest, what would fail first on a DSSD at those depths? The seals? The sapphire glass? Is it possible that a DSSD might survive 12,000M? Can't Rolex beef up the DSSD to withstand such depths, but not make it hugely tall off the wrist?

[bigandclever]

Just a couple of extra links in the strap required then

[Adrian W]

BUt can you get me one Dom?

[andy_s]

Ikemi said:

I like big dive watches, but that's big! Impressive engineering though ... I really like the side-on profile

So, out of interest, what would fail first on a DSSD at those depths? The seals? The sapphire glass? Is it possible that a DSSD might survive 12,000M? Can't Rolex beef up the DSSD to withstand such depths, but not make it hugely tall off the wrist?

There's a copy of the 'Piccard' at the London Science Museum in their interesting horology section.

I've no idea what would 'give' first, probably the sapphire at a guess?

Some watches that are tested to that depth (B&R Hydromax - and presumably Sinn EZM2/UX) are about 13-14mm.

Fair play to Rolex though for continuing to sponsor endeavours such as this and putting their watch where their advertising is; irrespective of the real world impracticalities.

[Soovy]

Dominic H said:

This morning James Cameron became only the 3rd person, and the first solo to have made the descent to the bottom of the Marians Trench in the Pacific, a depth of 35,756 feet (10,898 Meters).
In 1960 Jacques Picard and Lt Don Walsh made the maiden descent with a Rolex Deepsea Special fastened to the exterior of the bathyscope. This is the watch...





Rolex reprised the Deepsea Special, and supplied Cameron with the 'Deepsea Challange'. Naturally, a second was fixed to the outside of the submersible 'Deepsea Challanger. This experimental watch is 51.4mm in diameter, 28.5mm thick with a 14.3mm sapphire crystal. Water-proof to 39370ft/12000m.








A couple of links to more information...

http://www.rolex.com/en#/world-of-rolex/sports-and...

http://deepseachallenge.com/the-science/

Love it!

How much?

[Dominic H]

Adrian W said:

BUt can you get me one Dom?

The watch is noted as an experimental piece in the press release. Bearing in mind that Rolex only made a handful of the original Deepsea Special. I'd doubt us mortals will be offered the opportunity to buy.

Roger Federrer might be in with a chance...

andy_s said:

Ikemi said:

I like big dive watches, but that's big! Impressive engineering though ... I really like the side-on profile

So, out of interest, what would fail first on a DSSD at those depths? The seals? The sapphire glass? Is it possible that a DSSD might survive 12,000M? Can't Rolex beef up the DSSD to withstand such depths, but not make it hugely tall off the wrist?

There's a copy of the 'Piccard' at the London Science Museum in their interesting horology section.

I've no idea what would 'give' first, probably the sapphire at a guess?

Some watches that are tested to that depth (B&R Hydromax - and presumably Sinn EZM2/UX) are about 13-14mm.

Fair play to Rolex though for continuing to sponsor endeavours such as this and putting their watch where their advertising is; irrespective of the real world impracticalities.

I would have thought the sapphire is the weak spot, the crystal on the Deepsea Challenge is over 14mm thick. The case on the B&R is filled with hydroil, which equalizes the pressure.

For me, the Deepsea Challenge endevour is more exciting than the newly launched 'Sky Dweller'....

[alfaman]

Ikemi said:

So, out of interest, what would fail first?

The diver

[andy_s]

Dominic H said:

For me, the Deepsea Challenge endevour is more exciting than the newly launched 'Sky Dweller'....

Definitely.

[Ikemi]

andy_s said:

Dominic H said:

For me, the Deepsea Challenge endevour is more exciting than the newly launched 'Sky Dweller'....

Definitely.

+1

The DSC looks better than the Sky Dweller too ...

@Alfaman:

[Dominic H]

Soovy said:

Dominic H said:

This morning James Cameron became only the 3rd person, and the first solo to have made the descent to the bottom of the Marians Trench in the Pacific, a depth of 35,756 feet (10,898 Meters).
In 1960 Jacques Picard and Lt Don Walsh made the maiden descent with a Rolex Deepsea Special fastened to the exterior of the bathyscope. This is the watch...





Rolex reprised the Deepsea Special, and supplied Cameron with the 'Deepsea Challange'. Naturally, a second was fixed to the outside of the submersible 'Deepsea Challanger. This experimental watch is 51.4mm in diameter, 28.5mm thick with a 14.3mm sapphire crystal. Water-proof to 39370ft/12000m.








A couple of links to more information...

http://www.rolex.com/en#/world-of-rolex/sports-and...

http://deepseachallenge.com/the-science/

Love it!

How much?

Soov, devastated to find out that this fab watch is not available.



(reprising an old friend...)

[michael_JCWS]

My dealer accepted my name on the waiting list,fingers crossed

[sneijder]

Dominic H said:

This morning James Cameron became only the 3rd person, and the first solo to have made the descent to the bottom of the Marians Trench in the Pacific, a depth of 35,756 feet (10,898 Meters)

The Chinese have beaten this recently, with a watch that has been designed for constant use by those living and working at the bottom of the sea.

[Dominic H]

sneijder said:

The Chinese have beaten this recently, with a watch that has been designed for constant use by those living and working at the bottom of the sea.

[Ikemi]

michael_JCWS said:

My dealer accepted my name on the waiting list,fingers crossed

For the Challenger? Are you sure?

[michael_JCWS]

Ikemi said:

For the Challenger? Are you sure?

Thats what they said and that they should know more details in a few months, I guess rolex want to gauge interest ?

[sneijder]

Ikemi said:

For the Challenger? Are you sure?

About as likely as James Cameron nipping out for a ciggy right now without getting his hair wet.

[BadRotorFinger]

It needs that depth rating (12000 metres), looking at the size of it, it would drag you to that depth!!

Very nice.

[Dominic H]

michael_JCWS said:

Thats what they said and that they should know more details in a few months, I guess rolex want to gauge interest ?

Just out of interest, what sort of delivery schedules and prices were discussed?
What sort of price would you anticipate, if Rolex were to put the DS Challenge into production?

If it were available, I'd have one too and reckon on it being c£12000.

Dom H