Basel World 2018 Introduction...A New DEEPSEA...

Basel World 2018 Introduction


New DEEPSEA

Before we examine the updated version of the Rolex DEEPSEA SEA-DWELLER let's hop in the Rolex time machine and go back in time to learn about its genesis. Leading Hollywood director, James Cameron is also an explorer, and on March 26, 2012 he successfully navigated his custom built submersible down to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, which is the deepest known part of the ocean floor. The photo below of James Cameron shows him just after he completed his dive.

In August of 2014, Rolex announced the original DEEPSEA SEA-DWELLER D-Blue, which was a tribute to James Cameron's incredible achievement. In the photo below we see James Cameron showing off the 1st generation 'D-Blue' model.

“They may have introduced this new model, but Rolex don’t chase whims, they don’t chase pop culture. They really like tradition, their support of exploration science is tremendous and they love the fact that being part of this exploration closed the ellipse on the Bathyscaphe Trieste expedition in 1960 (the first manned vehicle to reach the bottom of the Mariana Trench), because they had a watch then that went down on the outside of that vessel too.” 

–James Cameron 

On The Rolex DEEPSEA D-Blue

“My first watch was a Rolex Submariner. Like I said, it’s pretty simple. I just always saw Rolex as the best dive watches. I mean, they invented the dive watch back in 1926. I just always associated the Rolex Submariner with divers...I've always had a Submariner on my wrist. I've worn one every day for 30 years.” 

–James Cameron 

At Basel World, Rolex just introduced a significantly updated version of the DEEPSEA D-Blue SEA-DWELLER. Rolex is and has always been a very interesting company in the sense that in many ways they continually evolve their watch models. In other words, if they feel they didn't get something perfect the first time they will keep iterating until they feel they got it just perfect, and that is the case (pun intended) with the significantly updated Rolex DEEPSEA model which is pictured below. 

There are two major changes to this watch. The first is an overhaul of the case lugs as well as the Oyster bracelet width being increased to that of the 43MM Single Red SEA-DWELLER which Rolex debuted last year at Basel World. 

To make a long story short, when Rolex first introduced the DEEPSEA SEA-DWELLER they simply took the Oyster bracelet from the then 40MM SEA-DWELLER and attached it to the DEEPSEA. The challenge is that the DEEPSEA was 4MM larger @ 44MM, so the lack of proper upscaling made it look weird. Many customers complained about this issue, and when Rolex introduced the 43MM Single Red SEA-DWELLER last year, they properly upscaled the Oyster bracelet.

This year, Rolex decided to update the movement in the DEEPSEA to a caliber 3235, which the Single Red was introduced with. The 3235 is a truly remarkable and precise moment which keeps quartz-like accurate time, as I documented in my long-term timekeeping diary.

So basically, Rolex simultaneously updated both the movement and Oyster bracelet in the DEEPSEA to give it parity with the Single Red SEA-DWELLER. So what is my take on this significantly upgraded model? I think it's awesome!!! Rolex did a fantastic job of giving the DEEPSEA a much better balanced bracelet, which makes all the difference in the world. I also love the special DEEPSEA dial gradient which goes from blue to black, coupled with the oversized green DEEPSEA dial designation. I also love the domed low-profile crystal on this watch. This watch is so over engineered in a belt and suspenders kind of way, but that's what makes a Rolex—a Rolex...

How do I feel about this watch? Watch the video below to find out...

The Return of the Pepsi GMT-Master

No Coke!?!! 

Pepsi, Pepsi, Pepsi!!!!!

The Return of the Pepsi GMT-Master 

It seems like it's been an eternity since Rolex discontinued making their stainless steel Rolex GMT-Master with the Red & Blue 'Pepsi' bezel insert. Rolex stopped making it in 2008 just after they introduced the updated stainless super-case GMT in 2007 which was the first all stainless steel Rolex model to feature a ceramic bezel. When I began publishing Jake's Rolex World a decade ago, I continually complained about how discontinuing the Pepsi GMT-Master was a huge mistake. I agued the Pepsi GMT-Master was so iconic and outstanding that it was terrible they got rid of it. What was Rolex thinking?

All-New 2018 Pepsi GMT-Master (Reference 126710BLRO) Pictured Above

Just to be more specific, I remember when I was a young man, back in the 1980s, I would walk into a Rolex Authorized Dealership, and I would look at the smorgasbord of Rolex watches under the glass counter, you would see a sea of stainless steel watches with black and sliver bezels, or two tone, or all gold Rolex watches, and then there would be this one outstanding Pepsi GMT-Master model with its cobalt blue and ruby red bezel—contrasting heavily like the North Star with all the rest of the Rolex models. 

