50th Anniversary Celebration: March On Washington August 28, 1963

50th Anniversary Jubilee Celebration

I HAVE A DREAM SPEECH

March On Washington

August 28, 1963

This coming Wednesday, August 28th marks the 50th Anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington, as well as the extremely iconic I Have A Dream Speech. This event is of great significance and arguably represents the last great moral moment in American history. This entire week, I will be covering the significance of this event in detail. 

If you read my super-detailed story, posted below this story, you will see I pointed out that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in my opinion, is the greatest hero in history to wear a Rolex. 

In Rolex's most recent ad campaign, as seen below, Rolex has included Dr. King in their ad campaign. I must admit that when I saw this, it not only brought tears to my eyes, but also made the tens of thousands of hours I have spent researching and chronicling Rolex history completely worth while. 

A few months ago, I put together a Photoshop Rolex Magazine Ad Design Contest, and in it I created this mock-up. Just to be clear, this is not a Rolex ad, it is one I created, which I would love to see in magazines and on billboards. It also seems fitting that somehow that Dr. King, has the Rolex crown next to him. Something about a King needs his Rolex Crown, or something like that?

He's Got The Whole World In His Hands

1964 Nobel Peace Prize Winner

I also created the Rolex ad mock-up below, which shows Dr. Martin Luther King holding his Nobel Peace Prize, and you can see his trademark yellow gold Rolex Datejust on his wrist. I used an actual Rolex advertising slogan that was popular at the time this photo was taken in 1964. I don't believe the Rolex slogan from the mid 1960s, could be any more apropos and on-point in 1964 when the photo below was taken, and in hindsight, it is even more so today. 

Another supreme irony with the Rolex slogan "WHEN A MAN HAS A WORLD IN HIS HANDS YOU EXPECT TO FIND A ROLEX ON HIS WRIST", is that gospel singer Mahalia Jackson sang the song "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands", just before Dr. King gave his "I Have A Dream Speech." This is likely a coincidence, but it sure does resonate beautifully. In the video piece at the end of this post you can see a short snipped of Mahalia Jackson singing "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands."

I highly recommend watching Dr. King's Nobel Prize Acceptance speech which is very profound.

This next photo shows Dr. Martin Luther King in the White House Oval Office with President Kennedy just after Dr. King gave his iconic I Have A Dream Speech.

“One cannot help but be impressed with the deep fervor and the quiet dignity that characterized the thousands who have gathered in the Nation’s Capital…this Nation can properly be proud of the demonstration that has occurred here today.” - President Kennedy, Remarks following the March on Washington

I Have A Dream Speech

March On Washington D.C.

August 28, 1963

This next image is extremely profound as it offers an unusual view from behind Abraham Lincoln's statue located in the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington D.C., and we witness Abraham Lincoln witnessing what he set out to achieve. The symbology behind this image is amazing if you think about it!!! It is also a profound irony that Abraham Lincoln was also likely assassinated for trying to protect people that could not protect themselves.

"Beyond the reflecting pool, stand the dignified columns of the Lincoln Memorial. Whoever would understand in his heart the meaning of America will find it in the life of Abraham Lincoln." –U.S. President Ronald Reagan.

The Greatest & Most Iconic Speech In History

Martin Luther King Jr's, I Have A Dream speech is one of the deepest and most profound speeches any man has ever given. I very, very, very highly recommend you watch and enjoy Dr. Martin Luther King's complete speech as seen in the video below.

Below is a great video discussion about the historical significance of Dr. Kings Legendary Speech, as seen in the video above.

Stefano Mazzariol Yellow Gold Rolex Moonphase [Reference 6062]

Stefano Mazzariol

Yellow Gold Rolex Moonphase

[Reference 6062]

In my personal opinion, the Rolex Oyster Moonphase [Reference 6062] is probably the most beautiful Rolex ever made. This beauty that Stefano Mazzariol sent in has an interesting red date hand with star indices.

FremStar's Vintage Orange Hand Rolex Explorer II

...Wrist Shot Of The Day...

FremStar's Vintage Orange Hand Rolex Explorer II

Reference 1655

Prototype Rolex LV...

...Rolex Studio Shot Of The Day...

Prototype Rolex 50th Anniversary LV Submariner

This is a Rolex press kit photograph of a prototype LV Submariner that was never sold. 

You can tell it is a prototype because it has spring-bar holes on the outside of the lugs as you can see. The production model lacks the holes.

Rolex Nature Shot Of The Day: Micah's Pepsi Rolex GMT Master

Rolex Nature Shot Of The Day

Micah's Pepsi Rolex GMT Master

Micah, who makes some of the best custom-made Panerai straps on planet earth, took this photo of his classic Pepsi Rolex GMT Master. You can always find Micah and his amazing Panerai straps at VintageStraps.com.

Watch Quote Of The Day...

Watch Quote Of The Day

"A watch should tell more than time. It should tell a story." –Anon

Phil Mickelson Wins 2013 Open Championship Rolex Cellini

...Rolex Coolness...

Phil Mickelson

Wins 2013 Open Championship

White Gold Rolex Cellini Danos
[Hand Wound 38 MM: Reference 4243/9]

Phil Mickelson won the 2013 Open Championship on Sunday, and it was his first time doing so. In the photo below we see Phil Mickleson wearing his trademark Rolex Cellini. In case you are not familiar with the Rolex Cellini, it is Rolexes line of dressier watches.

...Rolex Lume Shot Of The Day... Jocke's Polar Explorer II

...Rolex Lume Shot Of The Day...

