David Doubilet DEEP-SEA Photographer

  NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC  

...Rolex Super-Coolness...

David Doubilet

Pioneering DEEP-SEA Photo Journalist 
Keeping The Time Of His Life With Rolex

David Doubilet, one of my absolute favorite Rolex Testimonees, is featured in the Rolex Visionaries Episode 17 video interview. In this interview, David Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes engage in an incredibly profound and brilliant conversation. I believe the Rolex Visionaries series is produced in-house by Rolex in Geneva, Switzerland, and it’s truly exceptional!  

"Jennifer and I always said that curiosity is the second greatest of all human attributes, and the greatest human attribute is kindness..." 

—David Doubilet

In the video David Doubilet mentioned he has been wearing and depending on exclusively on Rolex watches since he was 15 years old, and today he is 79 Years old, which means he has been wearing Rolex for the past 64 years!

David Doubilet has been a world-renowned DEEP-SEA, National Geographic photographer since 1971, and is one of the most published photographers in the history of NAT GEO Magazine with over 70 features stories published to date. David has also been a Rolex Testimonee since 1994.

David Doubilet has spent close to 30,000 hours to date in the oceans of the world capturing stunningly insightful aquatic images.

David Doubilet's magnificent pioneering underwater photography is second to none, and he is considered by many to be an international living treasure.

“For the last 30 years, from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean, from the Southwest Pacific to the waters off Japan, Mr. Doubilet has captured a world of bejeweled ocean creatures playing on sandy stages: an emerald stingray shadowing a ship in the Bahamas; a golden big-bellied sea horse grazing in a Tasmanian sea.” –Margo Nash, New York Times

1996

Let's begin this fascinating journey by exploring David Doubilet's amazing career through Rolex ads. In this first Rolex magazine ad from 1996, we see David Doubilet wearing his Rolex Submariner.

2009

"What I like best about underwater photography is giving a visual voice to the invisible. What I like least is the prospect of drowning." –David Doubilet

2011

This next David Doubilet Rolex Magazine ad is from 2011, at it features him wearing his Rolex DEEP-SEA SEA-DWELLER.

The Amazing Underwater World Of David Doubilet

David Doubilet is one of the top underwater photographers, if not the greatest. David's trademark photo style, is seen in this first photo, where he keeps the top half of the lens above water, and the bottom half below. This results in an absolutely fascinating perspective, which allows you to simaltaneously see two connected worlds–above and below the water.

This amazing photographic style showcases the constant duality of life, which is typically invisible to both worlds. This style is such a perfect metaphor for the typically invisible interconnectivity of life!!!

How amazing is this next under/over water shot? I love the composition that contrasts two seemingly unrelated world, that are really close together, yet so far apart. Just amazing!!!!!! This photo is absolutely crazy!!!!!!!!!!!

David Doubilet was born in New York in 1946 and he started shooting underwater photographs when he was 12 years old in 1958. He began shooting photos for National Geographic in 1971 and since that time he shot photos for more than 60 stories.

It is crystal-clear to me that David Doubilet is certainly one of the greatest photographers that has ever lived, as well as probably being the greatest aquatic photographer that ever lived.

2012

2014

2015

David Doublet is pictured below with his wife Jennifer, who also wears Rolex Watches. In the National Geographic video below this photo, they give and amazing speech about some of their recent amazing work, which I very highly recommend watching:

Rolex Submariner on Black Perlon NATO Strap

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

Rolex Submariner 

on Black Perlon NATO Strap

I was just going through Jake's Rolex World Archives and discovered this image I originally published sixteen years ago, back in 2008 and I still love this image!!! 

The black strap above is a braided perlon NATO strap, but I think if somebody could figure out how to make a similar looking strap, but similar to Apples fitted Braided Solo Loop, it would be a mega-hit!!!! Why? Because the braided Solo Loop has no buckle or clasp, is ultra comfortable, durable and very secure on the wrist.

Ewan McGregor Stainless Steel Rolex Submariner

...Rolex Coolness...

Ewan McGregor

Stainless Steel Rolex Submariner

Ladies GOLD Oyster Perpetual...

WATCHES AND WONDERS

...A New Generation of Ladies OP...

 Ladies GOLD 

Oyster Perpetual

with Stone Markers

This is my last post covering Watches and Wonders. Rolex introduced new ladies Rolex Oyster Perpetual models in 28 and 36MM. This firs model features a green stone lacquer dial with the 3, 6, and 9 o'clock markers being made from natural stone, which is a first for Rolex.

This model also presents "A NEW INTERPLAY OF FINISHNGS", which incorporate satin finishing on the fascia of the Oyster Bracelet with a polished finish on the domed bezel. 

Below we see the new 34MM Ladies Oyster Perpetual Rolex developed their own unique gold in their foundry, which they call EVEROSE GOLD.

You can find all the details for these new models in the Rolex Newsroom. Rolex announced a special event on May 12, 2026, which is just several weeks away, so it will be interesting to see what else they reveal...My best guess is Rolex will introduce an updated Pepsi GMT-Master...

Watches and Wonders 2026 Introduction: Enamel Dial Daytona

WATCHES AND WONDERS

...Another "Unobtainium" new Rolex Daytona...

