Hans Wilsdorf in Hong Kong and Bahrain

Hans Wilsdorf

in Hong Kong

Do You Remember The Time?

Last week when Rolex launched Rolex.org, I wrote extensively about thier coverage of  Rolex founder, Hans Wilsdorf. I also published a story about a reader of Jake's Rolex World in Hong Kong named Alan who somehow keeps unearthing never before seen photos of Hans Wilsdorf, and yesterday in my inbox I found this image from Alan that shows Hans Wilsdorf in Honk Kong with ihs wife enjoying Chinese food with the owners of Lane Crawford, which was one of seven Rolex Authorized Dealers in Hong Kong at the time.

Hans Wilsdorf in Hong Kong

I am trying to figure out who all the people are in this photo, and I know that we see Hans Wilsdorf, second from the left on the bottom row, sitting next to his second wife, Betty Wilsdorf-Mettler. I can't help but wonder if the bald man in the center of the photo is Rolex Director, Rene-Paul Jeanneret?

Alan also discovered this next image of Hans Wilsdorf which was taken in 1949 in the Gulf Kingdom of Bahrain, which shows Hans Wilsdorf with Naj Murad, who founded Modern Art Studio in Bahrain, which remains a successful Rolex Authroized Dealer today.

I would like to thank Alan for his invaluable contribution and photographic research on Hans Wilsdorf. Alan, you are amazing and I don't know how you do it, but please keep going!

Also, I had a nice conversation today with David Boettcher who is a horological expert located in the U.K. and we spoke about Hans Wilsdorf. David was one of the first researchers I am aware of to write a definitive biography of Rolex founder, Hans Wilsdorf which he originally published in 2006. 

In 2010 I reached out to David when I was preparing my definitive story on Hans Wilsdorf named, The Complete History Of Rolex Leadership: Part 1-The Hans Wilsdorf Years. Just a few days before I was preparing to publish my story, David sent me scans of The Vade Mecum Rolex story, which was published by Rolex in 1946, which provided an invaluable contribution. David is an accomplished horological researcher and he maintains VintageWatchStraps.com which is filled with fascinating information. On his website, David tells the story about how he became interested in vintage watches in 2004 when he inherited his grandfather (1918) and grandmother's (1917) Rolex watches which are pictured below.

David is a member of the Antiquarian Horological Society, and The British Horological Institute, as well as The National Association of Watch and Collectors (NAWCC).

The Vintage Rolex Christmas Ads & Black Tie Guide...

The Vintage Rolex Christmas Ads

Viewing Rolex Christmas Ads Through Time

I hope everybody is having a great holiday season! Every year, around Christmas time, I publish this Rolex Christmas history, and each year I significantly update it. This year is no exception, as I just completed a major update probably gave it the single largest update.

Rolex used to publish Rolex Christmas ads, but I don't recall ever seeing one in a magazine in my lifetime. It is interesting to note the Rolex Christmas magazine ads only ran while Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex was alive. Speaking of Hans Wilsdorf, there is a superb Season's Greetings magazine ad from 1948 which I added last year when I updated this story. Be sure to check it out as it is as on-point today as it was back then.

1926 Rolex Art-Deco Christmas Ad

This first Rolex magazine ad is from 1926, and the illustration exhibits a high art-deco style. It is interesting to note that Rolex introduced the Oyster in 1926, but it is not mentioned in this super stylish ad.

1927 Rolex Christmas Ad

This next Rolex ad is from 1927 and features Mercedes Gleitze after she swam the English Chanel. 

1928 Rolex Christmas Ad

When this Rolex magazine advertisement was published in 1928, Rolex had already been in business for almost a quarter of a century. There is only one Rolex Oyster model that appears in this ad, as Rolex had just successfully introduced the Oyster as the worlds first waterproof watch, one short year earlier in 1927. The Rolex Oyster is pictured in the upper-right-hand-corner, and it has a classic cushion case, with soldiered on lugs, which looks very art-deco and Panerai-like. 

