Rolex Deep Sea Special - 1960

[robrobin]

So, to continue tonight's escapade......in addition to the 51.4mm DSSD Challenge a second case had another experimental watch (which was only 2 seconds off after setting the time 3 days ago!) called the Deep Sea Special.
It was a 42.7mm diameter and almost as thick at 36mm. Oddly enough it had a plexiglas 18mm thick crystal and a 1570 movement. In 1960 this watch was strapped to the outside of the dive vehicle the Trieste. It was taken to a depth of over 10,000 meters. From what I was told this is the only Deep Sea Special in existence. It was not designed as a divers watch, though it did have a oyster riveted bracelet on it. The main purpose was to show the world just how good Rolex know-how was at the time.

My interest lately in watches had been waning. Too many models, special editions, escalating prices, etc. But seeing these two historically significant watches really got my interest up again. Here's a pic of the Deep Sea Special.