David Beckham Becomes Tudor Brand Ambassador

...Tudor Coolness...

David Beckham

Tudor Brand Ambassador

Tudor is a brand owned by Rolex, and they just announced legendary Soccer super-star, David Beckham has come on-board as an official Tudor brand ambassador and appears as part of their #BornToDare campaign. David Beckham said: 

"I was attracted to Tudor by the attention to detail I could see in their watches. I then learned about the history of the brand. One of adventure, pioneer diving and daring expeditions. I was instantly hooked". —David Beckham

David Beckham wearing Two-Tone Tudor Black Bay 

As I previously mentioned, Tudor is owned by Rolex, and Tudor offers watches that typically offer a very cool vintage-style tool watch look, coupled with a pricing structure that makes them much less expensive than their sibling Rolex watches. As an example, the 41MM Tudor Heritage Black Bay S&G model David Beckham is wearing in the photo above, which is also pictured below, retails for $4,975. Compare this with a standard Stainless Steel & Gold Rolex Submariner, which retails for $13,400, and you get the idea. This is arguably a brilliant marketing move by Rolex to offer much less expensive gateway watches that incorporate a great deal of very cool Rolex DNA. 

David Beckham, whose nickname is "DB7", is considered to be one of the greatest soccer players of all time. As a result of his career achievements he has become internationally recognizable icon. David is also considered by many to be a modern fashion & style icon. This is largely based upon his good looks and blend of classic cool style with his modern twist. As a soccer player he could curl three kicks like no other, so much so his free kicking style became his trademark. He was also the first major footballer (soccer player) that came to the United States to play.

I recently wrote extensively about UNICEF Ambassador, Roger Moore, an it is interesting that David Beckham is also a successful UNICEF Ambassador, and in the video below, you can watch a fascinating interview with where David discusses his UNICEF Fund.

David Beckham is pictured below with Soccer legend Pele who is wearing his trademark yellow gold Rolex Day-Date.

As I just mentioned, David Beckham has been a long-time Rolex fanatic, and has worn many different Rolex models, so I though it would make sense to take a look back at many of the different Rolex models he has worn in the past. This first set of photos of David Beckham are from early 2012, and show David at an LA Galaxy press conference wearing a vintage Rolex Datejust.

Yellow Gold Datejust models are so rare to see, I almost mistook it for a Day-Date! David Beckham is married to Victoria Beckham who is also a huge Rolex fan.

David Beckham has alway been an unusually hard-working man. He was also a trendsetter and style icon, as he was one of the first super-stylish soccer players who paid close attention to his appearance. You could say he was one of the first Metrosexual guys in sports. 

In this next set of photos we see David Beckham back in 2009 wearing his stainless steel Rolex DEEP-SEA SEA-DWELLER.

Victoria Beckham

David Beckham is married to recording superstar Victoria Beckham and they are pictured below at an Los Angeles Lakers Game. Notice they are both wearing Rolex watches. David Beckham is wearing a blacked out Rolex DEEP-SEA and Victoria Beckham is wearing a yellow gold Rolex Daytona.

Victoria Beckham

Posh Spice Girl 

Victoria Beckham began her singing career as a founding member of The Spice Girls and is also a solo artist today. Victoria Beckham is considered to be one of the most stylish women in the fashion world today and she is pictured below wearing a 36mm men's Rolex Day-Date on an Oyster bracelet. Victoria Beckham is also a hardcore Rolex fanatic, and she also wears many different Rolex models.

Victoria Beckham used to manage her husbands career and these days, she is an incredibly successful businesswoman and fashion designer. Her Victoria Beckham brand sells all kinds a clothing and accessories, including eyewear, makeup, handbags and shoes.

Victoria and David Beckham are pictured above leaving a restaurant

Victoria is performing in her solo career in the video below

Victoria & David have four children, and are renowned for being amazingly dedicated parents. Their children are renowned for their social-networking prowess.