Also, notice there are no classic round Oyster cases in this ad. In other words, there are no watches in this ad that look like contemporary Rolex watches. Instead, we old see highly stylized cases, with lots of curves and right angles. Also notice the now classic five-point Rolex crown logo is completely absent, despite having been registered three years earlier in 1925. If you examine the ad, you also notice none of the Rolex models have names yet—just numbers, like No. 5, No. 12, and No. 40.

1930 Beautiful Rolex Christmas Ad

This next stunning art-deco vintage Rolex ad from 1930 that features a woman sporting the flapper look. It was published in the British publication named "The Tatler" in 1930. This ad was published at a fascinating and optimistic time in Rolex history. Several years prior, Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex had recently completely revolutionized the world of watches, when Rolex introduced the worlds first waterproof watch, known as the Rolex Oyster. Notice in this ad, it is the first time we see The Rolex Prince Model. Also notice the Rolex 5-point crown logo is absent, despite having been registered five years earlier in 1925.

I believe this beautiful ad reflects Rolex absolute optimism at this time. Notice how the ad uses the term wristlet instead of the commonly used term of today which is 'wristwatch'.

1931 Art Deco Divinity

Early Rolex Hotness

Rolex used the same beautiful woman image again in 1931 as we see in this similar but different British magazine ad. Rolex founder, Hans Wilsdorf's had launched his revolutionary Rolex Oyster back in 1926 which was the worlds first real waterproof watch and when this magazine ad was published, he had just launched his next huge innovation this same year in 1931, which was the Rolex Perpetual–the first self-winding watch in the world!!!!

Christmas 1931 was a great Christmas for Rolex and Hans Wilsdorf!!! I LOVE the style of this ad. It is hyper-elegant, stylish, pretty, feminine and très chic...

1933 Rolex Christmas Tree

This next Rolex holiday ad from 1933 shows a Christmas Tree and focuses on the Rolex "PRINCESSE" in French.

1934 Precise Time On The Arm Ad

This next Rolex holiday ad from 1934 is also very interesting. Notice we see the Rolex crown sprinkled all over the ad, and the 'ROLEX' typeface is not much bolder. We also see the addition of names to describe the models, including The Rolex Prince & Rolex Princess models. In this ad we also see for the first time, the classic round dial Rolex Oyster Perpetual case, which is similar to what we see today with most Rolex watch models. Rolex had only recently brought to market the Rolex Oyster 'Perpetual' model, which was the first watch to be able to wind itself automatically, by capturing the movement from arm movement. The slogan under the Rolex name and crown logo reads, "Precise Time On The Arm."

It took Rolex 20 years before they came up with their crown logo which they introduced in 1925. If you examine all of the ads, which run from 1935 to 1948, you will notice how much the Rolex crown logo evolved. Over the 12 year span from 1935, we witness the evolution of the crown from a kind of primitive version to the timeless logo which has not changed very much over the past half-century.

1935 French Rolex Noel Ad

Next, we examine this vintage Rolex ad from 1935 that was published in France. The watches in this ad are art-deco and more dress watch oriented.

1936 British Rolex Noel Ad

Next, we examine this vintage Rolex ad from 1936 that was published in England in the Punch or The London Charivari. 

1937 French Rolex Noel Ad

Next, we examine this vintage Rolex ad from 1937 that was published in France. 

1938 French Rolex Christmas

We see in this next French Rolex Christmas ad that with all the different Rolex ads, Rolex is really beginning to hit its stride. I really like the artwork in this ad.

1942 World War II

Rolex U.S.A. Christmas Message

World War II was an extremely difficult time for most people on earth. Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex was likely very, very frustrated by the mess the Nazi's and other axis powers made because it had a devastating financial impact on Rolex business.

The reason I suggest Hans Wilsdorf and Rolex must have been really frustrated is that Rolex had really begun to hit its stride, and Rolex wanted to capitalize on their patents on both the waterproof Oyster as well as the perpetual automatic movement. This spiritually uplifting ad was published in the United States in 1942.

Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex is pictured above in Geneva, Switzerland in his office at Rolex headquarters in 1942. He is also pictured below in one of his Rolex workshops in the photo below in 1962.

