New Rolex Deepsea Challenge Touts Titanium Case, Ultra-Deep Bona Fides
In a surprising move, Rolex joined filmmaker/adventurer James Cameron this morning to reveal a new Deepsea Challenge, 126067. Rolex enthusiasts will immediately notice something new about this number, which is the final 7. This last number denotes the case material, and until now, the 7 has never been used. This is because this watch represents the first Rolex product to be made commercially from titanium. It may be a first, but it’s really a reference that celebrates the past in a way that the brand has rarely seen. That said, the most exciting detail about this watch is how it may impact future releases. 
The first Deepsea Challenge watch was used 10 years ago when it accompanied Mr. Cameron on his trip to the Marianas Trench, some 36,000 feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean, and this latest watch pays homage both to that journey and to that of oceanographer Jacques Picard and U.S. Navy Lieutenant Don Walsh in 1960. They later survived that dive. It’s an impressive example indeed, but it has little bearing on the clone watches we wear every day.
The 126067 has all the bells and whistles we’ve seen from Rolex on its deepest divers over the years. The Ringlock case construction allows the watch to withstand tremendous pressure, while the helium vent valve allows gas to escape from the watch during the decompression phase when the diver is in a hyperbaric chamber. The Triplock crown provides three sealed zones around the crown stem (two inside and one inside the crown) that provide peace of mind. On the strap, you’ll find the Glidelock system inside the clasp and a Fliplock extension that can be fitted to a diving suit.
All of this is nice, but ultimately a far cry from the everyday practicality we enjoy in other Rolex tool watches. While the stats on this fake watch are impressive, I certainly don’t need something like a helium release valve or 11,000-meter depth resistance. I’ll bet you don’t need one, either. However, there is a small amount of detail about this watch that has me excited about future offerings from the brand. We’re talking about Rolex here, so nothing mind-blowing, but if you have a soft spot for the brand, there are some takeaways from this watch that should get you excited.