Stainless Steel Rolex Yacht-Master 40 Reference 116622

Rolex Yacht-Master 40 Reference 116622 (photo: Rolex)

Rolex’s Yacht-Master 40 model combines form and function to offer a stylish configuration that is equally at home on land and sea. With a 950 Platinum bezel and 904l stainless steel case and bracelet, it also combines luxury with utility. The watchmaker has featured this wristwatch model on their official social media accounts recently, with beautiful photos like the one above that show the Yacht-Master in its natural habitat.

The 116622 reference comes with the option of a dark rhodium dial or a blue dial. The rhodium version comes with the model name and seconds hand in light blue, adding to its cool, nautical aesthetic. Its bidirectional, rotatable bezel features a graduated scale to time dives up to 60 minutes. It's functions are powered by a 3135 self-winding mechanical movement. This is the same movement that powers the popular Submariner Date model.

This Yacht-Master model offers a depth rating of 100 meters and a power reserve of 48 hours. Its Oysterlock safety clasp is equipped with an Easylink comfort extension that increases the length of the bracelet by an additional 5mm. This marine watch boasts a precision of -2/+2 seconds per day after casing and is certified as a Superlative Chronometer.

While there are similarities between this configuration and the Submariner Date, the Yacht-Master caters to a more sophisticated watch collector. The color combinations of this stainless steel version evoke an ocean feel. The addition of a platinum bezel lifts it to a higher echelon than a traditional stainless steel dive watch. The suggested retail price for the Yacht-Master 40 (Reference #116622) is $11,550. For more information on this and other Rolex models, visit their official website at rolex.com.

>>BACK TO ROLEX MODELS

Read More

Rolex Milgauss Worn by Tim Henman

Rolex Milgauss Worn by Tim Henman

The Rolex Milgauss is the perfect choice for someone that wants a no-frills model. It suits the lifestyle of the physicist and hiker alike. This model was designed to remain undisturbed by intense magnetic fields. Nevertheless, it is the strength of this watch - a product of its tactile purpose - that has made it a favorite amongst collectors.

The Milgauss was the first watch to enclose the movement with a soft-iron container. This made it instantly sturdier than almost all of the watches available on the market at the time. The watch appears sporty while also maintaining the sheer elegance of the Rolex brand. With a seconds hand shaped like a thunderbolt, the Milgauss flips the script on the classical aesthetic of other models.

The watch is powered by a Calibre 3131 self-winding mechanical movement manufactured in-house by Rolex. Its state-of-the-art technology is yet another reminder of the brand’s commitment to producing the best professional watched in the world. Aesthetically, the watch stands out with its black dial and orange hour markers surrounded by a subtle hint of lime green. The lime ring allows for eye-catching beauty while also making the watch more legible to its owner for quick time checks. Its Oyster bracelet an case make this outlier model configuration instantly recognizable.

In one of the latest installments of the “Every Rolex Tells a Story” series, Tim Henman introduces the world to his Milgauss. He chose it for its overall wearability and precision but also because the colors are combined in such a way to make telling the time even easier. For Tim, purchasing the watch was the culmination of a life-long dream of making a career out of tennis, Rolex has been a companion of that journey both on and off the court. Visit rolex.com to learn more about the Milgauss and Tim Henman's Rolex story.

>>BACK TO ROLEX MODELS

Read More

Every Rolex Tells a Story: Tim Henman

Every Rolex Tells a Story Tim Henman (photo: Rolex)

Tim Henman has lived and breathed the sport of tennis his entire life. His grandfather, grandmother, and great-grandmother all played at Wimbledon. His great-grandmother was the first female player to serve an overarm and his grandmother was the last female player to serve an underarm at Wimbledon. And he has made it to Wimbledon four times and has a four titles under his belt.

His first visit to Centre Court at All England Lawn was in 1981 when he was just six years old. It was here that two things came together: a commitment to pursue tennis as a career and a youthful reverence for Rolex and its role in the sport he would dedicate his life to.

