The Great Names Gallery in Hans Wilsdorf's Office?

Happy New Year To You All!

Another Rolex Mystery

The Great Names Gallery

Landmarks In The History of Rolex

I hope you all had a great holiday season, and I have a special New Years surprise for all of you! Every time I start thinking I have seen it all in the world of Rolex I realized it's the exact opposite, and this is a great example!!! This mystery image was brought to my attention by Nick Gould who discovered a link to it that was first published two weeks ago on the Matthew Taylor Vintage instagram account. 

Matthew said he discovered this mysterious photo a few years ago—despite the fact he only recently published it for the first time, two weeks ago—and it was from a watchmakers workshop in South Africa. Matthew speculated it is a photo of Rolex founder, Hans Wilsdorf's office at Rolex Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

The photos below shows Hans Wilsdorf in his actual office at Rolex headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland in 1952 and 1953, and we see, based upon this photos that the glass showcase exhibition cases behind the old boy are indeed accurate, but obviously the artwork/signed photos on the wall are NOT a match. It's fascinating to note that Hans Wilsdorf always wore a Rolex Datejust on a Jubilee bracelet as we see below on his wrist.

One detail I noticed in the original image at the top of this story, is there is a photo of Hans Wilsdorf front and center on the wall behind him, but to the best of my knowledge, Wilsdorf, at least while he was alive, did NOT have a photo of himself on the wall behind him. In reality he kept a placard titled "PALMARÈS", which is French for record of achievements in that same place (pictured in the photo above Wilsdorf's head), and this is what leads me to believe what we are really looking at in that photo is a recreation of his office either in the original Rolex Museum, which no longer exists, or an area at Rolex Headquarters that displayed his office.

I say this must be a recreation of Hans Wilsdorf's office, as Rolex had a different International Headquarters in 1960, when Wilsdorf passed away, which is pictured below in Downtown Geneva. This Rolex Headquarters was opened in 1928 and moved in 1965.

The Rolex International headquarters we think of today is pictured below, just after it was erected in 1965, and is where Rolex headquarters remain today.

The fascinating Rolex Magazine advertisement pictured above was published in a magazine in January of 1973, and it says: 

    "There's a private corridor outside the Managing Director's office in our Geneva headquarters which is lined with the signed portraits of most of the world's leading Heads of State." 

Obviously this is André-Jean Heiniger's office, who Wilsdorf left the leadership of Rolex to.

If Only These Walls Could Talk

Below is a higher-resolution photo of the executive offices at Rolex Headquarters in Geneva in 1973. This was arguably an extension or continuation of the "Great Names Gallery" seen in Wilsdorf's office.

Matthew Taylor Vintage published a detailed analysis of all the people pictured on the wall in the original photo seen below, and he identifies many of them, but there are several that remain unidentified. In the future, I will do my best to identify them, but it's totally fascinating to see this amazing historical Rolex image that offers us the first glimpse at just some of Wilsdorf's personal memorabilia collection that feature famous people who wore Rolex watches, including Sir Winston Churchill as well as President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

I believe the desk, and chair and cabinets in the photo above were all from Hans Wilsdorf's personal office located at the old Rolex Headquarters in Geneva, I have NEVER seen the collection of images seen on the wall behind his desk displayed in his office. 

My best guess is Rolex posthumously curated this collection from his career, and put it together and the best supporting evidence is the title in the center rear case that reads, "LANDMARKS IN THE HISTORY OF ROLEX", which can be seen in the photo above. There are many other famous people not seen on the wall behind his desk that wore Rolex which have not been documented to date, but I will share more about them in the future.

Nick Gould and I noticed and discussed the photo above had a similar vibe to the ROLEX AND NASA image pictured below that was featured for years at Rolex headquarters. 

Below we see a close up of the top image in the photo above that shows Jack Swigert's NASA Apollo 13 flown GMT-Master Moon Watch.

