Named after the Belgian ‘Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique’ which funded the project, FNRS-2 was the first prototype of a ‘bathyscaphe’ (ancient greek for deep-boat). Illustration of Auguste Piccard’s FNRS-2 “diving baloon” published in December 1947 The “abyssal submarine” consisted of a float filled with lighter-than-water gasoline for buoyancy and a pressure sphere for a crew of two. Excerpt from the 50th anniversary Rolex pamphlet to commemorate the Mariana Trench dive from January 23, 1960ĭownload: Celebrating 50 years of underwater heritage (Rolex, JPG)īetween 19, Swiss scientist and explorer Auguste Piccard, famous for his 1930s record altitude flights in a helium-filled balloon, developed a “diving balloon” named FNRS-2 capable of withstanding pressures equivalent to 13,000 ft/4,000 m of depth. In 2010, Rolex provided the following timeline. In addition, Rolex produced at least 47 commemorative pieces after 1960 which were presented to museums and top retailers around the globe. 33 (Photo: Hodinkee)Īs of today, three pieces said to have participated in actual deep dives are known. Rolex Deep Sea Special commemorative piece no. On January 23, 1960, the final iteration reached the deepest point on the planet attached to the outside of a special submersible known as bathyscaphe Trieste. Three different models were made over the span of ten years. The Rolex Deep Sea Special (DSS) was an experimental Oyster model with distinct bubble crystal created to withstand ocean floor pressures equivalent to several tons per square inch. The watch is said to have survided great depths but how will it hold up in a forensic deep dive under the Perezcope? Continue reading to get the full historical picture… 1 really the watch that made the record dive in 1953? NOT according to Rolex, that is for sure! A closer look at the publicly available data on these obscure experimental pieces revealed the watch is a later model which, according to people familiar with it, probably never dipped a lug in the ocean. ![]() Sounds like a serious collector’s piece… but is it true what the auction house claims – assisted by the usual mainstream watch media suspects? Is Christie’s Deep Sea Special No. Given its historical importance, the specialists at Christie’s set the estimate between 2,000,000 and 4,000,000 Swiss Francs but insiders reckon the owner is aiming for a much higher figure, perhaps even double the high estimate. For their ‘Rare Watches’ auction on Novemin Geneva, Christie’s was entrusted with the sale of an exceptional piece of Rolex history – a super elusive Rolex Deep Sea Special – but not just any – the actual Numero Uno, “the very first prototype” which according to the auction house’s own words was attached to the outside of the legendary bathyscaphe Trieste when it descended to a record depth of 3,150 meters on September 30, 1953.
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