Rolex Mystery Man: Any Idea Who This Cool Dude Is?

Hans Wilsdorf

Founder of Rolex

Rolex Time Machine Thought Experiment 

What if you sat down with Albert Einstein, but he looked nothing like the iconic wild-haired genius we all know—would you still recognize the brilliance in his mind through conversation alone? What if you sat down with Leonardo da Vinci, but he looked nothing like the familiar portraits we are all familiar with—would you still recognize the extraordinary mind of the ultimate Renaissance genius through conversation alone?

If Rolex Founder, Hans Wilsdorf stepped out of a time machine from 1906—years before Rolex even existed, and decades before he would sport his famous wild white hair—would you recognize his brilliant genius? I’ve spent decades studying everything I could about Hans Wilsdorf and how he became the man he did. So here’s a fun thought experiment: What if we could hop in a time machine, go back to 1905, and bring a 25-year-old Hans Wilsdorf back to 2026—with his permission, of course?

We brief Hans on the modern world, show him iPhones, take him on a ride in a self driving Tesla, and explain how the company he would go on to found has become one of the most prestigious brands in history over the past 121 years. Once he’s done totally tripping-out on all the deeply profound progress, Hans shaves off his handlebar mustache, ditches the stiff three-piece suit, with the bow tie and super high collar, throws on a black t-shirt (looking a bit like Elon Wilsdorf), and decides to rock an LV Submariner.

What would he look like? You’re looking at the answer:

A few years ago, I was playing around with AI, and took the image below of Rolex Founder, Hans Wilsdorf at age 24, which was taken 121 years ago in 1906, in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland in an attempt to improve it so it looked much more realistic and 3 dimensional.

Hans Hilsdorf, Founder of Rolex pictured above in 1905 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.

My goal was to make Hans Wilsdorf much more photorealistic, for my book cover on my upcoming book series on Rolex leadership. I increased the resolution, and colorized the photo as seen below, and at the time I thought it looked pretty good. Since we are on the subject of my upcoming book series on Rolex's Founding Fathers, I think it would be appropriate to point out the first four books in my series focus on seeing the world through Hans Wilsdorf's eyes. In other words, seeing and experiencing everything the way Hans did—from cradle to grave...

For the record, I have spent countless hours over the past 19 years of publishing RolexMagazine.com restoring vintage photos and Rolex Magazine ads. My goal has ALWAYS been to only restore images to make them look the way they originally did. I will point out, in my opinion, there is a very fine-line between restoration of images versus enhancing images. Restoration, is making images look the way they did originally, and enhancing is taking an original photo and making it look better, often times by recomposing it. This to a large extent takes away from the historical consistency, which is why I typically shy away from doing so.

I was recently experimenting with compelling new AI models, and I thought I would start with my original image of Hans Wilsdorf, pictured two images up in this story, and I prompted it to:

1. Remove grey background 

2. Colorize and make him look way more high res and photorealistic.

The first result is pictured below:

I thought it did a good job, and it's interesting to see how far photorealistic AI has come in the past few years, but for some reason, the anthracite colored (dark grey) suit threw me off. So I prompted the AI to adjust the jacket to brown, which it did, but I also noticed it slightly rotated the camera angle, as seen below.

Coming to Life

This seemingly beautiful mistake really got me thinking!?!! Next, I directed the AI to rotate the camera angle so Hans Wilsdorf would be looking straight at the camera, which we see the results of below. This sent chills down my spine as it looks so real, almost like I had discovered a never before seen photo taken 120 years ago of Hans Wilsdorf. In other words, it was shocking to see a young Hans Wilsdorf staring me straight in the eyes, as if he were looking at me!?!!

Next, I asked the AI to remove Hans' mustache and put a black T-Shirt on him. It did exactly that, and once again I was shocked, although I was surprised it kept his jacket on.

My next prompt was to ask the AI to remove Hans' jacket, and all of a sudden we have what would almost appear to be like Elon Wilsdorf. This image completely shocked and surprised me as we see what he would look like at age 25, but today, and we see he was a really handsome, clean-cut, GQ looking kind of doood.

The next obvious step was to put a modern Submariner on his wrist, which we see below, which also looks friggin AMAZING!!!!

