Alden Ehrenreich is the new Han Solo...

...Rolex Super-Coolness...

Han Solo

Alden Ehrenreich

Rolex Oyster Transitional Cushion Case

Everybody's favorite scoundrel is back!!! Disney recently released the first official trailer for the highly anticipated upcoming Han Solo prequel movie titled, "Solo: A Star Wars Story" which was directed by Ron Howard. This new movie covers the adventures of young Han Solo in the years prior to the events in the original 1977 'Star Wars' movie. This includes how he met his co-pilot, Chewbacca, as well as the notorious gambler, Lando Calrissian. Alden Ehrenreich is playing Han Solo which was originally played by Harrison Ford.

The image above of Alden Ehrenreich appears courtesy of British GQ, and in the photo below we see a close-up of the detail of his Rolex Oyster.

Alden Ehrenreich is pictured above wearing an early Rolex Oyster with a transitional case. The photo below is of a very similar transitional 32MM Rolex Oyster model, which I am including for frame of reference. It features the same case, hands, winding crown, and dial. It appears his dial differs in the sense it says 'Rolex Oyster' below the 12 O'clock marker, with the words 'Ultra Prima' surrounding the top of the seconds subdial.

What makes this watch 'transitional'? The first Rolex Oyster cases featured soldiered skinny lugs, and the transitional cushion case on this watch was the first one that soldiered thicker lugs that featured a spring bar. The next and final version of this cushion case came later and featured lugs that were machined as part of the case.

The New Han Solo

The new 'Solo: A Star Wars Story' will answer many questions, like how did Han Solo complete the Kessel run in the Millennium Falcon at less than twelve parsecs? It will also cover how Han met his future copilot, Chewie, and Lando, as well as how he got indebted to the interstellar gangster, Jabba the Hutt.

In the photo below, we see Alden Ehrenreich playing the role of Han Solo.

The new 'Solo: A Star Wars Story' official teaser trailer, as well as the official movie trailer, are featured below, which I highly recommend watching. Solo: A Star Wars Story is scheduled to debut at the Cannes film festival on May 15th, and will be in theaters this summer around the world on May 25, which is Memorial Day in the United States.

Solo: A Star Wars Story is the first in a series of upcoming Disney movies that are based upon the earlier history of Star Wars figures. Disney is also working on a Star Wars story movie about young Obi-Won Kenobi, as well as a movie about Boba Fett, which are scheduled to be released in 2019.

Alden Ehrenreich is featured below in an interview before he was chosen to play the role of Han Solo, and he seems like a really cool dude...

It is interesting to note that Alden Ehrenreich wears what I would consider to be a very small Rolex watch by today's standards, which is 32MM in diameter. In an interesting twist of fate, Ryan Gossling who costarred with Harrison Ford in the recently released Blade Runner 2049 also wears a smaller vintage Rolex which is a Rolex Air King, which is 34MM.

Han Solo

Harrison Ford

Rolex Datejust on a Jubilee Bracelet

Alden Ehrenreich has big shoes to fill in following Harrison Ford in the role of Han Solo, and from what I have seen, he seems to be doing a great job.

Harrison Ford's role as Han Solo in the original Star Wars movies is beyond iconic, and as we see in the picture below, he is holding Carie Fisher in his arms, off-set, while he is wearing his stainless steel Rolex Datejust.

In the photo below we see Harrison Ford's wearing his stainless steel Rolex Datejust off-set when he was filming the original Blade Runner movie. 

It's profoundly ironic that both men who play Han Solo on-screen wear silver Rolex watches off-screen!!!

Rolex Hotness: Irina Shayk Super-Leggy-Model-Stainless Steel Rolex Milgauss

...Rolex Hotness...


Irina Shayk

Super-Leggy-Model

Irina Shayk is a famous Russian actress and model and as we see below she wears a yellow gold Rolex Daytona as well as a GV Rolex Milgauss. If you get a chance, you can check out Irina's Instagram page.

In the photo below we see Irina Shayk sporting a Rolex GV Milgauss which features a very cool looking green crystal.

Irina is married to actor Bradley Cooper and they recently had a daughter.

Stefano Mazzariol: Rolex Macro Shot Of The Day

Stefano Mazzariol

Rolex Macro Shot Of The Day

1957 Rolex Submariner Ad Proof...

The Evolution Of The Revolution

1957 Rolex Submariner Ad Proof

This 1957 Rolex advertisement proof from Asia is very similar to a 1955 version which you can see by clicking here. If you click on the link and see the original version of this ad you see the first known Rolex advertisement I know of for the Rolex Submariner. Click on the image below to be able to read it more clearly.

