Scott Crossfield: A New Chapter In the History of the GMT-Master has been discovered....

The Complete History Of The Rolex GMT-Master

Rolex X-Files

...Rolex Supersonic Coolness...

Scott Crossfield
1921-2006

Record Setting U.S. Navy Test-Pilot

The Right Stuff

First Pilot To Fly @ 
Twice The Speed Of Sound 

Rolex GMT-Master

With this story, another previously undocumented chapter is being added to The Complete History of The Rolex GMT-Master.  I have been working on this story for many years, and I am so excited to finally publish it. This story is of particular significance as it provides yet another previously missing piece of the Rolex GMT-Master History Puzzle in the role it played in Rolex's Conquest of Space, as we see on Scott Crossfield's wrist in the photo below.

Scott Crossfield was an American Naval Officer and test pilot and was the first of twelve pilots who would fly the North American X-15, which was an experimental spaceship that was cooperated by NASA and The United States Air Force.  In 1953 he became the first to fly at twice the speed of sound. Ironically he passed away in a crash at the age of 84.

Albert Scott Crossfield was born on October 2, 1921 in Berkeley, California. Scott served in the U.S. Navy as a fighter pilot and flight instructor during World War II. After the war he attended the University of Washington's where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1949, and in 1950 gained his Master degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Scott Crossfield was the first of twelve X-15 Pilots and  In the photo below we see Scott standing in front of his X-15.

Scott Crossfield joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) High-Speed Flight station as an aeronautical research pilot. NACA was later renamed 'NASA Dryden Research Center', and today is named the Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base.

Crossfield flew many different experimental aircraft in tests at Edwards Air Force Base including the X-1, XF-92, X-4, X-5, Douglass D-558-I Skystreak as well as the Douglass D-558-II Skyrocket.

Chuck Yeager

In order to understand Scott Crossfield's achievements let's put things in perspective by taking a look at the context surrounding his world. We must begin by looking at General Chuck Yeager who was the first man to break the speed of sound barrier in 1947.

The photo below shows Chuck Yeager in his X-1 Airplane when he flew into the history books as the first man to fly faster than the speed of sound, and he was wearing his trusted Rolex Oyster when he set this remarkable record.

The photo above is cropped from the photo below which is mind-boggling if you click on it and check out the detail. It was taken in 1947 and is a photo of Chuck Yeager haulin' in his X-1.

Chuck Yeager was a big Rolex fan and he sent in the photo below to Rolex in Geneva in 1954.

First Pilot to Break Break Mach 2

Scott Crossfield was the first pilot fo break the record for flying at twice the speed of sound back in 1953. 

In the photo below we see Scott Crossfield with the Douglas D-558-II Skyrocket (front, center), with his support team: two North American F-86 Sabre chase planes and the Boeing P2B-1S Super-fortress mothership, at the NACA High Speed Flight Station, Edwards Air Force Base, California, 1 January 1954. 

In the zoomed in version below I think I see Chuck Yeager is standing closest to the Skyrocket. You are seeing the precursor to NASA which was NACA.

Scott Crossfield is picture below on November 20, 1953 just after he flew his Douglass D-558-2 Skyrocket into the history books when he flew it twice as fast as the speed of sound.

The video footage below showcases Scott Crossfield record setting Skyrocket flight in 1953.

North American X-15

As previously mentioned, Scott Crossfield was the first of a dozen X-15 test pilots. He was also the Chief Engineering test pilot for North American and played a huge role in the development and design of the North American X-15. Crossfield flew a total of 14 of 199 total X-15 flight tests and he reached Mach 3 (2,290 MPH). 

"I am an aeronautical engineer, an aerodynamicist and a designer. My flying was only primarily because I felt it was essential to designing and building better airplanes for pilots to fly."

—Scott Crossfield

Scott Crossfield designed the X-15 along with many of its innovative features. He first flew the X-15 on June 8, 1959, which featured an unpowered glide from 37,550 feet and he then landed it successfully. The X-15 was unusual as it featured skis in the back as part of the landing gear.

In the next photo below discovered by Nick Gould we see Scott Crossfield attending an event for the Society of Experimental Test Pilots on October 8, 1959, and notice he is wearing his Rolex GMT-Master.

In the video below shot on September 17, 1959 we witness Scott Crossfield's second X-15 flight, which was the first powered X-15 test flight.

Scott Crossfield's Number 2 X-15 is pictured above and below on November 5, 1959 after it cracked in half during an emergency landing at Rosamond Dry Lake, which is approximately 10 miles (16 Kilometers) southwest of Edwards Air Force Base in California. At the time of the crash the X-15 was still partially loaded with propellant fuel. 