In my recent, super detailed article on the Complete Early History of the Rolex Oyster, I mentioned many readers of Jake's Rolex World have written-in asking how they could find an early Rolex Oyster model, which are almost impossible to find these days. 

I also mentioned I thought Rolex should re-introduce/re-issue these original OYSTER model watches, but larger, and without soldered lugs, in order to make it easier to change the strap. Rolex could easily do what Panerai has done with the wire lugs that are easily removed for quick strap changes. Or even better, Rolex if you are listening, you could create an Apple Watch Like strap system where users could instantly swap their straps and bracelets, which would be AMAZING!!! Thus, I created the image below that shows a young Hans Wilsdorf rocking an original looking 1926 Rolex Oyster that is scaled up to a modern 42MM, and man, does this look AMAZING, or what!?!!

Despite the fact I had made so much progress with my 2026 AI Hans Wilsdorf, Rolex Time Machine thought experiment, a voice in my head kept saying there was still something missing, and I finally figured it out! The original source image showed Han's rocking a mustache, which I had removed, so I decided to add a short beard/facial hair, which makes him look even more like he is in 2026.

One More Thang!

I also decided to create a render that shows Hans Wilsdorf smiling, while rocking a triple date, Rolex Moonphase Reference 6062 on a cigar colored leather strap.

My objective with this AI thought experiment was to hop in the Rolex Time Machine, and travel back to 1906, and pickup Rolex Founder, Hans Wilsdorf, and bring him back to today so he could see how amazing his lifetime achievements would be. The huge challenge with this thought experiment is that in 1905, he hadn't even started Rolex yet, so if we brought this 24-25 year old Hans Wilsdorf forward 120 years, he would probably be completely gobsmacked and stunned to see exactly what he would be achieving in his future.

I think in the final analysis, Hans would be VERY proud of how well Rolex prospered after his passing in 1960, and I am fairly certain he would be a big fan of Jake's Rolex World :-)

Yesterday, I published the following story:

...Fun AI Thought Experiment... 

Rolex Mystery Man

Any Idea Who This Cool Dude Is?

I am running a contest to see who the first person is that can successfully identify the cool looking dude rocking his LV Rolex in this photo. You can submit your guess on the Rolex.Magazine Instagram page. The first person to figure out who the mystery man is will be mentioned in this article.

His identity will be revealed tomorrow, along with the fascinating context surrounding this image. If you need a clue, I will let you know he is somewhat famous.

CONCLUSION 

Ironically, despite the very similar looks, nobody recognized young Hans Wilsdorf in today’s modern context.

And that’s the real power of this thought experiment.

Just as you might sit down with a man who looked nothing like the iconic wild-haired Albert Einstein, yet still recognize his towering genius through conversation alone, the same holds true for Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf.

Even transformed—clean-shaven, wearing a black t-shirt, and rocking an LV Submariner in front of the Palace of Fine Arts—his core essence remains.

This brings to mind the ancient Ship of Theseus paradox: if you replace every single plank of a ship over time, is it still the same ship?

In the same way, if you change Hans Wilsdorf’s mustache, his suit, and even the era he lives in, is he still the same visionary who founded Rolex?

The answer is yes. True identity and greatness are not defined by outward appearance or the passage of time, but by vision, character, and relentless pursuit of excellence.

This image is more than just a fun AI creation. It’s a powerful reminder that the spirit of Rolex began with one remarkable young man—and that spirit is still very much alive today, and certainly his DNA is still alive and well in every Rolex every made... Long live Hans Wilsdorf!!!

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.

THE ROLEX OYSTER: 100 WATERPROOF YEARS Update...

The Rolex Oyster

100 WATERPROOF YEARS

Major Update + News + Insight

A few weeks ago, back on June 10th I started writing a brand new story about the origins and genesis of the Rolex Oyster, which is currently celebrating its 100th Anniversary. If you have been following RolexMagazine.com for a while now you may have noticed I am a "live-blogger", meaning it's not uncommon to land on Jake’s Rolex World and see an interesting story, then come back several days later and notice the same story has grown considerably in detail and scope. This is one such story, and I just got done with an enormous update, including some fascinating news and insight which I cover in this article.