1943 Swiss Magazine Ad

Rolex Bubbleback

The image below is from a Swiss magazine that was published in 1943 and it shows a beautiful Rolex Bubbleback with a classic California dial, with Lake Geneva shown in the background. This watch was a harbinger of the magnificent art-deco design language that would evolve a decade later into the Submariner and GMT-MASTER.

1943 World War II

Rolex Christmas Magazine Ad

It is difficult to put into words how profound and optimistically prescient this next 1943 Rolex magazine advertisement was from the middle of World War II. It's also interesting that Hans Wilsdorf and Rolex were so distraught about the sad affairs of the world, Rolex published this add that was just an observation and a wish for the future. In other words, Rolex spent money to make this bold declarative statement and did not even show or mention a watch in the ad.

1944 World War II

Rolex Christmas Magazine Ad

In this next World War II Rolex Christmas Ad, you see how they were getting excited about the end of World War II:

1945 World War II

Rolex Christmas Magazine Ad

In this next World War II Rolex Christmas Ad, you can see that Rolex is relieved and back on its optimistic game:

1946 German Rolex Ad

Rolex was quick to get things back to normal just after World War, as we see in this very elegant German Rolex Christmas ad from 1946.

1947 French Rolex Ad

1948 Hans Wilsdorf Season's Greetings

The following magazine ad offered Season's Greetings and Happy New Year wishes from Rolex founder, Hans Wilsdorf to everybody in every country! As you can see by reading the Rolex ads during World War II, Hans Wilsdorf was really frustrated because the war made it challenging to import raw material for making watches, as well as making it seriously difficult to distribute Rolex watches internationally. With the war finally over, Rolex could really spread its wings and fly high and fast, and Hans Wilsdorf's jubilance is clearly communicated in this 1948 Rolex Season's Greetings ad. 

1948 was a very good year for Rolex and the world or exploration. Rolex and Hans Wilsdorf were moving full-speed-ahead into a wonderful new era. In 1948 Hans Wilsdorf was 67 years old, and despite his amazing achievements to date, the best was yet to come.

Rolex U.S.A. was so excited about the level of progress, they published the following magazine ad which featured Hans Wilsdorf, as the "Watchman Of Our Time." By the way, if you are wearing your Rolex as you read this, Hans Wilsdorf is still the "Watchman Of Your Time ;-)))"

1948 Rolex U.S.A. Christmas Ad

40th Jubilee Celebration

In this next Rolex Christmas ad from 1948, we see yet more evidence Rolex was back on top of its game. With the World War II fiasco behind it, it was smooth sailing. 1948 was Rolex's 40th anniversary so they named their new 5-link trademark bracelet, "The Jubilee Bracelet" as seen below on this first generation yellow gold Datejust. (The 40th Anniversary of most things is referred to as The Jubilee Anniversary).

We take having a date complication on a watch today for granted, but back in the late 1940s when Rolex was the first to introduce the date feature, it was considered a dramatically positive innovation. This all-new Rolex Datejust on a Jubilee bracelet is essentially the watch Rolex gave Dwight Eisenhower, who at the time was the Supreme Commander of NATO in Europe.

The yellow gold Rolex Datejust on a Jubilee bracelet is essentially The Father Of The Rolex President or Rolex Day-Date.

1958 Tiffany & Company Rolex Ad

The following Tiffany & Company Rolex Christmas Present ad offered two different Rolex Oyster Perpetual models.

Vintage Rolex U.S.A. Hotness Ad from 1968

When Pucci Dictates Glitter...Is It Chic To Flash A Rolex?

This is Rolex...The Christmas Watch For Golden Girls

I am not 100% certain the add below is a Rolex Christmas ad, but it sure looks like it to me. My best guess is it is from the 1970s.

1979 Rolex Day-Date & Lady Datejust

Walnut Dial Models

The ad below is from 1979 and features the yellow gold Rolex Day-Date and Lady Datejust with matching Madrona wood dial, which is really beautiful.