If you read this ad and then think about the historical significance of a watch we take for granted today, it is really profound. It is also profoundly interesting to understand that at the time of this advertisement, which has Hans Wilsdorf's name on it, that Hans Wilsdorf (The Founder of Rolex) had started Rolex 51 years earlier and was three years away from his death. Hans Wilsdorf must have been one proud man and his achievements to this day are astounding!!!

Hafez al-Assad Custom Arabic Rolex Explorer Dial...

A Different Kind Of 

Rolex President

Hafez al-Assad Custom Arabic Rolex Explorer Dial

[Reference 16550]

Back in 2010, Sotheby's auctioned this one-of-a-kind custom dial Rolex Explorer which belonged to Hafaz al-Assad, who was the President of Syria. It is a vintage 1989 Rolex Explorer II, and it is a very early version of the Polar dial Explorer II with white gold indices and matching white gold hands.

Out To Lunch @ Tiffany's

Out To Lunch @ Tiffany's

Forbes.com 

Compares Rolex to Tiffany & Company

Rolex Retains #1 Position with Reputation Institute

This is an interesting story. Actually, it's really three stories in one. It begins with a fascinating story by Forbes.com titled "Tiffany Fails Where Rolex Wins." This story tied-in their findings with the Reputation Institutes #1 ranking for Rolex, for the third year running. In other words, Rolex is again ranked number one in reputation throughout the world, which is the second story.

Rolex is on a roll today as one of the top brands in the world. As a matter of fact, most Rolex sports watches in stainless steel are so popular today they are almost impossible to find at retail. 

ROLEX V. TIFFANY & CO

Some of the key takeaway points from the Forbes.com article that compare Tiffany unfavorably to Rolex point out:

     • Rolex, by contrast, has successfully evolved into the digital world. “Rolex has successfully built a narrative outside the Rolex brand experience. It has transcended in its innovative use of the digital landscape and used digital assets to expand and enhance its story.

     • Whereas it used to be more aloof, opaque and secretive, today Rolex has inculcated a culture of greater openness and transparency, which has paid dividends in the quality of people it attracts.

     • Rolex’ bigger story is about redefining winning. To illustrate that, Rolex works with tennis champ Roger Federer as a role model for underprivileged kids to help them define winning in their own terms. “It is less about Federer as celebrity and more about how he gives back to the community as a spokesperson for Rolex.

     • Rolex, by comparison, has elegantly maintained its prestige at the same time achieved status as a good global citizen being both honest and altruistic. “Rolex has done an incredible job of telling its brand story, staying relevant, aligning with the changing world of the 21st century and truly building a brand experience that transcends the analog into the digital world.”

Below is a fascinating infographic from the Reputation Institute that show the top 100 companies for 2018, and we see Rolex is in the Number 1 position. 

Speaking of Rolex and Tiffany...this brings us to the thirds story here, which is that Tiffany & Company used to sell Rolex watches, and they would screen print the "TIFFANY & CO" logo on the dial as seen on the vintage Pepsi GMT-Master below. For some reason Tiffany stopped selling Rolex watches, and I think that was a mistake. Speaking of Tiffany & Company Rolex watches, I wrote a fascinating story on this subject back in 2010 I highly recommend checking out!

The Forbes.com story really kind of bashes Tiffany & Company, by comparing it to Rolex, although it makes some really good points. I think Tiffany & Company should bring back their super iconic Art-Nouveau table lamps, and sell them in their stores. Tiffany and Company lamps were so cool!

First Known Tiffany & CO. Rolex Submariner Ad

The Elusive Big-Crown 
James Bond Submariner

[Reference 5510]

I think this Tiffany & CO., Ad is from 1960 and it is the earliest one I have ever seen that showcases a Rolex Submariner. Very Cool!!! The Reference 5508 Submariner was rated to 100 meters, and the 5510 was the first to be rated to 200 meters.

1962

Breakfast At Tiffany's

Ladies Rolex Catalog 

Speaking of Rolex and Tiffany's, the following Rolex image comes from a 1962 Rolex catalog, and if you read the poetry, it is just amazing!!! It is so DIFFERENT than the Rolex of today...so interesting...

My best guess is this theme was inspired by the Audrey Hepburn's character she played in the 1961 movie titled, "Breakfast At Tiffany's."

