Should Rolex sell the DeepSea Challenge? Would you buy it?

[Singslinger]

That version of the Deepsea would probably be too big for most people, but the Helberg CH1 is a diving watch with a large domed crystal that might be more suited to those who like that look.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Master_Grogu

That’s not a watch but a collector item / shelf piece. As much as I love it, this has no business in your wrist.

I might be inclined to agree wholeheartedly

[Quamby]

I think I'm now happier with my 116660 Deepsea black.

[Avs Fan]

100% would love to own and wear this.

[CaptT]

Originally Posted by Divingdeep87

Have you seen it irl?

Saw it once back in 2014 in Providence RI. Someone at the table next to me was wearing it, you could clearly spot it from 8-10 feet away. I asked him about it, he took it off and let me try it on, and kindly shared the story of how he acquired it (no, it wasn't James Cameron, though it kind of looked like him). What a beast of a watch. I remember thinking how impractical it was, and yet so impressive and compelling.

At the time I don't believe I realized there were only something like 4 of these in the world; I knew it was rare, but had no idea to what degree. Anyway, I'd dig it if Rolex produced this model, but am very happy with the current DSSD.

[George58]

Originally Posted by CaptTed

Saw it once back in 2014 in Providence RI. Someone at the table next to me was wearing it, you could clearly spot it from 8-10 feet away. I asked him about it, he took it off and let me try it on, and kindly shared the story of how he acquired it (no, it wasn't James Cameron, though it kind of looked like him). What a beast of a watch. I remember thinking how impractical it was, and yet so impressive and compelling.

At the time I don't believe I realized there were only something like 4 of these in the world; I knew it was rare, but had no idea to what degree. Anyway, I'd dig it if Rolex produced this model, but am very happy with the current DSSD.

Tell us how this guy got it ? Im thinking it was a fake.

[Watchcollector123]

Would buy it 100%

[CaptT]

Originally Posted by George58

Tell us how this guy got it ?

Sure, more context. He was sitting at the table next to me, we were at the club lounge of the Renaissance Providence eating breakfast. When he walked by I asked him about it, and he seemed glad to engage, quickly took it off, and I was able to compare it to my 116610.

He mentioned he collected watches, that his dad was a horologist, so he's been surrounded by watches (and interesting watches) most of his life. His attorney actually turned him on to it and recommended he pick it up because (I believe) his attorney knew the significance of it (or came across it somehow), and he knew it to be rare as well. I believe he and his family were visiting from Texas, though it's been a few years so I may not remember that correctly.

Regardless, I didn't have my phone with me, was browsing on my iPad and didn't think to grab a pic when I tried it on. I remember thinking the watch was like a DSSD stacked on top of another DSSD, that the protruding crystal and resulting distortion was so cool, and that the bracelet was disproportionally small for the size and weight of the watch head. But all in all a very cool watch and rather rare experience.

[Mendota]

Originally Posted by Master_Grogu

That’s not a watch but a collector item / shelf piece. As much as I love it, this has no business in your wrist.

Precisely, 100%. In fact, it wasn't designed to actually be worn. Neither was the original fugly Deep Sea Challenge from the 1960s. These two "watches" were simply designed to set records for the deepest "watch" rating and they were bracketed to the outside of the submersibles that went down to the depths in the Marianna Trench. James Cameron's dial configuration was for the actual wearable watch commemorating that dive. This thing was simply to set the record.

[amphr1]

Seems to me like an item for investment/museum than to be worn on the wrist. I'd be worry for knocking someone over accidentally just waving my hands in the air LOL

[Mendota]

Originally Posted by George58

Tell us how this guy got it ? Im thinking it was a fake.

My money is on that it most likely was indeed a replica. There was a Chinese factory that produced very high quality replicas of these for a while after the big event happened and the documentary movie was released. I won't link to it for obvious reasons but you can easily find them online. They produced hundreds of them. They even used a 3130 clone movement to power it. Most people probably just put them on their desks as a paper weight.

[garyk]

Im afraid it would be too large for me. My DSSD is as good as it gets for me...

[Frankzappagambale]

It looks like you put a nato strap on a wall clock 😂

Originally Posted by mmalek1

I never got to see the Rolex in person, but I did try on this omega. It was a little too big for me, so I decided to pass.

[LC23]

Originally Posted by Ganymede

Is there a market for it? And how much would you be willing to pay for it?

I mean…. it looks pretty comfy, doesn’t it?

I have a DSSD and I only wear it if I want to feel like Thor or if I know I might need to punch something

[DJ2020]

I would hold out for the Omega Ultra Deep.

[airchitect]

Could stay in a cool winder and become my desk clock.


Sent using Tapatalk

[CaptT]

Originally Posted by George58

Tell us how this guy got it ? Im thinking it was a fake.

Originally Posted by Mendota

My money is on that it most likely was indeed a replica.

Ye of little faith! Nothing about the interaction, the individual, the location, etc suggested to me that this was not the real thing. We'll never know, though, short of this person coming forth to confirm (which would be cool).

Originally Posted by LC23

I have a DSSD and I only wear it if I want to feel like Thor or if I know I might need to punch something

Ha, it's quite the wearing experience, huh?!

[jcatral14]

Would make the DSSD look like a 36DJ lol

[Jack T]

You'd have to alternate between left and right wrists, so as not to throw you back and shoulders out.

[Mendota]

Definitely not saying it wasn't, it's just that the odds are stacked against it for being legit just based on production numbers. Only a few of these were ever made but literally thousands of high quality Chinese replicas were produced. People online bought them to use as interesting desk pieces, stress relievers to fiddle with, paper weights, etc.

[logo]

Saw someone at the mall a few weeks ago with some sort of gargantuan watch - could see it sticking out from across the room, definitely way bigger than a DSSD. First glance it looked like the Deep Sea Special with a massive dome, but figured there's no way. Never got close enough to see what it actually was.

In any case, cool watch, but it's more of a dive weight than a time piece - need one for both wrists to balance out