Bollywood Rolex Hotness Priyanka Chopra...

Rolex Hotness: Priyanka Chopra

Bollywood Actress & Miss World 2000

Two Tone Rolex Daytona

Rolex Studio Shot Of The Day: Rolex Explorer II by J.J. Irani

Rolex Studio Shot Of The Day

Rolex Explorer II by J.J. Irani

Rolex Coolness: Lance Armstrong – Stainless Steel Rolex Daytona

Rolex Coolness: Lance Armstrong

The Greatest Cyclist In History

Stainless Steel Rolex Daytona

Rolex Dreams...

Rolex Dreams

Under Greek Waters

Another Rolex Story From Buenos Aires, Argentina

Just yesterday, we checked-out a letter from Abel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and today we get to enjoy an email from Eduardo Raffaelli who also lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina and is a daily reader of Jake's Rolex World. Seems like Jake's Rolex is popular in Buenos Aires!!! Eduardo sent in this amazing historical Rolex ad with his inspirational story:

Hi Jake,

I thought I'd share this old Life Magazine Rolex advertisement that featured a story about a skin-diver who recovered his sunken Rolex Oyster after 7 years.

Perhaps you are familiar with the great Rolex story. For me, as a kid, this Rolex article inspired me to get into diving as much as the TV show Sea Hunt and Jacques-Yves Cousteau books did. I began to look for Rolex ads in magazines because they always showed some diver, or adventurous individual in a situation related to the sea.

Later, and for some years, as I could not afford to buy a Rolex yet, I dreamt while diving that I would find a Rolex laying on the sea floor...I could almost imaginge rubbing the encrusted glass, and seeing the second hand being to move, from the light shaking...

Best regards,

Eduardo

A Heartwarming Jake's Rolex GTG Buenos Aires, Argentina

A Heartwarming Jake's Rolex World GTG

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Hi Everybody!!!!

Today, I have a very special story to share with you. Several years ago, in 2008, when I started Jake's Rolex Watch Blog I had one simple ambition. To try, to the best of my ability, to share everything I had learned over a quarter-century about Rolex and its amazing history.

In particular, I desired to separate the fact from the fiction on many of the false myths that had been perpetuated about Rolex history. I realized that behind every myth is a truth waiting to be discovered and shared.

At the time, I had no idea it would snowball into the amazing Rolex resource it has become today.

The other significant thing that took me by surprise was the amazing number of people I would become great friends with!!! It continually blows my mind how many fascinating and great friends I have made all over the world, and I mean "All-over the world!!!"

My grandfather's great friend and Rolex Ambasador, Maurice Chevalier put it best in 1964 when he said:

"Like a genial hotelier, Rolex has introduced me to some of the nicest people. I ask about their Rolex and they ask about mine. It's as marvelous a conversation piece as it is a timepiece." –Maurice Chevalier (1964)

For the past quarter-century, before I started Jake's Rolex World, I remember that every 6 to 12 months I would wander into somebody who I would have a great conversation with about Rolex. I realized that when I would speak with a new friend about Rolex that my face would light-up like a Christmas Tree.

Fast forward to several years ago. I was doing research on getting my LV Sub online and I kept running into the RolexForums.com. I remember thinking all the members were bananas (crazy). I remember thinking, what a bunch of weirdos, wasting all this time talking about their Rolex watches and the subtle nuances of their wristwatches.

Then for some reason, I got an idea and joined RolexForums.com and it changed my life. I literally felt like I had been wandering around in the desert dying of thirst for 25 years, and then all of a sudden I wandered into a lush oasis where everybody was wearing and talking non-stop about Rolex.

I also noticed that when I go to Rolex GTG (Get Togethers) that I get along with EVERYBODY flawlessly and that our mutual passion for Rolex carries over into many other facets of life. I would suggest that is one of the greatest benefits of the online Rolex Community, is that we are able to have a vehicle or mechanism for sharing one of our great passions.

How I Met Abel From Buenos Aires, Argentina

A few years ago, I posted a story about the TV show I SPY which starred Bill Cosby and Robert Culp and their Pepsi Rolex GMT-Master watches. A reader of Jake's Rolex Watch Blog named Abel, from Buenos Aires, Argentina wrote in to tell me he remembered not only receiving a Rolex Submariner from his parents when he graduated from high-school in the mid 1960, but that he remembered noticing the cast member of I SPY sporting their Rolex watches.

I wrote back to Abel and we started becoming pals. The interesting thing is that almost every-time I would dig-up a new piece of Rolex history, Abel would write-in and share his memories with me on that subject. Abel is more than 10 years older than I am and has been wearing Rolex watches for almost 50 years, but it was fascinating that we shared similar frames of reference. Abel had actually lived through the history I learned about, often-times I learned about it long after it occurred.

