....Rolex Time Machine...1965...The Sydney Morning Herald

 

....Rolex Time Machine...

1965

The Sydney Morning Herald

Jose from Perezcope.com recently discovered this super-fascinating Rolex ad which was originally published in the Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday, December 7, 1965. The shockingly insight that caught me by surprise is that if you read the text next to the illustration of the GMT-Master it says the GMT is the Official watch of James Bond!?!! 

Be sure to click on image below to significantly enlarge text for easy reading:

I genuinely have no idea what this means as Thunderball was the James Bond movie in 1965 and we see in the movie poster below it shows Sean Connery as James Bond rocking his trademark Submariner—which is clearly NOT a GMT-Master!?!!

I know Rik Van Nutter wore a GMT-Master on the set of Thunderball as seen in the photo below as he played James Bond's handler, Felix Leiter. Nick Gould and I discussed this and believe it is likely Rolex Australia confused the GMT-Master with the Submariner.

Update: Mark Rackley wrote in and and said:

Jake:

Another possibility for the Sydney Morning Herald referring to the GMT as the official watch of James Bond might be more to the movie series and not Bond himself - e.g. the GMT worn by Pussy Galore in Goldfinger in 1964.

Just a thought.

Mark Rackley

I think Mark may have figured out this puzzle as we see with this Rolex Goldfinger movie poster featuring Pussy Galore shows her rocking her GMT-Master. 

1958 Rolex Submariner

1958 Rolex Submariner
Big Crown "James Bond" Submariner Explained
Cameron from Craft and Tailored published this awesome historical overview of the Rolex "Big Crown' Submariner, which is awesome!!!

In the photo below we see Sean Connery wearing his 'Big Crown' Rolex Submariner as he plays with Ursula Andress on the set of Dr. No.

I pointed out to Cameron that the photo below shows Chuck Yeager back in 1958 rocking his "Big Crown' Submariner, which predates Sean Connery rocking the same watch four years later. We might want to change the nickname of the Big Crown to 'The Chuck Yeager." Speaking of Chuck Yeager, in several days I will be posting a deeply profound game-changing historical discovery regarding Chuck Yeager, so stay tuned... 

Yacht-Master 42: A Rolex Fan's Favorite?

Yacht-Master 42


Why the Yacht-Master

Is My Favorite Watch

 By DANNY CRIVELLO

           

The reason I believe the Yacht-Master has always been one of the most underrated models in Rolex's collection is because of its name. While "Submariner," "Sea-Dweller," "Explorer," and "GMT-Master" conjure up thoughts of adventures in the deep sea, in the mountains or across the globe, the name "Yacht-Master" makes us feel the watch is for the elite few who, well, own a yacht.

I was fortunate enough to be invited for Rolex's first appointment on the first day of Baselworld. I was essentially the first one to try the new Yacht-Master 42. And I reported it live on Twitter and Instagram. After a few weeks and more time to think about it, I wanted to share my reaction.

When I was given the watch by the Rolex representative to try on, I didn't expect my hand to shake, but it did. The combination of perfect lighting in the Rolex press room, the brilliance and sparkle of the white gold from the case, and the piece's slightly increased size gave it a subtle aura. But enough that it made my hand shake as I held it. That was unexpected but a pleasant surprise.

Is the Yacht-Master designed with yacht owners in mind? If it's 1966 and you decide to be the first person to truly circumnavigate the world completely on your own—West to East via the great capes, in a journey that would take you 226 days, yachting is an adventure. The Yacht-Master is the Explorer of the sea, the Submariner of the surface, and the GMT-Master that crosses the globe not with jet engines, but sails. 

Above, Sir Francis Chichester, whose daring spirit marked the history of yachting for future generations, autographed the picture by writing: "Gipsy Moth IV needs repairs after capsizing in the Tasman Sea, but the Rolex ticks on happily. Francis Chichester."

It's 1966 and there's no GPS. Your navigational instruments include a sextant, the stars and a Rolex watch. 

Sir Francis Chichester departed Plymouth and sailed solo around the world in his yawl, Gipsy Moth IV. The journey took 226 days and handed him the honor of being the first person to truly circumnavigate the world completely on his own. He was 65.

