The Australian National Maritime Museum is proud to announce the arrival of a legendary artefact in deep-sea exploration: the actual Rolex Deepsea Challenge experimental watch that accompanied explorer and filmmaker James Cameron on his record-breaking solo dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench in March 2012.
The watch, guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 12,000 metres (39,370 feet), was exclusively developed and manufactured by Rolex for the expedition. Strapped to the exterior of Cameron's custom-built submersible, the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER, the Rolex Deepsea Challenge kept perfect time at a depth of 10,908 metres (35,757 feet) – a feat then unmatched in horological history.
This timepiece, engineered to withstand the crushing pressure of the ocean's deepest point, now joins the Museum's exhibition Ultimate Depth: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea, offering visitors a rare opportunity to witness a symbol of human ingenuity and endurance. The watch's arrival complements the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER itself, which is already on display at the Museum, returning to Sydney for the first time since its historic expedition.
Mr Benoit Falleti, Managing Director of Rolex Australia, said: "We are honoured to bring James Cameron's experimental Rolex Deepsea Challenge watch to Australia, providing visitors to the Maritime Museum with an exceptional firsthand encounter with a true icon of exploration. This unique opportunity underscores Rolex's ongoing commitment to innovation and human endeavour, to better understand and protect the planet."
Ms Daryl Karp AM, CEO and Director of the Australian National Maritime Museum, said: 'This watch is a marvel of engineering and a testament to the spirit of exploration. We are honoured to showcase it alongside the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER, celebrating Australian innovation and global scientific achievement.'
Emily Jateff, Senior Curator, Ocean Futures added: 'The presence of the Rolex Deepsea Challenge in the exhibition allows us to tell a richer story about exploring Earth's final frontier.'
The Ultimate Depth exhibition invites visitors to journey through five distinct ocean zones—from the sunlit surface to the pitch-black depths of the Hadal Zone—encountering rare marine life, pioneering technologies, and the stories of those who dare to explore the unknown.
The Rolex Deepsea Challenge watch is now on display in the Ultimate Depth exhibition.