Major Plot Twist 

Earlier this week I learned and saw some things that kind of blew my mind and confused me which have to do with the mystery surrounding Merceds Gleite's Vindication Swim watch. The image below appears courtesy of Rolex Singapore and shows part of a current ongoing Rolex history exhibition in Shanghai, China, and it includes Mercedes Gleitze's Rolex which recently sold at auction for $1.2 Million dollars and there is text below it that says: "Wristwatch (on loan) and dial-hand movement assembly, both formerly owned by Mercedes Gleitze." 

Below Mercedes Gleitze's Rolex, and above the caption is the apparent dial-hand-movement assembly, which makes little sense to me. So what exactly is this? I have no idea and can only speculate. All we know is that in 1975 when Rolex London photographed Mercedes' Rolex it had a completely different dial, then in 2000 when Christies first auctioned Mercedes' Rolex it had a completely different dial, which remains currently in her watch, and now we are presented with yet a third dial. This third dial is the only one with an octagonal minute track, and different hands. Then we also see yet a different movement.

I was recently talking about this discovery with Nick Gould and we were tying to make heads or tails of what this means and we are both totally confused. My best guess is perhaps at one point Rolex overhauled Mercedes' Rolex and replaced the dial, hands and movement and either they, or Mercedes somehow kept them. I really have no idea.

Did Gerald Genta Base The Royal Oak on The Original Rolex Oyster?

I was talking to my longtime pal, Amit Handa about my recently Rolex Oyster Genesis article mentioned earlier in this story and he quipped in an off-hand-remark, "Doesn't the Audimars Piguet Rolex Oak look a lot like the original early Rolex Oyster models with his octagonal shaped bezel?" This question caught me off-guard, as I had never thought about that before.

I thought Amit's observation was really interesting so I decided to investigate. According to legend, Gerald Genta said he drew his inspiration for the iconic octoganal bezel and visible screws from traditional deep-sea helmets, while the overall shape was influenced by the portholes found on historical naval ships.

The Royal Oak, which debuted in 1972 was Gerald Genta's response to a direct commission by Autdemars Piguet for an unprecedented luxury sports watch made from stainless steel. Interestingly Gerald Genta expressed regret in 2009 that he was never able to design an official Rolex Oyster, which he stated in an interview, and said the Oyster was "the biggest success in watchmaking."

Here is where reality gets stranger than fiction: In 1969 Rolex brought to market their first Rolex Quartz model which featured an ultramodern case and bracelet combination which essentially featured what is known as an integrated bracelet.

The Rolex Magazine ad pictured below was published in June of 1971 and features a male model rocking a Rolex Quartz Reference 5100 which obviously predates the Auditors Piguet Royal Oak. In my article I published close to a year ago, titled "BACK TO THE FUTURE, ROLEX OYSTERQUARTZ, The Complete History" I wrote:

    "A persistent myth has long circulated, claiming famed designer Gerald Genta designed the Rolex Quartz Reference 5100’s iconic look. This tale, often peddled by a self-proclaimed Rolex historian known for presenting his unverified opinions as fact, lacks any credible evidence to support it—a fabrication I’ve found no basis for in my research."

Rolex introduced an unusual Reference 1530 (pictured below) in 1974, two years after Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, and this model is considered to be the precursor to the Rolex OysterQuartz (NOT to be confused with the original 1979-1970 Rolex QUART pictured above) as the OysterQuartz incorporated it's integrated case style. 

When I look at the integrated bracelet+case design on the Reference 1530, it looks remarkably similar to the Royal Oak, so maybe inadvertently Gerald Genta did play a role in designing a Rolex after all. These questions are purely academic at this point, but interesting nonetheless. 

The Reference 1530 pictured below appears courtesy of Christie's Auction house and was auctioned in 2017 for only $5,625, which ironic as today I think it would fetch much more. 

Keep in mind the 1974 Rolex Reference 1530 pictured above was NOT a Quartz watch, but was a fully mechanical 'Automatic' OYSTER PERPETUAL model. This was a transitional model between the "Texan" Quartz (Reference 5100) to he OysterQuartz that featured a case designed to house the quartz caliber 5035. The 5035 was wider overall than the mechanical 1570, which resulted in a gap between the bezel and dial, thus Rolex overcame this design challenge by incorporating a ramped rehaut, to which they moved the minute tracks markers which gave the watch a very modern, clean, 3-Dimensional look. The Rolex Reference 1530 was also the first mechanical Rolex to include a synthetic sapphire crystal, as the Reference 5100 was the first model, but it was quartz.

