Just today, celebrated filmmaker and National Geographic Society 'Explorer-in-Residence' James Cameron descended into the Mariana Trench, pushing himself to a depth never before reached solo, aboard a specially designed submarine. Cameron's dive, which reached the 'Challenger Deep', the deepest point in the ocean by descending to 35,756 feet (6.77 miles/1089 km) in a specially designed submarine, marks the launch of the DEEPSEA CHALLENGE, a scientific project uniting Cameron, the National Geographic Society and Rolex in the aim of conducting exploration and research in the ocean depths to expand human knowledge and understanding of these largely unknown parts of the planet. The journey of the DEEPSEA CHALLENGE lasted 2 hours and 36 minutes. Cameron resurfaced at 12 noon (local time). The submersible, the result of more than seven years of design efforts, remained on the bottom for about three hours during which Cameron was able to collect photographic and video material of the Mariana Trench, as well as samples for research in marine biology, microbiology, astrobiology, marine geology and geophysics. The Challenger Deep has only been reached once before by a human expedition, on 23 January 1960, by US Navy Lieutenant Don Walsh and Swiss oceanographer Jacques Piccard in the bathyscaphe Trieste. In 1960, an experimental Rolex Deepsea Special watch was attached to the hull of the Trieste and resurfaced in perfect working order after withstanding the immense pressure exerted 6.78 miles (almost 11 km) below the sea surface. The submarine DEEPSEA CHALLENGER will bring a new experimental wristwatch, the Rolex Deepsea Challenge, attached to the manipulator arm, renewing the innovative engineering challenge that the Swiss watchmaker took up 52 years ago with the Trieste. "Our affinity with the deep also extends to active and ongoing support for renowned marine researchers, in support of excellence and innovation in the advancement of human knowledge," said Gian Riccardo Marini, CEO of Rolex SA. "I am convinced that James Cameron is leading us to the threshold of a long-delayed revival of marine exploration. We are proud to have such a long-time passionate admirer of Rolex, and to return to the Challenger Deep in this historic endeavour that will help unlock the secrets of the deepest ocean depths."
