The Complete History Of
The Rolex Submariner & SEA-DWELLER
Rolex's Conquest Of The Ocean
Table Of Contents
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Jake's Rolex World Bookstore
Jake's Rolex World Bookstore
Books For The Collector
Welcome to Jake's Rolex World Bookstore. Here you will find reviews and ordering instructions for many great Rolex history book.
This first section begins with books from Mondani Editore and Patrizi Press. You can simply order any of these books by sending the sale price to our Paypal account which is:
RolexBlog@Gmail.com.
Please also include a shipping fee of $40 per book. This $40 shipping fee is for all international shipping, so it does not matter what country you are in, we will send your book(s) to you for a flat fee of $40 and it will be delivered to you via FedEx.
California residents please include your local sales tax.
Please also include the mailing address you wish to have the book shipped to and please also include your phone number which is required by FedEx.
In the future, as time permits I will be writing more detailed overviews of each book.
Mondani Publishing Overview
Mondani books are written, researched and published by Franca & Guido Mondani who live in Italy. Guido Mondani is renowned for having one of the top Rolex Collections in the world. One day many years ago, he decided he wanted to share all his knowledge and research with the world and he started publishing his books.
Mondani books are like nothing I have ever seen before!!! As I have mentioned in the past, there is nothing on earth like Super-High-End Italian Passion!!!! Nobody else on earth makes a car like a Ferrari or a Lamborghini, or glasses like Persol, or produced singers like Luciano Pavarotti.
High-end Italian goods are like nothing else in the world and Mondani books posses that same ethos and passion!!! Mondani books are not inexpensive, but they are beautiful works of absolute art that showcase timeless Rolex design as the high-art they are.
All the books we are offering are written in English and Italian. This means, that throughout the book, you will have the English writing next to the Italian.
Rolex Gallery
Mondani Press
Price $180
Rolex Gallery is the latest book from Mondani Press and it takes you on a detailed journey through the history of Rolex watches. "Rolex Gallery" is a clear, detailed and updated guide for all those who want to approach and understand the market for collectable Rolex watches. This books title perfectly sums up what you get, which is a book with many, many hundreds of beautiful Rolex watches.
Rolex Gallery is arguably the ultimate coffee table Rolex book for when you just want to enjoy looking at many beautiful Rolex watches. It is filled with many very rare and unusual Rolex models along with much detailed reference information and the photography is superb!!!
100 Years Of Rolex
Mondani Press
Price $460
100 Years of Rolex give a super-detailed overview of Rolex design and excellence over 100 years from 1908 to 2008. The photography in this book is just amazing and this book belongs in the collection of any serious Rolex book collection.
Rolex GMT-MASTER
Mondani Press
Price $360
If you are into GMT Master Rolex Watches, the photography in the book will blow your mind!!! I remember when I first saw this book over at my buddy Seth Chandler's house. I was shocked at the level of detail in the book. The photography and detail in this book is just amazing!!!
The Rolex Submariner Story
Mondani Press
[Special Updated Limited Edition of 500 Copies]
Price $890
This book freaked me out when I first saw it!!! It is definitely the largest book in my entire collection. It measures 16 inches tall by 12.5 inches wide and if you are into Rolex Submariner watches, this will make a beautiful showpiece on any coffee table.
The Mondani's did an amazing job chronicling the evolution of all Rolex Submariner watches in great detail. This book also comes with a detailed vintage Rolex guide that is a work of art in-and-of-itself. The first edition of this book was limited to 2000 copies and it sold out almost immediately, so Mondani brought it back with this new updated & expanded edition. If you are a Rolex Submariner fan, this is a must have book and is limited to 5oo copies, all of which are hand-signed by Guido Mondai!!!!!
Rolex: Collecting Modern & Vintage Wristwatches
Volume 1 & 2
Mondani Press
Price $600
This is a two volume set by Mondoni on collecting modern and vintage Rolex wristwatches and it is filled with magnificent photography and lush detail for every collector from the beginner to the advanced Rolex collector. This two volume set is extremely extensive and filled with amazing Rolex history insight.
