In a year's time, this will be a Rolex 1972 Rolex Magazine Ad

 

In a year's time, this will be a Rolex

Vintage 1972 Rolex Magazine Ad

This Rolex Gold brick Rolex Day-Date ad is one of my absolute favorite of all time: Just for the record, when I was a kid, when I would eat cereal, I would read everything on the cereal box several times...

Errol Musk Rocking Rolex SEA-DWELLER...

  Weekend Watching

Elon Musk's Father...

Errol Musk 

 

Rocking Rolex SEA-DWELLER

Like Father Like Son

The World's Most Interesting Man?

Back in May of 2023 I published an article where I discovered photos of Elon Musk wearing his Rolex Datejust Reference 16200 (pictured below the video), so it's interesting to note just a few days ago, I was Rolex Spotting and noticed Elon Musk's father, Errol Musk in a recent interview rocking a SEA-DWELLER! At first I assumed Errol was wearing a Submariner, but upon closer inspection I realize he's rocking a SEA-DWELLER, as there is no cyclops lens. I can't help but wonder why he chose a SEA-DWELLER over a Submariner?

Update: Friday, January 31 @ 1:45PM PST:
A reader sent in the following astute observation:
Hey Jake, thank you so much for Rolex Magazine. I’ve been a regular reader for years. Vintage watch obsessed collector. I don’t know if you noticed but Errol’s Sea Dweller needs a service. It is stopped at like 5:10. Maybe he is pulling the Andy Warhol thing and doesn’t care if it runs, who knows.Have a great weekendJohn R.

The interview below of Elon Musk's father, Errol Musk is beyond fascinating as it covers so much ground. Basically the interviewer asked him all kinds of crazy questions, most people would not, but he answered all of them as if he had drunk a gallon of truth serum before the interview. Also, we learn where Elon got his funny laugh from, as well as his charm and a lot of his charisma. I think Errol Flynn (Freudian Slip ;-) Musk has got to be THE MOST INTERESTING MAN ALIVE TODAY, and if not, certainly one of them!!! I think if you watch the video interview of Elon Musk's father seen below, you will agree the apple doesn't fall far from the tree...

Elon Musk 

 

Rocking His Rolex Datejust

The World's Second Most Interesting Man?

Elon Musk is not only the wealthiest man alive today, but is on his way to soon becoming the first Trillionaire in history. Elon's positive impact on humanity is unparalleled in history, from Tesla to, SPACE X, to Starlink, to heading The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for the U.S Government, and way beyond! It's funny as I say, "The World's Second Most Interesting Man?", when the reality nobody, including Elon's father could be as interesting and intriguing as Elon, yet his father Errol remains equally fascinating to me on many levels...

The recent image seen above, is a screen grab from video footage of President Trump watching in complete awe at Space X, while Elon is attempting his second attempt at catching Space X Starship with chopsticks...The body language in this image is beyond priceless!!!!

Although the photo below of Elon Musk may not be the best, it is the only photo I have been able to locate that clearly shows the details of his 36MM Rolex Datejust he wears on a Rolex Oyster...Both these photos were taken close to a quarter century ago, when Elon used to wear a wristwatch, but in recent years he seemed to have stopped wearing a wristwatch altogether...It's interesting to note, Elon's father, Errol still wears his Rolex on a daily basis...It also appears Elon is aging backwards as he looked older 23 years ago than he does today, especially with his hairline :-0

Maye Musk 

 

Rocking Tudor Black Bay

Elon's Mother

While I was working on researching this article, since I am a Rolex watch-spotting nut, decided to see if I could find a photo of Elon Musk's beautiful mother wearing a Rolex. While I was not able to find a photo of Maye Musk wearing a Rolex,  I found the photo below from a fashion photo shoot of her wearing a Tudor Black Bay.

Elon's mother, Maye Musk has been a fashion model her whole adult life, and we see her pictured below when she was 20 years old.

...Studio Shot Of The Day... Elmar's Rolex Milgauss

...Studio Shot Of The Day...

Elmar's Rolex Milgauss

1932 Rolex Fishbowl Oyster Ad

1932 Rolex Fishbowl Oyster Ad

After Rolex revolutionized the world or wristwatches by introducing the waterproof Rolex Oyster, they would showcase their watches in fishbowls with a goldfish. The sight of this in the late 1920s and early 1930s would shock people.

100th Birthday Celebration of Paul Newman...

