Carlos Alcaraz – New Frontiers

Carlos Alcaraz 
New Frontiers

Studio Shot of the Day...LV Submariner Prototype

 

...Studio Shot of the Day...

LV Submariner Prototype

The "Studio Shot of the Day" featuring the Rolex 50th Anniversary LV Submariner prototype is a captivating glimpse into horological history. This prototype, identifiable by the springbar holes on the outside of the case, represents a unique chapter in the evolution of the iconic Submariner line. Unlike the production model of the ref. 16610LV, which lacks these external springbar holes, this prototype showcases a design element that was ultimately not carried forward. These holes, used for securing the bracelet, hint at Rolex's iterative design process, where functionality and aesthetics are meticulously refined.

The 50th Anniversary LV Submariner, affectionately nicknamed "Kermit" for its vibrant green bezel, was introduced in 2003 to celebrate the Submariner’s debut in 1953. The green bezel, a bold departure from the traditional black, paired with a black "Maxi" dial featuring enlarged luminous indices and "Fat Hands," exudes a sporty yet charismatic vibe. This prototype likely served as a testbed for these distinctive features, which made the Kermit a collector’s favorite for its blend of timeless Rolex design and playful color. The green hue, inspired by Rolex’s brand color and reminiscent of their signature green boxes, adds an aquatic and adventurous flair, perfectly aligning with the Submariner’s diving heritage.

What makes this image particularly fascinating is its rarity. Prototypes like this one are seldom seen, as Rolex is notoriously secretive about its development process. The presence of springbar holes suggests a design still in flux, offering a rare peek into Rolex’s craftsmanship before the final 16610LV reached production. This model, crafted in 904L stainless steel with a 40mm Oyster case, 300m water resistance, and powered by the Calibre 3135, became a neo-vintage icon during its seven-year run from 2003 to 2010. The prototype’s unique case design underscores the meticulous attention to detail that defines Rolex’s pursuit of perfection.

For enthusiasts, the LV Submariner’s appeal lies in its balance of innovation and tradition. The green bezel, initially priced at $4,250 in 2003, not only marked a milestone but also set a precedent for colorful Submariner variants like the "Hulk" and "Starbucks." This prototype, with its distinct case feature, elevates the Kermit’s allure, making it a standout in Rolex’s storied legacy and a personal favorite for its vibrant, enduring charm. The original LV Submariner remains my favorite Rolex model ever produced.

Rolex Coolness: Paul Giamatti Stainless Steel Rolex Submariner

...Emmy Award Winning Actor...

Paul Giamatti

Stainless Steel Rolex Submariner

Paul Giamatti's acting career has been nothing short of amazing. He started his career in the critically-acclaimed movie about Howard Stern's career, named private parts, and anybody familiar with Private Parts, of course, remembers, his famous line, "It's not NBC, it pronounced EEENNNNBC." LOL LOL LOL ;-D

Paul Giamatti has also appeared in many other famous movies including The Truman Show, Saving Private Ryan, The Negotiator, American Splendor, Sideways, Cinderella Man, The Illusionist, and The Amazing Spider-Man. I almost named the heading of this post "Rolex Funnyness: Paul Giamatti," since he is so funny. Paul is wearing his trusted Rolex Submariner in the photo below. Paul has an amazing line of TV credits as well. He was in Downton Abbey, Billions, 30 Rock, John Adams, and King Of The Hill.

...Wrist Shot Of The Day: Ralf's Single Red Rolex Submariner

...Wrist Shot Of The Day...

Ralf's Single Red Rolex Submariner

General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

General Dan Caine

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Several reader wrote in to share images of The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Air Force, General, Dan Caine rocking his Rolex GMT-Master as pictured below.

Special thanks to Nick Gould (Eagle Eyes) discovered and share the images above and below with me.

Rich wrote in and provided the image seen below and said:

Jake,

Saw this on Fox News.   White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles likely wearing a Datejust.  

Not sure what Gen. Caine is wearing or even doing in this photos! As a Tudor owner I very much enjoy your site.  It’s both informative and entertaining, something which isn’t easy to accomplish.  I’ve shared it with numerous “watch buddies.” 

Please keep up the great work.

Rich

The video below features Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, Air Force, 4-Star General, Dan Caine briefed the American people on June 22, 2025, as part of Operation "MIDNIGHT HAMMER", which he goes into detail on in the video below.

There have been many 4 star General's, and top Rolex Military Leaders who have worn Rolex watches, and I am including a few images below for frame of reference. First we see, U.S. General, Gruenther, who was the recipient of Rolex's 200,000th Officially Certified Swiss Chronometer.

Next we see General David Howell Petraeus, when he was the 10th Commander of U.S. Central Command.

Diane von Fürstenberg: Yellow Gold Lady Date @ Studio 54

...Rolex Super Hotness...

