Cool Tag Heuer Commercial

Cool Tag Heuer Commercial

The History Of The Rolex DEEP SEA Model

The History Of The Rolex DEEP SEA Model

1959 Rolex DEEPSEA 33MM Reference 6532

After having studying Rolex design language history for so may years, I have noticed that a great key to Rolex's success was to experiment like crazy, and often times if something did not initially stick, Rolex would try it again until it stuck or worked, and that appears to me the case with the original Rolex DEEPSEA. The earliest known Rolex DEEPSEA was made in 1956, and the one in the two photos below, which appear courtesy of Fourtane Jewelers, was made in 1959 and has a beautiful gilt honeycomb dial.

Ironically, the case is the same with the original Rolex Yacht-Master which was made as a prototype in 1967, and was resurrected for use again in 1992, when Rolex introduced the watch we think of today when we think of the Rolex Yacht-Master. Same thing with the Rolex Cosmograph designation which was first used on the Rolex Moonphase Reference 6062 in the 1950s, they brought back again with the inception of the Rolex "Cosmograph" Daytona in the mid 1960s.

This next example of a Rolex DEEPSEA appears courtesy of Robert Maron, and it was named in the fourth quarter of 1956. One of the obvious questions, was if this watch was intended to be an homage to the original Rolex DEEPSEA Special Prototypes that set records in 1953 and 1960, and that would be my best guess. Robert Maron points out:

"Original stainless steel case is 33mm in diameter by 12mm thick and has a polished finish. The 6532 is popularly thought to share a case with the early Explorers. However, this is not the case (pun intended!). Instead, the 6532 case has straight case sides and thin lugs, which distinguishes it from an Explorer. It is also 1mm in diameter smaller than an Explorer. "

A Conversation with Benjamin Clymer

A Conversation with Benjamin Clymer Owner & Founder of Hodinkee
Here is a fascinating interview with my pal, Benjamin Clymer, who I recently toured Rolex with in Geneva, Switzerland. In the video you get a real sense of Ben's amazing passion for what he does, and if you are not familiar with Hodinkee, be sure to check it out!

SolidWorks Software for Watch Design

SolidWorks Software for Watch Design
My pal Arial Adams publishes A Blog To Watch, and I just noticed this cool article written by Patrick Kansa entitled "How Software Helps Design Complicated Watches Like The Frank Muller Giga Tourbillon."

Hodinkee Takes An In-Depth Look At The A. Lange & Söhne Grand Complication

Hodinkee Takes An In-Depth Look At The A. Lange & Söhne Grand Complication 

Bell & Ross Aviation Models

Bell & Ross

Aviation Models

A few years ago, I was talking to my friend Brad, about watches, and he told me he had a friend who was a huge watch nut, and he said that his friend was really into Rolex and Panerai, and that most recently he was into Bell & Ross watches, which I had never paid much attention to. Recently I was in the Geneva Airport and I had some time to wait before my flight, so I was looking around at different watches, and I came across a store selling Bell & Ross watches. The Bell & Ross 46MM GMT caught my eye so I tried it on and was surprised that I liked it. The watch is over the top sporty, which went well with my Jolly Rancher Apple Green North Face Thermoball jacket.

I also checked out the 42mm Bell & Ross, BR03-92-PHANTOM which is pictured below. I thought it also looked kind of cool.

An Amazing Story On The History Of ETA The Swiss Watch Movement Maker

An Amazing Story On The History Of ETA

The Swiss Watch Movement Maker

My pal, Ariel Adam's published A Blog To Watch, and he just published a beautifully written article by David Bredan that is titled "A Brief History Of ETA: The Swiss Watch Movement Maker." I highly recommend reading this well researched and fascinating article about the history of ETA.

THE EVOLUTION OF THE LUXURY WATCH

While not exactly accurate, this is an fascinating infographic

President Ronald Reagan Rolex ...

President Ronald Reagan Rolex

Stainless Steel Rolex Datejust: Jubilee Bracelet

California Summer of 1965

I discovered yet another U.S. President wearing a Rolex!!! This time we have Ronald Reagan wearing a stainless steel Rolex Datejust on a Jubilee Bracelet during the Summer of 1965 on his California Ranch. Of course these photos were taken before he was even elected the Governor of California, so he was just an ordinary American Citizen who was semi-retired.

"There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn't mind who gets the credit." –Ronald Reagan

So this means, that Ronald Reagan is the second American President to wear a Rolex Datejust after Dwight Eisenhower. Lyndon Johnson, Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton wore Rolex Day-Dates, and I have heard Richard Nixon wore a Rolex, but I have still not been able to find a photo of him wearing a Rolex. I also think Harry Truman may have worn a Rolex Datejust, but I have not been able to document that either.

"I've often said there's nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse." –Ronald Reagan

"Each generation goes further than the generation preceding it because it stands on the shoulders of that generation. You will have opportunities beyond anything we have ever known." –Ronald Reagan

The photo below shows President Reagan on his ranch in 1983 chopping wood, and his is still wearing his stainless steel Rolex Datejust.

Chopard: 150 Years of Timeless Time Keeping

Chopard: 150 Years of Timeless Time Keeping