The Pepsi, with its ruby red and cobalt blue bezel was so American Flag patch on an Apollo NASA Astronaut looking. So Evil Knievel, So Ralph Lauren, So I Spy, So U.S. Air Force Test Pilot, So Star Trek, So Dizzy Gillespie, So Stan Barrett, So Magnum PI, So SPORTY... 

The photo below shows a vintage Rolex GMT-Master. Notice it had a much narrower and overall smaller winding crown and crown guards than a Submariner. The new GMT-Master II (pictured above) has a much larger winding crown, along with bigger crown guards, which I believe is the same we would find on the current Submariner. In other words, the GMT-Master II has finally achieved masculinity parity with the Submariner.

Most importantly, with the Pepsi GMT, Rolex had a distinct model that could not be copied, without being copied. Sure Seiko had done a weird diver watch with a black rubber strap, and other brands had tried to copy Rolex by having a red and blue bezel, but none came close to the authenticity of the Pepsi GMT-Master. 

Also, so many famous explorers had worn the Pepsi GMT-Master while achieving the unachievable. How could Rolex let go of such and iconic watch? I kept pleading with Rolex and even suggested they just make the current model with an aluminum Pepsi bezel insert which would have given it a more vintage look—all to no avail, but that all changed today with the return of the Pepsi GMT-Master!!!

Years later Rolex introduced a white gold GMT-Master (pictured below) which came standard with a red and blue 'Pepsi' bezel. The challenge is that it cost $35,000. Rolex said at the time that making the cobalt blue and red bezel in ceramic was technically very, very challenging. I remember somebody saying that it cost Rolex more money to make the red and blue bezel, than it cost to make the actual watch.

In the recent GQ Style photos above and below we see legendary singer, songwriter and guitarist, John Mayer sporting his white gold Pepsi GMT-Master on an Oyster Bracelet.

It turns out Rolex was able to figure out how to make the ceramic bezel insert much less expensively, as the new GMT-Master will retail for around $9,000 USD. Rolex elaborates on the evolution of their skillset in working with ceramics:

Mastering the use of ceramic has enabled Rolex to equip its watches with cutting-edge ceramic bezel inserts and monobloc bezels. This expertise, the result of applied internal research and the creation of a manufacturing process unique to Rolex, heralded the beginning of a new era for the brand.

Thanks to the technical properties of the ceramic it is possible to create particularly durable components that are virtually scratchproof and unaffected by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Whether on a Cosmograph Daytona, Sea-Dweller, Rolex Deepsea, Submariner, Submariner Date, GMT-Master II, Yacht-Master 37, Yacht-Master 40 or Yacht-Master II, these ceramic elements make a strong impact on the watches’ aesthetic appeal and identities, all while improving their longevity.

The all-new Rolex GMT-Master is still 40MM, and only comes with an updated Rolex Jubilee bracelet with a classic Rolex Flip-Lock clasp, which Rolex refers to as a Professional bracelet, just like the Rolex Oyster bracelet. In other words, Rolex is not offering the new stainless steel Pepsi GMT-Master on an Oyster Bracelet—only on a special Jubilee bracelet. 

This is likely so customers will be able to differentiate between the white gold and stainless steel versions. Rolex also created new nomenclature by referring to the stainless steel as "OYSTERSTEEL". This quirky naming strategy reminds me of how in the 1960s Rolex referred to their stainless steel watches as being made from "Swedish Stainless Steel". I wonder if OYSTERSTEEL exclusively come from Sweden ;-0

This new Pepsi also features a significantly updated new movement named the Calibre 3285. From the photos, the blue on the bezel does not appear to be the same at the previous generation Pepsi, which was a rich, popping cobalt blue. This new blue looks like darker 'Smurf' grey blue.

Notice how on the dial, just below the 6 O'Clock marker it says "SWISS MADE", and there is a miniature Rolex crown logo, which is a new detail I have never seen before on a Rolex watch. It is kind of cool as it reads, "Swiss Rolex Made", if you think about it :-)

If you feel a certain Deja Vu when you look at this new Pepsi GMT on a Jubilee bracelet it may be because you have seen it before on Jake's Rolex World.