So owning a Yacht-Master is not just for yacht owners; it could be for those who long for adventures on the high seas. Please see Jake's Complete History of the Rolex Yacht-Master. 

Below: "To Rolex, many thanks for the splendid G.M.T.-Master. Francis Chichester. 19.8.66."

Please indulge me as I add, below, a non-related Rolex picture. My grandpa, who was a submariner during World War II and later became a Navy officer, is seen here with his teenage son, my dad. My dad would earn all his sailing certifications and endorsements. 

I write about my grandpa here, and the Rolex Submariner I own. Now I want to own a Yacht-Master in honor of my dad. 

Four facts about the new Yacht-Master 42:

First time a Yacht-Master is released in 42mm.
First time a Yacht-Master (I) is released in white gold.
First time a Glidelock clasp is on an Oysterflex bracelet.
First and only Professional model offered in three sizes.

What I like most about the Yacht-Master 42: 

The size: While I owned many 40mm-diameter watches and I have a 7-inch wrist, the 42mm size is more modern without being over the top. Many Omega and Grand Seiko divers are at 44 and more. 42, I believe, is the new 40. It is the new perfect size in line with modern fashion. 

The case design: I've owned a couple Maxi case Rolexes, like the BLNR (GMT "Batman") and the LV (Submariner "Hulk"). But I love a thinner lug design like the one of my Air-King and Daytona. The Yacht-Master has a winner lug shape and profile design—all that with a Maxi dial maximizing legibility both by day and night. It reminds me a bit of the uber-popular Submariner "Kermit."

The metal: The 18-karat white gold adds a reflection and luster that can't be matched by steel. And it brings the watch into a luxury range without being too flashy. It is quieter than yellow gold and lighter than platinum. Some say white gold is a secret between you and yourself.

The bezel: I use the bezel function all the time—to time events or just to mark time in the future, like a scheduled departure time. I love bi-directional bezels because they're so quick and easy to operate. While the Yacht-Master is not a dive watch, its specs go beyond the kinds of depth I will ever reach. It's waterproof to 100m. 

A word about the strap and clasp: The Yacht-Master 42 is the first Rolex to be equipped with a Glidelock system on Oysterflex, allowing the wearer to extend the strap length by increments of 2.5 mm up to 15 mm. On the flip size—literally!—it makes the clasp a little bit longer than its 40-mm Everose, non-Glidelock Yacht-Master cousin, which, by the way, will also be equipped with a Glidelock extension and a new movement in 2019. 

But on the wrist the Oysterflex is amazingly comfortable and adds a touch of sportiness. You don’t need to compromise on robustness, waterproofness or reliability though. Resistance and durability are comparable to that of a metal bracelet, according to Rolex, making it the perfect companion for an adventure on the high seas.

Sir Francis Chichester would have approved! 

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..

The French Connection: French Rolex Presidents...

French Rolex Presidents

When I think of the term, the Rolex President, I typically think about American Presidents wearing Rolex, but in this case we are going to take a look at French Presidents wearing Rolex. The 1964 Rolex ad below showcases Rolex's worldview at the time.

Valéry Giscard d'Estaing

French President 1974-1981

First we see Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, wearing a two tone Rolex Datejust on a Jubilee bracelet. Jacques Chirac was the Prime Minister of France under Valéry Giscard d'Estaing.

François Mitterrand

French President 1981-1995

I am fairly certain François Mitterrand wore a Rolex, but I have not been able to find a photo of him wearing one. That being said, in the photo below taken by Marc Riboud in 1974 we see François Mitterrand looking at Michel Rocard's Rolex at an event in Paris. Michel Rocard served as François Mitterrand's Prime Minister from 1988 to 1991.

Jacques Chirac


1932-2019

In the photos below, taken several decades apart we see Jacques Chirac wearing his stainless steel Rolex Datejust.

Jacques Chirac

French President 1995-2007

Next we see Jacques Chirac, sporting his stainless steel Rolex Datejust on a matching jubilee bracelet. Jacques Chirac served as the President Of France from 1995 to 2007.

The photo below shows Jacques Chirac in 2014 at age 81, still wearing his stainless steel Rolex Datejust.