This next image shows a ladies yellow gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual with a Tiffany Blue dial that has the Tiffany & Co. dial designation, which is very cool...

I was going through my archive of saved images, and I found this Hodinkee.com image of a vintage yellow gold Tiffany & Co. Rolex Datejust, which is awesome!!!

New V. Old Pepsi GMT Master

New V. Old 

Pepsi GMT Master

The video below from WatchAdvisor compares and contrasts the incoming stainless steel Pepsi GMT-MASTER with the last generation version Pepsi which was discontinued in 2008. One of the most notable details is the change in coloring on the bezel insert. The original had more of a cobalt blue bezel, and the new one seems to have more of a purple undertone. Also, the new model features a supercase, along with Maxi Markers. So these two watches are so close, yet so far away in detail. Also, in this video he covers how the basic dual time zone feature function works:

Why? Because Wei Koh!!!!

Wei Koh @ Basel World 2018

Why? Because Wei Koh!!!!

I Love Wei Koh!!! Wei is one funny, charismatic and intellectually stimulating dude and he always keeps it real with his matter of fact style of communication, even when he is doing shtick, as he does with his coverage of Basel World 2018, which I highly recommend watching below:

Basel World 2018 Introduction...RAINBOW Daytona...

Basel World 2018 Introduction


RAINBOW

Daytona


Everose Reference 116595 RBOW 

Back in 2013, when Rolex invited me to tour all four of their production facilities located in Switzerland, I was super excited! I really had no idea what to expect. One of the most memorable moments was when I toured the Rolex Gem-setting department. I was completely blown away with what I saw. In particular, I remember there were gem setters sitting at tables with microscopes connected to large screen TV's so you could watch the master Rolex gem setters working, and it blew my mind.

One detail that really stood out, was when the Rolex representative handed me a bejeweled Rainbow Daytona bezel to examine! They placed it in my hand and I could not believe how beautiful it was. I joked with my fellow bloggers by gesturing like I was putting it in my mouth to eat it, saying something like "It looks so delicious!" When you see these bejeweled Rolex watches in person they are stunningly beautiful, and to see them being made in person was incredible!

One of the key features that differentiates this new Everose Rainbow model from the last generation version is this one has color coordinated baguette 5 minute markers, which gives it even more of a rainbow vibe. Rainbows have always been popular in fashion, and particularly in the late 1970s, like Mork from Ork wearing his rainbow suspenders...Shazbot, Nanoo—Nanoo!!! All kidding aside, this is a magnificent masterpiece from Rolex...

Rolex is a company that constantly pushes the envelope, and they have done so with this next generation Rainbow Daytona. I could not help but notice that people get really polarized over these watches. Some people love them, some people hate them, and some people are ambivalent about them. This watch retails for over $100,000, but it is almost impossible to find them at retail. From what I have heard, they sell for close to double that today since they are so rare.

The reality is that it takes a special kind of person who can pull wearing these bejeweled Rolex watches as we seen in the photo below of the gorgeous Russian model, Victoria Lopyreva, who is wearing a bejeweled GMT in the photo below. Victoria also owns and wears a Rainbow Daytona.

Speaking of special people, in the photo below we see legendary actor, Sylvester Stallone rockin' a bejeweled GMT-Master, which looks really cool.

So in getting back to the Rainbow Daytona, when we look at it up close, from the side view, you notice that the lugs and crown guard structures are covered with 56 brilliant-cut diamonds. Also, I believe that on the rainbow bezel, there is one ruby at 12 O'Clock and the rest of the stones are sapphires. 

Rolex also developed a special process for the chronograph counter sundials:

"The chronograph counters are in pink Gold Crystals, a material with a particular shimmer effect, created during the crystallization of a pink gold alloy by means of a special process developed by Rolex."

Why are there so many songs about rainbows
And what's on the other side
Rainbows are visions
But only illusions
And rainbows have nothing to hide

So we've been told
And some choose to believe it
I know they're wrong, wait and see
Some day we'll find it
The rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers, and me

Who said that every wish
Would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star
Somebody thought of that
And someone believed it
And look what it's done so far

What's so amazing
That keeps us stargazing
And what do we think we might see
Someday we'll find it
The rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers, and me

All of us under its spell, we know that it's probably magic
Have you been half asleep?
And have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name
Is this the sweet sound
That called the young sailors?
The voice might be one in the same
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
It's something that I'm supposed to be
Someday we'll find it
The rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me
La da da di da da dum da duh da da dum di da ohhh

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...