The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Challenge is a prototype model developed by James Cameron, a famous film director and explorer, for his 2012 deep-sea expedition to a depth of 10,908 meters. The new Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Challenge, an evolution of this legendary model, was unveiled on Wednesday, November 1.
Suponsered by
The ” Deep Sea Challenge “, the ultimate diver’s watch that pushes the limits. Breaking the water resistance record for a full titanium watch!
The new Deepsea Challenge is based on a prototype model developed to accompany James Cameron on his Mariana Trench dive. Equipped with a helium discharge valve and a patented ring lock system, it is guaranteed to be water resistant to a depth of 11,000 meters. Furthermore, the ultra-lightweight, deformation- and corrosion-resistant RLX titanium construction makes it the ultimate diver’s watch, capable of accompanying divers in any environment.
Click here to visit the special website
The fruit of Rolex’s extensive expertise and technology, an unprecedented diver’s watch
The 2012 prototype was installed on the robotic arm of a submersible, but this new model is designed to be worn on the wrist for everyday use. The case and bracelet are made of RLX titanium, a grade 5 titanium alloy, making it 30% lighter than the prototype model.
In addition, some parts were changed, such as a thinner crystal, in order to create a watch with ergonomic balance. This model has a satin finish that stands out among the professional models, and the case lugs stand out with a polished finish to accentuate the curved contours. The bracelet is equipped with Fliplock extension links and the Rolex GlideLock system, allowing the watch to be worn over diving suits up to 7 mm thick.
The unidirectional rotating bezel rotates only in one direction, so there is no danger of accidentally turning it. The bezel insert, made of black high-tech ceramic, is graduated to 60 minutes, making it even easier to read the dive time. It is also highly scratch-resistant, UV-resistant, and retains its beautiful color. The hour markers and hands are luminescent, emitting blue light for excellent legibility in the dark.
The watch also features a ring lock system, a patented case construction designed for use in deep water, and a helium vent valve that prevents damage to the watch. This patented safety valve is automatically activated if the pressure inside the case becomes too high. In addition, the watch is equipped with all the major technologies that Rolex has developed over the years, including a triple-sealed triplock crown that makes the diver’s watch airtight, and a chromalight display on the dial that provides excellent legibility.
To test its water resistance, Rolex worked with Comex, a company specializing in diving, to develop an ultra-high-pressure tank to reproduce the pressure equivalent to the water pressure at a depth of 13,750 meters. At the heart of the waterproof Oyster case is the calibre 3230, a movement developed and manufactured entirely in-house. This self-winding movement is equipped with a clonazy escapement made of a nickel-phosphorus alloy that is impervious to magnetic fields. It boasts a power reserve of approximately 70 hours and an accuracy of within -2 to +2 seconds per day on average.
Click here to visit the special site
Back case pays homage to deep sea explorers
The back case is engraved with the words “Mariana Trench” and the dates “23-01-1960” and “26-03-2012” to commemorate two historic dives into the Mariana Trench. In 1960, oceanographer Jacques Piccard and U.S. Navy Captain Don Walsh made a solo dive aboard the submersible Trieste, and in 2012, James Cameron made a solo dive aboard the Deepsea Challenger. Both of these expeditions were accompanied by prototype Rolex models. The watches that accompanied Cameron on his dives had to overcome significant challenges in a short period of development. Developed in just a few weeks by Rolex’s team in the field of deep-sea divers’ watches, the prototype withstood the enormous water pressure during the seven-hour dive as flawlessly as the 1960 model. An evolution of the prototype, the Oyster Perpetual Deep Sea Challenge, with its guaranteed water resistance to a depth of 11,000 meters, marks a new milestone for divers’ watches by breaking new ground in the ultra-deep sea.
Click here for product details
[ Rolex Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Challenge ] More Information
Release date: November 2022
Price: 3,093,200 yen (tax included)
