Earnest Hemingway Rolex Oyster Perpetual

...Rolex Writer...

Ernest Hemingway

Rolex Oyster Perpetual

Since we just took a look at, a famous American writer, Hunter S. Thompson, I thought it would be fun to take a look at another famous American writer. Ernest Hemingway is arguably one of the most loved writers of the 20th Century. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954 and the Nobel Committee his "mastery of the art of modern narration." Hemingway is famous for his terse and powerful prose which include titles like The Sun Also Rises (1926), For Whom the Bell Tolls (1940), as well as The Old Man & The Sea (1952).

1957 Ernest Hemingway photo by Yousuf Karsh wearing Rolex Oyster Perpetual

Below is a photo of a similar Rolex Oyster Perpetual 31MM Bubbleback dial model to what Hemingway is wearing in the photo above. My best guess is it's a Rolex Reference 6084.

Ernest Hemingway wrote about Rolex in his book Across the River and into the Trees where he compares the accuracy of a Rolex Oyster Perpetual to that of the human heart, one of which can be repaired and the other often not. Hemingway wrote:

"It's just a muscle, 'the Colonel said.' Only it is the main muscle. It works perfectly as a Rolex Oyster Perpetual. The trouble is you cannot send it to the Rolex representative when it goes wrong. When it stops, you just do not know the time. You're dead."

—Ernest Hemingway

Across the River and into the Trees (1950)

In this next photo we see Ernest Hemingway in Cuba where he had a house, photographed with Fidel Castro and both of them are wearing Rolex watches.

Catching Up With ARM CANDEEE

...Rolex Hotness...
Catching Up With

ARM CANDEEE

What time is it? Time for some serious Rolex Hotness!!!!

Arm_Candeee has one of the best Instagram watch pages, and her Rolex watch collection is over-the-top AMAZING!!! She recently posted the photo above on her Instagram account which shows her rocking her Rolex Oyster Perpetual with a Tiffany Blue dial, which looks amazing!!!

Next up we have this incredible shot of her rocking her Pepsi GMT-Master...It is truly remarkable how incredible her color coordination is with matching your outfit and accessories so perfectly with her different Rolex watches.

Next we see her rocking her Rolex Submariner model which clearly lacks a date. My favorite detail is the perfectly symmetrical balance this look achieves :-0

Queen Camilla Wears Rolex Turquoise OP

When a Queen
Rocks a Rolex

Queen Camilla Tries on

a Turquoise-blue-dial OP

Rolex is a brand that has long been inspired by and associated with Royalty—even the Rolex Coronet itself is in the form of a Royal Crown. Back in the 1920s, during the art-deco era, Rolex made models like the Rolex King, Queen, Prince and Princess, and later in the early 1960s even came out with the King Midas. The Rolex logo below is from 1934 and showcases the original first generation Rolex Coronet Crown, which was obviously symbolic of Royalty.

Someone's allocated OP was worn by a queen. Britain's Queen Camilla tried on a 31mm Oyster Perpetual with the beautiful turquoise-blue dial on Monday during her visit to a Rolex authorized dealer in Swindon, England ... the latest sign of the power of that dial color in the Rolex collection.

A crown for a queen (Photo credit: Getty)

We're told she went to the 175-year-old family-run jeweler not to shop for a Rolex but to bring in a vintage Breitling for repairs. Still, Queen Camilla seemed interested in all things watches ... checking out vintage pieces and taking a tour of the sixth-generation workshop, where she spoke to a young female watchmaker. 

Also in attendance was Deacon & Son's manager director Richard Deacon and, of course, Richard de Leyser, the CEO of Rolex UK, seen below, who had been briefed of her visit.

(Photo credit: Getty)

(Photo credit: Getty)

Queen Camilla didn’t pull the trigger on the Tiffany-dial OP, we’re told... that could be a future gift idea for King Charles III. After all, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. 

A Rolex Royal Family

Rolex leadership has always been fascinated with royalty, and featured many different Rolex watches with names like The Rolex King Midas, The Rolex Queen, The Rolex Prince, and The Rolex Princess. Former Rolex CEO, André-Jean Heiniger is pictured with the future King of England, who is speaking to Gérard Souham (left), an advertising executive and former CEO of J. Walter Thompson, Paris branch. 

Photo appears courtesy of S3C Collection

In the photo above, the four gentlemen are discussing the Rolex King Midas model, of which King Charles has owned a special version of for many years.

Former Rolex CEO, André Heiniger is pictured again above with his wife Odette Heiniger, Colonel Gerard Leigh and King Charles at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor, U.K.

All four of Queen Elizabeth's children have worn Rolex watches, according to our research, as well as some of her grandchildren. King Charles' son, Prince Harry of Wales, below, is seen rocking a Rolex Explorer II "Orange Hand" while serving as a helicopter pilot in Afghanistan.