Weekend of birthday celebrations with my babies x I love you @romeobeckham 💙

A post shared by Victoria Beckham (@victoriabeckham) on Mar 13, 2017 at 12:35am PDT

Gordon Ramsay & David Beckham

L.A. Lakers Mini Rolex Superstar GTG & RISitus

This series of photos is so funny!!! Cooking superstar Gordon Ramsay is pictured back in 2010, on the left and soccer superstar David Beckham is pictured on the right–at an L.A. Lakers Game. In the first photo we see Gordon and David, who are both from the United Kingdom, trading Rolex sport watches. It appears they traded to check out each others Rolex watches. David Beckham wears a Rolex DEEP-SEA SEA-DWELLER, and Gordon appears to be wearing a Submariner or SEA-DWELLER.

Just for the record, GTG stands for Watch Get Together, which is when a group of watch enthusiasts get together and talk about each others watches. One of the things that typically occurs at a watch GTG is each person takes off their Rolex and shares it with the other members. 

Around The World with David Beckham

The documentary below offers takes you on a journey around the world to all the continents, with David Beckham.

In all the photos above of David Beckham, he looks so serious, so I thought I would post this image from David Beckham's Instagram account, that shows his softer, family-man side:

And Happy Easter from me and my little friend 🐥

A post shared by David Beckham (@davidbeckham) on Apr 16, 2017 at 1:45pm PDT

James Bond Died

James Bond Died

Yesterday was a sad day as I reported Roger Moore passed away. I must admit, I am really surprised at how many different people are taking it. I just had a close friend send me a text a few minutes ago that simply read, "James Bond Died".

Then two minutes later, they texted again, and simply said, "Roger Moore." I texted them back and sent them a link to my coverage of Roger Moore's passing, which can be in yesterday's story seen below this post.

I spoke with another friend yesterday who said, "I can't believe Roger Moore died? He was such an icon of our childhood." I never really thought about it that way before, but I agree, and I think for everybody who grew up watching Roger Moore play James Bond, this is so true. I kind of feel like when Roger Moore died yesterday, a small part of all of us died along with him.

I remember thinking to myself yesterday, "Wow, that's weird Roger Moore passed away before Sean Connery, since he was obviously the younger of the James Bond actors. He must be younger since he played Bond after Connery. I wonder how much younger he is?" A quick Google search revealed Roger Moore was four years older than Sean Connery!?!?!?!?!? WHAT!?!?? If you look at the photo above of Sir Roger Moore with Sir Sean Connery, Roger looks at least 10 years younger, yet in reality, he was 4 years older than Connery!?!! 

Roger Was The Best Bond 

I have also been noticing since Roger Moore passed away, many people suggest Roger Moore was the best Bond Actor, which I have heard some people say before. It is a fact both Sean Connery and Roger Moore both played James Bond 7 times each. If I recall correctly, Sean Connery played him 8 times, if you include "Never Say Never". In the past I have written extensively about the link between James Bond and Rolex, which you can explore in my 13 part series titled, "The James Bond Rolex Story: The Complete History Of James Bond Watches."

I think some of the reasons people say Roger Moore was the best Bond, is they grew up watching him on the big screen, thus he is their archetype for a real-life 'super man'. From an informal consensus perspective, I think most peoples favorite Bond actor is probably the first one they watched in a movie. Personally, I enjoyed all the James Bond actors, but I was never really crazy about Timothy Dalton.

Another interesting point Roger Moore pointed out, when discussing the success of the James Bond franchise, is that peoples enjoyment of Bond, is similar to children watching their favorite same cartoons over and over again. Same with repetitive James Bond movies. The Star Wars franchise has become the same way...at the end of the day, deep down inside, these franchises likely appeal to our inner child...

Bonding Over Bond

I remember a story my uncle Chris once told me about how his father took him to the movies to see the first James Bond movie, Dr. No in 1962, when my uncle was 12 years old. I remember seeing Star Wars when I was 10 years old, and I remember how strong of a impact it had on my imagination, as I was old enough to understand what was going on, but young enough to suspend any disbelief. This combination was amazing, and had a very strong positive impact on my imagination. 

I also remember the first James Bond movie, I saw in the movie theater, which was The Spy Who Loved Me, when I was 13. I also remember seeing Moonraker in theaters in 1979. I remember wanting to be like Jame Bond...I am pretty sure I also remember seeing Live & Let Die in movie theaters, because I distinctively remember the highly iconic Rolex Submariner with the spinning sharp bezel that helped Bond escape.