Panerai
Patrizzi Press
Price $690
Patrizi Press put together this two volume set on the history of Panerai which was released in December of 2009 and it is just mind-boggling. Volume 1 is written by Dino ZEI and it is named, "Panerai In Florence: 150 Years Of History," and it goes into great detail on the history of the Italian Panerai company behind the mysterious vintage Panerai watches. This massive volume offers all kinds of fascinating insight into Panerai and their Italian Roots.
The second volume in this series is named, "Panerai Watches: From 1936 to 1997" and it was written by Mario Paci. This volume goes into great detail on many of the vintage Panerai watches made by Rolex and it chronicles all the Panerai watches made after 1956 by Panerai up to 1997. This book has some amazing Panerai variants I had never seen before with some amazing photography.
If you are a serious Panerai enthusiast, this is a must have 2 volume set, and the books are enormous!!!!! Each volume is like a phone book.
One of the obvious questions, is how does this set of books compare to the superb Vintage Panerai books by Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann from Germany? or even the chapter I wrote on Jake's Rolex Watch Blog from The Complete History Of The Rolex Submariner & SEA-DWELLER series named Part 3: Panerai & The Italian Royal Navy [The First Professional Rolex Diving Watch]?
I have great news!!! This 2 volume set along with the two Vintage Panerai books by Ralf and Volker, as well as my series all beautifully compliment each other with very little overlap!!! I would say if you enjoy all of them you will pretty much be a true Panerai Officianado!!!
Ordering Instructions
You can simply order any of these books by sending the sale price to our Paypal account which is: RolexBlog@Gmail.com. Please also include a shipping fee of $40 per book. This $40 shipping fee is for all international shipping, so it does not matter what country you are in, we will send your book(s) to you for a flat fee of $40 and it will be delivered to you via FedEx.
California residents please include your local sales tax.
Please also include the mailing address you wish to have the book shipped to and please also include your phone number which is required by FedEx.
The Best Of Time
Rolex Wristwatches
by James Dowling and Jeff Hess.
For Jake's detailed review and exclusive free podcast interview of co-author and noted Rolex expert Jeff Hess click here.
This is a must have Rolex history book for every Rolex book collection.
James Dowling and Jeff Hess, both leading Rolex experts co-authored this masterpiece. James Dowling's writing is brilliant and he is literally a walking Rolex encyclopedia.
You may purchase this magnificent Rolex History book at a huge discount by clicking on the link below:
Published on the 100th Anniversary of Rolex, 100 Superlative Rolex Watches was released in September of 2008 and consists of $20 Million worth of rare and highly collectable Rolex watches from the collections of the top 5 Rolex collectors in the world. This book has an excellent layout and a very comfortable leatherette cover.
100 Superlative Rolex Watches
by John Goldberger
For Jake's detailed review of this Rolex history masterpiece along with Jake's free exclusive podcast interview of the Author click here.
Published on the 100th Anniversary of Rolex, 100 Superlative Rolex Watches was released in September of 2008 and consists of $20 Million worth of rare and highly collectable Rolex watches from the collections of the top 5 Rolex collectors in the world. This book has an excellent layout and a very comfortable leatherette cover.
Author and Rolex connoisseur, John Goldberger has created a wonderful "Picture Book" that is a superb Rolex reference and a must have for every Rolex book collection.
You may purchase this masterpiece of Rolex History and save $74 off the list price by clicking the link below:
The Rolex Report
by John Brozek
I am working on a review of The Rolex Report and should be recording a Podcast interview with the author, John Brozek in the future.
The Rolex Report is a fascinating book written by Rolex expert, John Brozek.
This book has an excellent Rolex history section and a superb history of how man has calculated and measured time for close to 5000 years.
There are also many how to guides and tons of interesting Rolex information.
You may purchase superb Rolex History book and guide by clicking the link below:
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Basel 2010 Introduction 31mm Datejust Lady...
