Rolex has partnered with global design authority Wallpaper* to publish the first authorized history of the Oyster Perpetual Submariner watch. Written by author and watch expert Nicholas Foulkes, the 252-page book, Oyster Perpetual Submariner —the watch that unlocked the deep, is available in English and French. It is the first in a series of titles exploring the brand’s unique watches.
Posts filed under Rolex
Insider: Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Gem-Set Bezel ref. 126579RBR. A Mother-of-Pearl Exquisite Timepiece.
Earlier this year, Rolex presented two new versions of the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona in 18K white gold whose dials contrast white and black natural mother-of-pearl and a bezel set with brilliant-cut diamonds. One of the new models is equipped with an Oysterflex strap under reference 126589RBR, while the other one —which we have here— is equipped with a matching Oyster bracelet in 18K white gold under reference 126579RBR.
Experience: Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin California Orange Citrus. Perfect Match to the Rolex Explorer II 'Polar'.
As you know, we love a good G&T and we love talking about Drumshanbo, one of our favorite gins out there. The latest and greatest from Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin is infused this time with California Orange Citrus for the hot summer days ahead of us. Infused with twelve botanicals like the twelve months of the year, the Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin is a well-balanced gin unlike any other. Distilled at the edge of a lake in a shed in a small Irish town called Drumshanbo, the ordinary is made extraordinary.
W&W 2024: Rolex Deepsea Yellow Gold Blue Dial ref. 136668LB (Live Pics)
One of the most notable releases at Watches & Wonders from Rolex is the new Deepsea in 18K yellow gold with a blue dial and blue cerachrom bezel insert. The new Rolex Deepsea Yellow Gold Blue Dial ref. 136668LB features a blue lacquer dial —the identical hue of blue as the ‘Smurf’ Submariners— bearing the name ‘DEEPSEA’ in powdered yellow. The dial features large Chromalight hour markers and hands, filled with luminescent material that emits a long-lasting blue glow for excellent legibility in dark conditions.
W&W 2024: Rolex Perpetual 1908 Platinum Ice Blue Guilloché Dial ref. 52506 (Live Pics)
The Perpetual 1908 is now available in a .950 platinum 39mm case with an ice blue guilloché dial. The hue of this dial is in line with the exclusive use by Rolex of ice blue dials on platinum cases. For this new Rolex Perpetual 1908, the brand has tapped into a more traditional watchmaking approach by decorating the dial with hand guilloché.
W&W 2024: Rolex Day-Date 36 Everose Blue-Green Dial ref. 128395TBR (Live Pics)
Equipped with a 36 mm 18K Everose gold —Rolex’s proprietary alloy made in its foundry— case, this new version of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36 introduces a blue-green dial unlike any other. New for the collection, the Day-Date 36 Everose Blue-Green Dial ref. 128395TBR features a bezel set with 60 trapeze-cut diamonds and a dial with 10 baguette-cut diamonds serving as markers.
W&W 2024: Rolex Day-Date 40 Everose Slate Ombré Dial ref. 228235 (Live Pics)
Equipped with a 40 mm 18K Everose gold —Rolex’s proprietary alloy made in its foundry— case, this new version of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40 introduces a smoky slate ombré dial. This new ombré hue offers a delicate transition between light at the center of the dial and darkness around the edge. Graced with faceted, deconstructed Roman numerals and faceted index hour markers in 18K pink gold, this dial represents the continuity of a design that we introduced in the 1980s and relaunched in 2019.
W&W 2024: Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 126710GRNR (Live Pics). Let's Nickname it the 'Shadow GMT'.
For the first time, the Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 126710 in stainless steel is cloaked with a new cerachrom bezel insert in grey and black just like that insert introduced in 2023 for the 18K yellow gold GMT-Master II model ref. 126718GRNR. This time the new GMT-Master II also features a 40 mm case where either the Oyster or Jubilee bracelets are interchangeable unlike on previous models where if the watch was fitted with a jubilee bracelet, the case wouldn’t take an oyster bracelet.
News: The Rolex Watchmaking Training Center Accepting Applications for Inaugural Class in Dallas, Texas
The Rolex Watchmaking Training Center located in Dallas, TX was created in 2023 to prepare and educate the next generation of Rolex-certified watchmakers, furthering Rolex’s mission to create a stable and sustainable future for watchmaking in the United States.
From the Editor: The Rolex 24 at Daytona Race and the Rolex That is Given to the Winners
This weekend January 27-28, 2024 is the weekend for the legendary 24 Hours at Daytona Race now called The Rolex 24 at Daytona. Held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, it is considered one of the most prestigious races worldwide. A thrilling endurance race, The Rolex 24 at Daytona is the second most important endurance race in the world after the 24 Hours of Le Mans —24 Heures du Mans— in France.
From the Editor: Do You Know How to Properly Size the Rolex Oysterflex Bracelet/Strap? I Explain How to Achieve the Perfect Fit.
