Monday, December 30, 2013

Rolex "Class Is Forever" Ad featuring Carmen Dell'Orefice


...Rolex Super-Hotness...

Who's That Girl?

The World's First Supermodel

Carmen Dell' Orefice

Many people have been in awe of these Rolex ads which which appeared in magazines between 2007-2009. I always wondered who this stunningly beautiful woman was? It took me a while, but I figured it out. Here name is Carmen Dell'Orefice, and it turns out Carmen has been a top haute couture model he entire adult life.







Carmen Dell'Orefice was born in the United States and her career began 66 years ago in 1948 when she appeared twice that year on the cover of Vogue Magazine (pictured below) and her career continues to this day.





Pictured below is a Chanel No 5 perfume ad from 1958 featuring Carmen Dell'Orefice. Pretty amazing!!!! Today, Carmen Dell'Orefice remains the oldest working model in the world!!!


The next image below of Carmen Dell'Orefice was taken in New York in 1954



Here is a more recent photo of Carmen Dell'Orefice wearing a red dress taken in 2005













Sunday, December 29, 2013

Ceramic Two-Tone Rolex Submariner


...Rolex Studio Shot Of The Day...

Ceramic Two-Tone Rolex Submariner

Saturday, December 28, 2013

1959 National Geographic Mystery Man Identified in a 1976 Luis Marden Rolex Ad


...From the Archives...

  NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC  

1959 National Geographic Rolex Mystery Finally Solved

Several months ago, I saw a photo on the last page inside National Geographic magazine, and I included it below. It was a photo of a hand replacing a light bulb, and I could not help but notice he was wearing a big crown Submariner. The inscription said "A metal-mesh glove protected a photographer’s hand while he changed flashbulbs during a shoot in Mexico’s Yucatan, 1959. PHOTOGRAPH BY LUIS MARDEN, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC."




1976 Luis Marden Rolex Ad

Of course, I thought this was curious, mysterious and wondered who the photo was of, and what the context was behind the photo, and today, I am proud to announce I figured it out and put together the pieces of the puzzle. The vintage Rolex ad below offers all the answers to the National Geographic mystery photo. So Luis Marden was not only a treasure hunter, but also a famous National Geographic photographer. There is nothing cooler than to see a Rolex photo from the 1950s, seeing the Submariner being used as a Tool watch in the field!!!


The photo below is a self-portrait that explorer Luis Marden took of himself standing in front of the ancient Mayan pyramid in Chichen Itza, Mexico, in 1936.



Another Rolex at Chichen Itza

Sam, who goes by Fremstar on the RolexForums sent in this message with his great image of his GMT in front of the Mayan pyramid at Chichen Itza:

Jake,

Hope my email finds you well.  I was pleasantly surprised to see the picture of my 1655 posted on your site.  The recent post of Luis Marden you posted struck a cord with me as I was at Chichen Itza about a year ago and had to snap this pic with my 116718. 

Keep up the great work!

Best Regards,

Sam



1956 Luis Marden & Jacques Cousteau

My pal, Eduardo Raffaelli from Argentina is not only a huge fan of Jake's Rolex World, but has also been a great supporter over the years, sent in an email after I published the story above, which added more valuable pieces to this fascinating story. Eduardo wrote:

Hi Jake,

I was just enjoying your work on the identification of Mr. Marden's hand with the Big Crown Submariner, as I recalled I had read the article many years ago, when I started diving.

So I browsed the bookcase of the old National Geographics, to attach some pictures you might like.

The Bones of the Bounty was published in the December 1957 NG. The photo, which was later used in the ad, is not very good.

Then, there is the well known picture of Luis Marden sharing experiences on board the Calypso. This is the February 1956 issue of the NG. The Rolex is clearly visible on Mr.Marden's wrist. In the same article, a picture of Marden is captioned with explanation that he is wearing a special waterproof watch, etc. The issue of imploding flashlight bulbs is also explained.

Jacques-Yves Cousteau & Luis Marden wearing a Rolex Submariner Pictured Above in 1956

Finally, there  is a picture of marden being hoisted out of a cenote in Mexico's Yucatan. Marden was probably the first to dare into these new places. On his wrist, there is the same combo of Rolex + Depthmeter. The article was published in the January 1959 issue. 

Best Wishes for the incoming 2014!

Kind Regards,

Eduardo Raffaelli




I would like to thank Eduardo Raffaelli for sending in the great scans from the 1950s National Geographic Magainze. Notice Eduardo is rockin' his Rolex DEEPSEA in the photo above. Eduardo, like myself is a hardcore Rolex enthusiast, with an immense respect and fascination for all Rolex history as well as the history of diving, and anything Jacques Cousteau. Jacques-Yves Cousteau was the greatest explorer that ever lived!!!