BaselWorld 2010 Introduction
31mm Datejust Lady
Silver Dial, Roman Numerals Gem Set Bezel
[Reference 178383: Bracelet 72163]
"Diamonds are a girls best friend." –Marilyn Monroe
Friday, March 17, 2006
Rolex Introduces The All-New Supercase Stainless Steel Submariner
Rolex Introduces The All-New
Supercase Stainless Steel Submariner
The Timeless Tool-Watch That Transcends Time!!!
[Reference 116610 LN: Bracelet 97200]
Today in Basel, Switzerland at BaselWorld, Rolex introduced the long-awaited, all-new stainless steel Supercase Submariner which offers many innovative features. Rolex introduced the very first stainless steel Submariner to the public at BaselFair in 1954 to critical acclaim.
Rolex was actually testing the Rolex Submariner in 1953 as witnessed in the photo below of Aquatic pioneer, Jacques-Yves Cousteau which was taken during filming of his seminal landmark documentary named The Silent World.
Jacques Cousteau is pictured below on-board his beloved Calypso research ship in 1953 while filming in the Mediterranean Sea and notice he is wearing an early Rolex Prototype Submariner which is the great-great grandfather of the all new Supercase Stainless Steel Submariner that Rolex introduced in Basel, Switzerland at BaselWorld today!!!
I specifically chose the profound historical image below of pioneering ocean conservationist, oceanographer, and explorer, Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau for several reasons:
First of all, it is the first photo I know of that was taken of anybody wearing a Rolex Submariner, and secondly, Jacques Cousteau basically introduced the world to the Rolex Submariner when he and his Calypso diving team members wore them while filming The Silent World, thus I think it is apropos to have him once again, introduce the all-new Rolex Submariner!!!
Also, Jacques-Yves Cousteau basically pioneered the world of SCUBA Diving which the Submariner tool watch was specifically designed and built for!!! Welcome home baby!!!
Jacques-Yves Cousteau
Filming in The Mediterranean Sea in 1953
Rolex Submariner [Reference 6200]
The Rolex Submariner is one of the most timeless designs in the world. Rolex has very carefully evolved its design over the last 57 years and it's remarkable how similar Jacques-Yves Cousteau's 1953 Rolex Submariner is to the all-new Supercase Submariner!!!!
Introducing An Instant Classic
The All New Rolex Supercase Submariner
An Amazing Step Closer To Absolute Perfection!!!!!
The Rolex Submariner is the most iconic sports watch in history and this all-new model is just amazing!!! It brings back the vintage Maxi-Markers and ads fat hands as well as a ceramic bezel insert and perhaps most important of all, the super innovative Rolex Glidelock bracelet which is pictured at the bottom of this story. It is also important to note that Rolex made a bold and intelligent move to retain the satin-finished (brushed) center links on the all-new Rolex Submariner, thus recognizing and respecting its tool-watch nature.
Rolex describes the all-new Rolex Submariner:
ON LAND AND SEA
The quintessential divers’ watch, the absolute reference in its genre, the Submariner has expanded its horizons far beyond the element of its birth in 1953, while denying nothing of its aquatic origins. At home in the depths of the oceans, a universe in which it remains the basic instrument of every diver, it long ago conquered terra firma, as the watch of action.
Waterproof to 100, 200, then 300 metres as it successively evolved since its launch, the Submariner has always been the symbol of Rolex’s supremacy in waterproofness.
New features
Timeless and impervious to the elements, it is today available in a steel version sporting new features. Its 40 mm case in 904L steel, synonymous with robustness, waterproof-ness and corrosion resistance, boasts a new rotatable bezel fitted with a practically scratchproof black Cerachrom insert —or green for the model with the green dial—with platinum graduations.
Penumbra and soft light
As much in its element in the penumbra of the ocean floor as in the soft light of sophistication, this new Submariner Date offers exceptional legibility thanks to hour markers and hands coated with luminescent Chromalight.
Its mechanical movement equipped with a Perpetual rotor and a Parachrom hairspring pledges increased chronometric precision and reliability. Its unidirectional rotatable graduated bezel allows the safe reading of dive time.
A power of seduction that never goes out of style
This new model is no stranger to comfort. The Rolex Glidelock clasp allows for fine adjustments of the bracelet length. On land as at sea, watch and wearer are bound by the emotional charge deriving from the Submariner’s irresistible power of seduction.