In 1996 Henman was ranked No. 1 in British tennis and he held the title again from the years 1999-2005 when he was replaced by Andy Murray. Murray injured his hip at Wimbledon this past month and lost in the quarter finals to American Sam Querrey.

Henman’s fascination with Rolex was born the same day as his passion for tennis. He connects the watch and brand to the sport that shaped his life. His Milgauss purchase came 32 years after 1981. This model was originally designed for scientists, but the stainless steel configuration is equally equipped for the tennis court. For more information on Tim Henman's Milgauss and his Every Rolex Tells a Story, visit rolex.com.

>>BACK TO SPORTS

Read More

Yellow Gold Rolex Day-Date 36 Worn by Björn Borg

Rolex Day-Date 36 worn by Tennis Legend Björn Borg (photo: Rolex)

Rolex is the maker of many iconic watches, but none with the legacy of the Day-Date. It is a model steeped in history, having been worn by many successful men, including US Presidents and legendary athletes like Björn Borg. The Ice Man was featured in Rolex’s latest installment of Every Rolex Tells a Story. His model of choice is the 36mm Day-Date in yellow gold with green dial on black leather shown in the photo.

This is the most traditional size for the model, much smaller than today’s popular 40mm model. The original Day-Date introduced the President bracelet in 1956. However, the leather strap configuration is more tied to wristwatch models of that era. The combination of green and yellow gold is a nod to the watchmaker’s corporate colors. An aperture at 12 o’clock displays the day of the week spelled out completely, a design element that also originated on this iconic model.

2017 Yellow Gold Rolex Day-Date 36 (Reference #118138)

The 2017 Rolex Day-Date 36 (Reference #118138) is available in yellow gold with a green dial and either the cognac leather strap shown above or a green leather strap.

2017 Everose Gold Rolex Day-Date 36 (Reference #118135) 

It is also available in Everose gold with a black leather strap in a variety of dial color options, like the chocolate brown Day-Date 36 configuration (Reference #118135) shown above. Visit rolex.com to browse their entire collection of 2017 Day-Date configurations. 

>>BACK TO ROLEX MODELS

Read More

Rolex Testimonee Roger Federer Wins his Eighth Wimbledon Title

Rolex Testimonee Roger Federer Wins 8th Wimbledon Title (photo: Sporting News)

After taking a six month long break from tennis, Roger Federer stepped back into the game with a mastery befitting a champion. In the last few months - much to the amazement of the tennis world - he has won two majors. This past Sunday, he seized his eighth Wimbledon title. As he approached the cameras for his post-victory interview, his Rolex Datejust 41 accompanied him as he kissed his trophy.

Rolex has woven the legacy of its brand into the successes of athletes like Roger Federer for a century with its testimonee concept. Federer is no stranger to luxury items, considering he has won over $97,000,000 in prizes over the span of his career. However, it is his relationship with Rolex that is rather noteworthy because it further reinforces the deep-seated commitment Rolex has with associating itself with excellence.

Like so many other testimonees, Federer’s watches mean significantly more for him for their symbolism than as time-telling devices or display of financial achievement. For him, they are part of his most cherished memories. In 2009, he beat Peter Sampras’ all time Grand Slam record at Wimbledon. The iconic shot of him holding up the trophy also includes a clear shot of his prized Rolex. When asked about his watch collection, Federer says “When I look at the watch, I remember that day very vividly.”

Rolex has done an excellent job of tying their timepieces to grand achievements. For more information on Rolex, The Championships at Wimbledon and the Datejust 41, visit rolex.com.

>>BACK TO SPORTS

Read More

2017 Rolex Pearlmaster 39 Reference 86409RBR

2017 Rolex Pearlmaster 39 Reference 86409RBR

Originally, watchmakers began using jewels in watches to help decrease metal-on-metal wear and subsequently lengthen the lifespan of the device. Diamonds are harder than metal and Rolex has designed a diamond watch to last the millennia.