Prince Harry is pictured below at a Polo match in Sentebale with legendary car racing legend, Sir Jackie Stewart, and Rolex Global Director of Communication and Image Arnaud Boetsch.

Prince Harry, in the photo below, is checking out Arnaud Boetsch's Rolex. Before joining Rolex, Arnaud Boetsch was a top ranked professional tennis player.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Design Language Mystery Solved!!

 

2020 Rolex Oyster Perpetual 

Design Language Mystery Solved!!!

History doesn't repeat itself, but is sure does rhyme!?!!

Watches & Wonders is right around the corner, and the rumor mill is heating up! I can't help but wonder if Rolex might surprise us with some more new Stella style colored dials on the Oyster Perpetual models, so I thought it would be a good idea to bring this story back.

When Rolex introduced their all-new Oyster Perpetual models back in 2020 I remember thinking there was something really familiar about them, and like most people I assumed it was the Stella dial look.

1956 Rolex Oyster Perpetual 

Reference 6565

I was looking through my unpublished archives back on December 18, 2020 and discovered this 1956 Rolex ad and instantly I recognized the dual baton marker indices design language incorporated on the 15, 30 and 45 markers which is pictured below!!! As I have said so many times before, Rolex's future is in their past...

        “The vision recurs; the eastern sun has a second rise; history repeats her tale unconsciously, and goes off into a mystic rhyme; ages are prototypes of other ages, and the winding course of time brings us round to the same spot again.”  

—Mystic Rhyme 1845

Pink Cotton Candy OP

 

...Serious Rolex Hotness...

Candy Pink Dial OP

What time is it? Time for some serious Rolex Hotness!!! In this excellent video Jenni Elle reviews the hottest 36MM woman's Rolex made today, and goes into detail on what she loves and offers superb insight into this watch...Rolex introduced this Instant Classic model in 2020.

There is only one thing sexier than a beautiful woman with a great smile wearing a Rolex…

And that is a beautiful woman with a great smile wearing a Rolex while she waxes poetic about super precise detailed Rolex minutiae!!!

It’s rare, but it does happen…When you speak with most women about the finer points of Rolex watches in detail you will see their uninterested, passive-aggressive eye roll, but I have met some rare women who love talking precisely about Rolex technicalities in great detail. Jenni Elle is one such fascinating woman…

A regular reader who is a friend of mine wrote in after seeing this article and said: “You and Jenni Elle need to do a video together.” To which I responded, “I was thinking the same thing!!!”

Somebody once referred to me as the Sigmund Freud of Rolex as I tend to psychoanalyze all things Rolex. The funny thing is—if you think about it—(Pun Intended ;-) Jenni-Elle is kind of the female version of me in the sense she tends to psychoanalyze Rolex and everything having to do with watches all-the-time!

In the future I will reach out to Jenni-Elle and hopefully I can get her to come on my show I am working on…

In the meantime, I LOVE how she psychoanalyzes the pink dial OP to the Nth degree…

In this next video from Jenni Elle we see her wonderful husband surprising her when he gave her the Candy Pink Rolex Oyster Perpetual, and as we see from her emotional response she was beyond elated!!!

It's Like Candy!!!

All-New for 2020 Rolex Oyster Perpetual

 

All-New for 2020

Rolex Oyster Perpetual

Last week when Rolex introduced their new models for 2020, and the response has been amazing! One of the interesting new models that people have been asking me about is the new Oyster Perpetual series. The all-new Rolex Oyster Perpetual epitomizes the 3 classic pillars of Rolex which are:

• Accuracy
• Waterproof Oyster Case
• Automatic Perpetual Movement

Rolex introduced the new Oyster Perpetual in 3 sizes which could be considered small, medium and large with 31MM, 36MM and 41MM. Rolex surprised many people with their nod to their heritage with the unusual 41MM Rolex Oyster Perpetual model pictured above. What is so unusual about this model you ask? Rolex design language for many decades never mixed gold markers or hands with an all stainless body. In other words, it was a steadfast Rolex rule that a stainless steel body would never have gold markers or hands, but Rolex dove deeply into their heritage by giving this new model an almost vintage gilt dial vibe.

Rolex also introduced a black sunburst dial model version of the 41MM Oyster Perpetual which is pictured below. One of the unique features of the new 41MM model is the double baton markers. I don't recall Rolex every doubling up markers like this before, but it gives the watch a unique visual signature which kind of reminds me of a Rolex Explorer, with regards to being iconicity steeped in 1950s late art-deco populuxe design language.

"The purest expression of the Oyster concept, the Oyster Perpetual provides a clear and accurate time display."

—Rolex

The Return of the Stella dial

Another surprise was that Rolex is offering the new "OP" with many different colorful dial combinations as seen below. This is highly reminiscent of the Rolex Day-Date models from the 1970s as seen below in the photo from Bob's Watches.

The Rolex green dial on the Oyster Perpetual is bound to be a huge hit with collectors as seen below.