  100th Birthday  

Paul Newman 

 

Celebration of a Rolex Icon

Paul Newman is widely recognized as being a high priest in Rolex history and folklore. Not only was he an extremely charismatic and handsome man, but also an extremely talented actor, philanthropist and motorsport racer and enthusiast. Paul Newman was born 100 years ago today, on January 26, 1925 in Shaker Heights, Ohio and he went on to leave an amazing legacy of achievement.

Paul Newman is most famous in the world of Rolex for having rocked his trademark exotic dial Rolex Daytona which his wife, Joanne Woodward gave him in 1971 as a gift. Paul's actual Rolex Daytona pictured above in the image on his wrist is also pictured below in real life. This watch famously sold at auction by Philipps Auction house for over $17 Million dollars.

Paul Newman famously wore this model from 1972 until 1985, when he gave it to his daughter's boyfriend, and it then disappeared into antiquity for decades, but images of him wearing it remained.

As part of the 100 year celebration of Paul Newman's life and times, I will be sharing a great deal of invaluable insight into both his career and his Rolex watches.

Sometime in the next few weeks, I plan to share an amazing brand new story with some fascinating Paul Newman content so be sure to stay tuned...

President Trump Speaks @ Davos 2025 at the World Economic Forum

  Weekend Watching

President Trump 

 

Trump Speaks @ Davos

If you are a regular reader of Jake's Rolex World you likely saw my extensive coverage recently of President Trump's inauguration earlier this week, and suffice it to say, my head is still spinning just trying to keep up to date on the all the amazing progress that has been made in such a short period of time. The article I published on Monday of this past week, was all about Rolex watches as I showcased a great deal of modern Rolex watch history. This story is also about Rolex watches, but as you will soon read, on a different level.

Trump gave a stunning speech on Trade at Davos in Switzerland a few days ago, and seems to have completely freaked out everybody with his amazingly aggressive trajectory toward his complete overhaul of the United States. In his speech he said some shocking things like: 

"We have accomplished more in the past 4 days...than other administrations have accomplish in 4 years—and we're just getting started." 

Regardless of ones political leaning, and I personally am politically agnostic, in the sense I have no political affiliation. My ONLY criteria throughout my life has been to ask what is best for my fellow human beings and Mother Earth. Yes, I have always been proud to be an American, but I consider having been highly fortunate to have been born in the United States to be more akin to winning the lottery than some kind of manifest destiny.

Boy, that was a mouthful to lead up to what I am about to say, but it appears clear to me that President Trump is on a hardcore tear, and is hellbent on leaving behind a world-class legacy. Think about it for a moment. He can't run again, so he really has nothing to lose, and he is going petal-to-the-metal, full speed ahead.

For the second part of this story, I am doing something a little bit unusual. I am republishing the story below in it's entirety that I originally published on RolexMagazine.com back on January 26, 2018, as I believe it's fascinating to compare and contrast President Trump's most recent 2025 Davos speech covered above, with his last Davos speech I covered:

World Economic Forum 

Davos, Switzerland

When most people think about Switzerland it conjures up watches, chocolate, fondue, great skiing, but Switzerland is one of the most important diplomatic hubs in the world, and as I write this the 2018 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting is currently underway in Davos, Switzerland. U.S. President Donald Trump is the first U.S. President since Bill Clinton to attend the World Economic Forum and is scheduled to give the keynote speech. The Daily Mail has great coverage of this event if you are interested in learning more.

There is something so majestic and almost hypnotic about watching such a big bird descend and touch-down...


During the Obama administration, I ran a story that showed a great photo of Air Force One as it prepared to land in Cuba, but that story didn't have any video so I am making up for it now.  

It's a trip to watch Air Force One touching down in Switzerland at the Zurich Airport (@4:50). What's most interesting is to see the fleet of U.S. Military helicopters in the air, escorting Marine One, which looks like a scene out of Apocolypse Now (@1:40). Later in the video, we see the fleet of helicopters taking-off to escort Marine One to Davos.

If you are a regular reader of Jake's Rolex World, you might also be aware that I publish another online magazine named, "Jake's Presidential World", since I have always been fascinated with the trappings of the U.S. Presidency. Below is a video of President Trump Meeting with some of the most successful business leaders in the world.

The video below is of President Trump's speech that addressed the World Economic Forum.

If You Were Negotiating Here Tomorrow 

You'd Wear A Rolex

Geneva's Palais des Nations

This vintage Rolex ad showcases what is now referred to as UNOG, which stands for The United Nations Office At Geneva. The "Palace Of Nations" was built in Geneva between 1929 and 1936 as the headquarters for the League of Nations, which later evolved into the Geneva headquarters for the United Nations in 1946. Today, The United Nations In Geneva is busier than ever with international diplomats, and it primarily deals with social issues around the world.