Back to the story about my uncle Chris and his father. They watched Dr. No as part of a double feature at the Grenada Theater on a Wednesday evening in 1962, and Chris' father said: "Son, this movie you are about to watch is about how an ideal man should be!" Essentially, my uncle bonded with his father over watching Dr. No and discussing the details after the movie, about how cool Sean Connery's James Bond character was. 

If you think about the James Bond characters over the years, they really are kind of like a real life archetypical Superman in the sense they are hyper-competent. In other words, they are always extremely super-smart, successful, handsome, cultured, well groomed, and dressed, and bad guys always try to kill them, but instead James Bond ends up killing the bad guys. James Bond also always ends up getting all the beautiful women around him. James Bond is the ultimate Alpha male.

In the final analysis though, it really all boils down to competence. In other words, James Bond really is the ideal man, in the sense he is simple a model for the ideal hyper-competent man that all men are hardwired to appreciate, respect and aspire to deep down inside. The thing about Superman, is he is not supposed to die, is he? Methinks that is why there has been such a strong emotional response to James Bond Roger Moore dying. It turns out, he was a super man, who was real, and was not immortal. 

I don't think I ever watched the entire cult-classic movie named "Trainspotting", but I think I remember a scene where two of the characters are high, and they are watching Sean Connery in a James Bond film, and one turns to the other and one says with a really thick Scottish accent, "That Sean Connery—he's a masculine actor!!!!" I could't find the clip, but this one featuring Ewan McGregor also references Sean Connery in a funny way. I think that part of the storyline in Trainspotting was that they were obsessed with Sean Connery, thus the reference to the movie "Untouchables", which Sean Connery starred in. My curiosity is getting the best of me, so I am going to have to watch Trainspotting in the future:

It's kinda funny (as T. Walker Lloyd would say), they mention Georgie Best in the beginning of the Trainspotting movie clip above, who once famously said:
"I spend a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I squandered." 
George Best, incase you are not familiar, was a professional footballer (soccer) who played as winger for Manchester United. Georgie was a really funny dude, known for his witty quips. He also famously once said, 
"In 1969 I have up women and alcohol—it was the worst 20 minutes of my life." 
He also said:
"I've stopped drinking, but only while I am asleep.', as well as: "I used to go missing a lot...Miss Canada, Miss United Kingdom, Miss World."
Back to Bond: My point is Roger Moore, was really kind of the opposite of Sean Connery in many ways. Sean was a masculine actor, and Roger was a beautiful man, as we see in the photo below from the 1974 James Bond  movie, The Man With The Golden Gun, which showcases Swedish beauty, Britt Ekland. Britt Ekland Tweeted the following on Roger Moore's passing yesterday:

My Bond is gone, am filled with great sadness. Roger was the epitome of Bond, witty, sofisticated, elegant, funny. Rip

— Britt Ekland (@BrittEkland) May 23, 2017

"I Will Miss Him"

-Sir Sean Connery 

Sir Sean Connery paid tribute to fellow James Bond actor, Roger Moore and said:

"I was very sad to hear of Roger's passing. We had a an unusually long relationship by Hollywood standards, that was filled with jokes and laughter. I will miss him."

Pierce Brosnan, who also played 007 paid tribute to the Roger Moore on Facebook when he wrote:

Fellow James Bond actor, Timothy Dalton tweeted the following:

I knew Roger as a kind and generous man. He was a wonderfully engaging and successful actor. My thoughts are with his family. Timothy Dalton

— James Bond (@007) May 24, 2017

Daniel Craig, posted the following tweet on twitter, in which he simply and elegantly said, "Nobody Does It Better — Daniel"

I am devastated to learn of Roger Moore’s passing. The first leading role I ever had as a Bond girl was such a new and frightening world and Roger held my hand and guided me through every process. He taught me about work ethic and humility. He was so funny, kind and thoughtful to everyone around him and in that Roger taught me what a movie star really was and should be. Through his lifelong work with UNICEF he showed me the true meaning of being a humanitarian and giving back. He was my Bond. - Jane Seymour

A post shared by Jane Seymour (@janeseymour) on May 23, 2017 at 7:46am PDT

Last but not least, fellow James Bond Actor, George Lazenby said:

"I liked Roger, he was an genuine fellow, a really good guy."