Mystery Solved

Update January 1, 2024: Nick Gould solved the mystery, at least to a certain extent, regarding the nature of the mystery photo, as it is addressed in the following letters from Rolex Director, René-Paul Jeanneret written to the Prime Minister of Australian, Harold Holt. In this first letter dated May 6th, 1966, Jeanneret informs the Prime Minister of Australia, Harold Holt that he has gifted two Rolex Submariner models to Holt and his wife, who were both skin diving enthusiasts. Jeanneret then asks Holt for "one small favor", and that is if he would send in a singed photo that they would like to add to their Rolex "Great Names...Hall of Fame". 

In this letter Jeanneret thanks Holt for his signed photograph he sent into Rolex Headquarters in Geneva, and tells him that his photo: 

    "Will soon occupy a place of honor in our gallery of 'great names', now being reorganized — for private showing only. It will be in the management wing of the new Rolex Headquarters (of which the attached photograph will give you an idea)."

Jeanneret also sent the following letter, offering detailed background on June 16th, 1966 mentioning the Rolex Great Names Hall of Fame:

So essentially Jeanneret told Holt that they were reorganizing the gallery and moving it from the old Rolex Headquarters to the new one in 1966, just after it was erected.

Jeanneret then goes on to express his love for 'that wonderful hobby, skin diving'. Jeanerret is one of the founding fathers of Rolex and is one of four of the most important men who formed Rolex into what it is today. René-Paul Jeanneret represents such an important role in the history of Rolex, I have a volume dedicated just to his career achievements at Rolex!

Happy New Year To You All !

Below we see a Season's Greetings Rolex Magazine ad from Hans Wilsdorf that was published 76 years ago in 1948, and in it Wilsdorf wishes "Happy New Year to you all !" I join Hans Wilsdorf, eight decades later, in wishing you the same "Happy New Year to you all!!!"

I don't mean to be too redundant as I recently published another story on Wilsdorf, but I mentioned in that story I have been working for some time on a series of 15 books that actually delineate all the "LANDMARKS IN THE HISTORY OF ROLEX", as this series covers the entire arc of Rolex history, and is akin to a Rolexpedia. Volume 1 of my upcoming series details Wilsdorf's life and times as well as many of his amazing lifetime achievements, and we see the book cover art below.

Below we see the only known video footage of Hans Wilsdorf speaking, which was filmed in 1959, just a year before he passed away. Hans Wilsdorf was a beautiful man who left behind one of the most endearing and timeless legacies!

Christmas 1954 Rolex Submariner Newspaper Ad

 Christmas 1954

Rolex Submariner Newspaper Ad

This is one of those things you have to see to believe: This is arguably the very first example I am aware of a Rolex Submariner advertisement and it was originally published around Christmas, 1954. The most interesting detail in my mind is that it was published 70 Christmases ago, and at the time the Rolex Submariner sold for only $150!?!!

...Rolex Macro Shot Of The Day... White Gold Rolex Daytona

...Rolex Macro Shot Of The Day...

White Gold Rolex Daytona

Season's Greetings from Hans Wilsdorf, Founder Of Rolex

Season's Greetings

From Christmas 76 Years Ago

Hans Wilsdorf

Founder Of Rolex

Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex is one of the most successful and fascinating entrepreneurs in history. Hans built a world-wide wrist watch empire that is stronger and healthier today than ever. I have been utterly fascinated with learning everything I could about Hans life and times which I have shared with my readers over the past 17 years, and I have also been working on a series of 15 books that cover the entire Rolex History arc, and Volume 1 tells the never before story about this amazing man.

My inspiration for writing my upcoming book on Hans Wilsdorf was based upon the fact I wanted to learn what made Hans Wilsdorf tick, as it offers clues into what makes Rolex tick. In many ways when Hans got older, he became and remains a prolific benevolent avuncular figure on many levels. In the photo below Hans Wilsdorf, kind of reminds me of Santa Claus, sans the beard.

Jake's Rolex World, in my mind, is like a Rolex Time Machine that can take us back to yesteryear so we can take a nostalgic look around. The Season's Greetings message below from Hans Wilsdorf was originally published in 1948 and appears as part of my story titled "The Vintage Rolex Christmas Ads & Black Tie Guide." Hans Wilsdorf message is as apropos and on-point today as it was when first published 76 Christmases ago in 1948. 

