Rolex Day-Date 36 Diamond-set Green Bezel and Dial

The Rolex Day-Date 36A Masterpiece in Green and Diamonds
Imagine the moment: a velvet-lined box opens to reveal a Rolex Day-Date 36, its diamond-set green dial catching the light with a brilliance that stops time itself. Since its introduction in 1956, the Day-Date has been more than a watch—it’s been a symbol of achievement, a companion to some of history’s most influential figures, and a canvas for Rolex’s relentless pursuit of perfection.
Known affectionately as the "President" watch, this iconic timepiece has now been reimagined in stunning yellow gold with a green dial that radiates both boldness and serenity. This is not just a watch—it’s a statement of artistry, innovation, and timeless elegance.

A Dial That Captivates
Green as a Statement of Bold Elegance
The star of this Day-Date 36 is its mesmerizing green dial, a hue that feels both timeless and strikingly contemporary. Picture the depth of an emerald forest or the polished surface of a rare jade stone—this green doesn’t merely sit on the dial; it draws you in, shifting subtly with the light to reveal its complexity. Adorning this vibrant backdrop are diamond hour markers, each one a tiny prism of perfection. Hand-set by Rolex’s master gemologists, these diamonds sparkle with a fire that elevates the watch from beautiful to breathtaking, creating a dance of light with every twist and turn of the wrist.
At 12 o’clock, the day window proudly spells out the day of the week in full—a signature feature that nods to the Day-Date’s global legacy, available in languages from English to Arabic. At 3 o’clock, the magnified date window, framed by the Cyclops lens, ensures clarity and practicality. Together, these elements blend form and function in a way that only Rolex can achieve, making this watch as useful as it is alluring.
Craftsmanship Beyond Compare
The Art of Diamond Setting
Rolex’s mastery of gem-setting transforms this Day-Date into a wearable jewel. The diamonds aren’t just embellishments—they’re a testament to a craft honed over decades. Each stone is chosen for its exceptional clarity and cut, then meticulously placed by artisans whose precision rivals that of the watchmakers themselves. The result? A dial that doesn’t just tell time—it tells a story of dedication and excellence, where every facet reflects Rolex’s uncompromising standards.
Encasing this masterpiece is a 36mm yellow gold case, its warm tones amplifying the dial’s vibrancy. The fluted bezel, a hallmark of the Day-Date line, catches the light with its sculpted edges, adding texture and tradition to the design. Paired with the President bracelet—its semi-circular links as comfortable as they are iconic—this watch drapes the wrist with a luxurious embrace, a reminder of Rolex’s ability to marry beauty with wearability.
A Legacy of Innovation
The Heart of the Day-Date
Beneath its elegant exterior beats the Caliber 3255, a movement that embodies Rolex’s engineering genius. Developed entirely in-house, this self-winding marvel holds 14 patents and delivers a power reserve of approximately 70 hours—enough to keep ticking through a long weekend undisturbed. Its precision, rated at -2/+2 seconds per day, exceeds the strictest chronometer standards, thanks to innovations like the blue Parachrom hairspring and Paraflex shock absorbers. Whether you’re navigating a bustling day or savoring a quiet evening, this movement ensures the Day-Date 36 performs with unflagging reliability.
The Day-Date’s story began in 1956, when Rolex unveiled the first watch to display both the day and date in full—a breakthrough that cemented its status as a pioneer. Worn by presidents, CEOs, and visionaries, it quickly became a symbol of power and prestige. Today’s green-dialed iteration builds on that legacy, proving that innovation can honor tradition while pushing boundaries.
A Timeless Icon Reimagined
The Rolex Day-Date 36 with its diamond-set green dial is a triumph of design and craftsmanship. 

It’s a watch that bridges past and present, blending the heritage of the "President" with a modern palette that feels fresh yet eternal. For collectors, it’s a treasure; for wearers, it’s a companion that marks life’s greatest moments. As Rolex continues to redefine luxury, this timepiece stands as a testament to the brand’s artistry—a fusion of precision, passion, and the pursuit of the extraordinary.
Harmony of the elements. With a bezel set with 60 trapeze-cut diamonds and a vibrant green dial with 10 baguette-cut diamond hour markers, this Day-Date 36 in 18ct yellow gold exemplifies Rolex’s gem-setting expertise and exceptional design. Gold, green, and sparkle. The ultimate Rolex prestige. Rolex's MSRP on this Reference 128398TBR is $99,500.