On a side note, I have an interesting Rolex history corollary to share with you. The James Bond Movie Franchise began in London in 1962, when Sean Connery starred as Bond in Dr. No. Since then, there have only been 6 men in total to play James Bond. Rolex was founded in London in 1905, and since then, there have only been 6 men in total who ran Rolex.

Sir Roger Moore 1927-2007

...Time and Tide Wait For No Man...

Sir Roger Moore 
Belongs To The Ages
1927-2017

This is really sad, but I just learned that James Bond actor, Sir Roger Moore passed away just minutes ago in Switzerland. On a positive note, Sir Roger Moore obviously lived an amazing life, and made it to 89 years of age, which is an excellent run for anybody...Roger Moore played James Bond from 1973 to 1985 in a total of 7 movies, which include Live & Let Die, The Man With The Golden Gun, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, For Your Eyes Only, Octopus and View to A Kill.

I was just talking to my good pal, Stan Barrett, this morning and he was telling me how sad he felt about Roger Moore's passing. Stan Barrett knew Roger Moore and worked with him in the 1981 movie named Cannonball Run. Stan said:

"When Paul (Newman) was dying, I was by his side and he said to me, 'Stan, you are the last of the good guys'. To my way of thinking, Roger Moore was truly the last of the good guys, in the sense that he was such a great human being. Roger was so personable, and outgoing. He made everybody feel like a star. He was so genuine and always smiling, and upbeat. He would brighten-up any room he walked into. Roger was also an amazing philanthropist, and not just with all the great work he did for UNICEF. So was Audrey Hepburn—by the way—and she introduced Roger to UNICEF. The world lost a great gentleman today with Roger Moore's passing."

Roger Moore Wearing his Single Red Rolex Submariner Reference 1680 on the set of The Man With The Golden Gun in 1974

My first memories of Roger Moore, were from him playing James Bond on the big screen, while I watched him on the small screen at home, in his role as Beau Maverick, beside Jack Kelley in the epic TV Western named Maverick which ran on TV from 1957-1962 in the Untied States. We see Jack Kelley in the photo below with Roger Moore. James Garner was also one of the Maverick stars.

If you grew up watching Maverick, and you play the video below, it will seriously Deja Vu you out when you hear the Maverick theme song.

If highly recommend watching the Roger Moore documentary below, which does a superb job of telling Roger Moore's story of lifetime achievement. 


Sir Roger Moore is pictured below in his later years, after he was done playing James Bond, and we see him wearing his Rolex Datejust on a Jubilee bracelet. 

The $2 Million Dollar Rolex

Stainless Steel Rolex Moonphase

The $2 Million Dollar Rolex

Phillips Spring Auction 

I have been writing a lot lately about the amazing success of the Geneva Spring Auction season record-breaking results. The biggest news of all, was likely the Rolex Moonphase that sold for $5 Million, and this model is very similar in many ways. Not only does it share the same look and Rolex Reference Number of 6062, but both Rolex Moonphase models were auctioned by Phillips. 

On April 29, 2017, I wrote an article about this model, which included the superb wrist shot from Hodinkee that shows this amazing watch on Cara Barrett's wrist. 

Methinks the $5 Million Rolex sale stole the thunder from this amazing watch. I mean, think about it for a second. A Stainless steel Rolex that probably retailed for around $100 in 1953, just sold for $2 Million!?!! That is crazy profound.

Phillips Catalogue Essay

Few watches can cause fervor and excitement among collectors like the mythical reference 6062 and 8171. While Rolex is particularly known for its sports models, such as the Submariner or even Daytona, the manufacture has created some of the most sublime triple calendar wristwatches in the world. Rolex has only ever produced two references that feature a triple calendar complication with moonphases. While the present watch, reference 6062 features a screw down Oyster case back, its sibling reference 8171 is fitted with a snap-on case back. 