One of the unusual things I do, is when somebody writes in from a specific city and country, I make a mental note of it, and if somebody else writes in from that same city, I try to introduce them via email so they can meet each other. With Abel, whenever somebody would write in from Buenos Aires, I would introduce them.

I will share Abel's heartwarming story about this in his own words below:

Gerardo and Abel having a Rolex GTG Lunch in Buenos Aires, Argentina

From Buenos Aires, Argentina, South America January 28, 2010 Dear Jake: Hello!! Hope you are doing very well! I keep enjoying so much your great Blog, and you never cease to amaze me with such a wealth of information you get every time you present a new theme, as for example in the last few days, with all those pictures, explanations, and info regarding the epic Trieste expedition. I very well remember reading about the Bathyscaph Trieste record setting dive in 1960 when it actually happened, and I was a young man, very involved with SCUBA-diving and underwater research–as a young amateur, of course. I just wish to let you know your Blog has many interesting and amazing derivations, making as a bridge among Rolex lovers throughout the entire World. As a matter of fact, you had sent me contact information for other Jake's Rolex Watch Blog readers in my own Country, who I would have never learned about, if you hadn´t given me their names and emails. I contacted every one you sent me, and with some of them interchanged mails from time to time. We always found that we also shared not only an interest and love for Rolex watches, but also for many other different things and experiences in life. One of those newfound friends, is Gerardo (Gerry) from Buenos Aires, with whom the exchange of mails has been more steady and generous than with other readers of Jake`s Rolex Watch Blog. I wished to share this with you, as it is amazing how diverse the universe of knowledge and interests is, and subjects of conversations than have arrisen from or since a first exchange of mails between your readers. You discover a Human being, behind the interest for a Rolex, and share points of views and learn a lot from them. This enriches your life, and makes all your big effort for your Blog to add a different and super important value beyond the study of the Watch Brand we all love–Rolex. I'm sure you already have received messages from other readers of your blog, telling similar stories of contacts between other blog readers, but I just wished to let you know of our own great experience. A week ago, after some months exchanging mails, Gerardo and I finally met to have a nice lunch and had the pleasure of knowing each other personally. Of course Rolex watches was part of our conversation, but also about Family, past experiences, voyages, etc.. An amazing world every-time you discover a new friend. Gerardo is an accomplished photographer, and showed me some of his awesome pictures. Anyway, this time, we had to request a waiter to take our picture to record this meeting, so it is the waiters responsibility that my hand with my beloved Rolex Sub no date I was wearing on the occasion is not showing in the photograph. Fortunately enough, Gerardo´s very nice SS Date Just (1990´s vintage) is well visible there! Hope you enjoy this little story, and maybe you'll want to share with other readers of your Blog. I send you our best cordial wishes from Gerry and me, and kindly ask you to keep with your outstanding and amazing research work at your Blog. Abel Buenos Aires, Argentina

Rolex Studio Shot Of The Day Stainless Rolex Milgauss from Champ The Kid

Rolex Studio Shot Of The Day

Stainless Rolex Milgauss from Champ The Kid

Rolex Coolness: Roger Federer Wins Record-Setting Grand-Slam Number 16!!!!

Rolex Coolness: Roger Federer

The Greatest Tennis Player In History Does It AGAIN!!!!

Wins Record-Setting Grand-Slam #16

What a weekend in the world or Rolex Sports Achievement, as Swiss tennis superstar, Roger Federer charges once again in to the record books, and takes his record-setting 16th Grand Slam Title as he wins The Australian Open!!!!!!!!!!

Rolex.com is celebrating his amazing win with a special tributes to Roger!!! What an amazing, amazing, amazing career achievement!!!!!!!! On behalf of all of Jake's Rolex World Magazine international readership, Congratulations Roger!!!!!!!!!

After winning the Australian Open Roger Federer put on his stainless steel Rolex Datejust on an Oyster Bracelet for the awards ceremony.

In this next photo we see Roger Federer kissing the Australian Open trophy and we get another clear shot of his Rolex Datejust.

Here we see Roger after the awards ceremony in the press conference discussing his record-shattering 16th Grand-Slam of tennis win.

Here is a photo of Roger taken the next day posing with his Australian Open Tournament trophy. How sweet it is–how sweet it is!!!! Roger must feel so great with his amazing achievement!!!!!

2010 Rolex 24 At Daytona Coverage...

2010 Rolex 24 At Daytona Coverage

Another Historic Rolex Race Is In The Books!!!

755 Laps Completed in 24 Hours

The Rolex 24 at Daytona is now in the record books, and this was the 48th anniversary of this historic race held annually at Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S.A.