1978 Dan McCullin Rolex Explorer II Orange Hand

1978 Rolex Magazine Ad

Dan McCullin's Silent Partner in Chaos

Rolex Explorer II Orange Hand 

Reference 1655

    "Photography for me is not looking, it's feeling. If you can't feel what you're looking at, then you're never going to get others to feel anything when they look at your pictures"

—Don McCullin

In the pantheon of vintage Rolex, few watches stir the soul like the Explorer II [Reference 1655]. It’s a rugged beast, born for the wild, with a design that screams purpose over polish. But what elevates this watch from mere tool to myth? Look no further than Don McCullin, the war photographer who strapped it to his wrist and plunged into the heart of history. In 1978, Rolex ran an ad featuring McCullin, his steely gaze fixed on the horizon, that orange-handed 1655 ticking away as bullets flew. That image alone cemented its legacy—and today, it’s a holy grail for collectors who chase the stories behind the steel.

Let’s unpack this. Who was Don McCullin, and why does his Explorer II still have us obsessed decades later? Grab a coffee, because this is a tale of courage, conflict, and a watch that refused to quit.

Don McCullin
The Eye of the Storm
Don McCullin didn’t stumble into greatness—he clawed his way there. Born in 1935 in London’s rough-and-tumble Finsbury Park, he grew up in a world of post-war grit. Life was no picnic, but McCullin had an eye for more than just survival. Photography found him almost by accident—snapping shots of his local gang for a laugh—until The Observer took notice in 1959. That was the spark that lit the fuse. Before long, he was on a plane to Berlin, capturing the Wall’s rise, and then to Cyprus, documenting civil unrest. The kid from the streets had become a lens on the world.
    "I wanted my images to contaminate your thoughts—because they contaminated mine"
—Don McCullin

