If regular stainless steel Rolex Daytonas seem scarce nowadays, just imagine how hard it is to run into a modified Rolex Daytona like the Artisans de Genève Rubens Barrichello Gold Daytona we are talking about. Artisans de Genève is a watchmaking workshop based in Geneva, Switzerland that offers exclusive service of watch modification for private customers. Their modifications are made exclusively upon request, at their workshops in Switzerland, all done by independent and highly skilled watchmakers
Posts filed under Rolex
Rare Bird: Rolex GMT Master ref. 1675 Pepsi from Former Mexican President José López Portillo
I was born just a few years before President José López Portillo y Pacheco took office in Mexico in 1976 and I spent much of my childhood drooling over the president’s watches —including a stainless steel Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo ref. 5402ST—, his sense of style and extravagant lifestyle. Thanks to López Portillo and to the line of business in which my family was involved, we had a bonanza era. Sadly, for the majority of the country and for businessmen like Manuel Espinosa Yglesias —the owner of Bancomer—, it was the worst presidential term ever. Abundance, mostly driven by oil prices turned into a disastrous presidential term after the banking system was nationalized in 1982.
News: Marlon Brando's Rolex GMT Master Featured in 'Apocalypse Now' to be Auctioned by Phillips Watches
Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo, the leading auction house for collectors’ timepieces of the highest quality, is pleased to announce the theme of its next New York Auction. Taking place on December 10th, 2019, the Game Changers Auction will be a tightly curated thematic auction dedicated to watches owned by extraordinary people who are considered “game changers” in their fields. The evening sale will also include iconic collectors’ models from leading brands that have changed the course of watchmaking and watch collecting, alongside other important timepieces that are outliers in terms of provenance, aesthetics, condition, and rarity.
Eye Candy: Rolex GMT Master II 'Pepsi' ref. 126710BLRO. Perfect for Memorial Day.
More than a year and three months later the Rolex GMT Master II ‘Pepsi’ ref. 126710BLRO in stainless steel continues to be ‘the watch’ and prices in the secondary market are still more than double its retail price. While the Rolex GMT Master II 'Pepsi' ref. 126710BLRO has a retail price of only USD 9,250, most buyers of this watch have been willing to pay a premium through the grey market dealers with prices commanding as high as USD 22,500 and at an average around USD 19,500. Its blue and red bezel make it the perfect watch for Memorial Day when we remember and honor all of those who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Happy Memorial Day and enjoy the images.
Eye Candy: Rolex Day-Date 36 Galore. Some Wild Presidents from Baselworld 2019.
This Baselworld 2019 Rolex introduced a new generation of its Oyster Perpetual Day‑Date 36, available in 18K yellow, white or Everose gold with distinctive new dials and gem-set bezels on some versions. Without a doubt the wildest releases this year from the Rolex a.k.a. The crown. First released in 1956, the Day-Date became very popular among the elite as well as world dignitaries to then soon be referred to as the Presidents’ watch. A significant innovation at the time, the Day-Date was the first calendar wristwatch to indicate the date and the day of the week spelled out in full in an arc-shaped window at 12 o’clock.
Insider: Rolex Yacht-Master 42 White Gold ref. 226659. Very Nice but Something is Missing.
The first iteration of the Yacht-Master with Oysterflex bracelet was released at Baselworld 2015 sporting an Everose Gold case and in two different sizes that included a 37 mm —perfectly sized for ladies or for men with smaller wrists— and a 40 mm one. Now, at Baselworld 2019 a new iteration of the Rolex Yacht-Master makes its appearance in 18K white gold and with a 42 mm case diameter. But why go with a bigger case when even the Explorer II at 42 mm is not a Rolex favorite? Well, only Rolex knows why they do things certain way. The new Rolex Yacht-Master 42 ref. 226659 is a very casual understated looking watch that looks as good at home as it does on the open sea.
Baselworld 2019: Rolex GMT Master II 'Pepsi' Meteorite Dial ref. 126719BLRO. Live Pictures & Price.
Adding to the frenzy caused by the release of the GMT Master II ‘Pepsi’ last year —read about the current pricing bubble here—, a new iteration of the Rolex GMT Master II in 18K white gold was just released sporting a meteorite dial that makes it appear a lot like the rare GMT Master ref. 6542 ‘Albino’. While we are not the biggest fans when it comes to Rolex meteorite dials, we need to admit that in the metal and outside of the showcase, the watch is very nice. Now, would we take this one over the discontinued white gold ‘Pepsi’ with black dial? Absolutely, not.