In this fascinating article we are going to take a look at the race itself, as well as explore the rich tapestry of Rolex Daytona History. First we begin with the official artwork of the 2010 Rolex 24 at Daytona which was designed by the talented French artist, Erwin Dazelle.

Rolex Introduces The Rolex Daytona In 1965

David Concannon is a world-class explorer and diver. He has been an advisor on 6 expeditions to the Titanic and led the last expedition to the Titanic, and has participated in 3 DEEP-SEA dives to the Titanic. In 2010 we will be doing a story about his amazing career achievements including a podcast about his Titanic expeditions.

David is also a Rolex fanatic (severe RISitus) and daily reader of Jake's Rolex World Magazine and he sent in this amazing original Rolex Daytona ad from 1965 introducing the Rolex Daytona Chronograph as the official Watch of Daytona.

FYI: In the Future, I plan to write a series, titled, "The Complete History Of The Rolex Daytona Cosmograph" which will be fascinating and shed all kinds of new light and insight onto the magic behind one of the most coveted, iconic, inspiring and illusive watches in history.

Rolex Coolness: Vic Elford

1968 Rolex Daytona Winner

In the historic Rolex photo below from Porsche Motorsports, we see the 1968 Rolex Daytona winner, Vic Elford representing Great Britain, being presented with a stainless steel Rolex Daytona Cosmograph for his victory of the 24 At Dayona.

Vic Elford is pictured below posing with his 1968 Rolex Daytona prize for winning the 24 hours of Daytona.

Fast forward, 42 years from 1968 to the 2010 Rolex 24 at Daytona and we see Vic Elford below being presented a new stainless Rolex Daytona Cosmograph by Rolex U.S.A. President and C.E.O., Allen Brill.

Rolex has been involved with the Daytona Intentional Speedway since 1959 and to this day Rolex actively sponsors many of the most prestigious motorsport events, including the Rolex 24 At Daytona, The 24 Hours of Le Mans, the European Le Mans Series, and the Rolex Sports Car Series.

Rolex also supports The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and the Pebble Beach Tour D'Elegance presented by Rolex, and The Quail, which is a Motorsport Gathering.

The Paul Newman Daytona

1995 Winner of The Rolex 24 At Daytona

In 1995 ultra-famous movie star, amazing philanthropist and ultra-succesful entrepreneur, Paul Newman raced into the record books when he won the 24 Hours At Daytona.

Paul Newman is famous in the collectable Rolex world for wearing many different Rolex Daytona Cosmograph watches over the years, but he is most associated with the "Exotic Dial Paul Newman as seen on a FAT-STRAP in the photo below, which his wife Joanne Woodward gave him as a give in 1972 when he started his racing career. Paul Newman became extremely passionate about racing while starring in the 1969 movie named Winning, in which he played a race-car driver as pictured in the photo above.

As I mentioned, Paul Newman was a huge Rolex Daytona collector and Rolex collector in general. He wore many, many different Daytona watches, and in a more recent photo taken just a few years before he passed away, we see him racing with a different Paul Newman Daytona. This one is clearly on a Rolex Oyster bracelet.

2010 Rolex 24 at Daytona

Since we have taken a historic look back at Daytona, let's take a look at the 2010 Rolex 24 At Daytona. The Rolex 24 at Daytona is a 24-hour sports car endurance race held at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida on a 3.56-mile (5.73km) combined race course. This unique road course utilizes portions of the NASCAR tri-oval, coupled with an infield rad course. The race has historically been held the last weekend of January or first weekend of February.

In 1962, a few years after the track was built, a 3-hour race named The Daytona Continental began, which counted toward the World Car Championship. Rolex has sponsored the race for 19 years since 1991. Winners of the Rolex 24 At Daytona always receive a stainless steel Rolex Daytona.

In the photo below, we see the newly christened Rolex 24 At Daytona flagstand at the Daytona International Speedway.

World Class Drivers & Actors?

There have been some really successful actors like James Dean, Paul Newman and Steve McQueen who got really into racing cars. Many heavy-hitting drivers showed-up to compete to win the Rolex 24 At Daytona and actor Patrick Dempsey, who stars on the TV show Grey's Anatomy (pictured below) even showed up to compete. Patrick drove for the Dempsey Racing Team in #40 in the Mazda RX-8. The 2010 Rolex 24 At Daytona was the third time Patrick Dempsey competed as a team member.

Here is a video of Patrick Dempsey talking about the 2010 Rolex 24 At Daytona and he mentions how he wants to win the Rolex Daytona Cosmograph watch:

Luke Hines is pictured below sporting his Rolex LV 50th Anniversary Submariner. Luke was representing Great Britain and drove on the Miller Barrett Racing team in the Porsche GT3 #48. (Sorry, I couldn't resist matching the color of this text with Luke's funky shades ;-) Dude!?! Wasssuuuup with the lid!?! Say Ho, if you got your funky busfare!!!!