Vintage Rolex Ad Appears Courtesy of The Concannon Collection

Conclusion 

What Does President Trump's 2025 Davos Speech Have To Do With Rolex?

The answer is simple: Everything and nothing. The fact the World Economic Forum is headquartered in Switzerland is—of course—fascinating, but most importantly, Rolex is a shining example of a company that has always endured and prospered through-thick-and-thin. The United States market has always been Rolex's bread-and-butter market in the sense, to the best of my knowledge, it has always remained Rolex's largest most stable marketplace. Rolex prospered and has been the ultimate beneficiary over the past decade on many fronts, from the advent of the Apple Watch, through the COVID-19 Crisis.

Let me be specific, for the sake of clarity: To the best of my knowledge, Rolex and Apple are the two largest watch companies on earth today by gross sales. Apple owns the lower price-point of the watch market based upon their much lower average selling price of somewhere around $1000 per watch (having sold somewhere around 37 million watches in 2024 for around $37 Billion at the retail price point). 

NOTE: I have no inside information for actual watch sales number or financial information for Apple or Rolex. I simply used Grok AI, and asked it for answers, (which I included in parentheses above and below for Frame-of-reference).

Rolex is the opposite in the sense they don't sell nearly as many watches in quantity, but have an average price-point of around $14,000 per watch. (having sold somewhere around 1.25 million watches in 2024 for around $17.2 Billion at the retail price point). 

Just to break this data down a step further, would be to recognize that Apple sells 37 million watches per year at retail, whereas Rolex sells 1.25 Million watches at retail. So Apple sells close to 30 times more watches that Rolex, but Rolex is likely more profitable on a per unit basis. This is speculation on my behalf, but either way, the numbers tell a fascinating story. Also, it is important to consider Apple Watches are really computers on the wrist, where Rolex watches are actual highly mechanical masterpieces.

It's profoundly ironic to consider that when Apple originally launched the Apple Watch they offered a $10,000 yellow gold variant, which was almost immediately discontinued as nobody wanted to invest that much money in watch that could not stand the test of time, and maintain it's value proposition.

I would argue the Apple Watch is probably one of the best things that ever happened to Rolex because it caused a whole new generation of people to pay attention to the wrist, which is highly ironic as Apple was the one that was initially caused people to stop wearing watches, as they would just use their omnipresent iPhone to tell time.

So through the COVID crisis, many people were stuck at home and paid a lot of attention to the watch market, and many people grew weary of the Apple Watch as it was relatively high-maintenance in the sense it has to be charged every night, or it wouldn't work. In other words, many people wanted something more, and it a world were suddenly Apple Watches were omnipresent, customers wanted to differentiate themselves with a different wrist watch, but in particular one that ideally would potentially appreciate as an asset, as apposed to depreciate as Apple Watches regularly do as Apple introduces new models every year that do and offer more.

For the record, I am a fan of both the Apple Watch and I have long self-declared myself as the President of the Rolex fan club. This is a little bit unusual, as most people prefer one or the other. When I wear an Apple Watch, ironically I wear it like a Rolex in the sense that I wear it for at a glance timekeeping only. In other words, I keep all the highly annoying notifications turned off, and I don't use it for keeping track of my health, as I highly agree with Roger Federer that I don't need a watch or phone to tell me if I am getting enough exercise or not.

So what does my stroll down memory lane in the Rolex Time Machine and all my watch psychoanalysis have to do with President Tump's Davos Speech??? If Trump makes it halfway, or even a quarter of the way to where he is trying to take the U.S. economy, we are going to witness potentially the single largest economic boom in history!!! Regardless of whether you like or dislike President Trump, you cannot help but notice his leadership is providing a stone-cold-sober, supercharged upper financial trajectory, and that, as previously mentioned, if it succeeds only partway, could radically benefit future Rolex sale in the United State and abroad.

Below is a fascinating short video interview of David Sacks, which President Trump appointed as his AI and Crypto Czar, and David is not only extremely intelligent and charismatic, but wicked-smart and insightful. If what has occurred in less than a week is any kind of indication of what is to come, they I say watch out for flying brick!!!!!

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. 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

The Torch Has Been Passed Back to President Trump...