The Pearlmaster 39, available in 18ct yellow, white, or Everose gold is a work of art. The diamond paved dial is an impressive accomplishment. The Rolex gem-setters carve a setting for each of the gemstones which are then lodged perfectly and aligned with symphonic symmetry. The dial itself is a triumph, guaranteeing a spectacle for all who glance at its face.

The Reference 86409RBR's bracelet boasts the rounded-five piece link structure introduced with the first Pearlmaster twenty-five years ago. In keeping with that traditional design, the Crownclasp is hidden from view. All that is visible on the bracelet, the dial and the bezel are the brilliant diamonds that almost entirely cover the timepiece.

Perhaps the most impressive feature of the new Pearlmaster 39 is its technology. Rolex takes this part of the job more seriously than its competitors, having developed strict exacting criteria for assessing precision. The watchmaker tests its watches even after they have been tested by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute. This Pearlmaster comes equipped with a new generation movement, Calibre 3235. Made with nickel-phosphorus, the watch is immune to magnetic interference.

This watch combines elements of jewel art with the reliability of advanced technology, leaving no doubt that Rolex is pioneering the future of the time-telling industry. For more information on the Pearlmaster 39 (Reference #86409RBR) visit rolex.com.

>>BACK TO ROLEX MODELS

Read More

2017 Stainless Steel and Yellow Gold Rolex Datejust 41

2017 Stainless Steel and Yellow Gold Rolex Datejust 41 (photo: Rolex)

The latest Rolex model to be featured on the watchmaker's official website is the Yellow Rolesor Datejust 41 (Reference # 126303) shown above. It is featured along with their sponsorship of The Championships, Wimbledon 2017. This classic dress watch model is sized to please modern tastes at 41 millimeters. A smooth gold bezel replaces the the model's customary fluted bezel in this updated reference. 

Inside its stainless steel and gold Oyster case lies the Manufacture Rolex Calibre 3235 self-winding mechanical movement that powers its date and time functions. With a power reserve of 70 hours, it beats at a precision of -2/+2 seconds per day. This model offers a depth rating of 100 meters. Its mobobloc middle case attaches its screw-down case back with its scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. The watchmaker’s iconic Cyclops magnifying lens is affixed to the crystal over the date aperture at 3 o’clock. 

A slate dial gives this elegant wristwatch a modern touch, with the Roman numeral hour markers in a sophisticated combination of black and green. A white baton-style hour marker is placed at 9 o’clock to offset the white color visible through the date aperture. This design touch is a testament to the watchmaker’s dedication to perfection when it comes to dial symmetry. 

Rolex’s flat, three-piece Oyster bracelet is featured on this configuration in yellow gold and stainless steel. Its folding Oysterclasp clasp comes with a 5mm Easylink comfort extension. The price of this Datejust 41 (Reference #126303) is $11,950 USD. For more information on this and other 2017 Rolex models, visit the Rolex Models section. 

>>BACK TO ROLEX MODELS

Read More

Rolex is the Official Timekeeper of The Championships, Wimbledon 2017

Rolex is the Official Timekeeper of Wimbledon 2017 (photo: Rolex Instagram)

In 1978 The Championships, Wimbledon partnered with Rolex to put together the 92nd tournament of its kind. Since then, Rolex has remained a sponsor and official timekeeper of the Championships. The time-tested partners share a commitment to excellence and passion for the sport.

Today, the tennis world descends in full force on All England Club in Wimbledon, London for the 140th Championship. Rafael Nadal returns after having missed last year’s tournament due to a wrist injury. Nadal has remained fairly out of sight but played plenty of tennis over the last few months only taking last week off in order to rest up.

However, Wimbledon is played on grass and Nadal hasn’t played on grass since the last time he was there. Angelique Kerber is brushing off the pressure, “I have already been number one for so long and I will try to keep it, but I am here to play round by round and focus on my matches, not the numbers.”

This year Rolex has decided to feature the Datejust 41 (Reference # 126303) in association with the 2017 tournament. The green-colored roman numerals and gold crown at 12 o'clock give the dial a quintessentially Rolex look. The smooth bezel and 41mm case size offer something to fans of contemporary sports watches.