Rolex has always been a chic brand for women as we see below in the vintage 1931 Rolex Ad.

The next Rolex ad was originally published in 1968 and features a beautiful woman wearing Pucci.

In this last image we see the gorgeous Skier and Olympic Gold Medal Winner Lindsey Vonn rocking her Submariner from several Christmases ago. You can learn much more about The Rolex Woman and How Women Began Wearing Men's Rolex Watches on Jake's Rolex World.

To all my readers located all over planet earth, I wish you a very Merry Christmas,  Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!!!

Holiday Video: Marshmallow World with Frank and Dino

...It's A Marshmallow World...
Dean Martin & Frank Sinatra
1967 Family Christmas Special
Dean Martin singing Marshmallow World has always been one of my favorite Holiday songs, since it is so positive and upbeat, and what could be any better?  Watching Dino singing Marshmallow World with Frank Sinatra.  It doesn't get any better than this!!!!!
 

In the photo below we see Dean Martin's family with Frank Sinatra's family on the set of a Christmas special from 1967.

In 1967, Dean Marin and Frank Sinatra had a special two-family Christmas Show and in the photo below you see Gail Martin with her dad Dean Martin, and then you see Frank Sinatra with his daughter Nancy.

Also, you can watch the entire 1968 Dean Marin Christmas Show below...

Speaking of great Christmas shows from the mid to late 1960s, The Andy Williams Christmas show from 1966 which you can watch below is amazing—especially the music...

Since we are enjoying some amazing Christmas music video, I could not leave this one out which features David Bowie and Bing Crosby singing Little Drummer Boy...

Have Yourself A Very Merry ROLEXMAS!!!

1922 Rolex Submarine

1922

Rolex Submarine

The Photos below feature a hermetic Rolex 'Submarine' watch made in 1922. Note, it's NOT named 'Submariner', but 'Submarine' as it was based upon the same principle as a Submarine hatch that would spin open and closed like a jar lid. It was called a 'Hermetic' watch as this new style of watch completely protected the entire movement, and notice, when it is sealed the watch winding crown, is hidden inside the watch. This case design was originally patented by Jean Finger in 1921, and Hans Wilsdorf later purchased the rights to the patent. 

1922 Rolex Submariner 

Think of a Hermetically sealed watch as being very similar to a jar lid (with a round glass aperture window) screwed on a jar. Once the lid is screwed into place, it forms an impervious barrier. No liquid can get in or out of the jar when the lid is securely screwed into place. (This, of course, is if you do not submerge the watch in deep water. At some point, without a gasket the case would fail and let water in). In many ways the Rolex Submarine was the great grandfather of the Rolex Submariner which Rolex would bring to life three decades later.

This page below shows Rolex's trademark for THE SUBMARINE, which was first registered in 1922, most fascinatingly by Rolex Founder, Hans Wilsdorf, himself!

The absolutely fascinating trademark page above and below are from the Swiss Journals E-Periodica and the one below features Rolex trademarks from 1938-1939, including the ROLEX AQUA, ROLEX RANGER, ROLEX SUBMARINE, and THE TUDOR. It's also worth noting in the bottom left hand corner there is a trademark from December of 1938 that is named "SOUSMARINE", which is French for "Submarine".

Franz von Holzhausen Paul Newman Rolex Daytona

Franz von Holzhausen 

Paul Newman Rolex Daytona

For a while now, I have been trying to get a close look at Tesla Lead Designer, Franz Von Holzhausen's vintage Rolex Daytona, as I can't help but wonder or speculate as to wether or not he is wearing Paul Newman's own black dial Daytona? 

Update on December 21, 2024: Bryan wrote in and said, "Just thought I’d give you a heads up.  The watch Franz is wearing is not a Rolex Daytona but a Breitling 765 AVI / Co-Pilot Panda from the 1963 era.  You can even slightly see the large lime 15 sec timer or right sub dial." I am so embarrassed, but I still love the look of Franz's Breitling, which is a really cool looking watch!!!

