National Geographic & Rolex Form Global Exploration Partnership

 National Geographic +Rolex 

 Form Global Exploration Partnership 

A few weeks ago, National Geographic and Rolex announced they were forming a Global Exploration Partnership, which is Beyond Exciting if you ask me. I first really discovered Rolex watches through seeing Rolex ads in Nat Geo Magazine.

The Rolex ad below shows the first Rolex DEEP-SEA Prototype, and appeared in the July 1954 copy of National Geographic. I think this might be the first Rolex ad that ever appeared in National Geographic.

I put the 2017 Single Red SEA-DWELLER over the 1954 DEEP-SEA Prototype National Geographic Rolex Ad, as seen below.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC 

July 2017

The cover of the July 2017 can be seen below, and this issue contains a copy of the announcement of the Rolex partnership with National Geographic.

Below is a beautifully written letter from Gary E. Knell, the President and CEO of The National Geographic Society on the recently announced partnership between Rolex and National Geographic. This letter appears in the July 2017 National Geographic Magazine.

Below is the text from the official Press release from National Geographic:

Partnership will support research and invention, promote conservation, and inspire the next generation of explorers

Built on 63 years of collaboration to foster scientific discovery and encourage conservation

Partnership Will Have Five Year Focus on the Oceans, Poles and Mountains

Washington, D.C. 19th June 2017: National Geographic and Rolex today announced a first of its kind global and multiplatform partnership in exploration, building on an existing 63-year-old relationship. The partnership will invest in scientific research and exploration, raise awareness of the planet’s challenges, and inspire the next generation of explorers. Over the next five years, this will be achieved through a focus on three critical attributes of our planet:  the oceans, the poles and the mountains. Together, National Geographic and Rolex will enable and participate in scientific expeditions, foster research and invention that will yield new exploration technologies and convene summits and activities that generate public support of conservation.

“National Geographic is synonymous with exploration, and for 63 years we’ve had an incredible partner in Rolex in supporting pioneering ventures in discovery and conservation,” said Gary E. Knell, President and CEO of the National Geographic Society.  “With today’s announcement, we will expand our partnership to understand and protect our world, and to support outstanding explorers that are seeking solutions to ensure a healthy and sustainable future. With many years together behind us, it’s a grand legacy to build on.”

“Since the 1930s, in keeping with the spirit of its founder, Hans Wilsdorf, Rolex has accompanied pioneering human adventures to the far reaches of the planet, supporting those who through their vision, their courage and their drive to push the boundaries of what is possible, shed new light on the world. And Rolex watches have been essential tools for these explorers of the unknown,” said Arnaud Boetsch, Director of Communication & Image, Rolex SA. “We have shared a vital mission of exploration with National Geographic for 63 years and are delighted to deepen our partnership as our knowledge evolves, focusing on scientific research, exploration and conservation. Raising awareness of the planet’s challenges and inspiring coming generations to protect Earth and its marvels is in line with our DNA and our history.”

“Every month 730 million people engage with National Geographic across our full media portfolio,” said Declan Moore, President & CEO, National Geographic Partners. “Through inspirational storytelling we have the power to amplify critical issues and motivate change and we are already looking forward to using our trademark journalism and photography to tell stories that this new partnership will create.”

The announcement follows on the heels of the National Geographic’s Explorers Festival, where Rolex awarded photojournalist and National Geographic explorer, Brian Skerry, the Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year Award.  Skerry is a photojournalist specializing in marine wildlife and underwater environments. Since 1998 he has been a contributing photographer for National Geographic magazine, covering a wide range of subjects and stories.

About the National Geographic Society

The National Geographic Society is a leading nonprofit that invests in bold people and transformative ideas in the fields of exploration, scientific research, storytelling and education. Through our grants and programs, we aspire to create a community of change, advancing key insights about our planet and probing some of the most pressing scientific questions of our time while ensuring that the next generation is armed with geographic knowledge and global understanding. Our goal is measurable impact: furthering exploration and educating people around the world to inspire solutions for the greater good. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.org. You can also connect with our most innovative Explorers at the first-ever National Geographic Explorers Festival; a full schedule, as well as ticket information, can be found at www.natgeo.org/explorers-festival.