The photo below shows the artwork cover of Dizzy Gillespie's seminal 1961 record album titled "An Electrifying Evening With The Dizzy Gillespie Quintet." Notice Dizzy is wearing his stainless steel Pepsi GMT on Jubilee bracelet on the album cover. The iconic photo of Dizzy wearing his Pepsi GMT-Master on a Jubilee bracelet that was taken 57 years ago stands testament to how timeless this updated Rolex GMT-Master is. I am officially giving this new GMT a nickname of "The Dizzy Pepsi GMT", which kind of rhymes with DeepSea (Dip See :-)

Dustin Hoffman 

Pepsi GMT-Master 

Another famous and iconic actor who wore a stainless steel Pepsi GMT-Master on a Jubilee bracelet is Dustin Hoffman as seen in the photos below:

Kramer vs. Kramer 1979
Dustin Hoffman costarred with Meryl Streep in Kramer vs. Kramer in 1979, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Director, Best supporting Actress. Dustin Hoffman is pictured below sporting his Pepsi Rolex GMT Master from the movie.

A Tudor Pepsi!?!!

Rolex owns the Tudor Watch company, and today at Basel World they announced a 41MM Pepsi, Black Bay GMT, but instead of having a ceramic bezel insert like the Pepsi Rolex GMT-Master it has an aluminum bezel insert similar to the last generation Rolex 'Pepsi' GMT-Master. In many ways I prefer an aluminum bezel insert. For one, it cost about a tenth of the money to replace if it gets damaged. 

Also, an aluminum bezel will fade and develop a unique patina over time, and it reflects light much differently than a ceramic bezel. The aluminum bezels get their red and blue look from anodizing, which gives it a metallic/shiny look you can't really achieve with ceramic—at least I have never seen a ceramic bezel that can achieve this metallic look. The cobalt blue bezel color looks so rich and deep on aluminum, but in ceramic it looks flat. I could not help but notice the blue color on the Tudor Pepsi GMT-Master appears to be have a matt finish, and the color is not Cobalt Blue, like on the original Rolex Pepsi, but a dull grey-blue color, that pops a lot less.


I am reserving judgement until I see it in person, but that is what I expect. Also, you can't crack an aluminum bezel insert.

The all-new Tudor GMT is a definite vintage inspired watch as it features a riveted Oyster bracelet and lacks crown guards.

Return of Mocha & Root Beer

Rolex also brought back updated versions of the Mocha GMT-Master as well as the Root Beer GMT, bu these new models incorporate the color black in to the bezel, which offers an interesting color combination as seen in the two photos below:

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.

James Bond Rolex Ad Sean Connery

James Bond Rolex Ad

Sean Connery

Thunderball

A while ago, I stumbled across this apparent Sean Connery as James Bond Rolex Submariner magazine ad that appears to be from the 1965 James Bond movie named 'Thunderball.' I had never seen anything like it before, and I did not immediately publish it as I was not able to confirm its authenticity.

This is a really intriguing magazine ad, as it would change the narrative of the James Bond/Rolex history if it is real. If it is not real, then it is still pretty cool. 

Do I think it is real? It's hard to tell. I know that at one point in the 1960s some of the executives at Rolex in Geneva shied away from the James Bond movie franchise and said they thought it was "like a circus." On the other hand, assuming I am recalling correctly, at the end of some of the James Bond Movies the credits thanked Rolex, so it might be real.

Also, when I interviewed retired Rolex U.S.A. executive, T. Walker Lloyd in Part 2 of our podcast back in 2008 he told me he was hanging out with Sean Connery on the set of Thunderball. I also noticed in the bottom right hand of the magazine ad it says "Printed in England."

I recently completed and published a major update to  Chapter 5 of my James Bond Rolex Story, which covered George Lazenby who played James Bond in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service."

I will continue researching this Sean Connery Thunderball Rolex ad, and report back if I am able to prove or disprove its validity. I also have some more major updates that I will be making in the future to my 13 Chapter Story titled "The James Bond Rolex Story...The Complete History Of James Bond Watches Including ALL Watches Worn In All James Bond Movies—The Definitive Guide."

Diving Deeper

So now I am getting more curious about the legitimacy of this image? Notice the photo of the Submariner in the add. 

The Rolex brochure below shows the exact same photo of the British Military Submariner. In case you are not familiar, Rolex made several different Military Submariner models over the years. In the 1960s, they made the model seen below, which came was used by the British Admiralty on NATO straps for divers.

Below we see a Rolex Submariner brochure from 1969, which shows the same British Admiralty Diver seen in the image above. So one thing is for certain, the James Bond Rolex Submariner ad shows a watch that is period specific and accurate. Also, that model was sold in the U.K. at the time.

Rolex Submariner with 3, 6, 9  'Explorer' Dial

Back in 2016, Phillips Auction house in Geneva, Switzerland auctioned this rare Submariner that was made in 1963, which features what is known as the 'Explorer' dial.

