The thing about Rolex watches, is often times you fall in love with a model, and then you just can't seem to get her out of your head, and that's the case here...well actually it's more the dial...Rolex introduced this magnificent beauty at Watches and Wonders back in 2022, and at the time a few escaped the press releases though they had never been in the Rolex catalog before. And they deserve a mention. Check out Jake's story, for example, on his favorite release of 2022, a release that flew under the radar: The Datejust 41 blue fluted motif dial.
The Rolex that caught my eye at the time was the then new 40mm Day-Date in yellow gold with a lacquered green dial and gold Roman numerals which also escaped media coverage. I find the watch just absolutely beautiful. Long-time watch aficionado Kristian Haagen was able to try one on. This was a new 2022 model.
Photo Credit: Kristian Haagen
The yellow gold combined with this green dial reminds me a lot of the discontinued yellow-gold GMT-Master II.
I find this new Day-Date beautiful; it's pure class and surely deserves to be highlighted.
Howard Shultz rockin' his vintage Single Red Submariner [Reference 1680]
Starbucks
Founder & Chairman
Do you think Starbuck coffee taste great? I am not much of a coffee conisure, but one thing is for certain, and that is Howard Shultz has Amazing taste in Rolex watches. Howard Schultz is no longer involved in Starbucks' operations or leadership. He stepped down from the board in September 2023 and holds the honorary title of Chairman Emeritus, which carries no legal or company authority.
Shultz definitely has a penchant for collecting and wearing magnificent vintage Rolex watch models. Back in 2020 Howard Shultz entered the race for president of the United States and then strangely pulled out citing he thought his campaign would have been divisive which seems ridiculous to me as I think he would have made a good President. There have been many President's that wore Rolex watches throughout history. As a matter of fact the bracelet on the Day-Date is named "The President". If you want to learn more about this subject I recommend reading my story titled "The Complete History Of The Rolex President".
Howard Shultz was interviewed on how he was seriously considering running for President of the United States in the video below:
Vintage Rolex Keeping The Time Of His Life
Howard Shultz is not only the founder and CEO of Starbucks, but a vintage Rolex collector. Howard is pictured below on the cover of the 2016 Forbes Magazine Special Issue named, "Meet The Richest People On The Planet."
2 Different Black Dial
Paul Newman Daytona Models
This is a really profound!!! In the photo above on the cover of Forbes Magazine we see Howard Schultz wearing a Rolex Daytona Reference 6239, and you can tell it's a 6239 as it has pump pushers and two lines of text under the Rolex Crown on the dial just like in the photo below. It also has a silver bezel.
Rolex Daytona Reference 6239 Pictured Above
Daytona Rolex Oyster Sotto
This is where it gets really profound! In the next two photos we see what at first appears to be the same Paul Newman Exotic Dial Daytona as seen on the cover Forbes Magazine covers, but upon closer inspection it is a Daytona Rolex Oyster Sotto [Reference 6236] Notice it has screw down pushers and a third line of text under the Rolex crown on the dial that has says "Rolex Cosmograph Oyster." This watch is commonly known as the "RCO". If you look closely you will also notice it has a black bezel insert.
For frame of reference I am including the photo below of a very rare Rolex Daytona Oyster Sotto Reference 6236. Notice it has three lines of text under the crown as apposed to just 2, and also features screw down pushers. The 6263 is MUCH rarer than the Reference 6239 and is currently worth around $1.5 Million, as apposed to the Oyster Sotto Reference 6236 which is worth between $150k-$250k—largely depending on condition.
When you are a multi-billionaire and one of the wealthiest men on earth it makes sense you could own, and most importantly wear two different Rolex Daytona models that look almost identical, but have such a huge market value delta. "Sotto" is Italian and translated into English it means 'under'. Basically a Sotto is a 6262/64 with a Paul Newman dial, where Rolex later added the World "Oyster" under "Rolex" and "Cosmograph".
In these next images below we see Howard Shultz sportin' a very rare complicated Rolex Triple-Date Chronograph [Reference 6236].
I am including a photo below for frame of reference. This is not Howard Shultz's Triple Date, but a model very similar to it. This photo appears courtesy of Christie's Auction House and the watch was recently sold at auction last month for $87,500.
