Rolex Leaves Baselworld

Rolex Leaves Baselworld

Rolex, along with Patek Philippe, Chanel, Chopard & Tudor announced they were leaving the BaselWorld Trade Show for a newly developed Trade show with the Foundation De La Haute Horlogerie as we see in the press release below which spells out all the details. The release says the show will be for “retailers, press, VIP customers.” So unlike Baselworld, the public—watch enthusiasts—won’t be able to attend the new show.

Rolex CEO, Jean-Frédéric Dufour, Chief Executive Officer of Rolex SA, and Board Member of Montres Tudor SA said:

"We have taken part in Baselworld since 1939. Unfortunately, given the way the event has evolved and the recent decisions make by MCH Group, an in spite of the great attachment we had to this watch show, we have decided to withdraw. Following discussions initiated by Rolex, it seemed only natural to create a new event with partners that share our vision and our endless, unwavering support for the Swiss watchmaking sector. This will allow us to present our new watches in line with our needs and expectations, to join forces and better defend the interests of the industry.

I have to say that my favorite response on this subject comes from @MisterRolex (James Dowling) who said:

"Those who do not choose to evolve are actually choosing to perish. RIP Baselworld, the dinosaurs will welcome you."

Baselworld 2020 Cancelled

BASELWORLD 2020

CANCELLED

 By DANNY CRIVELLO

Just a day after Watches & Wonders Geneva announced it is cancelling due to the coronavirus (see Jake's story here), Baselworld said it will not hold its yearly trade show either. The next Baselworld will be held in 2021, from Jan. 28 to Feb. 2nd (with Press Day on Jan. 27).

Michel Loris-Melikoff, Managing Director of Baselworld, said in a press release today: "We deeply regret having had to postpone the event as planned due to the coronavirus, in full consideration of the needs of the watch and jewelry industry to be able to benefit from the platform to develop their business. This decision has been all the more difficult in view of all the positives that have been achieved through listening and dialogue over the last few months, which resulted in new concepts and new solutions, that have attracted exhibitors to return and new ones to sign on. We registered encouraging growth in all sectors; watchmaking, jewellery, the gemstone and pearl trade, as well as in the technical branch."

Michel Loris-Melikoff continues: "By postponing the show to January 2021, we have found a solution that enables the industry and all our customers to avoid losing a full year and at the same time reset their calendars for the beginning of the year, a period that is conductive to the presentation of their new products, new trends and order taking. This postponing will also allow Baselworld to continue developing and bringing new formats and solutions as well as improvements to the new concept we propose."

This year's cancellation due to the coronavirus is a blow to a watch and jewelry fair that has already seen a reduction of hundreds of exhibitors including big players, like the entire Swatch Group, the Movado Group, Breitling, Citizen, Bvlgari, Seiko and Grand Seiko resulting in the closing of several halls.

Why BASELWORD 2021 will be held in January

In 2018, in a huge effort by both SIHH and Baselworld to come together to keep both shows alive and operational, the two tradeshows announced it would coordinate dates to coincide for the year 2020 and move both shows to the end of April and early May.

But in another faux-pas, the dates proved to be too late. Breitling immediately said it was quitting Baselworld, and LVMH reacted to the later SIHH dates by announcing that its usual January showcase, which has been held alongside the Geneva-based SIHH event, would move to Dubai.

Retailers and jewelry suppliers have said April/May is too late. Italian brands said they would not showcase because this timeline wouldn’t allow them to fulfill retailer orders before closing for summer. Placing orders for watches that can have six-month lead times, could mean waiting until November for deliveries of new collections. Baselworld admitted the timelines were wrong. 

When will the watches be introduced?

Just like last year, I was invited by Baselworld for Press Day, a day before the fair is open to the public. My appointments with Rolex and Tudor were set. But now that watch brands are not held to the Baselworld timeline, what date will they choose to broadcast their 2020 collections? And what would a Rolex announcement sans-Baselworld look like? Live stream in Geneva?

I believe that the brands will first drum up their announcement dates to create a pre-buzz online. But if they were planning on April to release their new models, it is possible that the brands are not completely ready to announce for another few weeks. 

One thing for sure, the cancellation of Baselworld in 2020 might be the ultimate test for the ailing 103-year-old trade show: Brands this year will be forced to self-promote their new collections. They might learn, one, that it is not that difficult to do; and two, that the cost-benefit analysis might not warrant attending Baselworld in 2021.