Diane von Fürstenberg

Yellow Gold Lady Date @ Studio 54

Luxury Lifestyle Designer

Diane von Fürstenberg is one of the top designers in the world today. She has also been the President of The Council Of Fashion Designers Of America since 2006. Diane was formerly married to Prince Egon of Fürstenberg, which made her Princess Diane of Fürstenberg. She is pictured below at the famed Studio 54 in New York City, wearing her yellow gold Rolex Lady Date.

Diane von Fürstenberg is pictured below in Geneva, Switzerland at age 18, in 1964.

The photo below of Diane von Fürstenberg started her ultra-successful Wrap-Dress revolution.

Macro Shot of the Day: GMT Master by Stefano Mazzariol

...Macro Shot of the Day...

GMT-Master

by

Stefano Mazzariol

Fleetwood Mac Keeping Time With Rolex

Fleetwood Mac

Timeless Icons Like Rolex

As summer sweeps across the Northern Hemisphere, concert season ignites, bringing the magic of live music to fans everywhere. Few bands capture this spirit like Fleetwood Mac, one of history’s most iconic and beloved groups. Their 1977 masterpiece, Rumours, remains a cornerstone of rock, ranking among the best-selling albums ever, surpassed only by Michael Jackson’s Thriller and The Eagles’ Greatest Hits (1971-1975).

Much like Rolex, Fleetwood Mac embodies timeless excellence. Both are global symbols of enduring quality—Rolex with its precision craftsmanship, and Fleetwood Mac with their soulful harmonies and unforgettable hits. Whether it’s the tick of a Rolex or the rhythm of “Go Your Own Way,” both keep perfect time, uniting generations in admiration.

I remember the first time I ever saw Fleetwood Mac play live. It was on July 24, 1976, at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. I remember how amazing their music was and I remember how stunningly gorgeous, charismatic and mesmerizing Stevie Nicks was on stage.

The video below, shot in 1977 features Fleetwood Mac singing their hit song "Dreams."

"Thunder Only Happens When It's Raining. Players only love you when they're playing."

Stevie Nicks

Stainless & Gold Lady Datejust

At least four of Fleetwood Mac's members wear Rolex watches as seen below. Let's begin by looking at Stevie Nicks wearing a two-tone ladies Datejust.

One of Stevie Nicks most iconic songs is Landslide which is hypnotically beautiful.

Mick Fleetwood

Yellow Gold Rolex Submariner

Next lets look at Mick Fleetwood, founding drummer of Fleetwood Mac in a recent photos wearing his yellow gold Rolex Submariner. By the way, Mick Fleetwood is pictured on the cover of the Fleetwood Mac album Rumors, which is pictured at the beginning of this story.

John McVie

Stainless Steel Rolex GMT-Master

& Yellow Gold Rolex Day-Date

John McVie was a founding member of Fleetwood Mac, as the Bass Player, and in this very groovy photo we see him wearing his Pepsi Rolex GMT-Master.

Christine Anne Perfect is pictured bellow with John McVie, whom she married in 1970, a year after she joined Fleetwood Mac as their first female singer. Christine McVie would go on to write many of Fleetwood Mac's famous hits.

John McVie is pictured below in 1967, just before joining Fleetwood Mac and he is wearing his Rolex GMT-Master. This photo was taken before he joined Fleetwood Mac, and at the time he was in a band named John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers.

John McVie is pictured below, again in 1967 holding his Rolex GMT-Master in his hand.

John McVie was one of the founding members of Fleetwood Mac and he is pictured below on the far left, standing next to Mic Fleetwood. Notice John is still wearing his Rolex GMT-Master.

John McVie is pictured below in the late 1970s with Fleetwood Mac singer, Stevie Nicks. Notice John McVie is wearing a yellow gold Rolex Day-Date.

In the Fleetwood Mac group portraits below we see John McVie on the far left wearing his yellow gold Rolex Day-Date, with his wife Christie McVie standing behind him. We also see Mick Fleetwood in the center with Lindsey Buckingham standing behind Stevie Nicks.

John McVie is pictured below in 1994 and notice he is wearing his Rolex GMT-Master, but this time it is on a Jubilee bracelet.

Christie McVie

Yellow Gold Ladies Datejust

and Yellow Gold Lady Date

Christie McVie was the first female singer in Fleetwood Mac and she was married to Fleetwood Mac base player, John McVie, who is pictured above. In the photo below from 1977 you can see Christie McVie wearing her yellow gold Rolex Lady-Date on President Bracelet.

In the next photo we see Christie McVie wearing her yellow gold Rolex Lady-Date on a Jubilee Bracelet.

In the Fleetwood Mac band portrait below we see from left to right, John McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, Mic Fleetwood, and Christie McVie wearing her yellow gold Lady Date on a Jubilee bracelet.