About National Geographic Partners

National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between National Geographic and 21st Century Fox, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivalled portfolio of media assets. NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO, Nat Geo PEOPLE) with National Geographic’s media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses. Furthering knowledge and understanding of our world has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 129 years, and now we are committed to going deeper, pushing boundaries, going further for our consumers … and reaching over 730 million people around the world in 172 countries and 43 languages every month as we do it. NGP returns 27 percent of our proceeds to the non-profit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. For more information visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

About Rolex

Rolex, the Swiss watch brand headquartered in Geneva, enjoys an unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise the world over. Its Oyster and Cellini watches, all certified as Superlative Chronometers for their precision, performance and reliability, are symbols of excellence, elegance and prestige. Founded by Hans Wilsdorf in 1905, the brand pioneered the development of the wristwatch and is at the origin of numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism invented in 1931. Rolex has registered over 400 patents in the course of its history. A truly integrated and independent manufacturing company, Rolex designs, develops and produces in-house all the essential components of its watches, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Rolex is also actively involved in supporting the arts, sports, exploration, the spirit of enterprise, and the environment through a broad palette of sponsoring activities, as well as philanthropic programs.

One More Thing

The one page article below also appears in the July 2017 National Geographic Magazine, and not only does it offer insight from a fascinating explorer named Kenny Broad, from University of Miami, but apparently he is cave diving in the same case that Robert John Palmer dove in the vintage Rolex SEA-DWELLER ad I published just a few days ago. I am going to have to reach out to my pal, Dr. Arthur Miller, and ask him more about this, as he is one of the top Cave Divers and Archeologist in the world.

WIMBLEDON 2017: July 3 to July 16 Sponsored by ROLEX

WIMBLEDON 2017

July 3 to July 16

It's that time of year again, time for the greatest tennis match in the world, and as you likely know, Rolex has been the primary sponsor of the oldest and most prestigious fortnight in professional tennis since 1978, which is known as the Wimbledon Tennis Tournament. 

...Rolex Presents...

The Spirit Of Wimbledon

Four Part Series 

Wimbledon from 1877 to 2011

Several years ago Rolex released this remarkably detailed and amazing four part documentary on the history of Wimbledon, which is absolutely fascinating!!!

Robert John Palmer Rolex SEA-DWELLER AD

Robert John Palmer
1951-1997

Rolex SEA-DWELLER AD

Robert Palmer was one of Britain's leading technical and cave divers and was sell known in the United States. He was probably best known for having explored the Bahamas Blue Holes. He was not only a Rolex Geographic Society Fellow, but also a member of The Explorer's Club. He was also an instructor for The British Cave Diving Group. One day, in 1997, while diving in Hurghada, Egypt in the Red Sea, he mysteriously disappeared and his remains were never found. If you are student of the history of The Rolex SEA-DWELLER, you want to make certain not to confuse Robert John Palmer with Robert Palmer Bradley, who was another famous diver with a very similar name who died in a diving accident in 1973.

Ayo & Teo "Rolex"

Ayo & Teo

"ROLEX"

Infectious International "ROLEX" Anthem Phenomenon

Rolex popularity is spreading like wildfire this summer—all over the world—in a most unexpected way! Rolex brand familiarity is rapidly expanding, especially with young kids, through a highly infectious dance song which has very quickly gone viral, and the song, which is responsible for this social phenomenon is simply named: "ROLEX". 

This new song named "ROLEX" was recorded by Ayo & Teo, and it's causing the largest dance craze since, "The Macarena", which occurred twenty-two years ago in 1995. Now that I think about it, PSY's 'Gangham Style' from a few year back also comes to mind.  Ayo & Teo are dancers from Michigan, which is located in the United States, and they have appeared in music videos including Usher's "No Limit", as well as in Chris Brown's "Party" video. Ayo & Teo recently released their really catchy song named, "ROLEX". The artwork from their "Rolex" single is pictured below:

Ayo and Teo are brothers, and their viral hit song "ROLEX" video which is located below, has already had more than 130 Million collective views on YouTube, and it just came out a month ago!?!!