Launched at the Basel fair in 1950, reference 6062 was the first automatic wristwatch with date and moonphases that was housed in a waterproof case. Cased in stainless steel, yellow gold and pink gold, the model was fitted with a number of dial variations. Among the most exclusive and desirable versions are ones cased in stainless steel, with no more than two dozen examples having survived in different conditions, surfacing on the market thus far. 

We are delighted to present this reference 6062, which has remained in excellent and unrestored condition. The most impressive stainless steel reference 6062 to appear in the public space in recent years, it presents an opportunity to satiate even the most demanding of collectors and watch scholars.

Featuring Arabic numerals at 3 and 9 o'clock, it features a lacquered silvered finish in the main portion of the dial, along with a ivory grené outer ring, providing great contrast and depth to the watch. The angled date and day apertures demonstrate the dial's originality, along with the sharp track where the moonphase aperture meets the rim of the subsidiary dial. The luminous material is placed exactly where it should be - precisely outside the silver-colored facetted relief hour markers and next to the Arabic numerals, reflecting Rolex's extremely stringent standards in quality. The outer date ring, too, is correct. The printing displays an inky blue hue which one would expect on an original example. The font is correct, with characteristic "open 6 and 9s". Considering the watch is over sixty years of age, it is remarkable that the dial has not been spotted or tarnished. This example remains free of noticeable imperfections in part to its waterproof Oyster case that still bears "Modele Depose" and "Registered Design" on the case back, interspersed with a curved rectangular design. 

This dial, coupled with a stainless steel case, makers for a particularly impressive combination, really embodying the characteristics of a most classic iteration of reference 6062 cased in stainless steel.

During the period, stainless steel wristwatches were often bought for everyday wear. The fact is even more pertinent as stainless steel examples retailed for much less than their yellow gold counterparts, hence at the time, considered not as "valuable". Consequently, many surviving examples are not preserved in their original form, and heavily polished or corroded due to their function as a "tool watch". Barely a handful today exist is original condition, and often break world records when they do appear on the market. 

Examples like the present watch, with its full proportions and facets are completely phenomenal. 

The present watch is furthermore proudly, and prominently illustrated in John Goldberger's book 100 Superlative Rolex Watches on pages 138 and 139. Every detail of the watch is carefully and painstakingly photographed to showcase its beauty.

ANDY WARHOL Protege Painting Record

...2017 Story Preview...

ANDY WARHOL

Protégé Painting Record

I have been working on an epic, super-detailed story about the life and times of Andy Warhol for Jake's Rolex World, and I just learned that a painting from one of his Protégés—Jean-Michel Basquait—just sold a few minutes ago at a Sotheby's Auction for $110.5 Million, so I thought I would post this Rolex story preview. It seems quite apropos as I have been recently writing many stories about how Rolex watches have also been setting Auction records recently.

Andy Warhol pictured above wearing his Rolex Datejust with Protégé, Jean-Michel Basquait

Jean-Michel Basquiat was born in Brooklyn, New York on December 22, 1960, and died at the early age of only 28, on August 12, 1988. Today his paintings are considered to be some of the greatest pieces of modern art, and one of his paintings titled "Untitled", which was just auctioned moments ago, set a new public auction sales record for an American artist when it was sold by Sotheby's on May 18, 2017 for $110.5 Million!!!!

"Untitled," 1982 Jean-Michel Basquiat Painting sold for $110.5 Million on May 18, 2017

Jean-Michel Basquiat was the most talented protégé of Andy Warhol, and I cover Jean-Michel's career achievements in my article about Andy Warhol.

1955 Rolex Milgauss: Christies Sets Another Auction World Record

1955 Rolex Milgauss

Christies Sets Another Auction World Record

I usually don't get that excited about the Geneva Spring Auctions, but this Spring seemed to have brought with it a sea-change in the world of collectable vintage Rolex watches. In other words, the premium collectors paid this spring shot through the roof, like I have never witnessed. Especially for very high-quality vintage Rolex watches like the 1955 Rolex Milgauus Reference 6543 pictured below, which set an all-time record when it sold a few days ago, on May 15, 2017 for $272,500 in Geneva!!!!