I will miss Baselworld. When I went through my phone's photo album today, I found the clip above. I had filmed the pulling of the curtains, which takes place at exactly noon on Press Day, and marks the official beginning of the largest watch fair in the world. This area is exclusively reserved for members of the press, so we can write stories, edit videos or record podcasts. Just before noon, however, there is this "It's Christmas morning" palpable feel in the press booth. And there's a certain camaraderie among us, heads are nodded, and laughs and smiles are exchanged in acknowledgment of the excitement.

          

WATCHES AND WONDERS CANCELS SIHH GENEVA TRADE SHOW

WATCHES AND WONDERS

CANCELS SIHH GENEVA TRADE SHOW

This is such big news I had to borrow Hodinkee's BREAKING NEWS header again!?!!

Watches and Wonder (formerly known as SIHH) cancelled their upcoming Geneva trade show that was scheduled to run from April 25th to 29th of 2020. This is the second major horological watch show after Time to Move, which is the Swatch Group (Omega, Blancpain, Breguet, etc...) trade show, that was also cancelled on concerns of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Meanwhile, the Swiss authorities confirmed three new coronavirus cases today, including one in Geneva. 

Perhaps the most serious question is whether Baselworld will also be cancelled or postponed? This is devastating news, especially after Breitling, Seiko, Citizen and Bvlgari have recently announced they won't be attending Baselworld anymore.

Watches and Wonder just put out this Press Release confirming the Tweet seen above that says it will be cancelled.

PRESS RELEASE For immediate release FEBRUARY 27TH 2020
Watches & Wonders Geneva cancels its upcoming edition initially planned from April 25th to 29th 2020

In view of the latest developments concerning the worldwide spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, it is the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie’s duty, as organizer of Watches & Wonders Geneva, to anticipate the potential risks that travels and important international gatherings could entail.

Therefore, in order to protect the health and wellbeing of all our guests, press, partners and teams, the decision has been taken to cancel the upcoming edition of Watches & Wonders Geneva (formerly known as the SIHH) and its ‘In the City’ program, initially due to take place in Geneva from April 25th to 29th 2020.

The Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie understands the disappointment this year’s cancelation may cause, and remains at the disposal of its partners and guests for any queries they may have. The FHH is already working on the organization of 2021 edition of Watches & Wonders Geneva.


Press Contacts
Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie – Pont de la Machine 1, 1204 Genève, Suisse Christine Noussan Hodara / christine.noussan@hautehorlogerie.org / +41 79 106 85 54 Carole Kittner / carole.kittner@hautehorlogerie.org / +41 78 689 90 17

2019 Rolex Baselworld Teaser

2019 
Rolex Baselworld Teaser
Interesting 3D Details
Rolex published this Baselworld teaser, and I believe I've discovered a bizarre design language clue hiding in plain sight. Notice when you watch the Rolex Baselworld 2019 Teaser trailer below how the light reflects and glistens off the Rolex crown, as well as off the two visible lines of text, which now look distinctively metallic silver as apposed to the standard flat white pad printing!!!


Reading Between the Lines
The watch in this video has to be a Submariner Date, GMT-Master or Yacht-Master, as the text under the Rolex crown logo reads "ROLEX. OYSTER PERPETUAL DATE." There are no other Rolex watches with this dial layout that I am aware of. The most interesting detail is the Rolex crown logo and the top two lines of text seem to be applied and/or chrome-plated!?!! For frame of reference, I am including a photo of the current Single-Red SEA-DWELLER, which has a super-flat, one-dimensional crown logo as well as lines of text.

The new logo and text could also be laser sintered. This is strange as the Submariner and GMT have never had applied text like this. And the last Submariner or GMT-Master to have an applied crown on the dial were the yellow gold Submariner and GMT-Master models with nipple indices. Also, I noticed the line spacing in the ROLEX dial designation seems to have increased line spacing.

The relatively new Everose Gold Rolex Yacht-Master (pictured below) may offer a clue as it appears to have this newer logo and ROLEX dial designation. I have never checked this detail up close, but it dawns on me Rolex could use a special heavier (meaning not flat) pad printing process that uses metal flakes to give the appearance of added three-dimensionality as we see in the picture below. On thing for certain is this design detail makes the watch look much more high-end...