Powered by the new generation Calibre 3235 self-winding mechanical movement, the Datejust combines new technology with the iconic model that Rolex is most closely associated with. Its classical aesthetic is the perfect match for an event this institutional.

For more information on Wimbledon 2017, visit the tournament's official website. To check out the Datejust 41, visit rolex.com.

>>BACK TO SPORTS

Read More

Rolex Testimonee Brooks Koepka WIns US Open

Rolex Testimonee Brooks Kopeka

When Rolex first named someone as a testimonee, they chose swimmer Mercedes Gleitz, who had just swam across the English channel with a gold Oyster watch hanging from her neck. The year was 1927 and this was a first for the watchmaking world. 

Rolex continues to advance their technology and support athletes in their ceaseless pursuit of timely success. Ninety years later, the testimonee tradition lives on. Sponsoring the U.S. Open has cemented Rolex's relationship with golf and on Monday June 19, 2017, Brooks Koepka joined a prestigious group of Rolex Testimonees who have also won a U.S. Open Championship.

The golfer climbed the ranks of the golf world primarily by competing in Europe in rather unconventional minor leagues. The 2017 U.S. Open officially introduced Brooks Koepka as an unexpected yet formidable contender. Koepka has proven himself to be a standard bearer when it comes to driving distance, greens, and regulation. In the longest U.S. Open in history, he kept it together with a gritty and steady performance.

As Hodinkee pointed out, Koepka was wearing his Rolex Daytona 116500LN when he earned his victory and appears to have kept it on for the subsequent celebrations. Rolex congratulated the champion on their Facebook page with a video. Nobody thought Brooks Koepka would win, but he has proven the naysayers wrong. For more information on Rolex and Golf, visit the watchmaker's official website at rolex.com. 

>>BACK TO SPORTS

Read More

Every Rolex Tells a Story: Yundi

Every Rolex Tells a Story: Yundi

Keeping time is an essential skill for internationally acclaimed Chinese pianist Li Yundi. He cites “precision and the pursuit of perfection” as the ideals he strives for musically. These are also the ideals he strives for when choosing a watch. 

Yundi became the first Chinese person - and the first person in fifteen years - to be given the gold medal in the International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition in 2002. After that, he decided it was time for a well earned gift, so he made his first Rolex purchase.

The watch he chose was the sporty, black dial stainless steel Rolex Daytona 116500LN - an interesting choice considering that he is a classical pianist. However, the watchmaker intended for this watch to measure speed as well as time, so Yundi surely puts it to use when his fingers match the speed Mozart intended for his eleventh sonata.

The Daytona went on to accompany Yundi as he traveled the world, appearing in front of cheering crowds of piano-lovers. Some would argue that wearing a watch while playing the piano is too distracting, but it’s also important to note that Yundi sees this watch not as an accessory but as a witness. For many Rolex owners, their watches represent significant accomplishment and remind them of what they are capable of.

When it came time to give his father a birthday present, Yundi gave him a Rolex watch of his own and now they share in that success together. To learn more about Yundi’s contribution to the ongoing “Every Rolex Tells a Story” series, visit the watchmaker’s official website at rolex.com.

>>BACK TO ARTS

Read More

Rolex Datejust 41 Stainless Steel Black Dial Reference 126300

Rolex Datejust 41 (Reference #126300) (photo: Rolex)

The Rolex Datejust 41 in stainless steel with a black dial (Reference #126300) is a modestly-priced dress watch with a combination of classic and contemporary design elements. The Datejust is the quintessential Rolex dress watch that dates back to 1945. However, this stainless steel configuration features a smooth bezel and black dial that makes it resemble a contemporary sports watch, like the popular stainless steel Submariner Date.

With a case that measures 41 millimeters in diameter, this Datejust also appeals to current watch collector’s desire for larger watch faces. It makes a great first Rolex for someone that isn’t sold on a tool watch but still wants something current. The smooth center links on its Oyster bracelet match the bezel and add an elegant touch. A folding Oysterclasp with a 5mm Easylink comfort extension secures the bracelet. The date aperture at 3 o’clock is magnified by Rolex’s Cyclops lens, one of the watchmaker’s most iconic design elements.