2013 Rolex Festive Season Website

Rolex In The Digital Age

At Christmas, 2013 I  thought it would be interesting to compare the closest we can come to a Rolex Christmas or holiday season ad, which comes from Rolex's website with shows a bejeweled Rolex Day-Date, and it says "Discover the Rolex selection for the festive season."

Rolex Black Tie

Holiday 2016 Collection 

During the 2016 Holiday season Rolex.com featured a fascinating new section named Black Tie Watches, which shows how well many different Rolex Oyster Perpetual models work with being worn with black tie. 

The image below shows the gorgeous Rolex Brand Ambassador, Lindsey Vonn wearing a Rolex Submariner.

A family member of mine asked my advice recently on which Rolex he should purchase for his wife as a Christmas gift. I told him my best advice was not pick a Rolex watch for her, but to give her a Christmas card with a photo of a Rolex on it, and have it say, "I want you to chose your favorite Rolex as a Christmas gift from me." 

In other words, if you already know which Rolex somebody prefers, that makes it easy. But if you don't know, I think it is important to take them to a Rolex Authorized Dealer and let them spend some time exploring and trying on different models to see which one they like best. Or, have them go online and take a look at people wearing different Rolex models. After all, they are going to be wearing the watch for many years to come, so it makes perfect sense for them to make the smartest choice possible.

Vintage Rolex Black Tie

Since we are on the subject of Rolex being worn with black tie, I thought it would be fun to get in the Rolex Time Machine and travel back to look at some timeless photos of Rolex and Black Tie.

1959

Hans Wilsdorf

Founder of Rolex

Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex, is perhaps the first famous man to wear a Rolex with a tuxedo, as we witness in the only known video interview of Hans Wilsdorf, as seen below.

1962

Ian Fleming

Rolex Explorer Reference 1016

Ian Fleming is the first person I am aware of and have documented who wore a Rolex sports watch with a Tuxedo as we see him wearing his Rolex Explorer in the photo below. Ian Fleming is most famous for having authored all the original James Bond series books. The image below was added to this story in Christmas 2017, and in my mind, it is the seminal "G-Money" shot of Ian Fleming. Why? In the photo below, Ian Fleming is more or less posing/Vogueing/fronting with his Rolex Explorer on his wrist, or as Grandmaster Flash would say, "...hangin' out tough, rockin' late at night!" 

In other words, in this magnificent photo above Ian is not only making a bold declarative statement with his watch but in the black tie photo, he looks the closest I have ever seen to look similar to his James Bond character he created. I believe it is likely Ian Fleming owned a Rolex Oyster Perpetual more than a decade earlier as seen below in the 1951 photo from Vogue Magazine, which shows Ian Fleming having a cocktail, with his friend and fellow playwright Noel Coward standing in the background.

In the 1951 photo above it looks like Ian Fleming is wearing a Rolex bracelet 

Ian began wearing his Rolex Explorer in sometime around early 1962. This was right around the time that Dr. No was released, which featured Sean Connery wearing a Rolex Submariner. Sean Connery was 6 feet 2 and was very muscular and large at the time, thus the Submariner fits him well. If Connery had worn a 36MM Rolex Explorer it would have looked too small on him. Ian Flemming was six feet tall and had a skinny build. Thus in the above photo of him wearing his Rolex Explorer with a black tie, he looks more like his James Bond character. Essentially he has taken on the persona of James Bond. Wearing the Rolex Explorer at the time was rather Avante-guard of him. Especially when you consider he was wearing a bulky Rolex sports tool watch with a black-tie tuxedo.

Earlier I mentioned that this newly discovered image of Ian Fleming was a seminal "G-Money" photo. What do I mean by that? There are certain images I have discovered and published over the years that I consider to be quintessential images of famous icons wearing Rolex sports watches. Example of other seminal Rolex "G-Money" shots would include the image below I originally published in 2011 of Pablo Picasso sporting his stainless-steel Rolex GMT-Master while wearing an American Indian Headdress. 