Here is a close up of the pink dial Oyster Perpetual which has a really fresh vibe, and is certain to be big hit with the ladies...

The pale blue Rolex Oyster pictured below reminds me of Tiffany & Company.

The guide below shows the entire new range of Oyster Perpetual models which Rolex is offering in 28MM, 31MM, 34MM, 36MM and 41MM (Think S, M, L, XL, XXL)

The new Oyster Perpetual incorporate the Caliber 2232 (28MM, 31MM, & 34MM) and Caliber 3230 (36MM & 41MM).  Rolex also is offering a Rolex green dial in 41MM which is certain to be a big hit. The 41MM should offer a lot of wrist presence as it is the diameter of the all new 41MM Submariner. All in all, I am impressed with Rolex's new 'OP' line. 

Ya Down Wit O.P.P.?

Whenever I hear the term "O.P." is reminds me of the really catchy 1991 hit song named O.P.P. by Naughty by Nature :-)

Rolex Oyster Perpetual A Colorful New Lineup

...BaselWorld 2015 Introduction...

All New 

Rolex Oyster Perpetual

A Colorful New Lineup 

At BaselWorld this year Rolex introduced an extensive  range of all-new Oyster Perpetual models. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual is considered to be one of the least expensive Rolex watches, and it is arguably a super simple watch. This year Rolex ads a twist to the Oyster by adding contrasting 5 second markers in contrasting colors.

Rolex describes all the details and design ethos behind the new Rolex Oyster:

Oyster Perpetual

The Privilege Of The Rolex Legend

The Oyster Perpetual is the purest expression of the Oyster concept, having no other function than a reliable and accurate time display. This watch is the direct descendant of the original Oyster launched in 1926, the first waterproof wristwatch in the world and the foundation on which Rolex has built its reputation.

It comprises the renowned Rolex waterproof Oyster case and Manufacture mechanical self-winding Perpetual movement. An officially certified chronometer, the Oyster Perpetual is endowed with all the fundamental attributes of the Oyster collection. This timeless model stands out with its eye-catching new dials in elegant and sporty colours.

THE OYSTER CASE

SYMBOL OF WATERPROOFNESS AND ROBUSTNESS

The Oyster Perpetual’s Oyster case, guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet), is a paragon of robustness and reliability. The character- istically shaped middle case is crafted from a solid block of particularly corrosion-resistant 904L steel. The fluted case back is hermetically screwed down with a special tool that allows only Rolex watchmakers to access the movement. The winding crown, fitted with the Twinlock double water- proofness system, screws down securely against the case. The crystal is made of virtually scratchproof sapphire. The waterproof Oyster case provides optimal protection for the high-precision movement.

CALIBRES 3132, 3130 AND 2231

According to its size, the Oyster Perpetual is equipped with either calibre 3132 (39 mm version), 3130 (36 and 34 mm versions), or 2231 (31 and 26 mm versions), three self-winding mechanical movements entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. The high-quality design, manufacture and fine-tuning of Rolex movements ensure exceptional performance. Each movement is a certified Swiss chronometer, a designation reserved for high-precision watches that have passed the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) tests. In calibres 3132 and 3130, the oscillator – the true heart of the watch – has a blue Parachrom hairspring patented and manufactured by Rolex in an exclusive alloy of niobium and zirconium. Insensitive to magnetic interferences, the Parachrom hairspring offers great stability in the face of temperature variations and remains up to 10 times more precise than a traditional hairspring in case of shocks.

THE OYSTER BRACELET

SECURE AND COMFORTABLE

The Oyster Perpetual is paired with a solid-link 904L steel Oyster bracelet, which is very secure and comfortable to wear. It is equipped with a folding Oysterclasp, designed by Rolex.

Rolex Wrist Shot of the Day: Mike's Rolex Oyster Perpetual

Mike's Rolex OP

Mike is an airline pilot and he sent in this great wrist shot of his Rolex Oyster Perpetual (OP) and said:

"Since the 36mm OP doesn't get much press I thought I would show you what mine looks like. It's a simple watch but I love the no date 3/6/9 dial. It's like the Rolex Explorer but good for dress or sport/casual."

1947 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ad SuperCase Design Origin?

...Perpetually Yours...

1947 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ad

SuperCase Design Origin?

The 1947 Rolex Oyster Ad below is from 1947, and I could not help but notice the shape and width of the lugs is remarkably similar the all the new SuperCases on modern Rolex sports watches.

In other words, if you compare a prior generation GMT or Submariner case to the current versions, the current versions are referred to as "SuperCase" because Rolex seriously fattened up the lugs. In other words, the case is squarer, which contrasts more with the round bezel and dial shape, as apposed to a less square case that follows the roundness of the dial and bezel shape.

I can't help but wonder if this unusual design language came from or was inspired like so many things Rolex does, from their past?

Also notice the very early Rolex Oyster bracelet is not tapered. I wonder if Rolex will ever go back to a straight Oyster bracelet?