The photo above appears courtesy of the Wall Street Journal and it shows Franz Von Holzhausen sitting in the back of a prototype Tesla CyberTruck. The image below shows Franz Von Holzhausen in a recent video where we see a close up of his Daytona—which looks super cool!!!!

The screen grabs above that show Franz Von Holzhausen showing off and discussing the Tesla CyberTaxi were taken from the video below, which is fascinating:

Rolex Day-Date Yellow Gold with Green Dial

...Rolex Macro Shot Of The Day...

Rolex Day-Date

Yellow Gold with Green Starburst Dial

This macro shot of a Rolex Day-Date is just AMAZING!!! The color combination of a rainforest green starburst dial with raised yellow gold roman numerals is stunning.

You have to give credit, where credit is due, and in this case, Rolex really did an incredible job in designing the 40MM Rolex Day-Date, which was scaled perfectly from the original 36MM model. 

Gamal Abdel Nasser: An Egyptian Rolex President

 ...Rolex Leadership...

Gamal Abdel Nasser

An Egyptian Rolex President

Gamal Abdel Nasser was elected as the second President of Egypt in 1954, and he owned and wore one of the coolest Rolex Day-Date Presidential models during his presidency. 

Nasser's Rolex Day-Date recently came to auction at Sotheby's Auction House and it completely shattered Sotheby's Estimate of between $30,000 - $60,000 USD, as it sold for $840,000 USD. The dial on President Nasser's Rolex is described as being a champagne 'Claw' dial. Sotheby's wrote a fascinating overview of Nasser's Rolex Day-Date.

There are so many details that make this Rolex a magnificent masterpiece of horology. I would begin by pointing out the Arabic writing in the Day and Date windows, then I would point out the almost dauphine-like sword hands, coupled with the stunning "claw" indices. This model remains classic yet exotic at the same time, which is an awesome combination.

Below we see the included provenance letter that accompanied President Nasser's Rolex, which was written by his grandson.

In the photo below we see Egyptian President Nasser with United States, President Eisenhower, who was also famous for wearing a yellow gold Rolex.

President Eisenhower famously wore a yellow gold Rolex  Datejust, on a matching yellow gold Rolex Jubilee bracelet as pictured on his wrist below.

President Eisenhower really set the standard for world leaders to wear Rolex Political Dress "Tool" watches, and we see his actual Rolex pictured below.

The Rolex Magazine ad pictured below was published in 1964, and features Rolex's brilliant "Men who guide the destinies of the world wear Rolex watches" slogan which was developed by Rolex Marketing Director, René-Paul Jeanneret.

In the photo below we see the Arabic caseback engraving on President Nasser's watch which reads "Mr. Anwar El Sadat 26-9-1963" 

Condition Report

As Detailed by Sotheby's Auction House

Case: The case is in overall very good condition and has surface scratches and nicks throughout visible to the naked eye commensurate with normal wear and age. The case and case back have developed an even patina. The buckle is in commensurate condition. There is wear on the number engravings in between the lugs and a dent at 6 o’clock under the engravings in between the lugs. There are some light scratches on the back of the lugs from the spring bars being removed in the past. 

The case back is engraved Mr. Anwar El Sadat 26-9-1963 in Arabic is crisp. The inside case back has a service mark. Gold mark is clear and crisp behind the lugs. The buckle is engraved ‘PLAQUEG’ and is signed Rolex S.A. Please note that the spring bar on the buckle is generic and is not plated. Please note that the strap is not signed Rolex.

Dial: The dial is in overall very good condition. There is a small, light mark from oxidation above the ‘Y’ of ‘OYSTER’ and another near the date window. There is partial loss of luminous material at 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 o’clock, and full loss at 4 o’clock. However, the dial still has a Geiger counter reading. Some of the luminous material has detached from the plots and is present on the dial’s surface. 

Movement: The movement is running at the time of cataloging. The movement was not tested for the accuracy of time or duration of the power reserve and may need service at the buyer’s discretion. Please note that Sotheby’s does not guarantee the future working of the movement.