Rolex Deepsea Challenge A decade on with James Cameron

Ten years ago, on 26 March 2012, Rolex Testimonee James Cameron made history as the first person to dive solo to the deepest part of the Earth, the Pacific Ocean’s Mariana Trench, at 10,908 metres (35,787 feet). This record-breaking feat aboard the specially built DEEPSEA CHALLENGER followed on from the 1960 voyage of the bathyscaphe Trieste, which similarly mined the waters thousands of metres below the surface and on which Rolex was also present. Cameron’s 2012 expedition shed new light on the underwater realm as valuable samples were collected that helped pave the way for further scientific research. Strapped to the exterior of the submersible was the Rolex Deepsea Challenge, an experimental watch designed for the occasion. It was keeping perfect time when Cameron returned to the surface seven hours later. On the 10-year anniversary of the expedition, the filmmaker and explorer reflected on his journey to the bottom of the sea. The story of Rolex and the deep continues. Discover more