In this next photo we see Howard Schultz wearing his triple date Rolex Chronogaph on a leather strap. It is interesting to not the Rolex 6236 Chronograph is the most complicated Rolex watch ever made in the history of the company.
This Rolex Triple Date Chronograph was made in 1958 and is a magnificent watch but commonly falsely attributed to Rolex brand Ambassador, Jean-Claude Killy, just like the false association between known as the Steve McQueen Explorer which NEVER existed.
Explorer II "Orange Hand"
You can learn much more about false Rolex associations in my article named "The Complete History Of Rolex Mythbusting." Ironically, in this next photo of Howard Shultz, he is wearing his vintage Orange Hand Explorer II [Reference 1655], which is the model that Jean-Claude Killy actually wore, but Steve McQueen was falsely attributed to have worn :-)
Espresso GMT-Master
In this next photo we CEO Howard Shultz sporting a vintage Rolex Espresso GMT Master.
Rolex Explorer
In these next photos we see Howard Shultz wearing a vintage Rolex Explorer.
The Starbucks Submariner
With all due respect, I think Howard Schultz would be better-off wearing a Starbucks Submariner or 50th Anniversary Submariner. I created this graphic illustration seen below years ago to illustrate how the LV Submariner reminded me of the Starbucks logo.
In all seriousness, Howard Schultz wrote one of the absolute best and most inspirational business autobiographies I have ever read, which I very highly recommend!!!
The book titled Pour Your Heart Into It tells the story not only of how Howard Schultz built the Starbucks empire, but goes into great detail on his business ethics philosophy. I remember he talked about how he insisted that all Starbucks employees be given health care and I also remember him talking about "the power of Under-promising and Over-delivering."
Hollywood is reeling from the loss of Michael Madsen, the iconic actor whose unforgettable performances left an indelible mark on cinema. Madsen passed away on July 3, 2025, at the age of 67 due to cardiac arrest, joining a wave of beloved figures who have departed in recent times. Known for his rugged charisma and intense screen presence, Madsen was often seen sporting his Rolex Explorer, a timepiece that mirrored his gritty yet sophisticated persona.
Madsen’s career spanned over four decades, with more than 300 film and television roles to his name. He first gained widespread recognition as the psychopathic Mr. Blonde in Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs (1992), a role that showcased his ability to blend menace with magnetic charm.
His collaboration with Tarantino continued in Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004) as Budd, a weathered hitman, and later in The Hateful Eight (2015) as Joe Gage, cementing his status as a Tarantino staple. Beyond these, Madsen’s versatility shone in films like Thelma & Louise (1991), where he played the soulful Jimmy, and Donnie Brasco (1997), portraying a mobster with understated depth.
His contributions extended to voice acting, notably as Maugrim in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005), and independent films like The Natural (1984), where his early work hinted at the star he would become. Madsen also explored writing and directing, showcasing his creative range, and appeared in music videos, including Rihanna’s “Bitch Better Have My Money,” adding a modern edge to his legacy.
The Rolex Explorer, often seen on Madsen’s wrist, was a fitting companion for a man whose career was defined by resilience and authenticity. With its robust design and timeless elegance, the Explorer echoed Madsen’s ability to navigate Hollywood’s highs and lows with unwavering presence. Whether on the red carpet or in candid moments, his watch was a quiet testament to his enduring style.
As we reflect on Michael Madsen’s remarkable legacy, his Rolex Explorer remains a symbol of a life lived boldly. From indie gems to blockbuster hits, his work continues to inspire. Rest in peace, Michael Madsen—your grit, grace, and timeless talent will not be forgotten.
Roberto is from Italy and he has an amazing collection of vintage Rolex watches. He took this stunning image of his pre-Daytona Rolex Chronograph. Notice is has a different scale running around the outside of the dial, along with the secondary scale on the bezel insert.
Let's face reality for a moment. We live in a hectic world, and are bombarded on a regular basis with many negative things, thus this video from Rolex is a breath of fresh air, as it features two female leaders who are completely pushing the envelope on what is possible in order to make the world a much better place.
Miranda Wang is realizing a decade of research and innovation. With support from Rolex, she has successfully built a first-of-its-kind demonstration plant that can turn low-value plastics into high-quality materials, a major milestone towards a plastic circular economy.