The two videos below feature Christie McVie singing lead vocals on one of Fleetwood Macs most iconic songs named:  "You Make Loving Fun".

One of my favorite Fleetwood Mac songs is named "Hypnotized", which they recorded back in 1975 when Bob Welch was still in their band, and you can see that below.

Rolex Sea Dweller Poolside...

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

Rolex SEA-DWELLER

Poolside

Weekend Watching Tucker v. Cruz IN THE NEWS

 

 Weekend Watching

Tucker v. Cruz

 

IN THE NEWS

Yesterday, we examined a prominent figure on the American left, California Governor Gavin Newsom, known for his polished charisma and progressive policies. Today, we turn our attention to the right, focusing on conservative political pundit Tucker Carlson, a provocative commentator renowned for his sharp rhetoric and unwavering influence.

Rolex has long been a symbol of status and sophistication in political circles, gracing the wrists of politicians and pundits for over half a century. Among them is Tucker Carlson, the outspoken political commentator known for his signature two-tone Rolex Datejust, which he prominently wears during his broadcasts. 

Earlier this week, Carlson engaged in what many are calling one of the most surreal and contentious exchanges in recent political discourse with Texas Senator Ted Cruz. The heated conversation, available to watch below, has sparked widespread discussion for its intensity and unorthodox nature.

Politics thrives on rhetoric, but this exchange between Carlson and Cruz transcended typical debate, veering into a spectacle of sharp wit, pointed accusations, and personal jabs. 

The discussion began with policy disagreements but quickly escalated, showcasing the deep ideological rifts within conservative circles. 

Carlson, leveraging his platform, pressed Cruz on his legislative record, while Cruz countered with critiques of Carlson’s influence and journalistic approach. The result was a clash that felt more like a verbal cage match than a standard political interview. 

The Rolex Connection

Carlson’s choice of a two-tone Rolex Datejust is no mere fashion statement. The watch, with its timeless design and blend of steel and gold, reflects a certain traditionalist aesthetic often embraced by conservative and liberal figures alike, going all the way back to President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., just to name a few.

Rolex’s association with power and prestige makes it a fitting accessory for someone like Carlson, whose career has been defined by commanding attention in the political arena. In the video, his Datejust is visible as Carlson gestures emphatically, underscoring his points with characteristic fervor.

Why This Matters

The Carlson-Cruz showdown is more than just a viral moment; it’s a microcosm of the current state of political discourse. As factions within the Republican Party vie for influence, public confrontations like this one highlight the tensions between media personalities and elected officials. Carlson’s aggressive questioning and Cruz’s defiant responses reveal how both figures are positioning themselves in a rapidly evolving political landscape.

For watch enthusiasts, the episode offers a glimpse into how luxury timepieces like the Rolex Datejust remain enduring symbols of authority, even in the chaotic world of modern politics. For political observers, it’s a reminder that rhetoric, when wielded effectively, can captivate and polarize in equal measure.

Panerai Coolness: Gavin Newsom Mayor of San Francisco

Gavin Newsom

California Governor

Rolex Submariner

Gavin Newsom has been in the news a lot lately as he has been defying President Trump in California. I’m always curious to learn about the trending stories on Jake’s Rolex World. It’s always fascinating to see when an article I published 17 years ago gains immense popularity. This is the case with this article, which I’m updating for an intriguing reason. When I first published this article on December 2, 2009, it was titled “Panerai Coolness: Gavin Newsom, Mayor of San Francisco.” 

I published this article before I started PaneraiMagazine.com, but since then, I’ve discovered photos of Gavin wearing his Rolex Submariner that I never got around to publishing. Given the number of views this story has received in the last week, I decided to update it with these photos of Gavin rocking his Rolex Submariner.

This first image above was taken at Plumpjack on Fillmore Street, in San Francisco, which is a wine store that Gavin started with Billy Getty back in the early 1990s. This photo was taken before he was Mayor of San Francisco, and I think at the time he may have been a Supervisor in local San Francisco government. I remember seeing Gavin back then rocking his Rolex Submariner. Gavin and I were in the same class at Redwood High School, in Marin County, California, and many years later I worked on his campaign when he ran for Mayor of San Francisco. Gavin and I have never been close pals, but when we were younger we traveled in a lot of the same circles, and I've had a few great conversations with him in the past.

I remember one conversation I had one evening with Gavin when I was working on his campaign. We were hanging out, have a drink, one evening in his Balboa Cafe, also on Fillmore street, and he said, "What do you think Jake? Do you think I am going to win this race to be Mayor of San Francisco?"