Go Speed Racer, Go Speed Racer, Go Speed Racer, Go!!!! I have no idea why I just wrote that, but the Speed Racer theme-song started playing in my head!?!

In the photo below we see two of the wicked-cool new Chevy Camaro Concept cars looking awfully tight!!! I can't remember the last time I actually like and desired an American car, but that all-new Camaro is looking amazingly cool!!!! I can't wait so see it next year when Chevy introduces the convertible version!!!! The cars below were competing in the Grand Touring Class which is commonly referred to as the GT Class.

There are two distinct classes of cars that compete at the Rolex 24 At Daytona. The Daytona Grand Touring Class and the Daytona Prototype Class. Daytona Prototype Class cars use less expensive materials and technology.

This next shot was taken in the 18th hour of the Rolex 24 At Daytona. In this photo the cars kind of look like Hot Wheels–don't they?

Fireworks Over The Daytona International Raceway

In this next photo we see racing legend Hurley Haywood in the pitstop in the middle of the night as the pit team begins to prepare the car for its next driver. The different teams have multiple drivers who switch off driving the car.

This next shot is of a Porsche Gt3 from the Miller Barrett Racing Team.

The Checkered Flag Goes To

Winners Of The 2010 Rolex 24 At Daytona

The Daytona Prototype (DP) Class winner was the Action Express Racing Car #9, which was a Porsche driven by the following team members: Terry Borcheller (Vero Beach, Florida), Joao Barbosa (Portugal), Mike Rockenfeller (Altnua, Switzerald) and Ryan Dalziel (Orlando, Florida).

The Rolex 24 at Daytona team that got the checkered flag for the Grand Touring (GT) Class was the SpeedSource car #70 with was a Mazda RX-8 which was driven by the following team members: David Haskell (Plantation, Florida), Sylvain Tremblay (Sunrise, Florida), Nick Ham (Evergreen, Colorado) and Jonathan Bomarito (Monterey, California).

Each winning team member of the Rolex 24 At Daytona gets a special edition stainless steel Rolex Daytona, which they receive in an oversized presentation box.

Each Rolex 24 at Daytona winner receives a special commemorative winners plaque as seen below, along with their special-edition, winner's Rolex Daytona Cosmograph.

Each team member of the winning team, receives a special edition stainless steel Rolex Daytona with the really cool engraving on the back!!!!

Rolex 24 At Daytona

Winner's Circle

In this next photo we see the GT Class winning team posing with their Rolex Daytona Cosmograph prize. From left to right we see: Nick Ham, David Haskell, Sylvian Tremblay and Jonathan Bomarito from who won in the Mazda RX-8 #70.

In this next shot we see Rolex U.S.A. President and C.E.O., Allen Brill posing with the winners of the Rolex 24 At Daytona from the Grand Touring (GT) Class #70, Mazda RX-8 as they pose with their Rolex Daytona Cosmograph prize watches.

In this next photo we get a close-up of Joao Barbosa from Portugal showing off his Rolex Daytona Cosmograph he won after his team won the Rolex 24 At Daytona in the Daytona Prototype Class.

All the photos in this series, unless otherwise mentioned, were taken by Stephan Cooper and are copyright by Rolex U.S.A. 2010.

Night Practice and Qualifiying Videos

Rolex 24 At Daytona Track

P.S. Want an idea of what it is like to drive in a race-car at the Rolex 24 At Daytona? Check out this night-practice video and turn the volume way up!!!!!

Presidential Watch Sunday: An Unprecedented Look At The Presidency

Presidential Watch Sunday

An Unprecedented Look At The Presidency

I realize it has been a while since I have published Presidential Watch Sunday. I have not published it for some time now because I have been deep in research and writing on the current series I am working on named, The Complete History Of The Rolex Submariner & SEA-DWELLER.

I am also embarrassed to admit that I just finally had the opportunity to watch the State Of The Union speech. This is because I was so involved in covering, the 50th Anniversary of the U.S. Navy Bathyscaph Trieste record setting depth dive in 1960.

I am sharing President Obama's 2010 State Of The Union Address with you in case you missed it.

1955 Rolex Yellow Gold Oyster Perpetual

1955 Rolex Yellow Gold Oyster Perpetual

From Fredi in Germany

[Reference 6085 in 1955]

If I am recalling correctly, this is the same reference as the early Rolex Explorer, but without the Explorer designation, and in 14K gold. Speaking of which, I have some interesting historical news coming up on early prototype Rolex Explorer models that were made by Rolex in yellow-gold!!!