Plastics are one of the defining materials of the modern age. Today, they can be engineered to create almost any product, from components in spacecraft to snack packaging and socks. But the qualities that have made plastics so ubiquitous: durability, strength, flexibility and affordability, have also resulted in their becoming one of humanity’s biggest headaches.
Most plastic waste can so far not be re-used. Traditional plastic recycling is only able to generate lower-quality products than the original material, resulting in a constant down-cycling. At present, just nine per cent of the hundreds of millions of tonnes of plastics created each year are recycled. An estimated 52 million tonnes spill uncontrolled into the environment, harming ecosystems, endangering marine life and damaging human health.
...Rolex Macro Shot Of The Day... Yellow Gold Rolex Daytona
This is one of my favorite Daytona shots fromthe Rolex Instagram page, that features a yellow gold Bumble Bee Daytona, which is some kind of wonderful.
It is with deep regret I report the passing of James Lovell, who was one of the most accomplished and beloved NASA Astronauts who depended on Rolex to keep the time of this life for 6 decades. This article offers a historical overview of many of Lovell's lifetime achievements.
Explorer Club Medal Award
My pal, David Concannon, who among other things is a fellow Rolex fanatic of the highest order, sent in some great photos from the Explorers Club in New York that show legendary NASA Astronaut James Lovell at a special luncheon in his honor, that took place before the awards ceremony that presented Captian James Lovell with the Explorers Club medal back in March of 2018. In the photo below we see James Lovell, David Concannon and Mike Massimino who was a U.S. Space Shuttle Astronaut.
David Concannon snapped the photo below during the Explorers Club luncheon of NASA Astronaut, James Lovel showing off his vintage Pepsi Rolex GMT-Master.
David Concannon took this close-up wrist shot of James Lovell's Pepsi GMT, and notice on the left side of the dial, there is a U.S. Naval Academy Crest. Another Rolex mystery has been solved, and the mystery question was: "Where did James Lovell get this interesting Rolex with the unusual Naval Academy Crest." David Concannon just solved that mystery and the answer is that James Lovell confirmed that his Rolex was a gift from the Naval Academy to honor him after his first Gemini Flight. Notice Lovell ended up rocking his Pepsi GMT-Master on a Rolex Jubilee bracelet, despite the fact he originally wore it on a Rolex Oyster bracelet.
Apollo 8 crew members Bill Anders and Frank Bormanare pictured below on the left wearing their MA-1 flight jackets, which became the standard issue for the U.S. Air Force and Navy Pilots, and ground crew. These flight jackets were designed to be worn in temperatures of 15 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit and featured a knitted wool collar with matching cuffs.
James Lovell who was a fighter pilot and test pilot in the U.S. Navy is pictured below with fellow Apollo 8 crew members, Bill Anders and Frank Borman. Notice James Lovell is wearing the exact same Rolex GMT Master in the photo below, as in the photos above.
In the photo below we see James Lovell on the far left wearing his Pepsi Rolex GMT-Master standing with Apollo 8 crew mission members, Bill Anders and Frank Borman in front of their Apollo 8 Rocket. Frank Boarman is pictured wearing a classic Omega Speedmaster Chronograph, which is very cool.
In the photo below we get a closer look at James Lovell's GMT-Master. It's interesting to note when he first started wearing his PEPSI GMT-Master back in the 1960s, he wore it on an Oyster Bracelet, and in recent years, we changed his bracelet to a Rolex Jubilee bracelet.
Real Astronauts & Test Pilots Wear Rolex
NASA Rolex Coolness: Captain James Lovell
[Pepsi GMT-Master On A Rolex Jubilee Bracelet]
Just in-case you are new to Jake's Rolex World, I will give you some detail on why this first photo is so profound. As most people know Omega was chosen to be the official watch of NASA during the Apollo program, but the really strange thing, is that years ago, when I started digging through the NASA Archives, I kept finding photos of Test Pilots as well as NASA Apollo Astronauts wearing Rolex GMT-Master watches to the Moon and back!!! Of course, I was shocked at first, but not surprised!!!
Recent Kennedy Space Center Photo Of NASA Apollo 13 Mission Commander James Lovell Wearing His Vintage Pepsi GMT Master
James Lovell is a member of the 50 Years wearing a Rolex Club, and from what I have observed, he wore it for at least 59 years—minimum, but more than likely wore it over 7 decades.
