Incoming…

[Token74]

I’m super excited by this watch, a very different beast to the Pelagos 39 I recently bought! I appreciate there’s a lot of hate for it on here, but in a strange way that makes me love it even more. Anything that divides opinion creates discussion, and that’s cool.

Firstly, let’s get the obvious thing out the way first, it’s way too big for my small wrists! I’m not delusional and not going to try to convince myself or others otherwise.

Secondly, the watch clearly serves no useful purpose in the sense that it goes way beyond the limits that a human who may want to wear the watch as a ‘tool’ Watch can go. But the same can be said for the DSSD of course.

But none of that matters, because it isn’t about that for me. It’s about incredible design and engineering, it’s about doing something that most don’t see the need to do, it’s about pushing boundaries, it’s what great people like James Cameron do. It’s what I do in my work life, Challenge accepted thinking and see where it goes. It’s a reminder to me that it’s a good thing to do, don’t ever stay still.

This watch will get worn rarely by me. On a winters day on a morning walk where a coat and gloves can disguise the bulk sufficiently for me to enjoy it for a moment. It will still look ridiculous on me, but I don’t care, I will enjoy it and there is nobody else around, so what does it matter. I will wear it over a wetsuit, not because I need to, but because I can, and it will make me smile. It will at least get worn more than my Reverso which only gets worn for Board Meetings!

The rest of the time it will be in a display alcove in my office wall, so I can look at it all day and remind myself on those bad days that there is a much bigger world out there and I’m just a tiny insignificant cog. It will also be a reminder to challenge myself and a reminder that for every problem there is a solution. And it will occasionally get moved to my whisky lounge where me and some close friends get together once in a while to talk watches and whisky.

I adore the Sea Dweller range. A 16600 was my first Rolex. My 116600 is my longest serving and most worn watch, and I have a JC DSSD in order. I will then be on the hunt for a birth year 1665.

For all the reasons above, I love this watch. For those of you that hate it, I get that too, and that’s ok.

The Beast on my morning walk…



The whisky lounge where it will spend some time…




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[VladimirS]

Congratulations, I picked my DSSD up last week and it’s hardly been off my wrist.

Like you, I admire the piece as a feat of engineering. Because of the story behind it, I’d very much like to own a Challenge as well.

Whisky lounge looks great as well!

[kieselguhr]

Congratulations! Look forward to seeing it on the daily WRUW threads!

[Token74]

Originally Posted by VladimirS

Congratulations, I picked my DSSD up last week and it’s hardly been off my wrist.

Like you, I admire the piece as a feat of engineering. Because of the story behind it, I’d very much like to own a Challenge as well.

Whisky lounge looks great as well!

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[Token74]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

Congratulations! Look forward to seeing it on the daily WRUW threads!

Daily might be pushing it!


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[Angryinch]

Love it! Awesome pic and write up. She’s a beast! Unbelievable engineering!

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by Token74

I’m super excited by this watch, a very different beast to the Pelagos 39 I recently bought! I appreciate there’s a lot of hate for it on here, but in a strange way that makes me love it even more.

Congratulations.

Hate is such a destructive, toxic state of mind. In fairness to the forum, I don't see a lot of it and I think your characterisation of other people's views is too harsh.

I wish you big fun with your new watch.

[Number3]

Fantastic pickup - congrats.

Love the whisky lounge, it has a real feel of the Highlands to it.

[Gerry62]

After a 5513 , 16600 , 116613LB, 116660Blue , 126603TT the Challenge would be the worthy closure of this my wonderful journey among the most important Divers in watchmaking

CONGRATS

[Fin77]

Great write up.
Big congratulations!

“Wow” best describes this watch,
IMO.

I think those that dislike the DSSD have never worn or tried one on. Oh well, they’ll never know what they are missing.

Cheers!


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[travisb]

Great post Vince! Congrats on the Challenge! Definitely nothing out there like it and you have to appreciate the engineering put into that beast.

[brandrea]

Congratulations Vince I agree with everything you said. Enjoy it

What time are drinks?

[rmlovett1]

Congratulations!

[1William]

Congratulations.

[George58]

it's the same engineering as the deepsea all rolex did increase the size no great feat

[1st amg]

Congrats, that watch was my first Rolex and first love for the brand. Wear it as a wonderful feat of engineering, such a great tool watch.

[fuzzy_panda]

Congrats! I love the DSSD but can’t quite pull it off with my dainty wrists.

[rambo99]

congratulations! looks like quite a few members here have bought the deep sea challenge!

[Little machines]

Congratulations!! True tool watch enjoy that beast !!

[ap1]

Enjoy your beast!

[AF_Rob]

Maybe it's the jacket and gloves bulking up your wrist, but I think it looks good on you.

[Pw92676]

I appreciate how well thought out your post is. So I feel compelled to write more than my usual “enjoy!”
You totally get the concept of this and I hope it brings you a smile every time you see it. Double smiles if it’s in that incredible whisky room :)

[DtownRRS]

Congrats!

[tifosi]

Great post! I love the Challenge for what it is. If I had the extra funds, I'd buy one just to own and display.

[Danny83]

Congrats

[Maestro]

Nice story. Congrats

[diracpoint]

Congrats and thanks for the well thought out post! Btw, that b/w shot is AWESOME!

It's truly an absolute engineering marvel when one considers the amount of compressive force it can withstand. Truly mind-boggling.

Enjoy in great health!👍🍻

[Meyrin]

Nice one Vince for getting what YOU want and to hell with what others might think! Sure, it´s certainly not for everybody, but I personally admire the incredible and frankly quite startling feat of engineering this Rolex embodies...fascinating! 11,000 meters? Good grief! I´d love to see some pictures of you wearing this phenomenal watch out "in the wild"! Do enjoy it in good health, and please don´t stick it in the display alcove for too long! I hope I can maybe get to see one at my AD sometime.

[Deepseadog]

Originally Posted by George58

it's the same engineering as the deepsea all rolex did increase the size no great feat

Agreed. And I don't think it's that forum members hate the watch, but it is not lost on any of us that this piece was hastily cobbled together in response to Omega's Ultra Deep. I suspect a more thoughtful iteration would have been received with the usual TRF open arms.

[Kjp061987]

Great write up. Hope to see this in the WRUW thread