Basel World 2018 Introduction...RAINBOW Daytona...

Basel World 2018 Introduction


RAINBOW

Daytona


Everose Reference 116595 RBOW 

Back in 2013, when Rolex invited me to tour all four of their production facilities located in Switzerland, I was super excited! I really had no idea what to expect. One of the most memorable moments was when I toured the Rolex Gem-setting department. I was completely blown away with what I saw. In particular, I remember there were gem setters sitting at tables with microscopes connected to large screen TV's so you could watch the master Rolex gem setters working, and it blew my mind.

One detail that really stood out, was when the Rolex representative handed me a bejeweled Rainbow Daytona bezel to examine! They placed it in my hand and I could not believe how beautiful it was. I joked with my fellow bloggers by gesturing like I was putting it in my mouth to eat it, saying something like "It looks so delicious!" When you see these bejeweled Rolex watches in person they are stunningly beautiful, and to see them being made in person was incredible!

One of the key features that differentiates this new Everose Rainbow model from the last generation version is this one has color coordinated baguette 5 minute markers, which gives it even more of a rainbow vibe. Rainbows have always been popular in fashion, and particularly in the late 1970s, like Mork from Ork wearing his rainbow suspenders...Shazbot, Nanoo—Nanoo!!! All kidding aside, this is a magnificent masterpiece from Rolex...

Rolex is a company that constantly pushes the envelope, and they have done so with this next generation Rainbow Daytona. I could not help but notice that people get really polarized over these watches. Some people love them, some people hate them, and some people are ambivalent about them. This watch retails for over $100,000, but it is almost impossible to find them at retail. From what I have heard, they sell for close to double that today since they are so rare.

The reality is that it takes a special kind of person who can pull wearing these bejeweled Rolex watches as we seen in the photo below of the gorgeous Russian model, Victoria Lopyreva, who is wearing a bejeweled GMT in the photo below. Victoria also owns and wears a Rainbow Daytona.

Speaking of special people, in the photo below we see legendary actor, Sylvester Stallone rockin' a bejeweled GMT-Master, which looks really cool.

So in getting back to the Rainbow Daytona, when we look at it up close, from the side view, you notice that the lugs and crown guard structures are covered with 56 brilliant-cut diamonds. Also, I believe that on the rainbow bezel, there is one ruby at 12 O'Clock and the rest of the stones are sapphires. 

Rolex also developed a special process for the chronograph counter sundials:

"The chronograph counters are in pink Gold Crystals, a material with a particular shimmer effect, created during the crystallization of a pink gold alloy by means of a special process developed by Rolex."

Why are there so many songs about rainbows
And what's on the other side
Rainbows are visions
But only illusions
And rainbows have nothing to hide

So we've been told
And some choose to believe it
I know they're wrong, wait and see
Some day we'll find it
The rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers, and me

Who said that every wish
Would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star
Somebody thought of that
And someone believed it
And look what it's done so far

What's so amazing
That keeps us stargazing
And what do we think we might see
Someday we'll find it
The rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers, and me

All of us under its spell, we know that it's probably magic
Have you been half asleep?
And have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name
Is this the sweet sound
That called the young sailors?
The voice might be one in the same
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
It's something that I'm supposed to be
Someday we'll find it
The rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me
La da da di da da dum da duh da da dum di da ohhh

BaselWorld 2018 Teaser Jubilee Pro Clasp with Fliplock?

Whadisdis?

BaselWorld 2018 Teaser

Jubilee Pro Clasp with Fliplock?

Alright, kiddies, the real Rolex Christmas is around the corner. The tree is decorated, and all the presents are under the tree. Now we all get to guess what's inside the pretty box. Rolex.com just put up this teaser video that shows what appears to be a white gold Rolex Jubilee bracelet with a Fliplock clasp. The Fliplock historically has been reserved for Professional Rolex models only, which means we are likely looking at a new Submariner, SEA-DWELLER, GMT-Master, Daytona, or Yacht-Master model.

So I am going to take an educated, uneducated guess. Rolex used to offer the Jubilee bracelet on some professional models, like the on the Yellow Gold GMT-Master, but obviously, that lacked a Flick Lock Clasp. 

