This is a fascinating art-deco style Rolex ad from May of 1929, which means it was published 95 years ago!!! It is interesting to note they refer to what we refer to today as a wristwatch, as a wristlet. This ad was obviously published after the advent of the Rolex Oyster, but before the Oyster Perpetual. Notice the art-deco cushion case in the bottom left looks similar to an early Panerai.
This weekend, Bill Maher had comedian Bill Burr on his Club Random show as a guest, and I couldn't help but notie that Bill Burr was rocking a two-tone Rolex RootBeer GMT-Master. Enjoy!!
Rolex released this magnificent bejeweled at Basel World 2019 and I have to say it is a really stunning work of art. The level of detail and craftsmanship is awe-inspiring!!!
We are just a few weeks away from Summer in the Northern Hemisphere, which means warmer weather and longer days are on their way, so I thought I would share this image of Yamila Diaz-Rahi sporting her Rolex Submariner, just after snorkeling. Yamila grew up in Argentina, and in the photo below she is wearing a JLO bathing suit, by Jennifer Lopez.
Michael Schumacher's magnificent 1971 Paul Nemwman Rolex Daytona Reference 6262
Man & His Machines
Michael Schumacher is one of the greatest Formula 1 racing champions having won the Formula 1 World Championship seven-times. Schumacher was also a collector of some magnificent Rolex Daytona models and we see him pictured below in 1993 rocking his Zenith Rolex Daytona with a white dial.
Formula 1 Racing Legend, Michael Schumacher rocking his
stainless steel Daytona [Reference 16520] back in 1993
Michael Schumacher's Paul Newman Daytona, Reference 6262 is a STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL example of this rare Rolex Chronograph model, which was one of last to feature push-down chronograph pushers.
Lot Essay from Christie's Auction House
This fantastic looking Paul Newman Daytona represents the synthesis of two great sporting icons – Rolex’s most recognizable and desired vintage steel chronograph, and its present owner, the former seven-times Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher.
The present chronograph provides collectors with not only the opportunity to obtain one of the scarcest references of the Daytona, reference 6262, but also to own an example with incredible and direct provenance to one of the world’s greatest ever Formula 1 Champions.
Reference 6262
No other model of Rolex watch focuses so much attention as the manual-winding Rolex Cosmograph, its many dial variations and different references now so intensely sought after by collectors, it can be said quite unequivocally to be the most desirable vintage watch in the world.
Requiring almost no introduction, Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watches fitted with ‘Paul Newman’ dials have been, and continue to be, the most iconic and coveted of the Daytona.
One of the rarest vintage Rolex Daytonas, reference 6262 was in production for only a very short time between 1970 and 1972. Together with reference 6264, it was the last Rolex chronograph watch featuring the simple round push-down buttons. All future chronograph references, starting with references 6263 and 6265 in 1971 bear screw down chronograph buttons. Reference 6262 was available in stainless steel, as well as 14k and 18k gold. It has a polished metal bezel with engraved tachymeter graduation.
With the most incredible provenance, This incredible Daytona timepiece belonged to no other than seven-time Formula 1 World Champion racing driver Michael Schumacher, this extremely rare 14k gold Rolex reference 6241 is both a key piece for the serious Rolex collector and car enthusiasts alike.
The overall appeal of this 14k gold ref. 6241 is further enhanced by its very good overall condition and matching 14k gold riveted bracelet. The case retains full proportions and crisp gold mark, serial and reference numbers. It displays the traces of bluish oxidation to the case that are a typical indication that the watch has been carefully stored and not used in a very long time. The shade of the full gold reference 6239 bezel with engraved tachymeter scale perfectly matches the case.
It can therefore be assumed that this bezel must have been added a very long time ago to bestow a new aesthetic by replacing the original ref. 6241 bezel which, for this model is in gold with a black plastic insert. A further noteworthy fact is the designation ‘ROW’ engraved on the movement, confirming that the original destination for this watch was the North American market.
"In the twilight of the deep waters one of the most vital items of a diver's equipment is his watch. The "Submariner" was the world's first watch designed especially for skin and deep sea divers, 100% waterproof to a depth of 660 feet, is has a calibrated outer bezel which allows the accurate and correct timing of decompression periods."
Who is the coolest dude to ever wear a Rolex? This is a fascinating question if you think about it since there have been so many. The top of this list would include Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, Miles Davis, Robert Redford, and even Pablo Picasso. This being said, there is another person to add to this list that could arguably top the list, and that is actor, James Coburn. Nick Gould the amazing horological journalist discovered the photo of James Coburn rocking his Pepsi Rolex GMT-Master in 1968.