Another seminal "G-Money" shot I discovered an published back in 2008 shows Paul Newman wearing his trademark Paul Newman Daytona:

The supreme and unfortunate irony behind the photo of Ian Fleming wearing his Rolex Explorer is that within two years of the photo being taken he would be dead. Ian Fleming smoked like a chimney and drank like a fish, and it caught up with him just as he was reaching the apex/prime of his life. They say a man enters the prime of his life when he is 50 years old and reaches the peak of his life when he is 55 years old. For Ian Fleming, as he reached the peak of his prime, he, unfortunately, experienced early check-out. In other words, according to Maslow's Hierarchy, Ian Flemming reached the height of his powers at the highest level of the life pyramid, and achieved self-actualization, just as he fizzled-out...Oh, sweet irony of life...

1964

James Bond

Rolex Submariner Reference 6538

This first image of Sean Connery as James Bond shows him wearing a white dinner jacket with a 'black tie'. In case you didn't know, white dinner jackets are supposed to be worn for semi-formal or formal 'tuxedo' events only during the spring and summer months (between Memorial Day and Labor Day), or in the tropics, or on a cruise ship.  

In Goldfinger, Sean Connery played James Bond and wore a Rolex Submariner [Reference 6538] as pictured below, on a Regimental belt strap. 

1965

James Bond Inspired Ad

Rolex Submariner Reference 6538

I love this vintage Rolex ad below from 1965, it is so MAD MEN... Also, notice it say, "How come it's seen so much where the wettest thing around is a dry Martini? Who knows. Maybe it's because the black dial goes so well with a black tie. Ask Her. Maybe she knows." It continues with the slogan:

"When a man has a world in his hands, you expect to find a Rolex on his wrist"

1965

Dr. Martin Luther King

Yellow Gold Rolex Datejust

Civil Right Leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is pictured below with Rabbi Jacob Rothschild, just after Dr. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Notice Dr. King is wearing his yellow Gold Rolex Day-Date. 

1968

Dick Bertram

Rolex Submariner SEA-Dweller

Dick Bertram was a boat making pioneer and legend. Today, his company still makes amazing boats. Among other things, Dick Bertram pioneered inventing the 'Cigarette' speedboats.

1969

James Bond

Rolex Submariner Reference 5513

Next up we see George Lazenby playing James Bond in the movie, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service."

1973

Live & Let Die

Rolex Submariner Reference 5513

Next up we see Roger Moore who starred as James Bond in the 1973 movie, "Live & Let Die".

It is worth pointing out (no pun intended :-), that James Bond's Submariner was no ordinary Rolex. It has a spinning bezel that could cut through rope and had sharp teeth as you can see. 

1978

Telly Savalas

Kojak Rolex Presidential

Next up we see the actor and fashion icon, Telly Savalas who most famously played Kojak, and we see him wearing a Rolex Day-Date model. Who loves you, Baby!?!!

1978 Telly Savalas Rolex Day-Date Ad

1979

Kenny Rogers
Rolex Datejust

Next, we see Kenny Rogers back in the late 1970s, sporting his two-tone Rolex Datejust.

1980

Yves Saint Laurent & Catherine Deneuve

Ladies Datejust

Next up we see designer Yves Saint Laurent with the beautiful actress, Catherine Deneuve. Notice that Yves is wearing a ladies Datejust, which is a little unusual. There were several gay men who in the 1980s wore ladies Rolex watches, including Andy Warhol. This is ironic in the sense that today most women wear men's Rolex watches.

1981

Robert Redford

Rolex Submariner

Next, we see Robert Redford wearing his trademark stainless steel Rolex Submariner at the 33rd Annual Directors Guild Awards, which took place on March 14, 1981, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel located in Beverly Hills, California.

1987

Chad McQueen Getting Married

Rolex Submariner

In this next image we see Chad McQueen getting married to Stacy Totten on May 23, 1987. Actually, Chad, who is Steve McQueen's son is wearing a white tie with tails while wearing his Rolex Submariner.

1988

Arnold Schwarzenegger

@ Milton Berle's 80th Birthday Party

In the photo below we see Arnold Schwarzenegger at Milton Berle's 80th Birthday party which was held at the Friar's Club at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles on November 18, 1988.