In 1977 Rolex unveiled their Rolex OYSTERQUARTZ models which are pictured below with the familiar integrated case/bracelet design, and at that time they discontinued the mechanical 1530. The Oysterquart also included a special Jubilee style integrated bracelet that had design language that match the ultra-modern case lines...

Rolex discontinued their OYSTERQUARTZ models in 2001, but in 2025 Rolex created the all new Rolex Land Dweller, which is pictured below, and despite the face that it features a mechanical Oyster Perpetual movement, has an integrated case/bracelet that is remarkably reminiscent of the design language from the long discontinued Rolex OYSTERQUARTZ models.

I realize this story daisy-chained all over the place, which is one of the things that makes Jake's Rolex World, Jake's Rolex World, in the sense that I regularly wander off the reservation with my often miscellaneous ramblings. That being said, as previously mentioned, I HIGHLY recommend checking out my highly updated new story on the Genesis of the Rolex Oyster which celebrates 100 WATERPROOF YEARS.

My best advice, is to read my new story when you can find time to read every word, which could easily take you a couple of hours if you really savor and digest all the richly detailed information it contains. I am certain if you do so, it will give you a whole new understanding and invaluable perspective on Rolex history. How do I know this to be true? I know this because as I wrote it gave me exactly that—a much better grasp of the significance of the Rolex Oyster innovation.

1968 Rolex Brochure: What Makes A Rolex A Rolex?

1968 Rolex Brochure

What Makes A Rolex A Rolex?

Examining vintage Rolex brochures is always fascinating and today we take a look at one from Rolex of Canada which features a young man on the cover wearing a yellow gold Day-Date.

Another one of the fascinating details is how low the prices of Rolex were in 1968. A Day-Date bracelet could be purchased for $780 Canadian Dollars, which was the equivalent of around $1000 U.S. Dollars at the time.

The 1968 Rolex Canada slogan of "What makes a Rolex A Rolex?" reminds me of Cary Grant's line to Eva Saint James in the 1959 spy thriller masterpiece movie, North by Northwest where he says, "Tell me...How does a girls like you get to be a girl like you?"

1939 French Rolex Prince Magazine Ad

1939

Rolex Prince Art-Deco
French Magazine Ad

Liza Minnelli Yellow Gold Date Lady Datejust...

Academy Award Winner For Best Actress

Liza Minnelli

Yellow Gold Date Lady Datejust

Liza Minnelli is an absolute SuperStar! She is one of the very few people in history to win an Emmy, Oscar, Tony and Grammy Award. Liza Minelli is pictured below with Sammy Davis Jr., and she is wearing her yellow goal Rolex Ladies Date. Sammy Davis Jr., also wore many different Rolex watches.

Rolex Daytona Oyster Sotto

...Studio Shot Of The Day...

Rolex Daytona Oyster Sotto

Reference 6263

Starbucks Founder Howard Shultz wears a Paul Newman Rolex Oyster Sotto just like this one and I can't stop tripping on how beautiful this watch is, so I thought I would blow it up for a better view!!! Vintage Rolex is just soooooo RAD...

Brad Pitt Rocking a Vintage Submariner

 ...Rolex Super Coolness...

Brad Pitt

Rocking a Vintage Submariner

HEART of the BEAST

Brad Pitt has worn many different Rolex watches over the years, and recently Brad was seen rocking a very cool Custom Vintage Early 1970s Rolex. Brad just came out with a new movie named Heart of the Beast where he plays a retired special forces soldier who gets stranded in Alaska in the wilderness with his specially trained military dog named Odin.

Brad rocks a neo-vintage Rolex Submariner in the movie as pictured above. 

1967 Paul Newman 18KT Gold Daytona

...Rolex Studio Shot of the Day...

1967 Paul Newman 

18KT Gold Daytona

There is NOTHING in the world like vintage Rolex models, which are super cool and equally timeless. This is a superb photo of a yellow-gold Rolex Daytona [Reference 6264/6241] Cosmograph from Sotheby's Auction house. This design language of this watch is a masterpiece of hyper-elegant simplicity...

Rolex Macro Shot of the Month: Jean-Michel's Rolex SEA-DWELLER

...Rolex Macro Shot Of The Month...

Jean-Michel's Rolex SEA-DWELLER