Baselworld 2019: Rolex Novelties. Live Pictures & Prices.
As soon as the doors officially opened for the press at 12pm Basel Time, we headed straight to Rolex to see the novelties for Baselworld 2019. A weak year compared to the incredible lineup presented last year. With novelties across different collections, the main focus centered around the professional models as it is the norm. The new professional models include a White Gold Yach-Master 42 mm ref. 226659 with black dial, black ceramic bezel and Oysterflex strap, a Rolesor —two-tone with yellow gold— Sea-Dweller ref. 126603 equipped with calibre 3235, a new stainless steel GMT Master II ‘Batman’ ref. 126710BLNR now on jubilee bracelet and powered by calibre 3285—oyster bracelet model now officially discontinued…
From the Editor: Almost a Year After its Release, the new Rolex GMT Master II 'Pepsi' is Still Selling Way Above Retail. Will this Bubble Finally Burst after Baselworld 2019?
It’s been almost a year since the release of the Rolex GMT Master II ‘Pepsi’ ref. 126710BLRO in stainless steel and we can’t wait any longer to see what Rolex will be unveiling at the end of the month during Baselworld 2019 from where we will be reporting live with all the novelties. Even though we are excited about all the Rolex novelties coming out this year, the most we are intrigued about is not necessarily that. While it is very likely that Rolex will release a new Milgauss or maybe a new GMT Master II ‘Coke’ and perhaps downsize the Explorer II to 40mm, what we can’t stop thinking about is how much longer the price bubble will hold before it bursts.
News: Rolex Becomes the Official Partner French Tennis Federation and the Official Timekeeper of the Roland-Garros Tournament
The French Tennis Federation —FFT— is proud to welcome Rolex as a Premium Partner and the Official Timekeeper of Roland-Garros. Within the framework of this new long-term partnership, the Swiss watchmaker also becomes an Official Partner of the FFT. Having been a loyal partner to the tennis world for the last forty years, Rolex will become a Premium Partner of Roland-Garros in 2019 and the Official Timekeeper for the Roland-Garros tournament in Paris. The bond between Rolex and tennis is built upon a shared passion for excellence, perfection, precision and elegance.
Rare Bird: Rolex GMT-Master ref. 16758 'SARU' for Sultanate of Oman. A Strikingly Beautiful Timepiece with Royal Provenance.
The Rolex GMT-Master is without a doubt one of the most renowned and sought after models when it comes to watch collecting. The GMT-Master ref. 16758 ‘SARU’ —referring to the sapphires and rubies on its bezel— is a lavishly set with diamonds, sapphires and rubies GMT Master that along with reference 6270 and 6269, was the earliest Rolex sports watch to feature any precious stones. This concept was incredibly daring in the 1980s, as tool watches and luxury gem-set timepieces resided in two separate spheres.
Insider: Rolex Deepsea D-Blue Dial ref. 126660 a.k.a James Cameron. Updated Reference with a new Bracelet and a new Movement.
First released in August of 2014 and updated this year, the new Rolex Deepsea D-Blue Dial ref. 126660 just got better if that's even possible at all. A tank of a watch with a 44 mm case and with an ultra thick case construction —17.7 mm thick—, this is the epitome of an ultra-resistant diver's watch engineered by Rolex to conquest the deep. Waterproof to a depth of 12,800 feet —3,900 meters—, the Rolex Deepsea D-Blue Dial ref. 126660 was initially released under reference 116660 to celebrate James Cameron’s historic solo dive documented on National Geographic’s 'DeepSea Challenge 3D' film.
Insider: Rolex GMT Master II Rolesor ref. 126711CHNR a.k.a 'Rootbeer'. A Watch Reminiscent of the Past in a Perfect Modern Execution.
Along with the new Rolex GMT Master II Everose Gold ref. 126715CHNR —reviewed here—, a Rolesor —two tone in stainless steel and everose gold— iteration of this new watch was also released during Baselworld 2018. As we've explained it before, the watch is nicknamed 'Rootbeer' because of its resemblance to the vintage Rolex GMT Master ref. 16753 with the same nickname and which you can see here.
