Introducing the Rolex DEEPSEA Challenge Watch

...Introducing...

The Rolex DEEPSEA CHALLENGE

New Rolex History In The Making!!!

Just last week Rolex announced a joint expedition partnership between James Cameron, National Geographic and Rolex to return to the Challenger Deep off Guam, which is the deepest known chasm on the ocean floor.

Rolex just announced this special DEEP-SEA SEA-DWELLER named the DEEPSEA CHALLENGE which is pictured below. It is a monster-size watch that has a 51.4mm diameter–contrast that with the standard Rolex DEEPSEA SEA-DWELLER at 44mm!!!

All-New experimental Rolex DEEPSEA CHALLENGE from 2012 Pictured above

Contrast the side profile view of the all-new experimental Rolex DEEPSEA CHALLENGE (pictured above) with its grandfather, the DEEPSEA SPECIAL Prototype which is pictured below. Rolex designed the original DEEPSEA SPECIAL prototype on the later 1940s.

Rolex DEEPSEA SPECIAL Prototype from 1960 Pictured above

We will be keeping up to date on all the events as they unfold later this week as James Cameron attempts to set an all-time depth record in the Mariana Trench in the Challenger Deep of Gaum, with a Rolex DEEPSEA Challenge attached to the outside of his submersible.

Just for frame-of-reference, I am including the photo below of the standard Rolex DEEPSEA SEA-DWELLER. Notice the difference between the DEEPSEA CHALLENGE pictured above. It has a way fatter ring lock and instead of having "Original Gas Escape Valve" engraved on the top of the ring lock, it has the "DEEPSEA CHALLENGE" engraved instead.

Here is an image that illustrates how much larger a Rolex DEEPSEA is than a standard 40mm Rolex Submariner, and keep in mind the all new Rolex DEEPSEA CHALLENGE is more than 11mm thicker than the standard Rolex DEEPSEA SEA-DWELLER, which is pictured below the following photo.

The Return of the Rolex Superdome Crystal

Notice how much fatter the DEEPSEA Challenge is than the standard Rolex DEEPSEA!!! It is like the standard Rolex DEEP-SEA SEA-DWELLER on steroids. I wonder if Rolex will end up making this model available to the public for purchase? Crazy!?!?!?

The DEEPSEA Challenge watch is 28.5mm thick compared to the case on the standard DEEPSEA which is 17.7mm thick. Also, the synthetic sapphire crystal on the standard DEEPSEA is 5.5mm thick, whereas on the DEEPSEA Challenge it is a whopping 14.3mm thick!!! This Superdome gives this watch a very retro look!!!

Rolex spoke about the objective behind creating the all-new Rolex DEEPSEA Challenge and said:

"A watch for the Deepest of the Deep. The Oyster Perpetual Rolex DEEPSEA CHALLENGE is an experimental divers' watch guaranteed to a depth of 12,000 meters (39,370 feet), entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex to resist the extreme pressure present in the deepest reaches of the oceans. It is manufactured by an entirely integrated watchmaker with unparalleled design, development and production capacities.

A Symbol Of Supermacy. The ROLEX DEEPSEA CHALLENGE symbolizes the brand's supremacy in mastering waterproofness. Its spirit and the real-life circumstances for which it was developed echo the approach adopted for the Rolex experimental DEEP SEA SPECIAL model, which in 1960 accompanied the bathyscaphe Trieste on its record descent to a depth of 10,916 meters (35,815 feet) at the bottom of the Marian Trench."

Perpetuating the pioneering spirit. The ROLEX DEEPSEA CHALLENGE embodies all the heritage and technical and watchmaking know-how of a pioneering brand of wristwatches. This status is demonstrated by Rolex's invention in 1926 of the OYSTER, the first waterproof wristwatch in history, as well as by all divers' watches, such as the SUBMARINER and the SEA-DWELLER, launch by the brand since the 1950s.

Human adventure and technological innovation. This watch bears witness in a spectacular way to the privileged ties that link Rolex to exploration in general and to the underwater world in particular. The ROLEX DEEPSEA CHALLENGE perpetuates a story combining human adventure and technology, innovation and the constant pursuit of excellence. An adventure punctuated with exceptional moments, so of which have entered the annals of history, when Rolex watches have proven their mettle under extreme conditions by accompanying men and women in their quest for the absolute."

Here are a few photos of the original Rolex DEEP-SEA Special prototype from 1960 just for comparison sake.

This next photo taken by Thomas Abercrombie shows the U.S. Navy Bathyscaphe Trieste being transported through the air in Apra Harbor, Guam as it was being prepared for its record breaking dive, which had the Rolex DEEP-SEA Special (pictured above) attached to the outside of it.

James Cameron's DEEPSEA CHALLENGER submersible is pictured below as it is being hoisted into the water from the deck of the Mermaid Sapphire, as it prepares to break the depth record set by the Bathyscaphe Trieste. Of course, James Cameron's DEEPSEA CHALLENGER Submersible will have a the experimental Rolex DEEPSEA CHALLENGE watch attached to the outside.

According to Rolex:

"The ROLEX DEEPSEA CHALLENGE enjoys a double heritage.

In historical terms, it is the heir of the 1960 experimental DEEP SEA SPECIAL, which dived to the bottom of the Mariana Trench with the bathyscaphe Trieste to a depth of 10,916 meters (35,814 feet).

Technically, and aesthetically, it is an enhanced version of the commercial Rolex DEEPSEA, launched in 2008 and guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 3,900 meters (12,800 feet). The RINGLOCK SYSTEM architecture developed and patented by Rolex for this new generation professional divers' watch has also been used for the ROLEX DEEPSEA CHALLENGE model."