So what makes a dude cool? I would argue coolness is a combination of being handsome, masculine, charismatic, stylish, confident, competent, with and a relative degree of nonchalance and je ne sais quoi—all of which James Coburn possessed in spades.
A Man For All Four Seasons
James Coburn was an unusually charismatic, handsome actor. During his acting career which made up the better part of a half-century he appeared in over 80 movies and 100 TV shows including Bonanza and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. James played many different roles in his career, and in 1998 won the Academy Award for his supporting role in the movie "Affliction."
The Magnificent Seven
James Coburn co-starred in The Magnificent Seven alongside other famous tough-guy actors including Steve McQueen, Yul Brynner and Charles Bronson.
The Great Escape
In 1963 James Coburn co-starred in the great escape alongside James Garner, Steve McQueen and Charles Bronson. We see the three of them together pictured below in 1963. Speaking of Rolex and The Great Escape, our Captain Danny wrote and amazing story on this subject, which I highly recommend checking out!!!
Our Man Flint
James Coburn made a series of two movies which debuted in 1966 and 1968 named Our Man Flint, and In Like Flint in which he played a James Bond like character.
Duffy
James Coburn starred in a movie in 1968 named Duffy, where he wore his Pepsi Rolex GMT-Master as seen below.
I was just going through Jake's Rolex World Archives and discovered this image I originally published sixteen years ago, back in 2008 and I still love this image!!!
The black strap above is a braided perlon NATO strap, but I think if somebody could figure out how to make a similar looking strap, but similar to Apples fitted Braided Solo Loop, it would be a mega-hit!!!! Why? Because the braided Solo Loop has no buckle or clasp, is ultra comfortable, durable and very secure on the wrist.
Tommy Lasorda was a professional baseball pitcher and manager who famously managed the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1976 through 1996. Tommy Lasorda wore a yellow gold Rolex Day-Day date as seen in the photos below. Lasorda passed away in January 2021 at age 93 and left behind an amazing list of achievements.
The Face & Soul of The Dodgers
"I Bleed Dodger Blue!"
Tommy Lasorda played for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1954-1955, and in 1956 move on to play for the Kansas City Athletics. The Dodger's moved from Brooklyn to Los Angles in 1957.
Tommy Lasorda became a coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1973 to 1976, and then took over as their manager. Lasorda won two World Series Championships while serving as manager of The Dodgers.
As we can see in the photo above Tommy Lasorda wore a yellow gold Rolex Day-Date with a blue dial with diamond markers which matched his Los Angeles Dodgers uniform.
The Rolex China Sea Race is Asia’s oldest, most prestigious blue water race. Inaugurated in 1962, the biannual event is organized by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and charts a 565-nautical mile (1,046 km) course from Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong to Subic Bay in the Philippines. In 2024, Happy Go became the first yacht in 14 years to take both line and overall honours, Nie Hua and his crew crossing the finish line in just over three days and 20 hours on corrected time. As part of its extensive support for yachting dating back almost 70 years, Rolex has partnered the race since 2008.
Rolex has always associated with activities driven by passion, excellence, precision and team spirit. The Swiss watchmaker naturally gravitated towards the elite world of yachting six decades ago and the brand’s enduring partnership now encompasses the most prestigious clubs, races and regattas, as well as towering figures in the sport, including ground-breaking round-the-world yachtsman Sir Francis Chichester and the most successful Olympic sailor of all time, Sir Ben Ainslie.
Today, Rolex is Title Sponsor of 15 major international events – from leading offshore races such as the annual Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race, to grand prix competition at the Rolex TP52 World Championship and spectacular gatherings at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Rolex Swan Cup.
It also supports the exciting SailGP global championship in which national teams race identical supercharged F50 catamarans on some of the world’s most famous harbours. Rolex’s partnerships with the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Royal Ocean Racing Club, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Yacht Club Italiano, New York Yacht Club and Royal Yacht Squadron, among others, are the foundation of its enduring relationship with this dynamic sport.
Historically Rolex has always been extremely secretive and discreet, and no journalists in the past have ever been invited "INSIDE ROLEX" to explore and report on all four Rolex Manufacturing faclities in Switzerland.
In November 2013, this changed when Rolex invited Jake to take an unprecdented journey into the heart of Rolex to learn and report on everything he witnessed and learned.
This Super-Detailed 3 Part Story is a "MUST READ" story for anybody who wants to understand what really makes Rolex tick.