Nicolas Sarkozy 

French President 2007-2012

In the 1981 photo below, taken long before either was elected president of France, we see Jacques Chirac with his young protege, Nicolas Sarkozy, who went on to become a future President of France from 2007 to 2012.

I remember when Nicolas Sarkozy was elected President of France, and I noticed he wore a black dial and a white dial Rolex Daytona as seen below. I though he was really cool. I also noticed that Nicolas Sarkozy wore a white gold Patek Philippe [Reference 3940], which I wrote a story about on Jake's Patek Phillips World. I simply thought the Sarkozy had great taste in watches.

Nicolas Sarkozy's taste in watches caused a huge controversy in France, when one of his close friends named, Jacques Seguela was quoted as saying: "If you don't have a Rolex by the time you reach 50, then you have clearly failed in your life.." 

I am NOT an expert this subject, but I think it is worth exploring. Basically, in February 2009, while Sarkozy was the President of France, apparently some of Sarkozy's advisers told him to tone down his 'bling' image by refraining from wearing Rolex watches and Ray-Ban sunglasses in public. this was just after the huge worldwide economic downturn that had a strong effect on France. 

Somebody created a FAKE Rolex advertisement that featured Sarkozy wearing a yellow gold GMT-Master on his wrist, along with matching gold Ray-Ban Sunglasses.

This FAKE Ad is interesting as Sarkozy has never been seen wearing a yellow gold watch. He only wears stainless steel or white gold watches. 

This false internet meme caused a lot of commotion. Nicolas Sarkozy's friend, Jacques Seguela was asked what he thought about Sarkozy taste in wearing expensive jewelry, and Seguela responded, "So what if he owns a Rolex, we can't blame him for that. Everyone has a Rolex. If you don't have a Rolex by the time you reach 50, then you have clearly failed in your life."

After Jacques Seguela made this statement, all hell broke loose in France. The President of Sarkozy's own UMP party responded by saying "It's ridiculous to say owning a Rolex is a mark of success in life." A French newspaper named 'France-Soir' responded by saying, "There is a global financial crisis and people are struggling to make ends meet. Most workers will find this highly offensive."  A French news website responded by saying, "This remark is obscene. We would like to shove Seguela's own Rolex down his throat." This statement was kind of ironic in the fact that Seguela does not own or wear Rolex watches. 

It is a fact that Jacques Seguela played matchmaker by introducing Nicolas Sarkozy to his gorgeous wife, Carla Bruni, who is a famous singer.

In retrospect it is clear to see the big deal that was made at the time about Nicolas Sarkozy's excellent taste in watches, was, as Shakespeare put it, "Much ado about nothing." At the time, the worldwide economic downturn was very real and I don't mean to discredit the way many people felt at the time. My point is that I think Sarkozy is handsome and looks cool with his Ray-Bay Aviators. To me he typically looks like he just stepped out of a GQ photo shoot.

As far as Rolex being the International Mark Of Success, I think it is all relative. Speaking of successful men who wear Rolex, Warren Buffett's notion that "Success is getting what you want, while happiness in about wanting what you get."

In the photo below, we see Nicolas Sarkozy wearing a non-chronograph Rolex with a black dial, which appears to be either a vintage Milgauus, or a Datejust.

In the next photo we see Nicolas Sarkozy wearing a stainless steel Rolex Datejust which appears identical to the one Jacques Chirac wears.

 

New James Bond Rolex History Volume Added

From Switzerland with Love

I recently announced I am coming out with a series of 5 books that covered the entire history of Rolex. 

One More Thang!!!

Things have changed since then as I realized that 5 volumes would NOT be enough!!! In the not so distant future I will post an update on my progress but in the meantime I thought I would share the fact with you I am working on a book dedicated to the History of James Bond and Rolex, and below is a copy of the preliminary book cover artwork.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service

Thunderballs.org recently showcased this really cool James Bond poster concept for "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" which I had never seen before. If you are not familiar with Thunderballs.org, I highly recommend you head over and check it out as it offers tremendous insight into the amazing history of the James Bond enterprise...

Christie Brinkley Keeping The Time Of Her Life With Rolex....

...Rolex Hotness & Coolness...