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Leonardo Dicaprio The Wolf Of Wall Street


...Rolex Coolness...


Leonardo Dicaprio
The Wolf Of Wall Street

In Theaters Now

Rolex Ambassador, Martin Scorsese has teamed up again with leading actor, Leonardo Dicaprio for a movie named The Wolf Of Wall Street, which is based upon the memoirs of Jordan Belfort which detail his over-the-top experiences as a shady Wall Street banker in the 1990s. Leonardo Dicaprio has been sporting Rolex watches for years


I originally thought Leonardo Dicaprio was sporting a yellow gold Rolex GMT-Master in the movie poster, as pictured above and in the photos below, but a reader wrote in to let me know he thought it was a TAG Heuer Series 1000, which I was not familiar with, but after looking it up, I think it appears to be a TAG, which was basically a very close copy of a Rolex GMT.

I haven't seen The Wolf Of Wall Street yet, but I heard it is a really good movie, and there are many characters in the movie that wear Rolex watches.









...Rolex Super Coolness...

Martin Scorsese
The Wolf Of Wall Street Director

As I mentioned earlier, Martin Scorsese not only directed the movie, The Wold Of Wall Street, but he is also a Rolex Ambassador, who also participates in the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative. In the future, I plan to write a much more detailed story on Martin Scorsese's amazing career achievements.




Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Jean-François PERNETTE From Nepal


Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from

Jean-François Pernette

On The Ponker Glacier in Nepal @ 4650m

I just received a really cool Christmas Card from my pal, Jean-François Pernette, who is one of the greatest Rolex Explorers in history, and his Christmas card has a recent photo of him in Nepal, in the Himalayas, on the Ponker Glacier, which is located at 4650m so I thought I would share it with you.


Jean-François Pernette pictured above in December 2013 wearing his Orange Hand Rolex Explorer II



Jean-François Pernette pictured above in 1981 wearing his Orange Hand Rolex Explorer II

Monday, December 16, 2013

Merry Christmas from Stefano Mazzariol


Merry Christmas from
Stefano Mazzariol


Monday, December 09, 2013

Rolex Submariner 1680



...Rolex Outdoor Shot Of The Day...

Pete took this great photo of his vintage Rolex Submariner with the fat glass sitting on his copy of John Goldberger's book titled 100 Superlative Rolex Watches...

This super high style crystal from the late 1960 and early 1970s gives this vintage Rolex Submariner some collectors go crazy for!!!

Sunday, December 01, 2013

The Batman Rolex GMT-Master


...Rolex Studio Shot Of The Day...

The BATMAN

Rolex GMT-Master

Rolex surprised the world when they introduced an all-new Rolex GMT-Master color combination earlier this year when they introduced the new GMT-Master with a "Night & Day" Ceramic bezel that is black and blue.

Rolex collectors and enthusiasts love to use nicknames for different Rolex models, like The Pepsi, or Coke GMT-Master or the 7up Submariner for the original LV Submariner. The all Green LV Submariner is nicknamed The Hulk, and Rolex collectors have affectionally nicknamed the new Night & Day Rolex GMT-Master as "The Batman" since it is silver, black and blue like Batman's uniform. Very cool!



Saturday, November 30, 2013

If You Were Negotiating Here Tomorrow You'd Wear A Rolex


If You Were Negotiating Here Tomorrow 
You'd Wear A Rolex
Geneva's Palais des Nations

This vintage Rolex ad showcases what is now referred to as UNOG, which stands for The United Nations Office At Geneva. The "Palace Of Nations" was built in Geneva between 1929 and 1936 as the headquarters for the League of Nations, which later evolved into the Geneva headquarters for the United Nations in 1946. Today, The United Nations In Geneva is busier than ever with international diplomats, and it primarily deals with social issues around the world.

Vintage Rolex Ad Appears Courtesy of The Concannon Collection


The First Rolex President

Former U.S. General Eisenhower was the architect of D-Day, where he assembled the greatest armada in history and successfully set sail to free Europe from Nazi tyranny. 

After World War II, President Eisenhower became the Supreme Commander of NATO in Europe where he oversaw rebuilding many parts of Europe, and that is when Rolex gave him their 150,000th Officially Certified Swiss Chronometer, which was a yellow gold Rolex Datejust on a Jubilee bracelet, as pictured below. General Eisenhower returned to the U.S., where he was elected President and served for two very successful full terms.

