Vintage Ladies 1930 Rolex Oyster Advertisements: You've Come A Long Way Baby...

Rolex introduces for the first time the greatest Triumph in Watch-making.

Rolex 'Oyster'

The Wonder Watch that Defies the Elements.

MOISTURE PROOF-WATER PROOF-HEAT PROOF-VIBRATION PROOF-COLD PROOF-DUST PROOF

Being hermetically sealed the Rolex "Oyster" is proof against changes of climate, dust, water, damp, heat, moisture, cold, sand or grease; it can, in consequence, be worn in the sea or bath without injury, nor would arctic or tropical conditions affect the wonderful precision of its beautifully poise movement. The introduction of the Rolex "Oyster" model marks an unique development in forward stride of the chronometirc science, and perfect timekeeping under all conditions is at last a possibility.

Ice Master II

I think it is really cool how Rolex makes these heavily jeweled new GMT Supercase watches, but leaves the indices standard.

Macro Shot of the Day: Rolex Turn-O-Graph...

Photo Credit: Kokota

Jake's Quote of the Day: Robert Pirsig on Stuckness...

Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

If you are into Rolex and Quality oriented and you have not read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, run out and buy it and start reading it immediately. If you sincerely appreciate Rolex, you will love Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

Here is a great quote from the book:

“Stuckness shouldn’t be avoided. It’s the psychic predecessor of all real understanding. An egoless acceptance of stuckness is a key to understanding of all Quality, in mechanical work as in other endeavors. It’s this understanding of Quality as revealed by stuckness which so often makes self-taught mechanics so superior to institute-trained men who have learned how to handle everything except a new situation.”  –Robert Pirsig (Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance)

Robert Pirsig with son Chris above at the rest stop on the evening of their first day of their trip

Three of a Kind...7UP Sub, Espresso Sub & Pepsi GMT...

Rolex Watches in Movies

A while ago Jake and I talked for a long time over the phone, and I wanted to contribute to his blog.

After moving and starting a new job, I am finally finding some time to spend on my favorite hobby: watches.

This link is a compilation of the Rolex watches worn in movies and films. Additionally, it describes the history of Rolex. I have not found a better link with this information.

Rolex Bio

White Dials...

Another superb shot from Hannes...

Photo Credit: Hannes

Actor Marshall Thompson...

Smith from the German R-L-X.de Rolex forum has an amazing collection of vintage Rolex shots and he sent in the great one of actor, Marshall Thompson sporting his Stainless Steel Rolex Submariner (Reference 5513) taken in the 1960. As Smith says, and Edith and Archie Bunker sang, "Those Were The Days!!!"

Marshall Thompson is pictured above with Clarence the Cross-Eyed Lion.

Rarest Rolex GMT Master Ever Made...

The Pan American Airlines Issue Rolex GMT Master (Reference 6542) with the white dial and black bezel is probably the rarest GMT ever made. Supposedly Rolex only made 100 white dial GMTs in 1958 and the vast majority of the ones I have seen have the red and blue Pepsi bezel. Because this one has the all black bezel it is extremely rare.

I call this watch the "Oreo Cookie" or the "Vanilla Espresso." I know Rolex is big on retro design language and I would love to see this watch offered with the new Supercase Ceramic GMT Master II. I think this color combination is amazing!!!

Jake's Time Quote of the Day:

Time is not the hand of a clock moving around, not the Time the man-in-the-street thinks he knows it to be. It is something far greater; a fourth dimension, an integral part of the universe. –From "The Anatomy of Time"