So what exactly is going on with these crazy, over-the-top auction prices? I think it has a great deal to do with the fact the collectable world has been seriously catching onto the intense beauty and timeless nature of vintage Rolex watches. I believe the auction houses are also contributing to this intensity by holding special Rolex only auctions, which shines a strong light on the majesty of vintage Rolex. It's interesting to note that for many decades Rolex has been almost a watch company that had very little to do with the broader marketplace in the sense that Rolex is almost like it's own country, with its own unique form of currency—literally and figuratively. 

This is a seriously beautiful and timeless Rolex watch, and it is is superb condition, as seen in the photos above and below. You can learn more about this model by reading my story preview named, "The Complete History Of The Rolex Milgauss."

Christies Lot Essay

ROLEX MILGAUSS

One of the most fascinating models made by Rolex starting from the 1950s is the Milgauss, a watch made to withstand magnetic felds of up to 1000 Gauss.

Rolex’s ethos was to devote some of its production to the manufacture of watches for scientifc professionals working out in the feld. The most highly specialized watch devised for this purpose is the Milgauss, it works on the principle of the Faraday cage – a soft iron band bracing the movement on reference 6543 and a soft iron container enveloping the entire movement in the near contemporary reference 6541.

Lot 200 is an example of the very rare frst Milgauss reference 6543 – in production for three years from 1955 to 1957. Lot 201, shows the progression of the Milgauss design with reference 1019, the fnal vintage model originally launched in 1963.

The Milgauss was only ever sold in very small numbers, fnally being discontinued in 1988. Rolex reintroduced the model in 2007 to critical acclaim, the new model quickly became highly collectible. A rarer “green glass” version is ofered here as Lot 202.

In the 1950s, Rolex began to actively and intensively pursue the market for professional watches. Possibly the most specialized of the timepieces devised over that time is the Milgauss, dedicated to the extremely rarifed market of professionals working with high magnetic felds. Reference 6243 – in production for three years from ’55 to ’57 - is the frst Milgauss model released. It will be joined the same year by the longer-lived reference 6541.

Reference 6543 achieves very high anti-magnetic properties thanks to a very thick case back and a soft iron band bracing the movement. This is a diferent approach than the nearly contemporary reference 6543, which instead achieves the faraday cage efect (magnetic isolation) through an inner soft iron container enveloping the entire movement. The case features the typical Rolex revolving bezel. Early examples mounted a black insert with “Submariner-style” graphics, which will soon be modifed with the dagger markers typical of the Milgauss models.

A curious detail of this reference is the lugs width: it is slightly narrower than the canon 20 mm., thus preventing the attachment of a bracelet.

First Photos Of The All-New Single Red SEA-DWELLER In The Wild

...Wrist Shot Of The Year...

First Photos Of The All-New

Single Red SEA-DWELLER

In The Wild

Kevin Price is a reader of Jake's Rolex World and he just sent in an email with photos of his killer new Single Red SEA-DWELLER and said:

Hey Jake -

Just thought I would send along a couple of pics of my new 126600!

I have the Deep Sea D Blue and I absolutely love it but this one has a completely different feel...very solid and well balanced (which you can see in the 2nd pic)!

Anyway keep up the great work.

Thanks.
KP

I plan to do a detailed review on the all-new Single Red SEA-DWELLER in the not so distant future. In the meantime, Kevin, thanks so much for sending in your superb photos of your AMAZING all-new, super-fresh Single Red SEA-DWELLER!!!! Congratulations on being one of the first people on planet earth to obtain this super-cool new Rolex model!!!!! BTW: I believe Kevin's photos are the first ever published of the all new Single Red SEA-DWELLER in the wild!!!!

Rolex Moonphase Breaks All Previous Rolex Auction Records

Rolex Moonphase

Breaks All Previous Rolex Auction Records

Sells for over $5 Million!!!!!

Rolex Reference 6062

Phllips Aucton House in Geneva just set an all-time Rolex auction record when they sold this 1952 Black dial Rolex Moonphase for 5,065,594.75 today in Geneva!!! This particular Triple-Date Rolex Moonphase was once owned by Boa Dai, who was the Last Emperor of Vietnam.