But McCullin’s real legacy was forged in war. Vietnam, Cambodia, Biafra, Beirut—he didn’t just cover conflict; he lived it. His camera caught the raw, unfiltered truth: soldiers in the mud, civilians in despair, the haunting stillness after the gunfire stopped. This wasn’t about pretty pictures; it was about bearing witness. “I’ve been in some tight spots,” he said in that 1978 Rolex ad, “but my Rolex has always come through.” And come through it did—through jungles, deserts, and urban battlegrounds, the Explorer II was his constant.
McCullin’s work earned him a shelf full of awards—World Press Photo honors, a CBE, even a knighthood in 2017. But he’d tell you the accolades don’t matter. What matters is the truth he captured, frame by frame. And on his wrist, that Reference 1655 was more than a watch—it was a companion that saw it all.
The Explorer II [Reference 1655]
A Tool for the Fearless
Now, let’s talk about the watch itself. Rolex dropped the Explorer II in 1971, and it was a different breed from the get-go. Built for adventurers—cavers, polar explorers, and yes, photographers like McCullin—it was all about surviving the extremes. The Reference 1655, with its 39mm Oyster case and that unmistakable orange 24-hour hand, was designed to tackle the unknown. That hand wasn’t just a pop of color; it was a lifeline, letting wearers track day and night in places where the sun played tricks—like the Arctic or deep underground.
The fixed steel bezel, engraved with 24-hour markers, paired with the automatic Caliber 1575 movement to make this thing a tank. Dust, water, shocks? The Explorer II laughed it off. At a time when most watches were still primping for the boardroom, this one was ready for the battlefield. And for McCullin, who often found himself ducking shrapnel, that durability was everything.
But it’s not just the toughness that makes the 1655 special—it’s the vibe. The matte black dial, the Mercedes hands, the no-nonsense steel case—it’s got a quiet swagger that doesn’t need to shout. Nicknamed the “Freccione” (Italian for “big arrow”) for that bold orange hand, it’s a watch that stands out by not trying too hard. And while some call it the “Steve McQueen” (even though he never wore one), it’s McCullin’s story that gives it real weight.
A Collector’s Grail
Why the 1655 Rules Today
Fast forward to 2023, and the Explorer II [Reference 1655] is a vintage Rolex unicorn. Why? Start with the numbers: Rolex only made about 10,000 of these from ’71 to ’85. Finding one that’s not beaten to hell—or worse, “restored” into oblivion—is a treasure hunt. But rarity’s just the half of it. This watch has soul.
Collectors lose their minds over the 1655 because it’s a time capsule. It’s not some polished-up dress watch—it’s a tool that lived hard. When you hold one, you’re holding history: the expeditions, the battles, the moments of quiet defiance. McCullin’s connection only amps that up. Knowing his Explorer II was there, strapped on as he framed shots that changed how we see war, adds a layer of provenance that’s pure catnip for watch nerds.
Then there’s the design. That orange hand pops like a flare against the black dial, and the steel bezel’s got a rugged charm that’s aged like fine whiskey. It’s not perfect—it’s better than perfect. It’s real. And in a world where vintage Rolex prices are soaring, the 1655’s mix of scarcity, style, and story has made it a heavyweight. Today, a clean example can easily fetch five figures, and if it’s got a documented past? Name your price.
McCullin and the 1655
A Bond Beyond Time
So why did McCullin pick the Explorer II? Because it didn’t flinch. In the chaos of war, you don’t need a watch that’s going to choke under pressure—you need one that’s as tough as you are. The 1655 was that watch. It didn’t care about mud or blood or heat; it just kept going. In that 1978 ad, McCullin’s words say it all: “My Rolex has always come through.” That’s not a sales pitch—that’s a battlefield truth.
For McCullin, the Explorer II wasn’t a status symbol; it was a tool, a witness to the madness he captured through his lens. And that’s what makes it resonate today. Collectors don’t just want the watch—they want the story, the grit, the legacy of a man who stared down history and clicked the shutter anyway.
A Watch That Tells More Than Time
The Rolex Explorer II [Reference 1655] isn’t just a vintage classic—it’s a monument to the fearless. Through Don McCullin’s lens, we see how it earned its stripes, ticking through the darkest corners of the 20th century. For collectors, it’s a prize worth chasing: rare, beautiful, and dripping with history. But beyond the auctions and the hype, it’s a reminder of what a watch can be—a silent partner in the pursuit of something bigger.
So here’s to McCullin, the man who showed us war’s true face, and to the Explorer II that stood by him. In a world obsessed with flash, this watch keeps it real: a rugged, orange-handed testament to adventure, survival, and the stories that time can’t erase.

Rolex Fashion Shot of the Day: Uli's LV Submariner...

Green On Green

Uli's LV Rolex Submariner

If you are a reader of Jake's Rolex Watch you probably know the original Rolex 50th Anniversary LV Submariner is one of my favorite Rolex watches.

To my way of thinking The LV Submariner has the perfect balance of timeless Rolex design language and a colorful, charismatic vibe. I think the green bezel insert is fun, sporty, novel and aquatic–and I love the Maxi-Markers and Fat Hands. This is a really cool color combination–assuming you are not afraid of color.

I WANT A GOOD WATCH!!! 1961 Rolex Submariner Brochure: Reference 5512

...Rolex Zeitgeist...

I WANT A GOOD WATCH!!!

Evergreen 1961 Rolex Submariner Brochure

[Reference 5512]

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 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...

It was printed a year after the founder of Rolex, Hans Wilsdorf passed away—which means it was printed in a Twilight Zone, as Rolex was in the process of metamorphosing from a utilitarian "tool watch" brand into a luxury brand—in the same way daytime transitions into nighttime. In other words, this document was printed in the Rolex dusk. Dusk being the magical moments between sunset and nighttime where without electric light everything becomes essential shadow and all we see is romantic silhouette, contoured outlines and basic primal shapes.

Twilight is fascinating as it is often time otherworldly, as it is neither day nor night, but something in-between. I would be remiss if I didn't point out that this reminds me of Rod Serling's immortal opening words from The Twilight Zone when he said:

"You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension: a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind. You’re moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas. You’ve just crossed over into... the Twilight Zone."