While Rolex calls it an Oysterflex bracelet, this is in reality a high-performance elastomer strap with flexible metal blades in its core. The Rolex Yacht-Master’s Oysterflex bracelet was developed and patented by Rolex using a high-performance elastomer over-molded over a flexible titanium and nickel alloy metal blade. To provide higher resistance, the metal blades are located within the areas where the strap connects to the case and to the clasp.
From the Editor: My Thoughts on the Acquisition of Bucherer By Rolex
On August 24th, 2023, we all heard the news about Rolex acquiring Bucherer, one of the oldest watch retailers. I am finally publishing this editorial, as I wanted the news to settle down and also give myself plenty of time to publish an editorial that would be thought-provoking about this acquisition. Rolex and Bucherer share a long history as Bucherer has been an official retailer of Rolex since 1924 and Jörg G. Bucherer is the last person still in activity to have known and worked with Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex.
Introducing: Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 100th Anniversary 24 Hours of Le Mans ref. 126529LN
Rolex is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race with an original version of its legendary chronograph. The 40 mm case is crafted in 18K white gold, the black Cerachrom bezel features the number ‘100’ in red on the tachymetric scale, evoking the race’s centenary. This new Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 100th Anniversary 24 Hours of Le Mans ref. 126529LN is equipped with an exclusive movement, calibre 4132, which is a 24-hour chronograph instead of the model’s usual twelve.
From the Editor: My Honest Thoughts on the New Rolex Oyster Perpetual 'Celebration' Dial ref. 124300
Now that the dust has settled, I am going to share my honest thoughts on how I really felt and feel now about the new Rolex Oyster Perpetual 'Celebration' ref. 124300. As I stood in front of the vitrines at the Rolex pavilion during Watches & Wonders 2023 in Geneva, I just couldn’t believe what my eyes were seeing. This is the very first time that the Green Giant would do something like this. On one hand, I felt that they were very ballsy to come up with such a dial, but on the other hand, I felt that this wasn’t what I would ever expect from Rolex and their very ‘by the book’ approach.
From the Archives: Rolex Explorer II Polar. A Favorite Modern Era Rolex.
Considering that it's been a while since we last published a hands-on review of a modern Rolex timepiece, we decided to work on this special review of what we consider to be our favorite modern era Rolex watch. As you all know, Rolex is the typical gateway to the luxury watch category and a brand with the highest 'top of mind' in the luxury watch world. Additionally, Rolex ranks as one of the top five most valuable brands when it comes to luxury goods.
Experience: Diptyque 'Tempo' Eau de Parfum. A Nod to 'The Sixties', Like the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116500.
The 1960s, was a one of the greatest decades of the modern era for many reasons. During 'The Sixties' not only man conquered space by landing and walking on the surface of the moon, but also one of the most iconic and legendary watches of all time was born. The Rolex Cosmograph was born in 1963 when a new exotic scent was changing the world. Born only two years after the release in 1961 of Dyptique's first fragrance 'L'Eau', the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is today, as perfect as it was more than 50 years ago.
From the Editor: Rolex Launches Rolex Certified Pre-Owned Programme. Here's What I Think Will Happen in the Secondary Market.
Rolex announced today that they are launching the Rolex Certified Pre-Owned Programme. Rolex is now offering the opportunity to purchase pre-owned watches that are certified pre-owned from its official retailers. The Rolex Certified Pre-Owned programme now enables retailers in the brand’s official distribution network to sell second-hand models that are certified as authentic and which come with a new two-year international guarantee.
Experience: Blanton's Original Single Barrel Bourbon. The Interesting History Behind the Stoppers.
We discovered Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon more than 13 years ago at The Benjamin Steakhouse in New York City. Perfectly suited for those cooler nights during the fall, the warm notes of this bourbon paired with the warm tones of a Rolex Sky-Dweller Everose with slate dial ref. 326935 makes a more than a perfect combo. While the law does not require bourbon to be made in Kentucky, the Bluegrass state produces approximately 95% of the world’s supply.
From the Editor: The Rolex Daytona with 24 Hours at Daytona 'Winner' Engraving is Not a Myth
This morning, I was asked by one of our readers via email if a Rolex Daytona bearing a 24 Hours at Daytona ‘Winner’ engraving on its case back was necessarily a fake watch or not. Since I’ve covered this topic before, I decided to talk about it again today and clear up the air for those of you still wondering. While some of those watches bearing the ‘Winner’ engraving could be absolute garbage fakes, there are some of them out there, that are as real as it gets.
From the Editor: Rolex Yacht-Master 40 ref. 126679SABR aka 'The Cotton Candy'. Is this @ILikeRolexes Next Watch?
Where the sky meets the ocean and the sun comes up over the water, the new Rolex Yacht-Master 40 ref. 126679SABR creates a powerful combo already nicknamed ‘The Cotton Candy’ by my close friend @ILikeRolexes. If you follow him on Instagram, you then know he’s the king of modern Rolex watch collecting and a watch collector that loves gem-set Rolexes like no one else I’ve ever met.