PHILLIPS Catalogue Essay

Spring of 1954. Geneva. Following the Indochina war, the world powers meet in Switzerland to negotiate with the Viet Minh on the future of Vietnam. During a recess, a man steps out of the Hotel des Bergues where informal negotiations took place to stretch his legs and get some fresh air. He doesn't know it yet, but his country will soon be split in two and he will be known as the Last Emperor of Vietnam.

He decides to take a stroll but his footsteps take him only across the street to Chronomètrie Philippe Beguin, a famed Rolex retailer. The Emperor’s request to the staff is a simple one. He wants the rarest and most precious Rolex ever made. Before the numerous refusals of the different models presented to him, Rolex is called to the rescue and a clerk is rapidly dispatched from the Rolex workshops in the outskirts of Geneva, bringing with him a rare timepiece: the Rolex reference 6062 in yellow gold, with a black dial and diamond indexes. 

A timepiece that will forever be associated with the Last Emperor of Vietnam, even taking his name: Bao Dai

Born Nguyễn Phúc Vĩnh Thụy, he was the 13th and last emperor of the Nguyễn Dynasty. It was not until he ascended the throne in 1925 at age 12 that he was granted the title of Bao Dai – Keeper of Greatness. Bao Dai championed reforms in the judicial and educational systems, and tried to end the more outdated trappings of Vietnamese royalty. He ended the ancient mandarin custom that once required aides to touch their foreheads to the ground when addressing the Emperor. 

Not only a man of wealth, Bao Dai was also a man of taste. He commissioned the greatest artisans of the time to create superb unique creations fit for an Emperor, may it be a villa, private yacht or car (he notably owned a famed Ferrari 375 MM Spyder rebodied by Scaglietti to a blue/silver Tour de France). He wanted the best and had the eye and finesse to recognize it.

This elusive Rolex 6062, cased in yellow gold, is one of only three black dial models known to be set with diamond markers. While two examples feature six diamond markers for odd hour numbers, the present lot displays five diamond numerals for even numbers and a different dial layout, making this piece truly unique. It is interesting to note that due to the diamond numeral at 12 o'clock, the Rolex crown was moved down, consequently making it impossible to have the "Rolex Oyster Perpetual" above the day and month apertures. The "Officially Certified Chronometer" wording was also removed from the center of the dial and placed below the moonphase indication.

This timepiece is not only extremely desirable due to its imperial provenance, but is also a condensate of Rolex's genetic code: the iconic Oyster case, a Rolex "perpetual" in-house movement and of course the ultimate rarity of a full calendar complication featuring a moonphase display. The reference 6062 embodies what Rolex stands for without a shred of compromise. 

The “Bao Dai” first appeared on the market in 2002, consigned by the family of the Emperor, where it was already sold by Phillips for a record breaking CHF 370’000, making it the most expensive Rolex ever sold at the time. We are delighted to offer this Rolex milestone 15 years later, from the collection of the second owner. The watch is still in spectacular, untouched and unrestored condition.

Its imperial provenance, rarity and superb condition make the "Bao Dai" one of the most valuable timepieces ever produced regardless of the brand.

Below is an awesome photo of the Boa Dai Rolex Moonphase from Hodinkee.com, which was included in their coverage this same story. I am so stoked to see they had the WISdom to take the excellent wrist show below, as it really gives you and idea of what this watch looks like in real-life, being worn on a wrist.

The photo below is from John Goldberger's book, 100 Superlative Rolex Watches, and shows the Boa Dai in a photo taken many years ago.

This next tripled date moonphase with the black dial is also from John Goldberger's book, and it is my favorite Rolex Triple-Date Moonphase of all time. I differs from the Boa Dai, in that it features lumed star indices. 

In the photo below we see another Rolex 6062 Moonphase with the rare black dial that was auctioned by Phillips a year ago on May 15, 2016 for close to a Million Dollars. I think I prefer it over the one pictured above, as its date hand has a red arrow, which ads that awesome "Rolex Touch Of Red".

The Rolex catalog picture below from 1947 features the 6062 triple date moon phase.

Rolex Lady Datejust Diamond Laden Bezel

...Rolex Macro Shot Of The Day...

Rolex Lady Datejust 

Diamond Laden Bezel