White Gold Rolex Sky Dweller

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

White Gold Rolex Sky Dweller

Dual Time Zone: Annual Calendar 

Movement: Calibre 9001

Reference 326939

4 Years Buried Rolex Ad

4 Years Buried Rolex Ad

Eduardo Raffaelli from Buenos Aires, Argentina sent in this great Rolex ad which I believe is from the early 1950s. Definitely read the great story. Thanks Eduardo!!! Every Rolex really does tell a story!!!

A Beautiful Rolex Moonphase 1952 Reference 6062

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

A Beautiful Rolex Moonphase

1952 Reference 6062

Man, it's old in Brazil...

President Ronald Reagan Rolex ...[Chapter 12]

President Ronald Reagan Rolex

Stainless Steel Rolex Datejust: Jubilee Bracelet

California Summer of 1965

With the American Presidential Elections just around the corner, I thought it would be a good time to hop in The Rolex Time Machine and take a trip back to look at the history of The Rolex President...

Back in 2010 I discovered photos of Ronald Reagan wearing a stainless steel Rolex Datejust on a Jubilee Bracelet. These photos were taken during the Summer of 1965 on his California Ranch. Of course these photos were taken before he was even elected the Governor of California, so he was just an ordinary American Citizen who was semi-retired. In 2013, I discovered more photos of Ronald Reagan, while he was the President of The United States, wearing his Rolex.

"There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn't mind who gets the credit." –Ronald Reagan

So this means, that Ronald Reagan is the second American President to wear a Rolex Datejust after Dwight Eisenhower. Lyndon Johnson, Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton wore Rolex Day-Dates, and I have heard Richard Nixon wore a Rolex, but I have still not been able to find a photo of him wearing a Rolex. I also think Harry Truman may have worn a Rolex Datejust, but I have not been able to document that either.

"I've often said there's nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse." –Ronald Reagan

"Each generation goes further than the generation preceding it because it stands on the shoulders of that generation. You will have opportunities beyond anything we have ever known." –Ronald Reagan

The photo below shows President Reagan on his ranch in 1983 chopping wood, and his is still wearing his stainless steel Rolex Datejust.

I met President Reagan many years ago when I was a young man as we see in the photos below. 

One thing Ronald Reagan and I had in common is our eternal optimism. I remember President Reagan had the best handshake I have ever experienced. In particular, his handshake was flawless as it was neither to limp nor to firm—just right, and he had an amazing aura of that exuded warmth and dignity.

I had a fascinating conversation with President Reagan which I shared in My Rolex Story. When I think back on that time in U.S. History the words from the Barbara Streisand song come to mind when she sang the line from her hit song "The Way We Were": "Can it be that it was all so simple then, or has time re-written every line?"

THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE ROLEX PRESIDENT

Table Of Contents

Part 1: Genesis

Part 2: Reclamation

Part 3: Ike Likes Rolex

Part 4: Mamie, We Are Not In Kansas Any More (Rolex Loves Ike) Ike Likes Rolex

Part 5: President Eisenhower's Rolex

Part 6: The Podcast (With the owner of President Eisenhower's Rolex)

Part 7: Heaven

Part 8: The Eisenhower Legacy

Part 9: They Mystery of the JFK Rolex President 

Part 10: Everybody Wants To Rule The World-LBJ's Rolex President

Part 11: President Gerald Ford Gets His Rolex President

Part 12: President Ronald Reagan and his Rolex Datejust

>NEXT–Part 13: President Bill Clinton and his Rolex Day-Date

Part 14: Dick Cheney-The Rolex Vice-President

Part 15: President Obama and his Rolex Cellini

Part 16: President Trump - The Newest Rolex President

Part 17: Origins Of "The Rolex President" Watch Name

Part 18: The Rolex Precedent by Jake Ehrlich

A Custom Datejust Like No Other

...Rolex Alchemy...

A Custom Datejust Like No Other

What A Touch of RED Can Do

Sometimes a watch gets stuck in your mind and you can't seem to stop obsessing over it. This is the story of one such Rolex, but it's a model that was NEVER really made available to the public. Jocke is an extremely talented and passionate Rolex fanatic from Sweden, as well as an excellent photographer, back when I started Jake's Rolex World, 18 years ago, I wrote a post on this most unusual beauty.

Jocke is my kind of Rolex fanatic because he always thinks about how to make excellent Rolex watches even better.

Jock took a standard Stainless Steel Rolex and added a stock Rolex Sunbeam dial with raised white gold Roman numerals and added a set of hands from a Rolex Yachtmaster, and with these simple modifications created what in my opinion is one of the most beautiful and stunning Rolex watches in existence.

When I first saw Jocke's brilliant creation, it took my breath away–literally. I was in complete awe, as I still am!!!

But what was Jocke thinking?  Essentially he wanted to create a hybrid watch that had the sportiness of a Rolex Explorer with the elegance of a dressy Datejust, along with the red pop of a Yachtmaster–and as you can see he did just that.

Jocke did not stop there.  Oh no!!! He also took a Datjeust with a stock Rolex Tuxedo dial and added a red second hand and red date dial and with just those two simple modifications created another masterpiece as seen above and below.

It is amazing what a hint or red can do to change the vibe of anything.  Just about every design can benefit from a touch of red.

Pictured above we see Jocke's two masterpieces side by side.

Pictured above is Jocke's Roman numeral Masterpiece on his wrist.

