1968 Rolex GMT Master
Winter Olympics Skiing Ad
Originally Published December 1968 Time Magazine
Saturday, 24 March 2012
Friday, 23 March 2012
...It All Began With...
The Father of Under-Sea Exploraton
Jacques-Yves Cousteau
1953 Rolex Submariner
Filming The Silent World
All this excitement about Rolex returning to the Challenger Deep, with Don Walsh on board with James Cameron, made me think about how proud Jacques-Yves Cousteau would be. Here is a photo of Jacques-Yves Cousteau wearing his Rolex Submariner while filming The Silent World in 1953.
National Geographic Society Special Gold Medal
Awarded to Underwater Explorer
Jacques-Yves Cousteau
By U.S. President Kennedy on April 19, 1961
White House Rose Garden
In the photo below taken on April 19, 1961, in the White House Rose Garden, President John F. Kennedy is presenting Jacques Cousteau with The National Geographic Society's special gold medal.The gentleman on the right side of the photo is Dr. Melville Bell Grosvenor who was the President and editor of National Geographic.
"We have learned in the last sixty years how to fly better than the birds–or at least higher and longer, and the Captain has given us a possibility that some day we may swim as well as the fish–or at least deeper, and he is, therefore, one of the greatest explorers of an entirely new dimension, and I can imagine his satisfaction in having opened up the ocean floor to man and to science." –JFK
James Cameron DEEPSEA Challenge Update
From Mermaid Sapphire Captain's Log
DEEPSEA Challenger is in the Challenger DEEP with a DEEPSEA Challenge Rolex in Place
Wow!!! Is that a twist of words, or what!?!?!?! According to Captain Stuart Buckle's logs, the Mermaid Sapphire arrived in the Challenger Deep at 13:54 hours on March 20, and is currently standing by, and assessing weather conditions. The later log, on March 21st said they are preparing for transit to Ulithy Atol, and moving easily to moderate seas and swell. March 22nds log said "Pre-dive checks being carried out on DEEP SEA Challenger."
From what I understand, everything is in place and they are waiting for ideal sea conditions to begin the dive. For all we know, James Cameron could be descending right now in his DEEPSEA CHALLENGER!!! As soon as I know more I will let you know. How exciting is this!!!! Jacques-Yves Cousteau would be proud!!!!!!
Thursday, 22 March 2012
...Rolex Coolness...
David Fincher
Platinum Rolex Day-Date II
David Fincher is a famous American music and film video director. He directed The Game, Fight Club, Panic Room, Zodiac, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Social Network and The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo." He is pictured below wearing his Platinum Rolex Day-Date II.
Rolex Cosmograph Moonphase
1957 Reference 6062
Rolex has a bizarre habit of recycling names. Take for instance, this Rolex ad from 1947. Notice Rolex refers to their Reference 6062 as a "Cosmograph." Recognize the world "Cosmograph?" Today Rolex refers to the Rolex Daytona as a "Cosmograph." So what does "Cosmograph" mean? According to an encyclopedia it means:
"1. The science which describes and maps the general features of the universe (both heavens and the earth), without encroaching on the special provinces of astronomy or geography. 2. A description of representation of the universe or of the earth in its general features."
My absolute favorite Rolex model in history is the Reference 6062 Moonphase with the star indices on the dial, and here is a 1947 Rolex catalog page. I hope Rolex brings this model back to life in 42mm, because it is a real beauty, and after all, Rolex just introduced their first complicated Rolex SKY-DWELLER at BaselWorld 2012 which has an annual calendar, so maybe there is hope?
If you want to see the worlds largest collection of photos of this Rolex moon phase model, you came to the right place.
What Will Protect James Cameron
During His Record-Setting Attempt?
James Cameron is preparing to attempt to break the all-time depth record in his DEEPSEA CHALLENGER submersible this weekend. This record breaking attempt represents on of the greatest scientific achievements we will see in our lifetimes, so on Jake's Rolex World I am staying focused on this amazing scientific expedition. Think about it!!! Rolex, National Geographic, and James Cameron collaborating together to return to the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench off Guam, 52 years after the last time it was done, to set a new-depth record–just amazing!!!!!
This video showcases how James Cameron will be protected under tremendous pressure. The DEEPSEA CHALLENGER sub sphere is shaped like an egg. A Sphere shape is immensely strong, which architect, Buckminster Fuller proved with his Geodesic Dome. Don't believe me?
Try this experiment. Take a chicken egg, and cradle the top point of the egg in your palm, and cradle the bottom of the egg in your other palm. Then with all your strength, try to crush the egg in your hands be applying downward pressure. You can't. Why? Because the sphere is one of the strongest known shape in the world. Basically, the dual dome shape presses against itself. A Pyramid works on a similar principle. Among other things, this is why Rolex had the extreme dome shaped crystal on the original Rolex DEEPSEA Special.
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
...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."
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