Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea Challenge 126067 - Review & Buying Guide
Rolex has long maintained a strong presence in the world of diving watches. Whether it was the first waterproof watch, the Oyster in 1926 or the Submariner in 1953 to the subsequent Sea-Dweller in 1967, the Swiss Maison has never failed to impress with their multifunctional dive models.
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Challenge Sea-Dweller 126067 launch in RLX Titanium reminds us why Rolex is a paragon of dive watch engineering. This material is definitely sailing high!
What started out as experimentation is now an integral part of the current Rolex catalogue. The release of the Deepsea Challenge in 2022 was a spectacular accomplishment as it shattered all water-resistance records. You can actually take this Rolex beast down to 11 kilometres!
But there’s more than the numbers. So, let’s dive deep (not 11000 metres, of course!) into the details of this horological beast of the ocean, starting with how it all started.
Brief History of the Rolex Deepsea Challenge
In 1960, Lieutenant Don Walsh and engineer Jacques Piccard did the unthinkable when they submerged the bathyscaphe, Trieste, 37,800 feet (10,916 metres) deep into the Mariana Trench (the deepest point in the ocean). The Rolex Deepsea Special was attached to the Trieste's outside – a huge prototype with a massive bubble crystal designed to take the underwater trip. And it worked! After the dive, the Deepsea Special was found to be in perfect working condition. Now, that’s what you call a selling point! Anything submerged to that depth is beyond imagination.
The next time we heard the name “Deepsea Challenge” was back in 2012 when Rolex produced a prototype for Titanic director James Cameron. Accompanying him on his solo dive to the Mariana Trench on March 26th 2012, was the experimental Rolex Deepsea Challenge attached to the outside of his submersible. The watch travelled 35,787 feet under the ocean. Imagine an experimental dive piece that reached 12,000 metres deep to become the deepest diving model in the world. This record-breaking achievement placed Rolex as a technological king.
No human has returned to such depths since January 23rd, 1960. Both dives had one thing in common: ROLEX.
However, the watch wasn’t ready for mass production.
In November 2022, the latest Deepsea Challenge Titanium model, 126067, was launched. It was inspired by the experimental Rolex Deepsea Challenge that James Cameron took on his descent to the Mariana Trench.
REVIEW: Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea Challenge 126067
The Basics:
- Model: Rolex Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Challenge
- Reference: 126067
- Case Size: 50mm
- Thickness: 23mm
- Case Material: RLX Titanium (Grade 5)
- Dial: Matte Black
- Bezel: Unidirectional Rotatable 60-minute Graduated
- Movement: Calibre 3230
- Water Resistance: 11,000 metres (36,090 feet)
- Power Reserve: 70 Hours (Approximately)
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Bracelet: RLX Titanium Oyster Bracelet with Rolex Glidelock and Fliplock Extensions
- Price: £22,350
CASE
Size is definitely an important consideration in this watch. If you want to buy a watch that is bulkier than any other model, then you should definitely look at the Deepsea Challenge 126067. The case of the Deepsea Challenge in 2012 was made of stainless steel, which is extremely robust and capable of withstanding immense pressure.
Ten years later, Rolex decided to take things up a notch with the case material and released the Reference 126067 in titanium. Like other materials released by Rolex, such as Oyster steel, Rolesium, or Cerachrom, Titanium has its own founding.
The Rolex Deepsea Challenge 126067 has a 50mm x 23mm titanium case and a 61mm lug-to-lug depth. The titanium used in the making of the Deepsea Challenge 126067 is RLX Titanium, a grade 5 titanium alloy whose sole purpose is to make the model bulkier yet lighter while maintaining durability. Sounds like an impossible feat? The use of titanium makes the watch around 30% lighter and 30% stronger than its stainless steel predecessor.
Surprisingly, the case has a grainy feel, which is strange because the case and the bracelet have a nice satin finish. This satin-brushed finish has a strong visual presence. The crown guards, however, are out of the grainy aesthetic and are shiny and polished, making a very appealing contrast. The bevelled lugs have a polished finish and run down in a very thin strip. On the left side of the case is a helium escape valve, and the crown guards are protected by lateral guards.
BEZEL
The Rolex Deepsea Challenge has a unidirectional rotatable ceramic bezel with 60-minute graduations, allowing divers to safely and accurately track their underwater dive time. It is equipped with a patented black Cerachrom bezel insert that remains unaffected by UV rays. The 60-minute graduation is coated with a thin layer of platinum via PVD.
DIAL
The dial of the 126067 matches the black ceramic bezel and has a matte finish with white gold applied markers and hands with blue-glowing Chromalight. There’s also a lot of text on the dial face, with seven lines total. There are three lines of text and a Coronet logo at 12 o’clock, four lines of text at 6 o’clock, and the obvious mentions of the Ringlock system.
Contrary to many modern Rolex watches like the Sea-Dweller or the regular Deepsea, the dial in 126067 doesn’t come with a date window. Nonetheless, the design is complemented by geometric shapes—such as circles, triangles, and rectangles—as hour markers, along with wide minute and hour hands, ensuring easy time readability and minimising confusion during underwater activities.
CHROMALIGHT
Since 2008, all Rolex watches have been utilising their patent ‘Chromalight’ display, which emits a neon blue glow. The dial has a Chromalight display featuring large Chromalight hour markers and hands, filled with luminous material that emits a long-lasting blue glow in dark or low-light conditions. This feature is particularly beneficial for divers.