Pictured above is Jocke's creation next to a standard Rolex Explorer.

I am showing this watch to you so you can see what a standard Datejust with a black dial with Roman numerals looks like.  Also, this Datejust has a domed bezel, polished center links with solid end links.

The watch above shows what the Sunbeam looks like with standard hands.  It is amazing how just changing the hands changes the look completely.  Jock, my hat is off to you. As far as I am concerned you have created an absolute masterpiece!!! Rolex if you are checking out this post, please bring this model to life, as it would be super successful!!!

I AM IRON MAN!!!

I AM IRON MAN!!!

STAN LEE

1922-2018

Stan Lee, the American comic-book writer, editor, actor, publisher, and film producer passed away back on November 12, 2018 at age 95, and it's fascinating to note he kept the time of his life with a beautiful Rolex Datejust. Earlier in his career, Stan was the editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics, as well as the Chairman. Stan is probably most famous for creating Spider-Man.

Stan Lee wore a stainless steel Rolex Datejust on an Oyster braclet and in the photo above we see his white dial with Roman numerals. Stan Lee's name is interesting because when you say his first and last name together it sounds like you are saying his name is "Stanley", even thought it's Stan Lee.

Stan Lee created and launched Spiderman with Steve Ditko's illustrations in August of 1962:

As a child I spend many afternoons watching the Spiderman cartoon on the Boob Tube...Talk about a Deja Vu sandwich!!!

Stan Lee and Marvel Comics (MC) launched The Incredible Hulk Comic Book in May of 1962.

The Incredible Hulk was adapted into a TV show in the late 1970s that featured Lou Ferigno as The Incredible Hulk. Notice in the old-school photo that Stan was wearing his stainless steel Rolex Datejust...

Marvel Comics and Stan Lee launched The Iron Man Comic Book in March of 1963.

The Marvel Comic portfolio over time has grown into a multi-billion dollar empire.

Rolex Macro Shot Of The Day Kurt's White Gold Rolex Daytona

Rolex Macro Shot Of The Day

Kurt's White Gold Rolex Daytona

Dr. Jonny Kim Amazing Photography

...Rolex Outer Space Shot of The Year...

Dr. Jonny Kim

NASA Astronaut 

International Space Station 

Pepsi GMT-Master

In the past, we have shared some very cool images of Rolex watches being used in the zero gravity environment in outer space. We have seem images taken aboard The Space Shuttle, The International Space Station, and even on the moon. That being said, this image that Eagle Eyes, Nick Gould recently discovered of NASA Astronaut, Dr. Jonny Kim taken aboard the International Space Station is epic for many different reasons.

First of all, it's just a really cool image of a Pepsi GMT-Master taken in outer space. If you didn't know any better, you might assume Dr. Kim is just taking photos of earth out the window, but there's much more to this image as we will soon see...

The fact that it's shows Dr. Kim taking a photograph while floating upside down is also really interesting. 

The way the earth is pictured in the background is also fascinating. If you look closely at the image, you will notice Dr. Kim is taking photos of the Crew-11 ship from Space X as it approached the International Space Station just before it docked. The images below that Dr. Kim took looks like a screenshot from a Star Wars movie, but it's real.

You can learn and see much more by checking out NASA's Jonny Kim Facebook page, which Dr. Kim updates regularly.

Time Lapse Beauty

Dr. Kim took following time lapse videos of earth from the International Space Station and they are magnificently beautiful:

Weekend Watching Jon Rahm

 Weekend Watching

Jon Rahm

 

"Golf is You v. You!"

This is a fascinating video documentary from Rolex on Jon Rahm, who is an amazing golfer, and his background story is super interesting as he is the first Spaniard to become a U.S. Open Champion. Rahm's life journey has been filled with challenges he has overcome to build an amazing life.

Rolex said: "One of the most talented and successful golfers of his generation, Jon Rahm shares his extraordinary journey from being a young talent in Spain to reaching the pinnacle of the men’s game. In an exclusive documentary series about the Rolex family, he opens his personal journals to reveal how he developed his “Mind Over Matter” mentality and learned to channel his emotions – a skill that has been integral to his success."

Howard Schultz: Founder & CEO of Starbucks

...Rolex Coolness...

Howard Schultz

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. 

Rolex Daytona Oyster 'Sotto' Reference 6236 Pictured Above

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".

Phillips recently auctioned a beautiful Rolex Daytona 6239 model with an amazing provenance from LeeRoy Yarbrough, who won it as a prize when he own the Daytona 500 in 1969.

Christie's Auction House successfully auctioned an ultra-rare Rolex "Paul Newman Mark 1 Oyster Sotto Daytona" on December 7, 2017 for around $1.1 Million, and it is worth taking a look at if you want to learn more about the Rolex Daytona Reference 6263.

Big Red Rolex Daytona

In this next image we see Howard Schultz wearing his "Big Red" Daytona [Reference 6263].

Pre-Daytona Chronograph

In the next two images we see Howard Schultz sporting a pre-Daytona Rolex Chronograph on a Oyster bracelet. 

The Rolex Pre-Daytona Chronograph [Reference 6538] differs from the Daytona as it has it's timing track on the outer rim of the dial, whereas the Daytona has the track on the bezel. When George Lazenby played James Bond in the movie "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" he wore the same model but with a silver dial.

Triple Date Chronograph

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."