Phillips Catalog Essay on this watch reads:

"Today, the so-called 'Explorer' dial is very fashionable and sought after. The name 'Explorer' stems from the original Rolex Explorer dial featuring the 3-6-9-numerals. Other than the Explorer, the only other Rolex watches to feature 3-6-9-dials are the Large Crown Submariner, reference 6200, 6538 and 5510 are known and the later reference 5512 and 5513 with crown guards. In production for only the first half of the 1960s, 5512 and 5513 are rare, however, it is virtually impossible to find these reference fitted with the Explorer dials.

The present watch was manufactured in the last half of 1963 and features the correct 'underline' and 'Swiss T 25' dial, which is the transitional period for when Rolex stopped using radium and transfer to tritium. The watch also features pointed crown guards, which is correct for the period. The dial itself is a gorgeous black lacquer and the case has retained with its original beveled edges and period bracelet. The present watch has great charisma and is an exceptional example."

The Rolex Submariner: 
A Salty Watch

I pulled up this early 1960s Rolex Submariner advertisement from my archive, which I originally published back in May 2008. It features the Rolex Submariner Reference 5513 as seen above.

So what does all this mean? It's hard to say. I seem even more confused now!?!! I'll keep digging and update this story once I conclude.

Stephen Hawking's Universe–The Greatest Scientific Documentary Ever Created...

...Iconic Astrophysicist...

Stephen Hawking 

Belongs To The Ages

1942-2018

Author of 'A Brief History of Time'

I am sad to report that renowned physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking just passed away at age 76. Stephen wrote a famous book named 'A Brief History of Time', which I tried to read when I was younger and had a really challenging time understanding it. The great news is that Stephen Hawking created a 6 part documentary, based on his book and it is amazing and easy to follow.

Stephen Hawking on June 16, 2012 in Seattle. Photo by Ted S. Warren/AP

His passing has left an intellectual vacuum in his wake. But it's not empty. Think of it as a kind of vacuum energy permeating the fabric of spacetime that defies measure. Stephen Hawking, RIP 1942-2018. pic.twitter.com/nAanMySqkt

— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) March 14, 2018

Remembering Stephen Hawking, a renowned physicist and ambassador of science. His theories unlocked a universe of possibilities that we & the world are exploring. May you keep flying like superman in microgravity, as you said to astronauts on @Space_Station in 2014 pic.twitter.com/FeR4fd2zZ5

— NASA (@NASA) March 14, 2018

Stephen Hawking's Universe
The Greatest Documentary

I am extremely excited to be able to share this amazing documentary series with you on Jake's Rolex Watch Blog. I must say if I had to get stuck on a desert island for the rest of my life and I could only watch one documentary series over and over for the rest of my life this would be it.

On Jake's Rolex Watch World I explore the history of many explorer's. I like to think I explore their history with the same veracity, moxie and gumption they explore with. Whatever that explorer energy is, Stephen Hawking's successfully captured it in this magnificent series. I typically refer to this as The Spirit of Inquiry.

As a historian, I take a scientific approach to exploration. I try to consistently separate the fact from the fiction, which is really what science is all about—the pursuit of truth.

In chapter 1 of Stephen Hawking's Universe, he explores the beginning mankind's measurement of time and space. Measuring time using the heaven's and the solar calendar is what really first made men think.

I am a big fan of Ken Burns documentaries, and if you like them or are interested in learning more about the universe, I very highly recommend you enjoy these free videos.

Stephen Hawking's Background

The Greatest Explorer

Stephen Hawking was a theoretical physicist and is considered to be one of the greatest scientific minds that has ever lived. In many ways, he was a modern Einstein. Stephen Hawking was the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University and he is best known for his contributions to the fields of cosmology, and quantum gravity–particularly for his work on black holes.

Unfortunately, Stephen Hawking was severely disabled physically and had been left paralyzed from a motor neuron disease known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, most commonly referred to as ALS, which confined him to a wheelchair.

Stephen Hawking's physical disabilities, fortunately, didn't affect his amazing mind as you will clearly see.

Over the last couple of weeks, I wrote extensively about the movie Interstellar beginning with a story about Matthew McConaughey, and just yesterday I published a story about Jonathan Nolan and Elon Musk. In that story, we learn that Kip Thorn was a consultant and co-producer of Interstellar, which is interesting as Kip was a close friend of Stephen Hawking and Stephen talks about their friendship in this documentary.

Part 1: Seeing is Believing

Part 2: The Big Bang

Part 3: Cosmic Alchemy

Part 4: On The Dark Side

Part 5: Black Holes and Beyond

Part 6: An Answer to Everything