The lyrics in Ayo & Teo's "ROLEX" song are largely about the charismatic allure and appeal of wearing a Rolex, coupled with the power of positive Rolex brand association. This is something I know a thing or two about, as I got my first Rolex when I was 16 years old. If you think 16 or 17 is young, I know of readers who got into collecting Rolex when they were 11 and 13 years old. Ayo and Teo are 17 years old, and they are both rockin' fully blinged-out Ice covered Rolex watches, which is what their song, "Rolex" ironically is all about. Their "ROLEX" song introduction begins with the words:

I just wanna Rolly, Rolly, Rolly—with a dab of ranch

I already got some designer to hold up my pants

I just want some ice on my wrist so I look better when I dance

Have you lookin' at it, put you in a trance

In the first verse Ayo and Teo sing:

My Rolly don't tick tock, it just glide

Keep staring at it and you might go blind

I be movin' clean, I don't even try

All I see is bands, bands, I spy

The song ends with the lyrics:
All I ever wanted was a Rolly All I ever wanted was a Rolly I just want a Rolly I just want a Rolly I just want a I just want a Rolly


Stephen Curry "ROLEX"
The $220 Million Man
Ayo and Teo's song is going crazy viral on Twitter with their #RolexChallenge, and is appearing in Vine videos, and all over social media video footage. An example of this urban phenomenon can me seen in a tribute to Stephen Curry's NBA Championship winning video below. In other words, the Stephen Curry video really has NOTHING to do with Rolex, but somebody put Ayo & Teo's "ROLEX" soundtrack playing in the background as an infectious upbeat anthem, and it has already had over 1.5 Million view. This should not be surprising as Stephen Curry just became one of the highest paid athletes in history, as he just signed a 5 year contract extension with the Golden State Warriors for $220 Million!!!

Of course, it doesn't hurt that this years NBA Champion Stephen Curry does wear a Rolex DEEP-SEA SEA-DWELLER as seen in the photo below, which appears courtesy of USA Today. So just to be crystal-clear, despite the fact Stephen Curry happens to wear a Rolex in real life, he is NOT an official Rolex brand ambassador, and the "ROLEX" playing as a themed upbeat soundtrack in the video has nothing to do with the fact he wears a Rolex in real life.

PSY-Gangham Style
The only other anthem, I can think of in history that has had a popularity impact like Ayo & Teo's "ROLEX" song is Queen's, "We Will Rock You." The most recent super-catchy, viral song I can think of was released around this time of year in 2012 was PSY's 'Gangham Style' mega-hit. It's worth noting Ganham Style cultural phenomenon to date has had close to 3 Billion Plays on YouTube.




Odel Beckham "ROLEX"
People all over the web have been adding the "ROLEX" song as a soundtrack on random videos, which is acting as a highly infectious upbeat anthem phenomenon for achievement, as seen again in the video below for Odell Beckham.

Odell Beckham is pictured below sporting his yellow gold Rolex Day-Date with a black dial and blinged-out diamond bezel. To the best of my knowledge, Odell Beckham is NOT a Rolex brand ambassador either.

Cristiano Ronaldo "ROLEX"
This "ROLEX" anthem phenomenon is not just limited to the USA, but is spreading all over the world, including to Europe, as witnessed by this Cristiano Ronaldo 2017 compilation video. There are many more videos on YouTube that have Ayo & Teo's "ROLEX" as a soundtrack.

It's ironic the three videos I chose that feature professional athletes in videos that feature Ayo & Teo's "ROLEX" song, all happen to wear Rolex in real life, as we see below with Cristiano Ronaldo wearing his two-tone Rolex Submariner. This really comes as no surprise, as it stands testament to the fact Rolex remains The International Mark of Success.

#RolexChallenge
Ayo & Teo's Twitter Handle #RolexChallenge is seen in the video below where Ayo & Teo teach viewers and break-down the different dance moves in their song, "ROLEX". 

So what exactly are Ayo & Teo singing about? If you watch the video below, they share their inspiration behind the lyrics, and how they constructed their "ROLEX" song:




Worldwide "Rolex" Anthem
The Ayo & Teo song is not just showing up in sports highlight videos, but kids and parents all over earth are rockin' out to "ROLEX" as we see in the video below:




Ellen DeGeneres "ROLEX"
Ellen DeGeneres had five year old Tavaris Jones on her show recently, and if you look closely, Ellen is wearing her Paul Newman Daytona, while she interview Tavaris, before he performs his "ROLEX" Challenge dance:

It will be very interesting, years from now to see how successful Ayo & Teo's "ROLEX" song ends-up becoming. I would say, so far it has maintained an amazingly successful trajectory, and seems to be having a profoundly positive impact on people. Rolex is going stronger than ever as being The International Mark Of Success!!!


Usher Rolex
Usher is an 8 time Grammy Award Recording Artist and is featured in Ayo & Teo's "ROLEX" video seen in the first video in this story, and ironically Usher is wearing a Panerai in the video. Usher also wears a yellow gold Rolex Daytona as seen in this AMAZING acoustic cover of Mercy Mercy Me/What's Going On Medley:

The yellow gold Rolex Daytona Usher is wearing in the video above, is pictured below. Usher's Daytona features an interesting red micro minute track, that matches the RED DAYTONA dial designation.