1992

Paul Newman

Rolex Daytona @ The 64 Academy Awards

In the photo below we see Paul Newman with Elizabeth Taylor in 1992 attending the 64th Academy Awards and notice Paul Newman is wearing his stainless steel Rolex Daytona on a Jubilee Bracelet.

The photo below shows Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor 34 years earlier on the set of the 1958 movie, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. One of the most interesting things about this pairing was that they both had crazy blue eyes...

1998

Burt Reynolds

Rolex Datejust On A Specila Bracelet.

In 1997 Burt Reynolds made a huge comeback with his role in Boogie Nights for which he won the 1998 Golden Globe Award for Best Actor. Notice he is wearing his yellow gold Rolex Datejust on a Jubilee Bracelet.

1998

James Cameron

Rolex Submariner @ The Academy Awards

In the photo below we see Director James Cameron at the 1998 Academy Awards where he won 3 Oscars, for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Film Editing.

2007

Ted Koppel

Rolex Explorer II

Ted Koppel is best known for hosting ABC's Nightline, and in the photo below we see him wearing a black dialed Rolex Explorer II with his black tie.

2009

James Bond

Stainless Steel Rolex Milgauss.

Next up we see James Bond actor, Daniel Craig wearing his stainless steel Rolex Milgauss.

2010

Jeff Bridges

Yellow Gold Rolex Submariner

In 2010 Jeff Bridges won the Academy Award for Best Actor, and as we see in the image below, he is wearing his father's yellow gold Rolex Submariner.

2011

King Harald of Norway

Pepsi GMT-Master

In the photo below, taken on April 28, 2011, King Harald of Norway is attending a pre-wedding ceremony dinner in London being held for Prince William and Princess Kate of Britain.

2012

James Bond

Stainless Steel Rolex Daytona.

Next up we see James Bond actor, Daniel Craig wearing his stainless steel Rolex Daytona.

2013

Roger Federer

Platinum Rolex Daytona

Roger Federer is the greatest tennis player in history and he is pictured below in 2013 rockin' the then all-new Platinum 50th Anniversary Rolex Daytona that Rolex launched at BaselWorld 2013 in Basel, Switzerland.

2013

Michael Bublé

Stainless Steel Rolex Daytona

2014

Odell Beckham

Yellow Gold Rolex Day-Date

Odel Beckham is an amazing NFL Football player, and he is pictured below is black tie, sporting his yellow gold Rolex Day-Date.

2017

Ryan Gosling

Stainless Rolex Airking

Ryan Gosling is pictured below accepting the 2017 Golden Globes Win for Best Actor, and he is sporting his vintage stainless steel Rolex AirKing.

2017

Jason Bateman

Stainless Rolex Daytona

Jason Bateman was a presenter at the 2017 Academy Awards, and he was wearing his vintage Rolex Daytona as seen below.

2017

Ryan Seacrest

Stainless Rolex Daytona

Ryan Seacrest is pictured below attending the 2017 Academy Awards sporting his stainless steel Rolex Daytona.

2017

Rex Tillerson

Stainless Rolex Daytona

Rex Tillerson is the United States Secretary of State, and he is pictured below wearing his stainless steel Rolex Datejust that has a white mother of pearl dial with diamond indexes.

2018

Michael Stratham

Stainless Rolex Daytona

In the photo below we see Michael Strahan interviewing Lin Manuel Maranda on the red carpet at the 2018 Acadamy Awards. Notice Strahan is wearing a white dial Daytona with a black ceramic bezel.

2018

Sam Rockwell

Stainless Rolex GMT-Master

Next, we see actor Sam Rockwell giving his acceptance speech for having won Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars for his Rolex in "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri". Notice Sam Rockwell is wearing his vintage Rolex GMT-Master, Reference 16710, which features an all-black bezel.

Cary Grant

The Real James Bond

Speaking of James Bond and Black Tie. No man ever has or ever will wear Black Tie like Cary Grant did... I have yet to find a photo of Cary Grant wearing a Rolex, but it is fascinating to note that the James Bond Character was based upon Cary Grant, and he was the first choice to play James Bond. Unfortunately, he passed on the opportunity because they wanted him to sing for three movies.