36MM Stainless Oyster Perpetual...Multicolored Laquer Dial with Jubilee Motif

WATCHES AND WONDERS

...36MM Stainless Oyster Perpetual...

 

MULTICOLOR 

Laquer Dial 

Avante-Garde Jubilee Motif

"The WARHOL OP"

Andy Warhol looks a scream

Wear him on my wrist

Andy Warhol, Silver OP

Can't tell them apart at all

The all new 36MM Multicolored Laquer Dial "Jubilee Motif" dial Oyster Perpetual is getting a lot of attention based upon its striking PoP Art dial, and I am going to go out on a limb my nicknaming it "The Warhol". Just like, The Pepsi GMT, The Coke GMT, The Batman GMT, The RootBeer GMT, The Kermit Submariner, The Hulk Submariner, etc.—you get the idea.

Rolex said their inspiration for the lacquered dial was the from "the Jubilee motif introduced at the end of the 1970s, which has since become iconic". Rolex loves playing around with colors, and this reminds me of Rolex's Basel World 2018 introduction of the RAINBOW Daytona.

When I say this new Rolex model has Pop Art vibe, it totally reminds me of Andy Warhol's PoP Art. In the photo below we see Andy Warhol with his Protoge, Jean-Micel Basquiat, and we see Andy rocking his ladies 28MM yellow gold Datejust on a President Bracelet. 

Andy Warhol pictured above wearing his Rolex Datejust with Protégé, Jean-Michel Basquait

The color palette of the new Rolex dial totally reminds me of Jean-Michel Basquait's masterpiece which is pictured below

"Untitled," 1982 Jean-Michel Basquiat Painting sold for $110.5 Million on May 18, 2017

The new dial also reminds me very much of the repetitive square grid of Andy Warhol's pop art, like with his famous Marilyn print grid layouts as pictured below.

Repetitive Grid alignment was a trademark of Andy Warhol, which is a fascinating way to layout artwork, as his original inspiration was that of comic books.

The all new 36MM Multicolored Laquer Dial "Jubilee Motif" dial Oyster Perpetual is getting a lot of attention based upon its striking PoP Art dial. Rolex said their inspiration for the lacquered dial was the from "the Jubilee motif introduced at the end of the 1970s, which has since become iconic".

Rolex Jubilee Guilloché Dial Inspiration
As mentioned, the all new Multicolored Rolex Lacquer Dial with the Jubilee Motif was inspired by Rolex's original Jubilee Motif dials which incorporated a Guilloché engraving design.

Rolex began making the original Rolex Jubilee dials back in the late 1970s and in 1985 to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Datejust, by engraving solid gold disk dials with the "ROLEX" logo monogram. 
When Rolex invited me to be part of a group of the first journalists to tour all four Rolex factories in Switzerland, eleven years ago, back in 2013, Rolex explained to us that there was NOT a computerized CNC method that could achieve the same magic process, which the Guilloché can.  

In the photo below we see the Rolex dial Guilloché process taking place. The way it works, is the Guilloché master engraving disk is located on the left side in the photo below, and it has the master pattern that is being engraved in miniature scale on the gold Rolex dial which we see located on the right side in the center of the engraving apparatus.

I will NEVER forget, that when the four of us (pictured below) were touring the Rolex factories in Switzerland, the Rolex Public Relations representatives told us not to touch the Guilloché machine, while it was running in front of us, as doing so would cause the machine to fail, and Arial Adams, from A Blog To Watch, reached out and touched the machine anyway, and messed up the engraving, which was so bizarre!?!! 
I mean somebody tells you specifically NOT to do something, and you do it anyway, which was like the Spiros Antonapoulous character in opening scene from the 1968 classic Alan Arkin movie: "The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter", who walks by the local bakery and sees tasty deserts in the window, and uncontrollably decides to break the glass to get to the desert since it looks so intriguing to him. Below is a picture of Ben Clymer, James Dowling, Ariel Adams and myself visiting the Rolex Wonka Works in Switzerland back in 2013.

Benjamin Clymer, James Dowling, Ariel Adams, and Jake Ehrlich November 19, 2013 Rolex Factory Tour in Switzerland (Hodinkee.com, Timezone.com, ABlogToWatch.com, and RolexMagazine.com)

41MM Datejust with Green Lacquer Ombré Dial

WATCHES AND WONDERS

...41MM Stainless Datejust...

 Green Lacquer 

Ombré Dial

My favorite new Rolex watch model introduced at Watches & Wonders 2026 is the 41MM Oyster Perpetual Datejust adorned with a new green lacquer ombré dial, along with a fluted white gold bezel, and a matching Rolex Oyster bracelet.

Watches & Wonders 2026 Coverage...

WATCHES AND WONDERS

...Coverage...