Back in 2008, I worked with the Eisenhower Presidential Library archivist to dig up all the historical documents that shared the beautiful story of his relationship with Rolex. President Eisenhower was one of the worlds first iconic world leaders, along with Sir Winston Churchill who made the Rolex Datejust "The International Mark Of Success." In other words, when the vintage Rolex ad suggests "The Rolex they wear is the Datejust, in 18ct gold, with matching Jubilee bracelet", they are referring to this man.



Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving from Jake!!!



Happy Thanksgiving from Jake!!!


Hi Everybody!!!

It is hard to believe it is already Thanksgiving again on Jake's Rolex World!!! It has been another absolutely amazing year filled with growth and incredible new Rolex historical content. Since last Thanksgiving I have met many new international readers and made many new and exiting friends, for which I am extremely thankful.

This is a very special Thanksgiving for me for many reasons, and in particular, I am extremely thankful for having Rolex recently invite me to tour all four Rolex manufacturing facilities in Geneva and Bienne Switzerland, as well as visiting Rolex World Headquarters in Geneva.

I am working on a really exciting detailed article about my tour of Rolex in Switzerland, and plan to publish it as soon as I can get it completed. In the meantime, I have a special Thanksgiving experience to share with you which is a special Rolex podcast that Ariel Adams from TheHourTimeShow.comwhich is the Podcast for ABlogToWatchwhich we recorded last week in Geneva, Switzerland after we toured Rolex. Enjoy!!!





Below is a link to the original Rolex Podcast I did with Ariel Adams and John Biggs which originally aired on February 7, 2011, that Ariel and I referred to in the recent podcast above.


If you enjoyed the podcasts above, you can always listen to some of my classic podcast interviews by clicking on the Podcast tab located on the far right side of the navigation bar located above.

As you can imagine, I have so much to be grateful for and I wish all my readers a happy Thanksgiving!!!!


"The First Thanksgiving" painting by Jean Gerome Ferris (1863-1930)

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday because it gives us a chance to pause and reflect on how fortunate we all are to be able to experience this amazing miracle, known as life, on this spinning marble we all share–named Earth.

Of course I realize Thanksgiving is a U.S. holiday, but I believe it's as timeless and universal as a sunset or a smile :-)))

Once again, Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Warmest regards,

Jake

Roy Clark Country Guitar God



...Rolex Super Coolness...

Roy Clark
Country Guitar God
Keeping The Time Of His Life With A Rolex Day-Date

I figure since we are headed into the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S., it would be appropriate to start out with some good old down home country music. Roy "Lightning Fingers" Clark is an National Treasure, and is considered to be one of the greatest Country music guitar players in history. Roy Clark is also a five time Grammy Winner.




Clark is not only a renowned "Superpicker" guitar player, but also a master banjo player, and his playing style has had an enormous influence on bluegrass and younger country musicians.


Roy Clark is probably best known for staring on the major American hit TV show which debuted in 1969 named Hee Haw. Roy Clark hosted Hee Haw for 25 years, and I have fond memories of watching Hee Haw in my grandparents home when I was a small child.  

In the photo below we see Buck Owens and Roy Clark on Hee Haw, and Roy Clark is wearing his trademark yellow gold Rolex Day-Date. Earnest Borgnine is sitting behind Roy and Buck and he also appears to be wearing a Rolex Day-Date.








In this video of Roy Clark performs Under The Double Eagle,a dn you can see him wearing his trademark Rolex Day-Date.





I normally would not publish two versions of the same song, but the version of Yestersday featured above was the original hit version from the 1970s, and the one below was recorded in 2007 at The Grand Ole Opry. What a hauntingly beautiful song...







Friday, November 22, 2013

1950 Star Dial on a Jubilee Bracelet


...Rolex Studio Shot Of The Year...

Pink Gold Rolex Moonphase
1950 Star Dial on a Jubilee Bracelet
Reference 6062

This is one of the most beautiful Rolex models ever made. It is an annual calendar "triple-date" moon phase with star indices that was made 64 years ago in 1950. It is simple yet sophisticated, and in like-new condition. This beauty was auctioned five years ago by Christies in Geneva, Switzerland on November 16, 2005 for $594,155.


...Rolex Coolness...

Nicolas Cage
Rolex Triple Date Moonphase
Reference 6062

I thought I would share the photo below of Nicolas Cage with his then wife, Lisa Marie Presley, and if you look closely, Nicolas Cage is rockin' his Rolex Moonphase 6062. This is one of the most beautiful watches ever made in history and I genuinely hope Rolex has the wisdom to bring this model back to life.





