On 26 March 2012, director and explorer James Cameron dived to a depth of 10,908 metres in the Mariana Trench. Attached to the manipulator arm of the submarine was the Rolex Deepsea Challenge, an experimental diving watch, which functioned perfectly throughout the dive.
Today, that prototype becomes a commercial reality to wear on the wrist: a watch that is water-resistant to a depth of 11,000 metres; moreover, the first Rolex entirely made of titanium. The company uses a grade 5 titanium alloy, called RLX titanium, which is able to reduce the weight of the 2012 experimental watch by 30%, considering its important 50 mm diameter.
Among the updates, made in order to make it more wearable on the wrist, there is also a slightly thinner sapphire crystal, which nonetheless remains at a considerable thickness of 9.5 mm. On the other hand, the technical features that guarantee the very high water-resistance rating have not changed: the Ringlock System enables the watch to withstand the pressure of great depths; the Triplock winding crown with three gaskets; the helium escape valve; and the Chromalight display of hour markers and hands to remain visible for longer in the depths of the sea.
In order to test the water-resistance of such an extreme watch, Rolex specially developed, in collaboration with Comex (Compagnie Maritime d'Expertises), a very high-pressure tank capable of imparting a test pressure equivalent to that present at a depth of 13,750 metres.
Otherwise, the Rolex Deepsea Challenge 126067 remains in line with the brand's professional models and features the graduated bezel with Cerachrom disc, the Glidelock bracelet extension system and the Fliplock extension links, for wearing the watch over a wetsuit.
The movement is the automatic calibre 3230 with Chronergy escapement and 70-hour power reserve, chronometer-certified Superlative.
Price26,100 euro.