RING LOCK SYSTEM
One of the Deepsea Challenge's most important characteristics is the Ring lock system, which makes it incredibly waterproof. Crafted out of nitrogen-alloy steel and inspired by the waterproof nature of the original Oyster, the Ring Lock system is, in essence, a compression ring that works as a sponge, absorbing any pressure exerted on the case. It comfortably sits between the solid RLX titanium case and the domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.
This Ring Lock system between the titanium case back and the crystal diverts stress caused by the insane amount of water pressure—almost 3.6 tons of pressure on the bottom of the Mariana Trench—keeping the watch working seamlessly.
BRACELET
As anticipated from a premier Rolex dive watch, the Deepsea Challenge includes all of the brand's bracelet innovations. Rolex has used the extremely durable RLX Titanium to create the bracelet of the Deepsea Challenge. The watch is equipped with an Oyster bracelet that incorporates the advanced Rolex Glidelock and Fliplock extension systems. Thanks to these two standout extension systems, the length of the model can vastly increase up to 7mm, perfecting it for bigger wrists! This is quite understandable when wearing scuba equipment or thick wetsuits.
MOVEMENT
Powering this watch is the new-generation calibre 3230, built in-house by Rolex. It is Superlative Chronometer certified, meaning it operates between -2/+2 seconds per day and gets 70 hours of power reserve. This is even better than the industry COSC standard requirements. It houses a Chronergy escapement, allowing it to be extremely precise as well as resistant to magnetic fields.
CASE BACK
The case back is solid and has specific record-related engravings. It has MARIANA TRENCH, 23-01-1960, and 26-03-2012 engraved on it, further adding to its meaning and elevating its appeal.
Other Important Features
- Helium escape valve - it helps regulate decompression by automatically releasing the accumulated gas within.
- Triplock screw-down crown – It features three sealed zones that provide excellent resistance.
Interesting Facts About The Deepsea Challenge 126067
The Rolex Deepsea Challenge Ref. 126067 is the result of Rolex’s unmatched innovative skills and their pursuit of dive watch perfection. Here are the ten most interesting facts about this watch that every connoisseur must know.
Despite its elephant-like size, the Deepsea Challenge is quite wearable with a suit, as it’s a tool engineered for a purpose. However, you might have slight difficulty sliding under the cuffs.
The Deepsea Challenge 126067 is the first Rolex made of all-titanium, a material known for its lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties.
To own this watch, you don’t have to be a billionaire collector or a famous film director like James Cameron. The Deepsea Challenge is commercially available for the everyday consumer.
If there’s one thing that Rolex proudly boasts is its ability to remain consistent, it's its iconic look. Many people get bored with the same design aesthetic of a watch model, but the iconic look of a Rolex watch creates a distinct identity. While the Deepsea Challenge has changed its size and rehaut, it still resembles a vintage Rolex Submariner.
Investment Value Of The Rolex Deepsea Challenge 126067
When you buy a Rolex Deepsea Challenge, you won’t be wearing it to try and dive to 11,000 metres. But you’ll wear it with pride and roll up your shirt sleeves to show it off or save it for the weekend special occasion.
Like many other Rolex watches, this one has a rich heritage, but what sets it apart is its accomplishment and its incredibly unique appearance and size. Furthermore, it’s not often that an experimental Rolex watch is made available to the public.
Therefore, yes, the watches can be a good investment. We also believe the Deepsea Challenge’s name can only help it retain value on the secondary market and you can easily sell your Rolex for a good return.
Pricing Details Of The Rolex Deepsea Challenge 126067
| Model | Retail Price | Pre-Owned Market Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ref. 126067 ‘Deepsea Challenge’ | £22,350 | £32,000 - £43,000 |
Due to Rolex’s iconic status and the Deepsea Challenge’s incredible achievements, the prices of the model may fluctuate in the pre-owned market. Due to its demand, you’ll likely find the watch selling for more than its retail value.
What’s Our View?
‘Who needs a watch this big?’ Well, this is what we thought of initially. But, hey, we watch collectors aren’t driven by rational needs, specifically when it comes to Rolex watches. This Rolex Deepsea Challenge pushes the boundaries beyond the necessary to meet the extraordinary and is a talking piece!
This watch demonstrates Rolex’s decades of experimentation, development, and research, showcasing its engineering to the maximum of its capacity. It is Rolex’s first-ever titanium watch with a record-breaking water-resistance, blending patents, concepts, and technologies that the brand has nurtured over the years.
And, maybe due to every little engineering factor that goes into it, the makers had no choice but to make this watch so BIG! It’s bigger than anything you’ve seen lately. Also, it has the biggest Rolex crown we have ever seen.
Hearing that it's made of titanium might make you cringe, but the moment you pick it up, you're struck by how incredibly light the watch feels. We would have told you to break a tile if it had been stainless steel, but the titanium makes it perfect to wear. Also, because it’s so light, it is also very balanced.
Another thing that caught our attention was that the sides weren’t polished. It may be because Rolex wanted to try something different, but if you ask us, we wouldn’t mind a little shine there. But it is a watch with a purpose, and in that respect, it is a masterpiece. It’s a feat that we didn’t think the watch would achieve when they first released it all those years ago.
CONCLUSION
The Rolex Deepsea Challenge Ref. 126067 is a watch designed to conquer the deepest corners of the ocean while maintaining the elegance and precision for which Rolex is known. Its mind-blowing water resistance, durable RLX Titanium and sophisticated design make it a perfect tool watch and a coveted piece for collectors.
Whether you’re a diving enthusiast, a robust companion, or a unique timepiece to add to your collection, the Rolex 126067 is a worthy investment. Sure, it comes with a hefty price tag, but it’s worth every penny. After all, not many watches can rival the sheer audacity of this underwater titan.