Christies Lot Notes offer a beautifully written definition:

Launched in 1950, reference 6062 is seen as the pinnacle for the savvy Rolex connoisseur since it combines all key elements a demanding watch collector could expect: a sporty yet distinguished look, a complicated movement with full calendar and moon phases indication housed in the purist of all Oyster designs. Together with reference 8171 (see the following lot) it is one of only two Rolex models to show the date, the weekday, the month and the moon phases. It was also the first Rolex ever to be fitted with the so-called Super-Oyster Crown.

Reference 6062 was made in very few examples, mainly cased in yellow gold or even more rarely in pink gold or stainless steel. To further enhance the model's individuality and exclusivity, a variety of dial designs were available - the rarest however with the most popular star-shaped numerals.

The present watch, offered by a private collector, is one of the most beautiful and desirable examples of this legendary reference: made in 1950, cased in pink gold and fitted with the highly sought after "star" dial, it also still retains its original Jubilee bracelet, a rarity by itself. Preserved in outstandingly original and unspoilt condition, the dial shows an incredibly charismatic, ivory-coloured grainy patina which has formed naturally over the years. Another particularly appealing feature is the harmoniously discoloured luminous material to numerals and hands, now displaying a highly attractive, uniform cream tone. The case, possibly only once polished, impresses with its full bodied proportions, sharp angle to the bezel and original satin-finish underneath the lugs.

In 30 years of international watch auctions, only a small handful of pink gold star-dialed references 6062 of such quality have appeared. All of them have always caused sensational response from the market and are now cherished trophies in the world's most distinguished private collections. The present example can comfortably compete for a place on the podium in an all-time 6062 competition.

For a virtually identical example, sold by Christie's Geneva in May 2004, see 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, pp. 142 & 143. It is very interesting to note that the latter reference 6062, serial number 788'617, is only 20 numbers apart, underlining the extreme rarity of these watches. 

Saturday, November 16, 2013

...Rolex Outdoor Shot Of The Day... Rolex Submariner On An Orange Nylon Strap


...Rolex Outdoor Shot Of The Day...

Rolex Submariner
On An Orange Nylon Strap

I took this photo years ago, and I was just looking through my archive and came across it. I have always really liked the whole safety orange strap look on a Rolex Submariner.

Monday, November 11, 2013

Stainless Paul Newman Daytona Shatters Auction Record


...Rolex Super Coolness...

The World's First 
Million Dollar Rolex Daytona

Stainless Paul Newman Daytona 
Shatters Auction Record
Christies Auction House Sells For $1,089,186
37.5MM 1969 Reference 6263/6239: Case Number 2,197,870

It is awe inspiring, and I imagine it was bound to finally happen. An extremely rare stainless steel Paul Newman Daytona, with an exotic dial sold last night for over One Million Dollars in Geneva, Switzerland at the Christies Rolex Daytona Auction. This watch is considered to be one-of-a-kind, and it is the only authentic Daytona with a a black exotic "Paul Newman" dial, with screw down pushers. This represents the first time in history a Rolex Daytona has sold for more than a million dollars! 


The Wold's First Million Dollar Rolex Daytona


That's pretty amazing, if you think about it, that a Rolex watch that sold for under $500 forty four years ago, increased in value and sold for more than 2000 times its original retail cost. Think about that for a second, over a Million dollars for a stainless steel watch! Wow!!! Pretty mind-blowing!!! I think it goes to show the value vintage Rolex collectors place on aesthetic beauty coupled with superb condition and magnificent timeless design. I mean if you look at the Daytona, it is stunningly good looking...

Pictured below is a photo of Paul Newman sporting his "Exotic Dial" Rolex Daytona, which today is considered mythical among vintage Rolex collectors. Just to be clear, the watch that sold, which is pictured above, is really kind of a 'reverse' Paul Newman, in the sense that its dial colors are inverted from the one Paul Newman wore, which is pictured below on a FatStrap. 

Also, Paul Newman's exotic dial Daytona did not have screw down pushers. The term "Paul Newman Daytona" really connotes an "exotic" dial, with the outer track that is the same color as the subdials.


Eric Ku, vintage Rolex dealer and collector extraordinaire, and owner of the Vintage Rolex Forum took the photo seen below as the Exotic Dial Daytona rocketed-up quickly in price last night in Geneva, Switzerland to blast past the million dollar mark at Christie's Auction last evening.