1972 Rolex 'Commando' Abercrombie & Fitch Ad

...A Rare & Mysterious Rolex Model...

1969 Rolex

'Commando'

Throughout its history Rolex has experimented like crazy with different models that were not long-lived, like the mysterious Rolex Space-Dweller. I published this story a few weeks ago, but since then I learned some really interesting things about this mysterious Rolex model I thought I would share with you. The Rolex Commando was 33MM and featured a manual movement and a Rolex Reference of 6429.

Rolex Oyster Commando Appears Courtesy of Rolex Passion Report




Abercrombie & Fitch

I recently saw a thread on VintageRolex Forums asking if the Rolex Commando was an actual model, and as we see here Abercrombie & Fitch offered it in 1972. 

I heard from @Watches2.8 who said:

Hi Jake,

I think the correct date is actually 1969 as the only serial I came across for all the correct Rolex COMMANDO models is around the 2075xxx range.

As far as I know the Abercrombie & Fitch sale was to get rid of the inventory that did not sell on U.S. Military bases in 1969/70. 

I actually own two of these Rolex models and I only know of 2 others in the world of the same quality. Ironically it went from a budget-priced $108 to being worth around $50K today! Probably rarer than a Paul Newman Daytona!

Best,

Teddy

Profiles In Coolness: James Coburn

...Profiles In Coolness...

James Coburn

Pepsi GMT-Master

Who is the coolest dude to ever wear a Rolex? This is a fascinating question if you think about it since there have been so many. The top of this list would include Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, Miles Davis, Robert Redford, and even Pablo Picasso. This being said, there is another person to add to this list that could arguably top the list, and that is actor, James Coburn. Nick Gould the amazing horological journalist discovered the photo of James Coburn rocking his Pepsi Rolex GMT-Master in 1968.

So what makes a dude cool? I would argue coolness is a combination of being handsome, masculine, charismatic, stylish, confident, competent, with and a relative degree of nonchalance and je ne sais quoi—all of which James Coburn possessed in spades.

A Man For All Four Seasons

James Coburn was an unusually charismatic, handsome actor. During his acting career which made up the better part of a half-century he appeared in over 80 movies and 100 TV shows including Bonanza and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. James played many different roles in his career, and in 1998 won the Academy Award for his supporting role in the movie "Affliction." 

The Magnificent Seven

James Coburn co-starred in The Magnificent Seven alongside other famous tough-guy actors including Steve McQueen, Yul Brynner and Charles Bronson.

The Great Escape

In 1963 James Coburn co-starred in the great escape alongside James Garner, Steve McQueen and Charles Bronson. We see the three of them together pictured below in 1963.

Our Man Flint

James Coburn made a series of two movies which debuted in 1966 and 1968 named Our Man Flint, and In Like Flint in which he played a James Bond like character.

Duffy

James Coburn starred in a movie in 1968 named Duffy, where he wore his Pepsi Rolex GMT-Master as seen below. 

Yellow Gold Rolex GMT Master Taking a Coffee Break

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

Yellow Gold Rolex GMT Master

Taking a Coffee Break

Thomas took this amazing photo of his yellow gold rolex GMT-Master in front of his coffee cup, and I just love this great photo. I have to go make a latte now!!!

Letter To The Editor From The Netherlands

Letter To The Editor

From The Netherlands

I recently received this email from a reader in the Netherlands who wrote in to ask a quesiton about the Air King, and share some information and photos of his favorite films which features style icon, Toni Serviilo:

Dear Jake,

I admire your extensive blog on Rolex watches. Great photo’s and articles. I especially liked the entry on the airking, since I own a 114200 blue dial myself. However, there is no information with regard to Rolex dropping the “Air-King” designation on the dial at some point. My airking is form 2010, and still has it, but later 114200 watches are “just” Oyster Perpetuals, without any difference in the specs of the watch itself. Do you know an explanation for this?

Anyway, On of my favorite films is La Grande Bellezza (or “the great beauty”) Which won an Oscar for best foreign language movie.

The main character Jep Gambardella (Toni Serviilo)  is an absolute style icon, and he wears a steel Rolex Oyster. See attached pictures. It looks like an airking.

Kind regards,

Cees de Boer

from The Netherlands

Rolex Studio Shot of the Day: Single Red Submariner from Stefano Mazzariol

Stefano Mazzariol

Single Red Rolex Submariner

[Reference 1680]

Stefano Mazzariol took this amazing shot of his Single Red Submariner which has a stunning dial that has had a fresh coat of luminova on the dial.

Hank Williams Jr. Rolex Day-Date Keeping The Time Of His Life

The Kings of Country Music Wearing Rolex Series

Hank Williams Jr.

Rolex Keeping The Time Of His Life

Hank Williams Jr. is the son of the greatest Country singer, Hank Williams Sr. Hank Williams Jr., is pictured below in the 1960s wearing his yellow gold Rolex Day-Date.

Hank Williams Sr. is pictured below with his son, Hank Williams Jr., Hank Williams died when he only 29 years old in 1953. 

Hank Williams Sr.

As I mentioned earlier, Hank Williams Sr., is considered to be one of the greatest country singers in history and in this next video, we have the pleasure of watching June Carter, who later married Johnny Cash introduce Hank Williams.

Spruce Meadows 'Masters'

Spruce Meadows 'Masters'

Rolex Crown Logo Collage...

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

Rolex Crown Logo Collage

@Stockegsix from Instagram created this AMAZING Rolex Crown collage comprised of six Rolex models and I almost fell out of my chair when I first saw it!?!! I have to say in my opinion this is one of the coolest looking Rolex Studio Shots I have ever seen!!! Just AMAZING!!!! 

Rolex Super-Hotness Donna Dixon

...Rolex Super-Hotness...

Donna Dixon

Ladies Two-Tone Datejust

Donna Dixon was one of the top beauties in Hollywood in the 1980s. Donna won the Miss Virginia Beauty contest in 1976.

Donna Dixon starred beside Tom Hanks on the 1980s situation comedy named Bosom Buddies, where she played the role of Sonny Lumet.

Tom Hanks is pictured below wearing his Rolex Submariner.

Donna Dixon was in the 1983 movie, Dr. Detroit with Dan Aykroyd, and a few months later got married.

The couple starred in more films together including Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983); Spies Like Us (1985), and The Couch Trip (1988). Dan Aykroyd and Donna Dixon have three daughters. 

UPDATE September 14, 2019: Dan Aykroyd just appeared on the Joe Rogan Show which is absolutely fascinating.



Donna retired from acting in 1997.

The photo below shows Donna Dixon hanging out with Bob Hope who seems preoccupied totally checking out Loni Anderson lol.

LV Submariner: Hanging in Hawaii

...Hand In Glove Shot Of The Day...

LV Submariner

Hanging in Hawaii

I took this wrist shot photo of my LV Submariner years ago when I was in a Hawaiian Jungle. Turns out it was a pretty cool Rolex Hand in Glove Shot...