Insider: Rolex GMT Master II Everose Gold ref. 126715CHNR a.k.a 'Rootbeer'. One of the Hottest Watches for the Summer and the Fall.
The Rolex GMT Master II Everose Gold ref. 126715CHNR a.k.a 'Rootbeer' —nicknamed as such because of its resemblance to the vintage Rolex GMT Master ref. 16753 with the same nickname and which you can see here— was released a few months ago at Baselworld 2018 and today, it is already commanding prices in the secondary market that are way above its retail price. This new watch along with the new GMT Master II Pepsi ref. 126710BLRO had already lined up as two of the hottest Rolexes for this summer.
News: Phillips Watches to Auction Steve McQueen's Own Rolex Submariner ref. 5513
After several record breaking sales in the last three years and the sale of Paul Newman's very own Rolex 'Paul Newman' Daytona ref. 6239 for $17.7 Million USD —including buyer's premium—, the team at Phillips Watches will be selling on October 25th, 2018, Steve McQueen’s own Rolex Submariner ref. 5513. This watch is the most important Steve McQueen-owned watch to appear in the market and the only one known to bear a special engraving on its case back. Presented as a gift to his top stuntman Loren Janes, this Submariner ref. 5513 reads on the back: “TO LOREN, THE BEST DAMN STUNTMAN IN THE WORLD. STEVE”.
Eye Candy: Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Everose Rainbow ref. 116595RBOW. A True Masterpiece of Gem-Setting Like No Other.
After the huge success of the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Rainbow in 18K yellow gold ref. 116598RBOW, comes a new iteration in Rolex Everose gold. The new version of the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Rainbow in 18K Everose gold, features 36 hand-selected baguette-cut sapphires in rainbow hues on the bezel. With a perfect gradient in lieu of the emblematic tachymetric scale, the bezel is set with a gradation of sapphires in rainbow hues. The case is adorned with 56 brilliant-cut diamonds set into the lugs and crown guard, and the dial features 11 baguette-cut sapphire hour markers, each of which matches the color of the corresponding point on the bezel.
Baselworld 2018: Rolex GMT Master II Stainless Steel Pepsi ref. 126710BLRO. Everyone's Dream but on a Jubilee Bracelet.
Just released at Baselworld 2018, finally the stainless steel GMT Master II Pepsi that everyone would've wanted to see in 2014. With the same case size proportions of all other GMTs at 40 mm in diameter, the new Rolex GMT Master II ref. 126710 BLRO in stainless steel is equipped with a jubilee bracelet instead of an Oyster one. For those that took the plunge between 2014 and now and purchased the 18K white gold GMT Master Pepsi...
Baselworld 2018: Rolex GMT Master II White Gold Pepsi ref. 116719BLRO. Now with a Blue Dial, It Replaces the Previous Reference
Just released at Baselworld 2018 and with the same case size proportions at 40 mm in diameter, the new Rolex GMT Master II ref. 116719 BLRO in 18K white gold replaces the previous reference with the same number and letters and is now fitted with a dark blue dial. Additionally, Rolex has just released a new GMT Master II Pepsi in stainless steel with jubilee bracelet, crushing the heart of all owners of the same watch in 18K white gold released in 2014.
Baselworld 2018: Rolex GMT Master II Everose Rolesor ref. 126711CHNR. The New Two-Tone GMT as Close as Possible to the Old Root Beer.
With the same case size proportions at 40 mm in diameter, a new two-tone iteration of this watch makes its appearance. Now in Everose Rolesor, the new Rolex GMT Master II ref. 126711CHNR just made its debut at Baselworld 2018. The watch is really nice in person but the bezel is black and brown instead of gold and brown as the previous iterations of the GMT Master Root Beer. Still a gorgeous new GMT for those that love vintage inspired modern watches.
Baselworld 2018: Rolex GMT Master II Everose Gold ref. 126715CHNR. The Root Beer is Back, Sort Of.
Same case size proportions and now in Everose 18K gold, the new Rolex GMT Master II ref. 126715CHNR just made its debut at Baselworld 2018. The watch is really nice in person but the bezel is black and brown instead of gold and brown as the previous iterations of the GMT Master. More images to come up including wristshots.