Wearing My Rolex

The only other song I am aware of that has Rolex in the title, was Wiley's 2008 Hip Hop hit titled, "Wearing My Rolex", which is a GREAT SONG!!! Be sure to check it out below. My favorite lines in the song say:
All I want to do is tell you I love you That's when I start promising the world to A brand new girl I don't even know yet Next thing she's wearing my Rolex





Rolex Ice

So what exactly is Rolex Ice? Rolex has a long history of bejeweling certain watches. When I toured all four of the Rolex factories in Switzerland back in 2013, I had the opportunity to tour the Rolex department in Geneva, Switzerland that specializes in Gem Setting, and it completely blew my mind!!!! Watching the professional Rolex Gem Setting Artisans working on setting stones was a magnificent sight to see!!! So what exactly is "Rolex ICE"? In the early 2010s, Rolex made an Ultimate ICE Rolex which appears below, and is referred to as a Rolex GMT-ICEMASTER.

The Rolex ICE-MASTER is a really, really rare watch, that holds the distinction of being the most expensive Rolex ever offered for sale, at a retail price of close to $600,000. The photo above and below appear courtesy of Robert Maron, and show the Rolex GMT-MASTER [Model Reference 116769TBR], which was made from 18KT White Gold, and was sugar coated with diamonds. The case alone had more than 240 diamonds, and the bezel had 45 baguette cut diamonds, along with three triangular diamonds. Keep in mind, these are not low or medium quality diamonds. Rolex only uses super high-quality precious stones in their bejeweled watches.

I used to really dislike Rolex watches that had a lot of bling, until I had the opportunity to play around with some of them at a Rolex AD, and I was stunned with how amazing the quality was! So if I was a zillionaire, and could have a huge harem of watches, would I own and occasionally wear watches like this, just for the hell of it? Sure!!! Why, not!?!! I believe I am in the majority on this one; I think most men prefer the simplicity of simple, low-key stainless steel Rolex sport watches. Don't get me wrong, I like and have owned gold Rolex's in the past, but these days I prefer wearing a simple all stainless steel watch like the Rolex Single-RED SEA-DWELLER.

So who do these blinged-out Rolex ICE watches appeal to? They are very popular with chic women, fashionistas and super-leggy-models with a lot of money, who perceive the watches as beautiful jewelry, which is what they are. Also, many inner-city kids aspire toward these watches, like Ayo & Teo, as they perceive them as ultimate status symbols of wealth and prestige. I have also noticed many professional NBA Basketball players, Boxers, and NFL Football Players love wearing blinged-out Rolex watches, as they really set them apart and distinguish them. Also, they are very popular in many countries in the Middle East, where wealthy men want to distinguish and differentiate themselves, and wear something different that shows their wealth and prestige.

Many people discount people who wear Rolex watches that are covered with precious stones. Back in the 1980s, when Rolex really became the status symbol it is today, there were many people who would wear Rolex watches that had aftermarket dials and bezels that had been customized with precious stones. I remember that many people seemed to have a distain for these watches and thought they were an overly-opulent, ostentatious, tacky symbols that distinguished the wearer as being nouveau riche (New Money). The truth is that Rolex watches, just like jewelry in general can be polarizing, in the sense that one man's meat is another man's poison. 

I forgot to mention, bejeweled Rolex watches are also popular with Rappers. Now that I think about it, they are Rolex ICE watches are REALLY Popular with Rappers. Once again, I think it is an inner-city thing, were having a bejeweled Rolex is the ultimate status symbol, which is really what Ayo & Teo are singing about. 

The First Rolex World Magazine

The First Rolex World Magazine

Mark Twain famously once said, "History doesn't repeat itself, but it sure does rhyme." Today Rolex publishes a paper magazine which is named, "The Rolex Magazine." As a matter of fact, I wrote an article that was published in the, "The Rolex Magazine" a few years ago, which was an article about the history of the Rolex Day-Date, A.K.A., "The Rolex President", titled "The Rolex Precedent by Jake Ehrlich." 

The Rolex Magazine (pictured above), if you have never seen a copy, is a full-blown, thick matte-finish magazine, that looks great on a coffee table, and it is thick, like a thicker Architectural Digest. It's ironic, that Rolex does not offer subscriptions for The Rolex Magazine, nor can anybody buy a copy. Instead, they are sent out to Rolex Authorized Dealers, who give them to customers in the store. I think this is a mistake, it's a great magazine, and many people I know would like to subscribe to it. If I understand it correctly, it is published twice a year. 

