ROLEX Deep Sea SPECIAL #35 [to go under the hammer]

Phillips has just posted a listing for one of the last of the 35 experimental Rolex Deep Sea Special wristwatches; 

and if you have a casual 1.3 to 2.6 mil lying about then you’ll be able to bid on it when it goes under the hammer at The Geneva Watch Auction XIV this November. 

Rated to 35,789 feet, it is arguably one of the most important dive watches ever made; only it isn’t actually a diver’s watch – this is a common misconception.

The Rolex Deep Sea Special watches were experimental wristwatches built for the sole purpose of setting a benchmark in the field of water-resistance which they did to great effect; though they were never diving instruments. 

The watch being auctioned is in fact number 35 of 35, it was the very last one made. The DSS watches were never offered for sale, to anyone until now. 

They were only ever sent to the most prestigious museums such as the Smithsonian.

During the early 1950s, Rolex carried out a series of extreme and rigorous tests on a new experimental wristwatch. This special watch was constructed from steel. 

However, the one going on sale is a bi-color variant with solid gold lug end-links and a steel bracelet with gold center-links as well as a solid gold crown sleeve. 

Honestly, I have no idea why it was executed with gold elements – perhaps a celebration of sorts.

By August 1953, Rolex had engineered their experimental wristwatch, which was known as the 'Deep Sea Special' AKA DSS. 

It was first tested down to 1,080 meters, approximately 3,543 feet, then to 3,150 meters approximately 10,334 feet, which it reached later that year. 

It was finally ocean tested a third time 3 years later in 1956 to a depth of 3,700 meters, approximately 12,138 feet.

In 1960, with the knowledge that they has gained from the making of the first two watches, Rolex begun work on the third 'Deep Sea Special', which again was constructed to be able to withstand the enormous pressures from the ocean's depths. 

It would remain unmatched in terms of water-resistance for another 52 years! 

If you don’t already know which mechanical wristwatch currently holds the record for being able to washstand the greatest depth look no further than the H2O x OceanicTime 10 MILES, laboratory tested to and finally destroyed at 2’562 bar, the equivalent of 25’620m of water-resistance. 

Getting back to the DSS; its steel 'Oyster' case measured just 42.7mm in diameter, but had a thickness of 36mm. It was fitted with an 'Oyster' double-sealed crown, a massive screw-down steel case-back and 18mm thick Plexiglass acrylic crystal. 

The watch was powered by a Rolex 1570 self-winding mechanical movement. This incredible watch (even by today's standards) was then strapped to the Bathyscaphe Trieste submersible, manned by two intrepid pioneers of the deep, Jacques Piccard and U.S. Navy Lieutenant Don Walsh - in readiness for the ultimate field test.

On January 23rd, 1960 the Rolex Deep Sea Special, an experimental mechanical wristwatch was submerged to the incredible depth of 10,916 meter, 37,800 feet on a mega-dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the deepest known point on the Earth. It survived the historic dive in perfect working order.

To this day the Rolex Deep Sea Special continues to intrigue. Its design is as fascinating as the story behind it. Engineered for extremes, its most prominent feature, its monolithic crystal, was designed to withstand the 6 crushing tons-per-square-inch of pressure that are present 6 miles deep - its case, though, remains deceptively uncomplicated. 

The Rolex Deep Sea Special No. 35 will go on sale as part of Phillips’ the Geneva Watch Auction XIV which will take place on November 5th to 7th. It has an estimated sale price of CHF 1.2 – 2.4 million Swiss Francs. 

Btw here’s some additional info. from my esteemed friend and long standing German dive watch counterpart, Roger Ruegger - my thanks to him. 

While this is indeed numbered 35 of 35, it was not the last DSS that was ever produced. In fact number 36 is on display at the Beyer Museum in Zurich.

Of the watches that actually went down during the record dives; both were two-tone, however the commemorative editions were produced as both Stainless steel and bi-color variants. 

Thoughts? Some lucky sod is going to nab himself an amazing piece of horological and deep sea exploratory history, and good for him (I think cos I’m more than a little envious). 

Meanwhile the rest of us mortals can buy the modern-day equivalent AKA the HELBERG CH1 for a mere fraction of the price.