Torch Passed Back

to President Trump

@ President Trump's Inauguration 

The United States is just a few years away from celebrating its 250th birthday as a nation. Today is a very interesting day, as it's both Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Inauguration Day in the United States of America. What's the significance of this? Both, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and President Biden both wore Rolex Datejust models on Jubilee bracelets, and as I mention later in this story, Rolex Day-Date models and Rolex Datejust have long been the tool watches of politicians...

The image above which shows Donald Trump Jr. hugging his father, President Trump at his inauguration today, while rocking his GMT-Master appears in an amazing CNN photo gallery titled "In Pictures: The inauguration of Donald Trump." Both outgoing President Biden and returning President Trump are Rolex Presidents, in that they both wear Rolex watches. Thus, I thought I would take this opportunity to take a look back and forward at the pomp and circumstance that surrounds the U.S. Presidency. 

President Joe Biden walks with President-elect Donald Trump to the Oval Office Nov. 13, 2024. Credit: Adam Schultz/White House

'Welcome Back'

President Biden welcomes 

President Trump Back to White House

I live blogged the 2024 Presidential Election, which was fascinating, as both President Biden and President Trump both own and wear Rolex watches. First, let's take a look at President Trump rocking his Rolex Day-Date model, which has long been nicknamed "The Rolex President". The Rolex President has long been the tool watch of political leaders.

In the photo below of President Trump, we see his super iconic Rolex "President" bracelet which is easily distinguishable while remaining unmistakably popping from any distance.

Back on November 13, 2024, President Biden invited former President Trump back to the White House for a visit, as we seen in the photos below.

President Trump with President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden in front of White House Nov. 13, 2024. Credit: Adam Schultz/White House

Rolex has been worn on the wrists of many American Presidents going back to Dwight D. Eisenhower as pictured below.

Speaking of Rolex President's rocking Rolex watches, President Biden showed up at his inauguration four years ago rocking a stainless steel Rolex Datejust that his wife gave him as a congratulatory gift, as seen below on his wrist during his inauguration swearing in ceremony and speech.

Image above of Joe Biden's inaugural address. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images. 

Also, speaking of President Biden rocking Rolex, the photo below of him, taken in the Oval Office in the White House, is definitively the most presidential looking Rolex image I have seen to date.

Nick Gould discovered the amazing photo below that shows President Biden watching the time on his Rolex Datejust as he sits at the Resolute Desk on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, in the Oval Office in the White House. (Official White House photo by Adam Shultz). After I originally posted this story Nick quipped to me "Still the best photo ever".

Image above of Joe Biden's first day in Oval Office. Photo: Jim Watson/Getty Images. 

Like Father,

Like Son

In a bizarre, but not surprising twist of fate, both President Trump, and President Biden's sons both wear Rolex GMT-Master watches. In the first photo below we see Hunter Biden rocking his Batman, Rolex GMT-Master on a Rolex Oyster Bracelet.

In this next photo we seen Donald Trump Jr. rocking his GMT-Master recently, on a Rolex Jubilee bracelet.

"The Golden Age of America Begins Today"

—President Trump

Below we see full video coverage of President Trump's 2025 Inauguration:

Below we see just President Trump's full inauguration speech:

    "Americas decline is over...For American citizens,  January 25 is liberation day..."

—President Trump

If you missed Inauguration Day in it's entirety, I'm including a complete live broadcast of the days events as they unfolded:

Below we see now former President Biden rocking his Rolex Datejust at President Trump's Inauguration.

Conclusion

What if anything does this all mean for Rolex? There seems to be a complete and radical sea-change in American politics that just took place—perhaps the greatest in U.S. history! The United States market has long been Rolex's bread-and-butter, as it has historically remained its largest and most successful marketplace. If President Trump delivers on his promise of restoring the American dream so it comes back stronger than ever before, which seems like a realistic outcome, it probably means Rolex watches will be selling better than ever in the years to come!!!

Weekend Watching: Mark Andreessen

 Weekend Watching

Mark Andreessen 

 

It's Morning Again in America

Marc Andreessen is one of the great pioneers of Silicon Valley, and he offers fascinating insight into the future plans for the United States. In this interview, which is extremely insightful and filled with amazing truths and anecdotes, he is rocking a vintage COKE Rolex GMT-Master on an Oyster Bracelet.

Somebody once described planning as the art of preparing for change, and this is a profound truism, and really kind of the cornerstone of what is likely to occur next week as the new administration prepares to rebuild  the American government. Marc Andreessen is close with Elon Musk, David Saks and has been living at Trump's Mar-A-Lago resort since the election concluded.