If you examine the screen grab below from the Rolex Basel World teaser trailer you will notice there are crown guards on the right side of the photo. This proves it is a Professional Rolex model. The consensus on the web is that we are looking at the return of the Coke GMT, which has a black and red bezel insert.

I am including the image below as a frame of reference for the vintage Coke GMT-Master on a Jubilee bracelet Rolex discontinued years ago.

My best guess (or hope ;-) is that Rolex will be offering an alternative Jubilee bracelet on Professional watches, so you are not just stuck with an Oyster bracelet option, but with Rolex who knows? The video below is the same Baselworld 2018 Teaser playing on Rolex.com.

BaselWorld 2017 Instagram Teaser Trailer

BaselWorld 2017 

Rolex Instagram Teaser Trailer

BaselWorld is the epic event that occurs every years in Basel, Switzerland, where Rolex shows off its new watch models. I just noticed a teaser on Rolex's Instagram Page, and as much as I would love to speculate as to what it is, I'm afraid I have no idea. It seems Rolex is a little too good and cryptic at teasing...That's O.K., as we will soon see on March 22, 2017, and as always, I will have full coverage of the new Rolex models that will be showcased by Rolex.

A post shared by ROLEX (@rolex) on Mar 17, 2017 at 2:11am PDT

Update: Mike from the Netherlands just wrote in and shared his insight:
Hello Jake,
First things first, you run a very good blog, and I always enjoy reading it. Thank you!
My thoughts about the teaser: 
It's a new sea dweller, you can see the index markers in the bezel at 5, 15, 25 etc...
Cheerio Mike Netherlands
There is definitely some good logic behind Mike's idea that we are looking at a new SEA-DWELLER, as 2017 marks the 50th Anniversary of the launch of the SEA-DWELLER at Basel World in Switzerland. The think that throws me off is that the image on Instagram's teaser has a cyclops date magnifier, which no SEA-DWELLER has EVER had!?!! If Mike from the Netherlands is correct, it would mean that Rolex would have had to add a date magnifier to the SEA-DWELLER, which would be kind of weird...
The funny image below of the guy eating popcorn is how I always feel waiting for Rolex to introduce their new models at Basel World every year.

BaselWorld 2016 Reflections

BaselWorld 2016 Reflections

Rolex An Enormous Success 

Another BaselWorld has come and gone, and I would say this has been one of the most exciting and successful for Rolex. There were so many new and interesting models introduced, along with other iconic models that received significant upgrades. Rolex's history of timeless design which is constantly improved through a strong iterative process continues. During this BaselWorld we learned that The Reputation Institute awarded Rolex its highest honor by sharing the results of its 2016 Survey that concluded Rolex is the #1 Most Reputable Company On Earth!!!

2016 also represents the 90th anniversary of the Rolex Oyster model, as well as the 60th anniversary of The Rolex Day-Date. Also during BaselWorld, we got to celebrate the 135th Birthday anniversary of Rolex's founder, Hans Wilsdorf. BaselWorld 2017 should also be fascinating, and I already can't wait...

...BaselWorld 2016 Introduction...

New Yacht-Master Color Combination

Sky Blue Second Hand and Dial Designation.

37MM & 40MM Models. Reference 116622

At BaselWorld 2016, Rolex introduced two new Yacht-Master models. This includes the all-new RootBeer Yacht-Master model I covered recently, as well as the model seen below which comes in a 37MM model, as well as a 40MM model. This steel and platinum model features a dark silver sunburst dial, with a sky-blue second hand, with a matching blue YACHT-MASTER dial designation.

The Rolex Yacht-Master has a fascinating history, as it was originally designed to be an alternative to the Rolex Submariner. You can learn all about the history of the Rolex Yacht-Master on Jake's Rolex World.

Jocke from Sweden took the photo below of the new 40MM Rolex Yacht-Master next to the 37MM model.

New Gold Rolex Daytona Models Very Cool New Color Dials

...BaselWorld 2016 Introduction...

New Gold Rolex Daytona Models

Very Cool New Color Dials 

At BaselWorld 2016, Rolex showed off two new gold models. The first is in white gold and it has a cobalt blue sunburst dial with red 5 minute micro markers, with matching red inner sundial rings that match the Red DAYTONA Dial designation.