Rolex Oyster Glidelock Bracelet
Engineering Masterpiece
[Reference 97200]
The all new Rolex Submariner LN and LV both feature the extremely innovative Rolex Oyster Glidelock Bracelet which allows the wearer to easily micro-adjust the bracelet without even having to take the bracelet of their wrist–and this all happens without tools.
This incredible feature is also extremely beneficial for Rolex Authorized Dealers when they have the watch on display in the store, because if a customer wants to try the watch on, the salesman can instantly customize the Rolex Oyster bracelet to fit their wrist perfectly. Prior to the Glidelock bracelet, a potential purchaser would have to put a watch on their wrist with a bracelet that was way too big and they would have to hold it closed to fit their wrist. The Glidelock is an design, engineering and manufacturing marvel that is a magnificent Rolex innovation.
Transcending The Oceans
The Rolex Submariner
In the mid 1950s Jacques-Yves Cousteau and his partner Emile Gagnan brought the Aqua Lung to the marketplace and woke up the world to the magnificent underwater world and Rolex offered the first real diving tool watch as seen in the 1955 Rolex magazine ad below:
Transcending The Heavens
A Legacy Of Achievement
Rolex Submariner & The Right Stuff
As Rolex mentioned, The Rolex Submariner not only dominated the aquatic world, but also on terra firma (dry land) as well as flying through the heavens at speeds faster than sound. We see Chuck Yeager below sporting his Rolex Submariner Big Crown [Reference 6538] in 1956, at the beginning of the Space Race when he commanded the U.S. Air Force Aerospace Research Pilots School where he trained pilots for the United States Space Program.
Despite the fact that Chuck Yeager was an ultra-succesful test Air Force pilot he did not go onto NASA to become an astronaut, but he personally trained almost half the future NASA Astronauts who participated in the pioneering NASA Gemini, Mercury and Apollo programs which culminated in landing a man on the moon and safely returning him to earth.
Transcending The DEEP-SEA
The First Tool Watch
The Rolex Submariner
The Rolex Submariner has remained very popular for more than the last half-century, but the Submariner also proved itself as the ultimate tool watch for divers and actual Submariner's. We see a Rolex ad from 1967 below showing the Submariner as a tool watch. The Submariner was also the father of the Rolex SEA-DWELLER which was co-developed between the U.S. Navy SEA-LAB program and Rolex. The result of which was a tool watch that allowed divers to descend even deeper into the oceans.
Transcending Popular Culture
James Bond's Rolex Submariner
Sean Connery played James Bond and wore his Rolex Submariner in the first James Bond film, Dr. No in 1962, and again in 1964 he reprised his role as the British Super-Spy in Goldfinger where he wore his Rolex Submariner.
The following screen shot shows Sean Connery's Big Crown Rolex Submariner on a regimental nylon strap. This close-up of James Bond's Rolex made the Rolex Submariner the must-have cool watch and helped to further popularize it in the mid 1960s.
Transcending Timeless Style
The Steve McQueen Submariner
[Reference 5512]
Rolex Introduces All New LV Submariner [Reference 116610 LV: Bracelet 97200]
Rolex Introduces All New LV Submariner
[Reference 116610 LV: Bracelet 97200]
Today at BaselWorld in Switzerland, in addition to the standard black Rolex Submariner, Rolex introduced an all-new Submariner LV with a green ceramic bezel insert and a green gold dial. This watch features the great Rolex Glidelock Bracelet.
I am officially dubbing this new green on green Submariner as the 7UP Submariner ;-) Its green dial is actually green gold, which is composed of gold mixed with aluminum to achieve the special shade of dark green. Rolex actually produces the dials themselves in their foundry.
One of the interesting features of both the black and the green Submariner models is the all-new ceramic bezel insert that has white-gold inlaid numbers which give the bezel a much more 3 Dimensional look, much more like the bezel insert on the Rolex Yacht-Master.
The green Submariner should be priced about $400 more than the black version and should cost around $7500 in U.S. Dollars. It should also be available for purchase in July.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