Perpetual Spirit Magazine

It is fascinating, because Rolex first began publishing "The Rolex Magazine" back 2013, if I recall correctly, and prior to that, Rolex printed a much skinnier paper magazine named, "Perpetual Spirit." Perpetual Spirit was a glossy magazine, that also was not available for subscription, and it was also given out as a gift at Rolex authorized dealers. The photo below shows a copy of Rolex's Perpetual Magazine.

Rolex World Magazine

This is where it gets really interesting! I recently discovered that back in 1974, Rolex published a Magazine named Rolex World, which is interesting as the name of my online Rolex Magazine is Jake's Rolex World, or Jake's Rolex World Magazine. I imagine this coincidence just goes to show it is a small world after all, while illustrating the true interconnectivity of everything in the world. I assume the paper Rolex World Magazine was the precursor to Perpetual Spirit Magazine, and from what I can tell it looked like a thinner magazine. I also assume that Rolex AD's gave it away in their stores. If any readers have original copies of Rolex World Magazine, please send me an email with some better photos, and info, and I will ad them to this story.

Winthrop Rockefeller: Rolex Datejust on Jubilee Bracelet

...Rolex Coolness...

Winthrop Rockefeller 

1912-1973


More Rockefeller's Rockin' Rolex

In the past, I published a story about David Rockefeller, who wore a yellow gold Rolex Day-Date. It turns out that more Rockefeller's wear Rolex, including David Rockefeller's bother, Winthrop Rockefeller. Winthrop Rockefeller was a famous American politician and philanthropist, who was elected as the first Republican Governor of Arkansas, since Reconstruction. He was one of five grandsons of John D. Rockefeller was an American oil industry magnate and philanthropist.

Winthrop Rockefeller was born on May 1, 1912 and died on February 22, 1973. The photo below was taken at the Winrock Cattle Sale on May 9, 1964, and in the photo we get a clear shot of his Rolex Datejust on a jubilee bracelet. This was not his first Rolex, as I am aware of him wearing a Rolex Oyster Perpetual many years earlier (not pictured).

Another Rockefeller Another Rolex

Winthrop Rockefeller's younger brother, David Rockefeller is pictured below in a 2002 Harry Benson photo wearing his yellow gold Rolex Day-Date. Earlier this year, I wrote a story about David Rockefeller's career achievements and his Rolex. One of the other Rockefeller brothers, Nelson Rockefeller was the Vice President Of The United States under President Gerald Ford, from December 19, 1974 to January 20, 1977.

So I am going to daisychain a little bit now, which is coming for me on Jake's Rolex World. The photo below shows David Rockefeller, wearing his yellow gold Rolex Day-Date, while shaking hands with South African President, Nelson Mandela.

Rothschild & Rockefeller

The next photo below, which appears courtesy of Vanity Fair was taken by Annie Leibovitz in David Rockefeller's Upper East Side Townhouse study, shows British Investment Banker, Lord Jacob Rothschild, 4th Baron Rothschild, on the left with David Rockefeller on the right. For some reason, I always get the Roshschild's and Rockefeller's mixed up. These two men represent two of the most influential, wealthy families of the bast couple of hundreds of years. The two families are investment partners in a wealth advisory company. On a side note, the photo below was taken at David Rockefeller's Manhattan townhouse in front of his fireplace, and we see he has an original Gauguin painting above the fireplace, and an original Picasso face sculpture behind him—pretty hardcore, if you think about it...

Jacob Rothschild was born and raised and lives today in England, and The Rockefeller's are an American family. 

One More Rockefeller

I also thought I would include some photos of Senator Jay Rockefeller, wearing two different Rolex Submariner models. The first photo below shows Senator Ted Kennedy, hugging Jay Rockefeller, who is wearing a two-tone Rolex Submariner on a matching yellow gold and steel Oyster Bracelet. Many of Ted Kennedy's relatives, including JFK Jr., Caroline, and Ted Kennedy Jr., wear Rolex watches. 

The more recent photo below of Senator Jay Rockefeller shows his wearing an all stainless steel Rolex Submariner. Senator Jay Rockefeller is a great grandson of oil tycoon, John D. Rockefeller and he is the nephew of Winthrop and David Rockefeller.