 Around The Web 

HODINKEE.com

Rolex introduced it's novelties @ Watches and Wonders in Geneva, Switzerland and Hodinkee.com has complete coverage of all the new models, if you are interested in getting a superb overview.

Also, Rolex's NEWSROOM is an excellent choice if you wish to take a deeper dive into the novelties released @ Watches & Wonders 2026:

As usual, I plan to offer my "Jake's Take" perspective on the novelties and will be publishing them this week, so stay tuned...

100th Anniversary Rolex Oyster Teaser Video from Rolex

WATCHES AND WONDERS

ROLEX COLLECTION 2026 

...Official ROLEX Teaser Video...

 100th Anniversary 

Rolex Oyster

It's that time of the year again, almost like Christmas for Rolex fans, but this year in April, where Rolex will soon unveil their 2026 novelties at Watches and Wonders in Geneva, Switzerland and we will, of course, have full live coverage, but until then, Rolex launched this teaser video that features a Rolex with a special dial designation that says "100 Years".

There is a very subtle detail on this screenshot from the Rolex teaser video below—beyond the obviously apparent "100 YEARS" dial designation—and that is green dial second markers on the left and right.

ID Guy just published a pretty compelling video that seems to figure out the details of the "100 YEARS" model:

The image below is a screenshot from ID Guy's video seen above, and he shows off renders of what he speculates the new models might to look like.

The ROLEX Magazine ad below was originally published in 1956, which was first published 70 years ago on the 30th Anniversary of the the Rolex Oyster, and notice the unmistakable doubled up timeless design language for the 15, 30 and 45 minute markers, which was incorporated into the most recent Rolex Oyster Perpetual models. This design language is what makes Rolex watches so timeless...

1968 Rolex Explorer Ad

1968 Rolex Explorer Ad

What is cooler than vintage Rolex Magazine ads? Not much, especially this amazing Rolex Explorer Ad from 1968 which appears courtesy of Adpatina.com.

The Rolex Explorer Ad seen above from 1968 reminds me of the one below from 1967

Rolex Macro Shot of the Day: A Black Dial Daytona from Eduardo...

...Rolex Macro Shot Of The Day...

Magnificent Macro

Eduardo's Rolex Daytona

[Rolex Reference 116520]

1983 Cristal Champagne Rolex Magazine Ad

 

1983 Cristal Champagne 

Rolex Magazine Ad

Rolex rarely publishes ads that use other companies product to analogize Rolex products, but this is a rare example from 1983 when they featured Cristal Champagne. 

If you are not familiar with Cristal it really is considered to be the Rolex of Champagne. Cristal is widely regarded by many people to be the first Prestige Cuvée.

Cristal was originally created in 1876 for Czar Alexander who was the Emperor of Russia, King of Congress Poland and Grand duke of Finland from March 1855 until he was assassinated in 1881.

Watches & Wonders 2026 Prediction

WATCHES AND WONDERS

ROLEX COLLECTION 2026 

...Prediction/Hope/Desire...

 Pepsi GMT-Master

Lumed Bezel

Many people ask me what my prediction is for what novelties Rolex may introduce at Watches and Wonders 2026, which is right around the corner, starting on April 14, 2026? There has been a lot of speculation that Rolex has discontinued the current Pepsi GMT-Master, which would seem to by very confusing and hyper-counterintuitive.

I genuinely have NO IDEA what Rolex will surprise us with this year, so all I can really do is share with you what I would LOVE to see!!!

I am hoping Rolex finally brings back their luminous GMT-Master Bezel insert, which debuted back in 1956 on the Reference 6542, which his pictured below in an image that appears courtesy of Stefano Mazzariol. Just to be crystal clear, the first Rolex GMT-MASTER model launched back in the mid 1950s featured 24 luminous hour markers on the bicolor bezel with glowed in the dark, which you can faintly see in the image below:

The next two images of a 1957 Rolex GMT-Master, Reference 6542 appear courtesy of Amsterdam Vintage Watches and we begin with this killer wrist shot that was taken in natural light. 

Upon first glance, the wrist shot above looks normal, especially with the 24 hour markers on the bezel insert, but the real magic of the original Rolex GMT-Master glowing bezel comes to life when the lights turn off as we see below in this AMAZING LUME SHOT from Amsterdam Vintage Watches that shows the original radium bezel insert glowing.

I am including one more image below, from Banzaff that shows how 3Dimensional the lumen bezel's looked on the original GMT-Master. This was due to the fact that the 24 hour markers on the bezel insert were suspended in a clear exoxy, or bakelite material. 

Nothing would make me happier than to see Rolex bring this beautiful lumed bezel insert back to life on the Pepsi GMT-Master. Fingers crossed!!!!

The image below of a GMT-Master [Reference 6542] was taken by Dr. Strong (Jeff) which offers a superb perspective on the bakelite bezel along with the "small arrow" 24 hour GMT Time Hand. 