I responded, "Of course! That goes without saying!" Gavin responded and simply asked "Why do you think that?" I said "I think you've got what it takes to be the President of the United States one day!" He smiled and asked, "Why do you say that?" I said, "You look like a Kennedy, and your natural speech skills are like Dr. Martin Luther King, so I think you are a natural". Gavin smiled and said, "Thanks for your vote of confidence pal. I don't know if you are right, but I appreciate your enthusiasm and confidence in me." It will be interesting in the future to see if Gavin become the President. Certainly stranger things have happened...

Below is the original story just as I originally posted it on RolexMagazine.com on December 9, 2009. If you are still wondering why I posted a Panerai story on RolexMagazine.com, it was because, Panerai design language for me is so strongly derivative of all the original watches which Rolex made for Panerai.

-----------------

Originally Published:

 December 2, 2009

Panerai Coolness: Gavin Newsom

Mayor of San Francisco

The Greenest City In The World

I was born and raised in San Francisco and Marin County, which is on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. As a matter of fact, I went to Redwood High School in Larkspur, California with San Francisco's Mayor, Gavin Newson and we were in the same class. Gavin was on the Redwood baseball team and I was on the water polo team.

Recently I was watching a fascinating interview with Gavin and I noticed he was wearing a Panerai as pictured above and below. I am not certain which model Panerai watch Gavin wears, but it appears to be a 44mm PAM 104. I will ask him next time I see him. If you are not aware of the connection between Rolex and Panerai, you can learn about it by clicking here.

By the way, doesn't Gavin Newsom look like he is a Kennedy!?!

Update: David Worland from Australia wrote in to say:

"I'm pretty sure Gavin is wearing a Panerai 233. Domed crystal, with the power reserve tooth clearly visible. The tunnel black strap is also a feature of the that model. It has an in-house P2002 8 day movement. The 233 is manual wind. If it's an auto then it's a Pam 270. Same watch but with a rotor. Cheers...and contgrats to the Mayor for choosing such a fine in-house Panerai." –David

I was very impressed with Gavin Newsom's interview about the current and future state of San Francisco's green programs so I thought I would share it with you:

Rolex GMT-Master Ad 1958-1959

Rolex GMT-Master Ad

1958-1959

I recently added this amazing historical Rolex advertisement image to my story titled, "The Complete History Of The Rolex GMT-Master."

Lume Shot Of The Day: Rolex Explorer II Orange Hand

...Lume Shot Of The Day...

Gary's Rolex Explorer II 

Orange Hand

I couldn't make up my mind which way I like this image cropped, so I am sharing both with you ;-)

Jim Fowler

...Mutual Of Omaha's Wild Kingdom...


Jim Fowler

A Wildlife Icon

1932-2019

Jim Fowler was a highly iconic zoologist, naturalist, wildlife expert & conservationist that hosted the 'Wild Kingdom' TV series. He passed away on May 12, 2019 at age 89 at his home in Norwalk, Connecticut, surrounded by his wife, two children, and two grandchildren. I first wrote a story about Jim Fowler 18 years ago, back in 2008 as I have been a lifetime fan of his. Jim was also the Director of The Explorer's Club.

Mutual Of Omaha's

Wild Kingdom

I am in my late 50s, and when I was a small child, I remember on Sunday evenings the whole family would sit around the TV on Sunday night and watch Mutual Of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, The Lawrence Welk Show, The Underwater World of Jacques Cousteau, and 60 Minutes. Jim Fowler was Marlin Perkins right hand man on Wild Kingdom, and in the photo below we seem them together. These men were my heroes when I was child and they still are today!

I remember as a child tripping on how genteel yet masculine Marlin Perkins was. I mean, here was this old man with white hair who would wrestle with huge snakes and do all kinds of other crazy stuff! 

Marlin Perkins kind of reminds me of Jacques Cousteau, Colonel Sanders and Walt Disney mixed into one dude. If you used to watch Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom when it was original on TV, watch this video and it will totally Deja Vu you out!!! I still love watching vintage episodes of Wild Kingdom which I find to be otherworldly.

Wild Kingdom was the result of a 1962 chance meeting between zoologist, Marlin Perkins and V. J. Skutt, who was the CEO of Mutual Of Omaha Insurance, which had been a sponsor of the earlier animal show named Zoo Parade.

Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom first aired in 1963, with Marlin Perkins as the host, with Jim Fowler as the co-host. In 1985 Jim Fowler took over as the host, and to date there have been 25 Seasons of the show! Jim Fowler first met Marlin Perkins on the Today Show in 1961 and became his sidekick. Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom ran uninterrupted from 1963 to 1991, and then in 2002 Animal Planet brought it back to life.

Big Jim Fowler was an athlete in college and rejected offers from the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies in order to pursue his dream career in wildlife.

TV Personality 

Jim Fowler was a regular on many different TV talk shows over the decades.

Jim Fowler regularly appeared on all kinds of TV shows to show off animals.