Jocke's Polar Explorer II

The Complete History Of The Rolex Air King

The Complete History Of The Rolex Air-King

by Joseph Lavender

Editors Note: Joseph Lavender is a reader of Jake's Rolex World and a big fan of the Rolex Air King. He put together this historical overview of the Rolex Air King for your reference and enjoyment.

Rolex Air-King Photo Appears Courtesy of Hannes from R-L-X.com

The Rolex Air-King has one of the most complex histories of any Rolex model spanning nearly 70 years of continuous production.  During the Second World War, Rolex would supply their SpeedKing or other specified model on credit to British POWs. As the war drew to a close, Rolex founder, Hans Wilsdorf, chose to honor the RAF pilots of the Battle of Britain with a series of aviation themed watches. The "Air" series included the Air-Lion, Air-Giant, Air-Tiger, and of course the Air-King. Today, only the Air-King remains.

The first true Air-King was introduced in 1945 with the 4925. The 4925 was the follow-on to the 4365 series of "Air" models. For the international market the progression was from the 4925/4365 (sub-seconds), 4499, 6552, 5500, 14000, 14000m, then finally the super cased 114200. In 1958, however, a separate line evolved independently for specific markets. These included the Air-King-Date and the 550X models for the Commonwealth market. At the same time the 5504 Explorer 35mm case was used for the Air-King as well. This reference being the only 35mm Air-King to date. To make matters more complex, the 5500 case was used for both the Air-King and Explorer. This, of course, isn't the end of the Air-King/Explorer connection but for the sake of clarity we will leave that for another discussion. 

The models preceding the 5500, with the exception of the 6552, used Hunter movements. Rolex continuously issued new reference numbers as they refined the Air-King line. The 6552, introduced in 1953, can be considered a transitional model to the 5500 as they appear very similar. 

1963 Rolex Air-King Advertisement Pictured Above

The 5500 was introduced in 1957 and  used a caliber 1520 or 1530 movement but due to import laws, the jewels were reduced in the 1520. The 1520 was either 17 (US market) or 26 jewels. The 1530 had 17, 25 or 26 jewel variants. The movement type was denoted on the dial with the text Precision or no text for the 1520 and Super Precision for the 1530. Many dials were used during the long 37 year production run. Today, some are extremely rare, including the double red. This dial was an early production dial with the words Air-King and Super Precision in red. 

After the 5500s long and mostly unchanged 37 year run, the Air-King line was upgraded to a sapphire crystal and new cal 3000 movement. This new Air-King was rechristened with the reference number 14000.  Refreshed versions of the 5500 dials carried on with new 3/6/9 Explorer style dials following shortly after. This reference also marked the introduction of the engine turned bezel , reference 14010. The 14000 series received the cal 3130 movement in 2000 and the change was noted in the reference number with the letter M for Modified.

Rolex Air-King Photo Appears Courtesy of Hannes from R-L-X.com

The 14000 series gave way to the 1142XX in 2007. This reference series was a full face lift for the AirKing. New concentric dials were added, the case became thicker at the lugs, and a brand new machined Oyster bracelet replaced the 78350. The engine turned bezel was retained but dropped only a couple of years later. A white gold fluted bezel became an option for the first time. Also, the 1142XX was the first Air-King to receive COSC certification. These changes took the Air-King line firmly into the modern Rolex range before most of the more famous Rolex cousins such as the Submariner. 

The photo below shows a modern Rolex Air-King with a 34mm white dial side by side with a standard black dial 36mm Rolex Explorer. 

Rolex Air-King Photo Appears Courtesy of Hannes from R-L-X.com

List Of All Rolex Air-King Models

34mm Standard Air-King

4925 Introduced in 1945 Cal 10.5'
4365 Introduced in 1945 Cal 10.5'
4499 Introduced in 1946 Cal 10.5'
6552 Introduced in 1953 Cal 1030
5500 Introduced in 1957 Cal 1520/1530
14000 Introduced in 1989 Cal 3000
14010 Introduced in 1989 Cal 3000 (Engine Turned Bezel)
14000M Introduced in 2000 Cal 3130
14010M Introduced in 2000 Cal 3130 (Engine Turned Bezel)
114200 Introduced in 2007 Cal 3130 (Smooth Bezel, COSC)
114210 Introduced in 2007 Cal 3130 (Engine Turned Bezel, COSC, Discontinued)
114234 Introduced in 2007 Cal 3130 (White Gold Fluted Bezel, COSC)

550X for the US, UK, and Commonwealth Markets

5520 Introduced in 1974 until 1986 34mm Gold Filled Case, Steel Case Back Cal 1520
5504 Introduced in 1958 Cal 1530 (35mm)
5501 Introduced Appx 1958 Cal 1530 (Two-Tone Fluted Bezel 14k)
5502 Introduced Appx 1958 Cal 1530 (Gold Plated 40 Microns)
5506 Introduced Appx 1958 Cal 1530 (Gold Plated 40 Microns)

Air-King-Date Commonwealth Markets (Production lasting into the 1980s)

5700 Introduced in 1958 Cal 1525/1535
5701 Introduced in 1958 Cal 1525/1535 (Two-Tone)

Rolex Sunset Shot Of The Day: Alwin's Daily Rockin' Submariner

...Rolex Sunset Shot Of The Day...

Alwin's Daily Rockin' Submariner

Alwin lives in Europe and he took this stunning shot of his Rolex Submariner which is his daily wearer.