Rolex – Deepsea Challenge 126067

Waterproof to the extreme depth of 11,000 metres / 36,090 feet, the imposing 50 mm case of the Deepsea Challenge is made from RLX titanium, a Grade 5 titanium alloy selected by Rolex for its lightness and resistance to deformation and corrosion.

Although insensitive to abyssal pressure, the experimental watch that accompanied James Cameron in the Mariana Trench on 26 March 2012 on board of the Deepsea Challenger, a 7.3 metres / 24 feet deep-diving submersible, still posed a wearability problem due to its weight, as it was made from 904L steel.

To address this issue, RLX titanium was used to create the case and bracelet of the Deepsea Challenge, considerably reducing its weight: the watch is 30% lighter than the experimental watch that inspired it.

This new watch has a particularly visible grain in the satin finish on the bracelet and middle case – with the exception of the crown guard. In order to highlight the curved profile of the lugs, the top edges have been chamfered and polished.

Rolex’s patented Ringlock system equips the brand’s divers’ watches designed for extreme depths. An extension of the research dedicated to the waterproofness of the Oyster, this system consists of a reinforced case architecture comprising a thick, slightly domed sapphire crystal, a nitrogen-alloyed steel compression ring, and a case back also made from RLX titanium. This construction allows the Deepsea Challenge to withstand exceptional pressure.

In partnership with Comex (Compagnie Maritime d’Expertises), Rolex developed an ultra-high-pressure tank to test the waterproofness of the Deepsea Challenge. Each watch is tested, as required by the standards for divers’ watches, with an additional safety margin of 25%, meaning that it is subjected to a pressure equivalent to that exerted by water at a depth of 13,750 metres / 45,112 feet.

On the left caseband, the helium escape valve activates automatically when the pressure inside the case is too high.

The watch is engraved with the words “Mariana Trench” as well as the dates “23-01-1960” and “26-03-2012” on the case back, in homage to the two historic dives into the Mariana Trench in which Rolex watches took part.

The Chromalight display is characterized by its luminescent material, applied to the hands, the hour markers and the capsule on the rotatable bezel. Containing aluminium, strontium, dysprosium and europium, this substance, the result of a complex and delicate manufacturing process, emits a characteristic blue glow that is exceptionally bright and long-lasting.

The watch is powered by the calibre 3230, a 4 Hz (28,800 vph) self-winding mechanical movement introduced by Rolex in 2020. Calibre 3230 incorporates their patented Chronergy escapement which combines high energy efficiency with great dependability. Made of nickel-phosphorus, it is also insensitive to magnetic fields.

The movement is fitted with an optimized blue Parachrom hairspring, manufactured by Rolex in a paramagnetic alloy that makes it up to 10 times more precise than a traditional hairspring in case of shocks. Its power reserve extends to approximately 70 hours.

Also made of RLX titanium, the Oyster bracelet of the Deepsea Challenge is equipped with both the Fliplock extension link and the Rolex Glidelock system, innovative extension systems that require no tools for use. Thanks to the combination of these two extension systems, the watch can be worn comfortably over a diving suit up to 7 mm thick.

Like all Rolex watches, the Deepsea Challenge is covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification redefined by Rolex in 2015 which testifies that every watch leaving the brand’s workshops has successfully undergone a series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories and according to its own criteria. These certification tests apply to the fully assembled watch, after casing the movement, guaranteeing superlative performance on the wrist in terms of precision, power reserve, waterproofness and self-winding. The Superlative Chronometer status is symbolized by the green seal that comes with every Rolex watch and is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.

The new Rolex Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Challenge 126067 has a price of Euro 26,100. rolex.com