Monday, January 01, 2018

Rolex MoonPhase




Rolex MoonPhase

Instagram History Showcase

Rolex recently published these amazing historical Rolex moonphase images on their Instagram page:




The images below show the three Rolex Moonphases from the Instagram post. Rolex begins with the Reference 8171, then shows the Reference 6062. 



The fundamental difference between the Rolex Moonphase Reference 8171 pictured above, with was from 1949, compared to the Reference 6062, which is seen below, and is from around 1953, is the 6062 features a waterproof Oyster case, whereas the 8071 (pictured above) is not housed in a waterproof case.



I have to say that seeing Rolex post these images on the web sends shivers down my spine (in a good way). I say this as it is the very first time I recall Rolex showing the original moonphase watches from the late 1940s and 1950s since the 1950s!!! This is so cool...

The image below shows Rolex's current modern interpretation of the Moonphase, which comes in the form of a Rolex Cellini version.



What do I think about the current Rolex Cellini Moonphase? I think it is a great step in the right direction, but I also think there is tremendous room for improvement. In my opinion as a designer, it has way too much going on the dial and lacks the Day and Month aperture windows. In the image below I superimposed the Day and Month aperture windows on the current Moonphase, which I think makes it look way better. Also, I would replace the sword hands with the original Dauphine hands seen which came standard on the Rolex moonphase reference 8171 and 6062. 


I am working on a story titled, "The Complete History of The Rolex Moonphase", which I will go into great detail on these magnificent Rolex watches. I have been saying for a long time that Rolex should bring back the complicated Rolex Moonphase models, so when they recently introduced them at BaselWorld I was happy to see the return of the moonphase.

Just for the sake of illustrating my point, I put the 8171 dial in the new Cellini Moonphase case, which I believe perfectly makes my case...




Just for fun, on the image below, I put the new style Chellini Moonphase disc on the 8171 dial, and it looks interesting. I still prefer the old-school vintage 8171, but I think this shows there is almost unlimited potential for Rolex to evolve this model in the future...