 Enamel Dial 

Rolesium Daytona

I must admit, this new Rolex Daytona has left me utterly perplexed. It’s labeled as “Off Catalog,” meaning it won’t be available for sale at Rolex authorized dealerships or on Rolex.com. Essentially it’s a stainless steel model with a platinum bezel and caseback that retails for $57,800. The irony is that you won’t be able to purchase one! It’s reminiscent of the Le Mans Rolex Daytona.

Benjamin Clymer from Hodinkee penned an exceptional article that unravels the mystery surrounding this highly enigmatic new Rolex Daytona model. Additionally, he has created an excellent video (below) that delves into all the intricate details of this novel Rolesium Daytona Rolex that was showcased at Watches and Wonders 2026.

Ben Clymer’s brilliant overview story, which I had linked to Hodinkee in the previous paragraph, included a section titled “Five Things I Don’t Love About The Rolex Daytona Reference 126502”. His second constructive criticism point was:

2. That it (The New Rolesium Daytona) has an open case back. This isn't a new gripe – the Le Mans is literally my favorite watch, but I believe a Rolex should have a closed case back. They don't need to play the game everyone else does by showing off what's inside.

I have a completely different perspective on this issue compared to Ben, and I strongly believe the antithesis. In my opinion, all Rolex watches absolutely deserve to have exhibition casebacks instead of concealing their movements. Rolex movements are truly remarkable masterpieces, and there are numerous compelling reasons why they should be showcased, beyond the fact people are fascinated with looking at mechanical watches and seeing how they work.

Rolex, in the 1920s, essentially invented and pioneered the exhibition caseback on early wristwatches. This innovation enabled their sales agents to showcase the precision engineering and well-designed intricate features of Rolex movements to jewelers. 

Below, we find an early Rolex Oyster with an exhibition caseback from the late 1920s. This exquisite watch showcases the magnificently gorgeous EXTRA PRIMA Rolex movement. It’s important to clarify that, according to the best scholarship, Rolex never produced these stunning watches with exhibition casebacks for sale to the public. However, some of these watches have been preserved, and I’ve written extensively about them in the past.

In the early 1930s, after Rolex introduced their groundbreaking Rolex Oyster Perpetual movement, they once again crafted exhibition casebacks to demonstrate their workings to salesmen. Notably, the one we observe below has remained intact over time.

To clarify, both the Rolex Oyster depicted above and the Rolex Oyster Perpetual shown below feature crystal-clear glass casebacks that showcase their movements, despite appearing as if their casebacks have been removed. 

Rolex, renowned for its unwavering commitment to precision and reliability in its movements, recently shifted its focus to enhancing the aesthetic appeal of these movements, as illustrated in the image below.

JAKE'S TAKE

On the one hand, I find this Rolex to be visually appealing, particularly the exhibition caseback. However, I am deeply perplexed by why Rolex, given the lengthy waiting list for the classic stainless steel Daytona, doesn’t prioritize resolving that issue over creating a $60,000 watch that is practically unattainable!?!!

If I were the CEO of Rolex, I would introduce the exhibition caseback as an optional feature for all Rolex watches. Additionally, I would prioritize the development of more affordable models that are readily available for immediate purchase. 

This new Rolex Daytona model kind of reminds me of how automobile manufactures tease the public with super appealing concept cars that never become available to the public in the future.

This new model boasts a stunningly crafted lacquered dial and an intriguing new bezel insert that offers exceptional durability. I believe these enhancements would be a valuable addition to the standard stainless steel Daytona. I am optimistic that this platinum and stainless steel Daytona model will serve as an advanced research and development (R&D) Rolex, incorporating experimental features that will eventually be integrated into the standard stainless steel models.

For clarity’s sake, I would like Rolex to consider offering premium upgrades to their basic models. For instance, with a stainless steel Daytona, customers could upgrade the dial, bezel, and add an exhibition caseback. This could potentially increase the retail price by around $4,000.

Rolex provides a detailed explanation of their design process for this new model.

I WANT A GOOD WATCH

not an  

UNOBTAINABLE WATCH

The brochure below, published in 1961 for the Rolex Submariner [Reference 5512], was the subject of my previous opinion in an article I published years ago:

"This super-cool, ultra-fascinating 1961 Rolex Submariner brochure perfectly sums up the raw core essence of Rolex and is one of my absolute favorite pieces of vintage Rolex collateral marketing material! I would go so far as to say this quintessential timeless document is as close as Rolex has ever come to writing a constitution..."

This "I WANT A GOOD WATCH" Rolex brochure was published shortly after Rolex’s founder, Hans Wilsdorf, passed away. In my opinion, Rolex would better serve its customers by producing “GOOD WATCHES” that are affordable and accessible, rather than creating “OFF CATALOG” models that are so expensive and essentially unattainable.

Simply put, Rolex should focus on producing “GOOD WATCHES” that people can afford and obtain, rather than creating “UNOBTAINABLE WATCHES” that are far out of reach for most consumers. 

As previously mentioned, hopefully this new model is just an advanced R&D model with features that will eventually evolve into the standard stainless Daytona that everybody wants, and hopefully Rolex address the confusing issue of long waiting lists. 

I am old enough to remember, back in the 1980s, when I would walk into any Rolex dealer, and their showcases counters featured EVERY Rolex model available for immediate sale...hopefully Rolex will figure out a way to get us closer to that standard in the future...