Real Astronauts & Test Pilots Prefer Pepsi
And An Occasional Mocha And Lacoste Alligators
One thing led to another and I found out that many, many of the Apollo astronauts were not only wearing their personal Rolex GMT-Master watches to the moon and back, but in their personal lives. So far, I have documented the following NASA Astronauts wearing Rolex Watches:
Chuck Yeager of Edwards Air Force Base was first to break sound barrier in 1947 while wearing a Rolex Perpetual Oyster.
William Knight of Edwards Air Force Base Fastest manned flight of Mach 6.7 (4,250 Miles Per Hour ins X-15 which is nearly 7 times the speed of sound) in 1967.
Scott Carpenter of Mercury 7.
Walter Schirra of Mercury 8, Gemini 6A & Apollo 7.
Michael Collins of Gemini 10 & Apollo 11.
Jack Swigert of Apollo 13 (Wore to Moon).
James Lovell was a U.S. Navy Test Pilot and went onto NASA to participate in Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8 & Apollo 13 (Pictured Above).
Stuart Roosa of Apollo 14 (Wore to Moon).
Dr. Edgar Mitchell of Apollo 14 (Wore to Moon).
Alan Sheppard of Mercury 3 & Apollo 14 (Worn On Cape Canaveral & Possibly To The Moon).
Ronald Evans of Apollo 17 (Wore to Moon).
Eugene Cernan of Gemini 9A, Apollo 10 & Apollo 17 (Worn Outside Space Suit and Possible To The Moon).
Dr. Leroy Chaio (Wore on 3 Space Shuttle Missions and while Commander of the International Space Station Expedition 10).
The list above is not complete, and I am aware of more Rolex Moon Watch history which I will be publishing in the future. I also intend to do a future series named "The Complete History Of Rolex Watches In Space" which will tie everything together and give a holistic overview of this fascinating subject.
Below we see an image of James Lovell with Buzz Aldrin, of Apollo 11 fame, taken on November 23, 1966 at the Gemini XII post-flight press conference, taken at the Manned Spaceflight Center located in Houston, Texas, and we see Lovell rocking his Pepsi GMT-Master.
In this next image below, we see a younger NASA Apollo 13 Mission Commander, James Lovell speaking with his Apollo 13 mission astronaut, Jack Swigert who is wearing his Pepsi Rolex GMT-Master in the photo. James Lovell is picture second from the left wearing the light blue Lacoste polo shirt with an alligator on it. Jack Swigert is on the far right.
In the photo below we see Apollo 13 Mission Commander, James Lovell with his fellow Apollo 13 flight crew members, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert during their Steak & Eggs breakfast as they prepare to leave for the moon.
Jack Swigert was born John Leonard Swigert on August 30, 1931 and passed away on December 27, 1982 at the young age of 51 years old. Jack was a test pilot, aerospace engineer, and U.S. Air force pilot before becoming a NASA Apollo Astronaut. Jack is one of only 24 astronauts who flew to the moon. After retiring from NASA Jack ran for Congress and won but died from cancer before being sworn in to office. Jack Swigert is pictured below as he prepared to leave for the moon wearing his Pepsi GMT-Master.
Jack Swigert's Pepsi GMT-Master he wore to the moon is pictured below as he returned it to Rolex in Geneva after his mission aboard NASAs Apollo 13.
In this next photo below, we see a close-up of Jack Swigert wearing a Lacoste polo shirt with an alligator on it and sporting his Pepsi Rolex GMT-Master during the steak and eggs breakfast just before they took off for the Moon.
In the photo below we see the Apollo 13 flight team after they had returned safely to Earth. Not that Jack Swigert is wearing a yellow gold Rolex Mocha GMT on a Jubilee Bracelet. James Lovell is pictured on the far right.
In this next image we see Jack Swigert's official NASA photo and he is sporting the same yellow gold Rolex Mocha GMT-Master on a Rolex Jubilee bracelet as in the photo above.
Historically Rolex has always been extremely secretive and discreet, and no journalists in the past have ever been invited "INSIDE ROLEX" to explore and report on all four Rolex Manufacturing faclities in Switzerland.
In November 2013, this changed when Rolex invited Jake to take an unprecdented journey into the heart of Rolex to learn and report on everything he witnessed and learned.
This Super-Detailed 3 Part Story is a "MUST READ" story for anybody who wants to understand what really makes Rolex tick.