GMT Bakelite Bezel

The original GMT Master models—beginning in 1955—featured a so-called "bakelite" bezel insert that would glow in the dark, and some of them still do, as seen in the lume-shots below. This first image from Stefano Mazzariol shows the bezel insert still glowing after all these years.

This next image shows both the dial and bezel insert and hands still glowing.

The first generation Rolex GMT had what has been dubbed a "Bakelite Bezel" but I don't think it is made from bakelite. It appears to be some kind of clear epoxy. 

The amazing thing about the design of these original GMT bezels is that the numbers on the bezel glowed in the dark and as M has shown in these amazing macro photos, the numbers seem to be frozen in an icy bezel–kind of like insect specimens that got trapped in tree sap millions of years ago, and can still be seen through the sap.

Rolex GMT-Master Ad

1958-1959 

Rolex Macro Shot Of The Day.. Rolex Sky Dweller

...Rolex Macro Shot Of The Day...

Rolex Sky Dweller

The stunning photo below is from Rolex and shows a close-up of the Sky-Dweller dial with the red triangle pointing to time at home (while traveling) on the rotating 24-hour disc.

Charlie's Angels Rolex Watches...

...Rolex Super-Hotness...

Charlie's Angels

Rolex Hotness & Pop Culture Phenomenon

Charlie's Angels was not just about Big Hair, Trim Feminine Hotness, and lots of Bathing Suits, but it was one of the most iconic pop-culture TV Shows in the later 1970s. Charlie's Angels aired new episodes from 1976 to 1981. The show was not just a poplar institution, but more of a cultural phenomenon that went on to become a cult classic. 

Charlie's Angles featured some of the most beautiful women on TV, and I discovered—and published for the first time—back in 2016 the entire original cast of Angels wore Ladies Rolex Watches!!! If you watched Charlies Angel's back in the day, watching the opening credits below will Deja Vu you out!

Fallen Rolex Angels

In the photos below we see Cheryl Ladd, Farrah Fawcett Majors and Jaclyn Smith all wearing Ladies Rolex Datejust watches. This images were taken on the set of the Season 4 episode named "Fallen Angels", which featured Farrah Fawcett's return as an Angel.

The next four screenshots were taken from the episode above and the first three images show Farah Fawcett and Cheryl Ladd BOTH rockin' yellow gold Rolex Lady Datejust models!?!!

The photo below of the yellow gold 28MM Rolex Lady-Datejust appears courtesy of Jomashop. This model is very similar to the models Farrah and Cheryl are wearing in the screengrabs above and below, but their models like feature the champagne dial, as apposed to the silver dial pictured below. The 28MM Rolex Lady-Datejust in yellow gold with the President bracelet is one of the most icon Rolex ladies watches of all time. In the 1970s and 1980s it was considered to be the ultimate Rolex for most women.

So why and I posting so many photos of Farah and Cheryl? Why not? It probably has something to do with the fact I was MADLY in love with both of them when I was 10-12 years old, and seeing them together, both wearing yellow gold Rolex Lady Datejust models just blows my mind!

It's fascinating to realize that some of the most iconic TV and Movie actor and actresses wore Rolex watches right in front of me, but at the time I was too young to notice.

This next show it also taken from Fallen Angels and shows Jaclyn Smith wearing her Lady-Datejust.

From a historical perspective, it is interesting to note that none of Charlie's Angels are wearing what, then was considered to men's size Rolex watches. Instead, they were all wearing the more feminine, petite 28mm Datejust and Lady-Date models.

At the time, many of the most popular and successful super-models and actresses wore Rolex Lady Date models, including Cheryl Tiegs, who is picture below. 

Sophia Loren, is also pictured below in the later half of the 1970s, and she is wearing her yellow gold Rolex Lady Datejust on an Oyster Bracelet. If you want to learn more about the history of women wearing Rolex be sure to check out my article titled, "The Complete History Of The Rolex Woman—The Evolution Of The Female Archetype." article.

Jaclyn Smith was one of the three original Charlie's Angels, and she is pictured below with fellow angels, Farah Fawcett Majors and Kate Jackson in 1976. Don't Charlie's Angels look like dolls in the unusual photo below?

In many ways, Charlie's Angels were the archetype for modern beauty. In other words, up through the 1960s, women with lots of curves, like Marilyn Monroe, were considered to be the ideal. In the mid 1970s that all changed, and skinny really became the standard for feminine beauty. This is not a judgement, so much as it is an observation.

Looking at all the photos of Jaclyn Smith makes me realize how over-the-top beautiful she was!!! Just stunning!!! Jaclyn was also the only original Charlie's Angel that remained on Charlies' Angels for its complete run from 1976 to 1981.