Rolex also showed off a yellow gold Daytona with a dark kelly green dial with red details as seen below. Both these watches are so great looking!!!! I could not help but notice the yellow gold Daytona has longer lugs than the white gold model...I have never been able to figure out why Rolex does this? Also, I am a big fan of colored dials. Not that there is anything wrong with a black or white dial. I just think these shades of blue and green are timeless and charismatic cool...

Jocke is a famous Rolex fanatic from Sweden and he attends BaselWorld every year. He took the photos below of the new Rolex models.

Rolex "President" Day-Date 60TH Anniversary

...BaselWorld 2016 Introduction...

Rolex "President" Day-Date

60TH Anniversary Reference 118348 

40MM EverRose Gold 

Rolex is celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Rolex Oyster which debuted in 1926. 2016 also represents the 60th anniversary of the Rolex Day-Date which was introduced in 1956. Rolex created a special 60th anniversary model with a green dial to commemorate this anniversary, and it comes with a green dial as seen below. Rolex is offering this model in EverRose Gold as seen below, as well as in White Gold, and both feature the new movement Caliber 3255. You can learn much more about this beauty on the Rolex Microsite dedicated to this model.

BaselWorld 2016 Introduction... The Return of The Rolex Air King

...BaselWorld 2016 Introduction...

The Return Of 

The Rolex Air King

40MM Stainless Steel: Reference 116900

Rolex seems to have really done well with all the Amazing watches introduced at BaselWorld 2016. Everybody thought Rolex had permanently discontinued the Air-King, several years ago, when they stopped making it, but sure enough, like with many other Rolex watches it has returned—and arguably for the better. Michael Bublé is pictured below sporting the all-new Rolex Air King model.

So let's take a closer look at the all-new Rolex Air King. It has a number of interesting details. For one, it is kind of retro-futuristic in the sense Rolex decided to re-use their "Air-King" typeface logo from the 1950s version of the same watch. This model also represents the first time Rolex has made a watch that is available to the public with the green and gold Rolex logo combo on the dial, but NOT the first time it has used it to keep time. More on that at the end of this article :-)

The Air King was originally introduced in 1945 as the Rolex Reference 4925 which used a Caliber 10.5' movement. The Rolex Air-King evolved from a previous Rolex named the Speed-King. At one time in the 1940s Rolex had many Airplane themed models including the Rolex Air-Lion, Air-Tiger, and Air Giant. 

The Rolex Speed-King was based upon Sir Malcom Campbell, who thought the 1920s and 1930s set one world land speed record after another, all while wearing Rolex watches.

On April 3, 1933 The Royal Air Force Squadron was the first to fly over Mount Everest. Pictured below is Flight Lieutenant David McIntyre who, with his squadron members flew into history as first men to fly over Mt. Everest, with their trusted Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches keeping their time.

The photograph below is the first photograph ever taken from above Mount Everest, from the 1933 Royal Air Force expedition that was famously equipped with Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches.

Rolex founder, Hans Wilsdorf was obsessed with achievement and supported many teams of explorers who tried to push the envelope.

So at this point, you are probably wondering what all this has to do with the all-new Rolex Air King!? 

The user-interface for the new Rolex Air-King was inspired by the Bespoke Rolex Clock Rolex made for the Bloodhound SSC, which you see in the cockpit photo below on the right.

What exactly is the Bloodhound SSC? It is a special vehicle designed to set break the all-time speed record and set a new speed record by driving faster than the speed of sound!!! And Rolex is not only custom made the speedometer and clock, but is also a sponsor of the Bloodhound project.

In conclusion the all-new Rolex Air-King looks like it is on its way to becoming a mega-hit. I say this because everybody I have talked to loves it, both women and men alike. A female friend of mine saw it and said "Wow!!! That's a really cool looking watch! I love the colors. Is it for woman?" 

Another friend of mine who is a hardcore watch nut said he loved it and can't wait to get one, and he is a serious watch snob. He also said that he really liked the dial because it reminded him of the The Rolex California dial. He said, "There is just something about that dial that is so cool, and I can't quite place it? It has to do with the contrast between the  large and bold 3, 6, and 9 markers, in juxtaposition with the digital looking other typeface. And I LOVE how Rolex setup the Rolex coronet and 'ROLEX' logo in the colors of their brand print logo. It just looks so instantly iconic and cool. I also love how it is bigger than the Rolex Explorer at 40MM v. 39MM, but its also 2MM thicker, so it is kind of like a Rolex Explorer on steroids."