Rolex

This year at Baselworld, Rolex debuted three new gold Daytonas with Oysterflex rubber bracelets. The precious metal case options are 18K yellow, rose, or white gold. The patented Oysterflex rubber bracelet was first introduced in 2015 with the Yacht-Master. Last year, Rolex introduced steel Daytonas with Cerachrom bezel, which are currently in short supply and high demand, and so this year is more of a line extension. It does likely mean we might see the steel Daytonas being sold with the Oysterflex bracelet in the near future as well. As far as specifications, the case is still 40 mm, black monoblock Cerachrom is engraved with a tachymeter scale that is filled in with gold that matches the case. The caliber 4130 Rolex chronograph movement with 72-hours powers the watch. Water-resistance is 100 meters. Notably, the Oysterflex rubber strap is unique

One of the more interesting watches to come from Rolex this year was the Rolex Datejust 41 in steel with a Dark Rhodium dial and Jubilee five-piece link bracelet. With a larger case size (41 mm in diameter), a smooth (not fluted) bezel, and 18K white gold indexes on top of a real rhodium plated dial, Rolex has made a watch that is aesthetically much more pleasing to my eye. The Datejust, quite frankly, has never appealed to me, until now. Rolex Datejust 41 in steel with white gold fluted bezel (Ref. 126334) Surely, many will disagree as the Datejust is one of Rolex’s many icons, with a huge following. Nevertheless, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and this new, modern, Datejust, ticks many of the boxes for me personally. The dark rhodium dial, in particular, or even

This year at Baselworld, Rolex introduced a new model within the Cellini collection, the Cellini Moonphase. The watch is presented in a 39 mm polished 18K Everose gold case and features what Rolex refers to as a double bezel, that’s domed and fluted. Rose gold applied indexes, and a printed minutes/seconds scale, along with lance-shaped rose gold hour and minute hands, and a rose gold baton shaped central seconds hand, indicate the time. A blue centrally mounted hand, with an aptly shaped crescent moon tip, points to the date around the printed out chapter ring. A blue enameled disc at 6 o’clock, which has a unique meteorite applique, indicates the current moonphase, via a, rose gold arrow at 12 o’clock on the lunar subdial. Each day, the moonphase disc follows the lunar cycle, as shown on Rolex’s website. “As each

In the past, Tempus Machina has taken new Rolex Submariners, HERE and HERE, and modded them to look like vintage models. And now, they’re doing the same thing with the new Rolex GMT-Master II (Ref. 116710) and made it look similar to the original GMT – which is highly collectible and very rare – the “Bakelite” Ref. 6542. The original Rolex GMT-Master 6542, one of the first “Professional Watches,” designed specifically for pilots flying commercial airlines internationally, has already been recreated to some extent by the true watchmakers at Rolex in white gold with a Pepsi Bezel. And while it is not available in steel, with a gilt dial, or with the extra beveling to the lugs, that you see on the so-called 711Z GMT Master, would you really want to buy such a watch? Especially considering the lofty price

This October, Phillips Watches will host their first ever watch auction in New York, highlighted by a timepiece that will surely garner the attention of the worldwide watch collecting community. Aurel Bacs, in association with Phillips, will be auctioning the most coveted Paul Newman Daytona, possibly of all time: Paul Newman’s actual Ref. 6239 Rolex Daytona. Worn and owned by the actor himself, this incredibly collectible Rolex Daytona was manufactured in 1963, and less than 3,000 were made in this particular combination: white dial, black subdials, red “DAYTONA” text and outer chapter ring. The back even has a special engraving from his wife. Past Rolex Daytonas have been sold by Phillips for record-breaking seven-figure sums, so the fact that this variation is rare, already means it is likely to fetch an enormous sum. Add to that the provenance of being

Yesterday, at the Geneva Watch Auction: Five, the Rolex reference 6062, aka the “Bao Dai,” broke the all-time record for a Rolex at auction. According to Phillips, “Following an eight-minute bidding war, between ten bidders in the room and three on the telephone, the iconic Rolex Reference 6062, ‘Bao Dai’ sold for CHF 5,066,000 to a phone bidder.” The Rolex Bao Dai is a triple calendar with moonphase in yellow gold and is one of only three known to exist with diamond markers. Additionally, this example is the only one to feature the diamond markers at even hours. Increasing the collectibility of this one-of-a-kind Rolex timepiece even further – and inspiring its nickname – is the fact that it originally belonged to the last emperor of Vietnam, His Majesty Bao Dai. See the official description for historic lot 93 here.

Next month – at the Geneva Watch Auction: Five – one watch is poised to break the all-time high Rolex auction record. The Bao Dai, otherwise known as reference 6062, has a presale estimate set by Phillips Auction house at $1.5 million. This Rolex triple display calendar with moonphase is one of only three yellow gold with black dial versions with diamond markers known to exist. Moreover, of the three, the Bao Dai, is the only example to feature diamond markers at the even hours. The provenance is, of course, further enhanced by having belonged to His Majesty Bao Dai, the last emperor of Vietnam. “Born Nguyễn Phúc Vĩnh Thụy, His Majesty Bao Dai was the 13th and last emperor of the Nguyễn Dynasty, and it was not until he ascended the throne in 1925 at age 12 that he

One of the most newsworthy Rolex introductions from 2017 was surely the new 43 mm diameter Sea-Dweller. The 2017 Sea-Dweller features the next generation Rolex 3235 caliber automatic, that has a 70-hour power reserve and is a so-called Superlative Chronometer with impressive -2/+2 precision after being cased up. A new ceramic bezel with numerals and graduations coated in platinum resists scratches. Water-resistance is 1220 meters (4000 feet), along with an escape valve, which is nowhere near the superfluous depth rating of the 44 mm diameter Deep Sea, but it is more than enough for any professional diving needs, and it does so in a smaller 43 mm diameter case. Moreover, at $11,350 it is less than the Deep Sea. (Ref. 126600) Learn more at PW or at Rolex.

Rolex has announced six new “Rolesor” versions of the Sky-Dweller for 2017, which consist of 904L stainless steel cases with 18K yellow or white gold bezels (the bracelet center links on the yellow gold versions are crafted in 18K solid gold). Previously the Sky-Dweller – which was introduced in 2012 – was only available in precious metal cases. As with the previous versions, the Sky-Dweller comes in a 42 mm diameter case, is powered by Rolex’s most complicated automatic movement (caliber 9001), is protected by 11 patents, and features a unique combination of dual time zone and an annual calendar that is controlled by the patented rotating Ring Command bezel and crown. Rolex Sky-Dweller - Ref. 326934 steel/white gold bezel “Setting the Sky-Dweller’s three main functions is quick and easy. It can be done in any order, and both forwards

Originally created in 1967 – in collaboration with the French diving company COMEX – the Sea-Dweller is a more robust version of the Submariner. While the Submariner is a professional dive watch, the Sea-Dweller is the thicker, more athletic, deeper diving brother. Rolex is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Sea-Dweller this year and at Baselworld 2017 launched an all-new, larger 43 mm version that is equipped with a new movement. The Ref. 126600 replaces the existing 40 mm Sea-Dweller Ref. 116600. As a nod to the double red line text which read “SEA-DWELLER, SUBMARINER 2000” on the dial of the original Ref. 1665 Sea-Dweller from 1967, the new model reads “SEA-DWELLER” in red. As with the previous generation, there is no “SUBMARINER” on the dial. Like the 116600, the water-resistance rating is twice that of the original, which was