I remember watching Charlie's Angels on TV in 1976 when I was 10 years old, and I remember being madly in love with all three Angels!!! As I previously mentioned all three of the original Charlie's Angels wore Rolex watches, so let's take a look at them.

Farah Fawcett Majors

The Most Iconic and All-American Angel

Farah Fawcett Majors was not only a major sex symbol of the 1970s, but a media sensation of the highest order. She is pictured below wearing a yellow-gold Rolex Lady Date. She played the role of Jill Munroe on Charlie's Angels.

The 'Farah Fawcett' bathing suit poster seen below in considered to be the best selling poster in history, having sold more than 8 Million copies, and yes I had one in 1976, when I was 10 years old...

The Farah Fawcett Poster

Farah Fawcett was probably most famous for her hairstyle, which was known as the "Farah" hairstyle. Farah was so successful, iconic and famous, she basically became the Marilyn Monroe of the 1970s.

The photo below of Farah Fawcett Majors skateboard is from a famous series of photos. I had those same wheels on my skateboard. They were called Road Rider Wheels.

Farah Fawcett is pictured below wearing her yellow Gold Rolex Lady-Date.

Farah Fawcett Majors was married to Lee Majors, who also had a huge hit TV show which began in 1973 with the movie "The Six Million Dollar Man", which Lee Majors played the role os Steve Austin, the first bionic man. The Six Million Dollar man was not only a pop-culture phenomenon, but also an institution in-and-of-itself.

Below is the original opening and closing theme for the Six Million Dollar man, which brings back some serious memories for me. Just as Charlie's Angles were the archetype for the ultimate 1970s woman, the Six Million Dollar man was the same, expect for a man.

The action adventure/science-fiction themed Six Million Dollar Man TV show ran for 5 seasons from 1974 through 1978, and was based upon three TV pilot movies, with the same name which all aired in 1973. 
Farrah and Lee Majors are pictured below chatting with legendary actor, Jimmy Stewart.

Jaclyn Smith

Timeless Natural Beauty


Four Amazing Decades With Rolex Keeping The Time Of Her Life

Actress Jaclyn Smith is best known for being on the 1970s American TV series, Charlie's Angels, where she played the role of Kelly Garrett. The next photo, taken in the 1970s, shows Jaclyn Smith wearing her two-tone Rolex ladies Datejust. 

One of the most fascinating things I enjoy about publishing Jake's Rolex World, is discovering people I grew up watching on TV or in movies that wore Rolex watches, back in the day.  Take for instance, the Jaclyn Smith magazine ad below for Martini & Rossi (on the rocks). I may have seen this ad when I was a kid, but since I was not aware of Rolex as young child, I likely did not notice Jaclyn's Rolex. 

Looking at these photographs today, in a historical context gives me an even fonder appreciation for Rolex history, as well as the world I grew up in, and often took for granted.

"Say 'Yes' To Martini & Rossi On The Rocks"

 

This next photo below originally appeared in People magazine in the 1980s, and it shows Jaclyn Smith at home with her husband Tony Richmond, who is a noted cinematographer, and their son Gaston. Notice Tony is sporting a Rolex Datejust on a Jubilee bracelet.

In this recent photo of Jaclyn Smith, we see her wearing a two-tone Rolex Daytona. Jaclyn Smith was not only a superstar beauty on Charlie's Angels, but went on to be an extremely successful entrepreneur in the early 1980s with developing and marketing her own clothing and perfume lines.

Jaclyn is not just 'another pretty face', but but and amazingly successful entrepreneur and business pioneer. Before Oprah, before Martha Stewart, Jaclyn was the first celebrity to develop her own brand, instead of just endorsing others. 

Kate Jackson

The Cutest Angel

Kate Jackson starred as Sabrina Duncan on Charlie's Angels. Basically she play the role of the more witty Angel.

Cheryl Ladd

The Hottest Angel

Farah Fawcett Majors retired from Charlie's Angels after the first season, and Cheryl Ladd replaced her and played the rolex of Jill Monroe's little sister, Chris Munroe. Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is the hottest Angel of them All? All of Charlie's Angels are gorgeous, but I have to admit my favorite is Cheryl Ladd.

Farah Fawcett Majors had the most iconic poster in history, and Cheryl Ladd also had some majorly successful posters. I had the one below and it completely Deja Vu's me out looking at it today :-)

So let's get back to looking at Cheryl Ladd's Rolex watch. In the photo below we see her wearing her yellow gold Rolex Lady-Date while posting for a photo with fellow actor, Jeff Conaway. Jeff was on the 1970 sitcom mega-hit named Taxi. He also costarred with John Travolta in the 1978 blockbuster movie, Grease.

Cheryl Ladd is pictured below with Shaun Cassidy (Hardy Boys) in 1977, at which time in history they were most famous and sought after actor and actress in the world.