1974 Rolex Watchmaker Ad

1974 Rolex Watchmaker Ad

If you are a regular reader of Jake's Rolex World you know I am fasciated with vintage Rolex ads, and the story in this one is superb as it tells the story of a Rolex Watchmaker who worked for 50 years...

Rolex Coolness: Tom Selleck: Still Prefers Pepsi after 4 Decades...

...Rolex Coolness...

Tom Selleck

A Brilliant Life & Career of Achievement

With A Pepsi GMT Telling His Time

My recent article on King Harald V of Norway wearing his GMT-Master longer than anybody else stirred up quite a bit of interest, which of course made me think about probably the most famous person to wear a Pepsi GMT-Master—for a long time, and that is Tom Selleck going all the way back to his Magnum P.I. Days! I just completed a Major update on this story which now features many more cool photos of Tom Selleck wearing Rolex watches including this one with Frank Sinatra who was a guest star on Magnum P.I.

This time last year I published a story about The Return of The Magnum P.I. Show to ABC which looks great! Ned Saric, who is a regular reader of Jake's Rolex World recently wrote in to share a fascinating Tom Selleck interview that was published by The Haute Horologie Journal. The quote below came from the Haute Horology Jornal interview:


"I've had my fair share of "sport" watches but never one as tough as the Rolex Pepsi." 

—Tom Selleck

The Pepsi

In the interview mentioned above, Haute Horologie asked Tom Selleck: "What about the famous Rolex GMT-Master Pepsi, a legend for collectors?" Tom Selleck responded: 

"My Rolex GMT-Master has been underwater, buried in sand, taken I don’t know how many knocks, and never a problem. It’s called the Pepsi because the bezel colors are the same as the Pepsi logo. Personally, I thought the red went well with the Ferrari and the blue matched Hawaii’s lagoons and sky." 

—Tom Selleck

There is something really iconic about Tom Selleck style. First of all, he doesn't look like anybody else. He has his own unique look. It is fascinating to note that in my opinion, Tom Selleck epitomizes the GMT-Master more than anybody I can think of. The way he wore his Rolex GMT-Master on Magnum P.I. is so iconic, just like his Ferrari 308 GTS.

The photo below is a screen grab from an episode of Magnum P.I., which shows Tom Selleck's Reference 16750 Rolex Pepsi GMT he wore on the show.

In the photo below we see Tom Selleck on the set of Magnum P.I., sitting next to Frank Sinatra who starred on an episode of Magnum P.I. Sinatra's appearance on Magnum was his last appearance on a TV show.

In the two photos below we see Tom Selleck with legendary comedian and actress, Carol Burnett who was also a guest star on Magnum P.I.

Tom Selleck

As Jesse Stone

The photos above are of Tom Selleck playing Magnum P.I. which began in 1980. In the images you see Tom sporting his trademark Pepsi GMT Master and in the images below from you see him starring recently in Jesse Stone, still wearing his Pepsi Rolex GMT Master after all these years. Really cool if you ask me!!!!!

Tom Selleck is pictured above with his Rolex and a 1911A1 cocked and locked, which is classic cool. Today I am officially designating the Pepsi Rolex GMT-Master as The Tom Selleck Pepsi GMT-Master. If you can think of anybody who you think better symbolizes the Pepsi GMT-Master than Tom Selleck, please let me know!?!

In the recent photo below we see Tom Selleck is still wearing his timeless Pepsi Rolex GMT-Master.

The Gold GMT-Master

In the photos below we see Tom Selleck as Magnum P.I., sporting a yellow gold Rolex GMT Master. The first image below shows Tom Selleck on the cover of People Magazine from March 8, 1982, and notice he is wearing his yellow gold Rolex GMT-Master.

Three Men & a Datejust

Tom Selleck also wears a two-tone Rolex Datejust and the earliest known image I found of him wearing it is pictued below from 1987 when he starred in the major motion picture titled Three Men & A Baby.

Friends

Playing Courtney Cox's Boyfriend

Tom Selleck played the recurring role of Dr. Richard Burke who was Monica's boyfriend on the ultra-successful TV show Friends on Season 2 (1995), 3 (1996) and 6 (1999). 

Blue Bloods

Playing New York City Chief of Police: Frank Reagan

Tom Selleck's most recent and current role is in the TV show, Blue Bloods, where he plays the NYC Chief Of Police.

In the photo below we see him still wearing his two-tone Rolex Datejust, on a Jubilee bracelet.