Christie Brinkley

&

Billy Joel

The Super Model

& The Piano Man

I Want My MTV!

This is a love story of sorts that chronicales two really famous people who got married at the height of their careers back in the 1980s. Supermodel Christie Brinkley and Singer, Songwriter, Pianoman, Billy Joel.

Uptown Girl & Downtown Man

Christy Brinkley famously appeared in the 1983 Billy Joel music video for the song, Uptown Girl, as we see below. Billy Joel claimed on the Howard Stern show that he concieved the song on an occasion when he was with his then girlfreind, Supermodel Elle Macpherson, along with Christie Brinkley and Whitney Houston. Billly Joel pointed out the song was inspired by the music of the legendary Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

Timeless Beauty

This is kind of a profound story in the history of women wearing men's Rolex watches. In other words, I think it may have been Christie Brinkley who started the modern trend for women to wear mens Rolex watches. In the future I will need to update my story named, "Rolex Hotness: THE ROLEX WOMAN. What Kind Of Woman Wears A Rolex? The Evolution Of The Female Rolex Archetype" to include Christie Brinkley.

Pictured below in 1985 we see Super Model Christie Brinkley wearing a Rolex Daytona, and at the end of this story, the last image you will see is Christie Brinkley four decades later, still wearing a Rolex Daytona! Christie Brinkley is one of the top Super Models in history...

Christie Brinkley is wearing a vintage Rolex "Big Red" Daytona in the photo above which is a Reference 6263, just like the model seen in the photo below from Bob's Watches. Talking about vintage Rolex Hotness!!!

Christie Brinkle fell in love with legendary singer and pianist Billy Joel and we see them together in the photo below taken in 1983. 

Glass Houses

My favorite Billy Joel album is propably Glass Houses, which debuted in 1980. I bought this album and remember starring at the album cover so many times. 

My favorite song from Billy Joel's Glass Houses is "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me." Every time I hears this song it totally Deja Vu's me out!

Bill Joel was one of the most iconic recording artist in the 1970s and 1980s and below we see some video performances of his amazing songs.

In the next video we see Christie Brinkley and Alexa Rae in the video.

Christie Brinkley and Billy Joel got married in 1985 and in the photos above and below we see Billy Joel back in 1983 wearing his two tone Rolex Datejust on a Jubilee Bracelet.

In the 1983 mega hit we see Billy Joel wearing his Rolex Datejust during his performance.

In the photos below we see Christie Brinkley back in the 1990s wearing a stainless steel Rolex Explorer II.

In this next photo we see Billy Joes has wearing a stainless steel Rolex Datejust on an Oyster Bracelet.

The next set of photos was taken at an event in 1993 and we see Christie Brinkley sporting a Rolex Submariner on her wrist.

In this next image taken at the same event we see Billy Joel wearing his stainless steel Rolex Datejust with a white dial, and we also see their daughter Alexa Rae Joel standing between them.

Christie Brinkley and Billy Joel got divorced in 1994 got remarried to Peter Cook in 1996.  Peter and Christie had two children and in the photo below we see Christie with her son Jack Paris Brinkley Cook. 

Notice in the photo above Christie is wearing a stainless steel and platinum Rolex Yacht-Master. In the photo below we see Christie Brinkley with her then husband Peter Cook and their son Jack. Notice Peter Cook is wearing a stainless steel Rolex Daytona with a white dial.

In the photo below we see Christie's son Jack with his half-sister Alexa Rae Joel and notice Jack is wearing a stainless steel Rolex Submariner.

In the phot below we see Christie Brinkley with her son Jack and he is still wearing his Rolex Submariner.

In this next photo we see Christie Brinkley with her ex-husband Billy Joel and thier daughter Alexa Rae Joel.

The next photo was taken last year in 2017 a the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament and we see Christie Brinkley talking with fashion designer Vera Wang, and we also see Christie's son Jack wearing a Rolex DEEP-SEA D-Blue.

In the next photos we see Christie Brinkley  wearing a modern stainless steel Daytona with a white dial. This means she has been wearing Rolex Daytona models for four decades. Another thing Christie Brinkley and the Rolex Daytona have in common, is they are both timeless beauties...