Priced at $7,350 USD, it is just over a thousand dollars less than the Submariner Date and  $800 USD more than the Explorer I. It is powered by a Calibre 3235 self-winding mechanical movement manufactured by Rolex in-house. This model offer a water resistance of 100 meters and a power reserve of approximately 70 hours.

The Datejust 41 (Reference #126300) carries the legacy of the historic Rolex model with characteristics of the most popular tool watches of today. It can be worn in almost any environment without calling too much attention to the wrist, making it the perfect watch for those who think yellow gold watches are gaudy. For more information on this model, visit rolex.com.

>>BACK TO ROLEX MODELS

Read More

Watch Gang Membership Service Giving Away a Rolex Every Week

Watch Gang Membership Service (photo: Watch Gang)

Watch Gang is a membership service based in Los Angeles, California, that sends its subscribers a new watch once a month. A relatively new venture, beginning in September of 2016, the company has created a network of watch collectors that includes celebrities like Jamie Foxx and a Facebook group that has reached over 10,000 members.

The service offers three tiers of membership, varying in price and wristwatch value. Starting at $25 per month, you can become a Watch Gang Watch of the Month Member and receive a microbrand wristwatch with a Japanese movement in stainless steel and leather valued between $50 and $150. Starting at $91 per month, you can become a Watch Gang Black member and receive a premium microbrand watch with a mechanical or Swiss quartz movement valued between $150 and $500. The highest tier of membership is the Platinum level, starting at $275 per month for watches from well known brands and microbrands worth between $500 and $1500.

In a weekly giveaway sponsored by Beckertime, the company gives away a Rolex to a randomly selected member every Friday. This is advantageous for those who aren’t at an income level that justifies a Rolex purchase yet, but it also removes one of the most important aspects of collecting watches: the curation of your own collection. There is a network for members to trade watches with, but the idea of creating a watch collection based on random selection goes against the grain of what it means to be a watch geek.

Visit watchgang.com to learn more about their service. The company has just announced that it will partner with a new watch brand every month. While their service may not satisfy a hardcore watch geek, it is a good way to make a minimal investment in watches and have a new wristwatch every month to show for it. If you’re lucky, it could even be a Rolex.

>>BACK TO SHOPPING GUIDE

Read More

White Gold Rolex Submariner Prototype Becomes World's Most Expensive Sub

White Gold Rolex Submariner Prototype (photo" Christie's)

The Rolex Afternoon portion of Christie’s latest watch auction took place in Geneva, Switzerland just hours ago and produced sales records for their collection of vintage Rolex timepieces. One of their record breaking watches was the White Gold Rolex Submariner Prototype from the 1970s. This unique dive watch stood out for its bezel, material and condition.

The rarity of this prototype certainly played a role in helping it earn the auction house over 631,500 Swiss francs, the second highest Rolex sale this afternoon behind the Green Khanjar Daytona Reference 6263 that brought in 727,500 Swiss francs. The biggest wristwatch sale of the auction was a Patek Philippe Haile Selassie Reference 2497, which went for 2,911,500 Swiss francs, more than triple its estimated value.

Hodinkee covered the auction results in their latest blog post, commenting on the strange circumstance of this and other rare Rolex models bringing in record amounts this weekend. This Prototype model certainly deviates from what watch enthusiasts would consider the most classic staples of the Submariner model. But it seems that collectors are beginning to favor these deviations over adherence to brand standards.

There are many examples of unique vintage Rolex watches that look nothing like contemporary Rolex model configurations. In a previous post, I presented five of the rarest Rolex models in the world, none of which look like their popular counterparts. Many of them, like the White Gold Prototype, never even went into production. However, the results of recent vintage watch auctions like Christie’s A Rolex Afternoon prove that scarcity and singularity are the ultimate luxury.

>>BACK TO ROLEX MODELS

Read More