Speaking of Rod Serling's Twilight Zone, it is fascinating that it was originally airing when this brochure was made at it ran from 1959 to 1964.

I believe this timeless document best reflects Hans Wilsdorf's brand ethos, essence and zeitgeist...Read it and decide for yourself...I think this pretty much perfectly sums it all up for Rolex!!!!

Notice on the page above it still says "Havana" since Rolex was still in Cuba, and also notice on the bottom of the right page below, it refers to the Rolex Submariner as being "designed for Deep Sea Diving and all Aquatic Activities. This document is a true Rolex Time Machine or Time Capsule—if ever there was one!!!

Rolex Coolness: Sylvester Stallone Celebrating 80th Birthday...

...Rolex Super-Coolness...

Sylvester Stallone

Keeping The Time Of His Life With Rolex

Celebrates 80th Birthday

Legendary actor, Sylvester Stallone celebrated his 80th birthday today and he's pictured above in a photo that appeared in a Hollywood Reporter article back in 2022 that shows Sly rocking a Paul Neman Daytona. 

It’s always fascinating to reflect on how time has passed. When I was ten years old, Rocky was released in 1976, which also marked the bicentennial of the United States. When Stallone debuted Rocky, he was thirty, and I was ten. The United States was two hundred years old at the time. Now Stallone is eighty, and I’m sixty. The United States is now two hundred fifty years old. Funny how time flies.

Speaking of my childhood memories, it felt like a magical and iconic era. The Six Million Dollar Man was already a huge hit on TV, and every kid wanted to be Steve Austin. Then in 1976 the legendary Farrah Fawcett red swimsuit poster exploded in popularity—it seemed like that poster was hanging in half the bedrooms in America of every red-blooded young man, and then it took off like crazy when Charlies Angles debuted. That same year, Jaws had just come out the summer before and was still everywhere, followed by Rocky in December of ’76. The next year brought Star Wars with the incomparable Harrison Ford, in May of 1977, THE DEEP that June, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind in November. 

Ironically, the Rolex Oyster was also celebrating its 50th anniversary in 1976—still five years away from me discovering the brand and what it would come to mean. Now I look in the rearview mirror of my life and it's super bizarre to see how I have blogged non-stop about Rolex for the past 19 years straight, and at the same time Rolex watches were all over the place back in the mid to late 1970s, in front of my young eyes, without me being able to yet see or understand their significance, nor the role they would eventually play in my life.

Sly is pictured below sporting his yellow gold Rolex Submariner with the black dial and bezel in the late 1970s or early 1980s. Since the yellow gold Rolex had no nickname I officially nicknamed it the "Sylvester Stallone Submariner back in 2016."

The incredible original soundtrack from Rocky was composed by Bill Conti, and its theme "Gonna Fly Now" became a number one Billboard hit in 1976. Click play below and you’ll see exactly why: Maynard Ferguson charges onto The Michael Douglas Show in 1977 like a fired-up elephant, stomps his left foot, then his right, and bellows "three, four!" — launching the band at full throttle from the very first beat. As Chilly Gonzales once put it in his ultra energetic song "Never Stop," "I don't judge you if you're part of a true scene." And that's exactly what this explosive '70s performance is — a magnificently true scene.

Rocky

Rocky is considered to be one of the best sports films ever made, and it debuted in 1976 to critical acclaim, which among other things inspired a worldwide fitness craze. Rocky is the story of Rocky Balboa who goes from being a small-time club fighter who gains the opportunity to fight for the world heavyweight championship. Rocky was made in 28 days, for a budget of a little more than $1 Million. It became the highest grossing film of 1976, and won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Rocky grossed $5 Million on its opening weekend, and for the North American box office did a total of $117 Million, which adjusted for inflation would be close to $500 Million at 2016 prices. Rocky did just as well internationally In 1976, having grossed $107 Million. Rocky was a "Knockout" success!!!!

Rocky has had six sequels to date, with Rocky II (1979), Rocky III (1982), Rocky IV (1985), Rocky V (1999), Rocky Balboa (2006), and most recently, Creed (2015). Sylvester Stallone wrote the first five sequels and played Rocky Balboa in all six sequels.

Rocky III

The Photo below was taken during Rocky III in 1982, and in it we see Sylvester Stallone wearing his yellow gold Rolex Submariner. When Stallone was younger, he tended to wear his Rolex Submariner on his right wrist, Steve McQueen style. In later years, would switch to wearing his Rolex watches on his left wrist.

Speaking of Mr. T and Rolex; below is a photo of Mr. T wearing his blinged-out Rolex President.

Stayin' Alive 1983

The Photos below of Sylvester Stallone and John Travolta were taken during the filming of Stayin' Alive, which was the follow-up sequel to the mega-hit, Saturday Night Fever. Sylvester Stallone wrote and directed Stayin' Alive.

Rockin' A Rolex President

In the following series of photos below, we see Sylvester Stallone wearing a Yellow Gold Rolex Day-Date "President." 

In the photo above, we see Sylvester Stallone with legendary boxer, Ray "Boom-Boom" Mancini."

Ronald Reagan & Sylvester Stallone

Two California Classics

Sylvester Stallone is pictured below with his wife at the time, Briget Nielsen at a White House party with then U.S. President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan.

Who You Callin' Girlyman!?!

Sly is pictured below with the Gubernator, and notice Arnold Schwarzenegger is wearing his yellow gold Rolex Mocha GMT on a Jubilee. Rolex seriously needs to bring back the brown bezel and dial on the yellow gold GMT Master–it was a superb color combination!!!

The photo below shows Sylvester Stallone holding his wife, Bridgette Nielsen up in the air on Long Island in 1987. The photo was taken by Herb Ritts, and if you look closely you can see Sly is wearing his Rolex Submariner.

The Contender
2005-2007

Sylvester Stallone co-starred in an early reality TV show named The Contender, and in the photo below we see him wearing a stainless steel Rolex Submariner while standing next to his brother, Frank Stallone, and boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard. I remember former Rolex USA executive, T. Walker Lloyd talking about his relationship with Sylvester Stallone, as well as his brother Frank Stallone in a podcast interview I did wit him back in 2008. "T", as his close friends referred to him was a Rolex USA executive, and he told me how he personally got Sylvester Stallone his yellow gold Rolex Submariner and Rolex President. He also told me that he thought Sylvester Stallone got carried away as he wanted Rolex watches for his entire pose, including his brother, Frank Stallone.

Sugar Ray Leonard is pictured below wearing his Platinum Rolex Day-Date, and he also wears a bunch of other Rolex models.

Sly's Black-Out Concept Rolex Daytona

In the below from 2011, we see Sylvester Stallone wearing his customized Black-Out Concept Rolex Daytona.

Sly's Rolex DEEP SEA

In the recent photos below, we see Sylvester Stallone wearing his Rolex DEEPSEA SEA-DWELLER.

In the photo above we see Sylvester Stallone wearing his Rolex DEEPSEA, standing next to filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, who interviews him in the video below, which I highly recommend watching!!!

CREED 2015

Sylvester Stallone recently starred in a new movie named CREED, which is based on Rocky, and Stallone is currently up for the Academy Award for Best Costar. He also won the 2016 Golden Glob Award for Best Supporting Actor. In the first photo below, we see Sylvester Stallone with Mr. T in a photo shot during Rocky III.

In this next photo from 2015, we see Sylvester Stallone wearing the same vintage yellow Gold Rolex Submariner he was wearing in the photo above.

The photo below shows boxer Oscar De-La-Hoya with Sylvester Stallone, and if if you look closely at Sly's Rolex, you can see the Nipple indices that confirms it is a vintage Rolex Submariner.

White Gold Pepsi Rolex GMT-Master

In the photos below we see Sylvester Stallone in recent photos showing off his White Gold Pepsi Rolex GMT-Master.

The photo below shows the bejeweled white gold Rolex GMT-Master model that Sylvester Stallone is wearing.

Paul Newman Daytona

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

Paul Newman Daytona