Neil Armstrong

Scott Crossfield is pictured below on February 9, 1961 at Edwards Air Force Base with two other famous X-15 pilots: On the far right we see noted X-15 pilot Neil Armstrong who would go on to become the first man to set foot on the moon aboard Apollo 11, in 1969. In the middle we see U.S. Air Force Pilot, Major Robert White. Just 2 days prior, on February 7, 1961 Robert White has set a new record in the X-15 of 2,275 MPH.

The next two photos show Scott Crossfield recieving the Harmon Trophy Award from President Kennedy at the White House in Washington D.C. on December 1st, 1961.

Below is a U.S. Air Force 1960 X-15 Annual Report video presentation given by Scott Crossfield on September 15, 1961 which is absolutely fascinating. Notice Scott Crossfield is wearing Rolex GMT-Master in the video presentation!!!  

Pete Knight

The second man we need to explore in order to best understand Scott Crossfield's achievements is X-15 Pilot, William J. "Pete" Knight who is pictured below in front on an X-15.

I first became aware of Scott Crossfield more than a decade ago when I was researching my seminal story I wrote on Supersonic Speed King, Pete Knight. Notice in the third paragraph of the letter below, Rolex U.S.A. President, Rene Paul Dentan mentioned Scott Crossfield.

Former Rolex U.S.A. President, Rene-Paul Dentan is pictured below in a photo from 1980, which appears courtesy of S3C Private Collection.

Pete Knight to this day holds the speed record for level flight when he flew into the history books in 1967 when he piloted his X-15 at Mach 6.7. Pete Knight's X-15 he set the all-time record in was painted with a special abatement white to keep the spaceship cooler when it reentered the earths atmosphere. The X-15 was the precursor to the Space Shuttle.

Pete Knight wore his Pepsi Rolex GMT-Master when he set the all-time speed record for level flight, and we see it pictured above in an exclusive photo. Today, this watch resides in Rolex's Private Museum Collection in Geneva. Pete Knight is pictured below in his later years wearing his beloved Rolex Pepsi GMT-Master which he wore his entire life.

The Right Stuff

Scott Crossfield was one of the key characters in the 1983 movie, The Right Stuff and was played by Scott Wilson.

Special Thanks to Nick Gould (@niccoloy) and Philip from Moon Watch Universe for their invaluable contributions to this story.

Paul Boutros Arthur Ashe Stadium rocking his Pepsi GMT-Mster

...Wrist Shot of The Day...

Paul Boutros

Arthur Ashe Stadium

U.S. Open 

Paul Boutros from Philipps Auction House is attending the 2019 U.S. Open Tennis Tournament in Flushing Meadows, New York and he just shared these AMAZING photo of this Pepsi GMT-Master. Paul was the first person in the United States to get ahold of the new Pepsi GMT-Master in stainless steel just after it was introduced!

Rolex Datejust 36mm with Fluted Motif

IT'S FLUTED!

THE NEW DIAL CONJURES UP

A FAMILIAR ROLEX DESIGN

By DANNY CRIVELLO

This year Rolex unveiled new versions of its Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36, including one with a fluted dial motif. When I spoke to a Rolex rep about the new watch motif, she told me the dial design mimics the pattern found on the fluted bezel, which has become one of the brand’s signature aesthetic styles. So the new dial was essentially inspired from the well-known Rolex bezel.

Transposing the famous fluted pattern to someplace other than the bezel of a Datejust or Sky-Dweller is not new for Rolex. You could say it was hiding in plain sight. When I was invited by Rolex to the last Baselworld, in 2019, the fluted motif was already adorning the walls inside the booth. 

The Rolex Dubai boutique, the biggest Rolex boutique in the world, is also invoking the fluted motif. 

 

In this video, Emkwan takes us on an incredible tour inside that boutique—and it's amazing!

Rolex just announced it would redesign its existing home on the corner of 5th Avenue and 53rd Street in New York, which it has occupied since the 1970s. The new 25-story high-rise, which looks like five cubes stacked on top of each other, will also have the corrugated windows that use the fluted motif.

GMT-Master In The Italian Mountainside

...Rolex Outdoor Shot Of The Day...

GMT-Master In The Italian Mountainside

Irimagio lives in Italy, and he is a fan of Jake's Rolex World. He took this photo of his GMT-Master, which is really cool.

Rolex Movement Factory in Bienne

Rolex Movement Factory in Bienne

Mr. Wonderful is Back Kevin O'Leary

Mr. Wonderful is Back

Kevin O'Leary
I interviewed Kevin O'Leary (Mr. Wonderful) a few months ago and he was AMAZING!!!! The thing I love about Kevin is he tells it like it is, whether it's on Shark Tank or personally, and at the same time he is very wise. When we spoke he shared the most fascinating insight with me! We agreed that in the future I would interview him in person on video, but until then, here is a superb interview with Teddy Baldassarre.

Cat Stevens Concert The Return Of A King

Cat Stevens Concert

The Return Of A King

Cat Stevens was one of the most amazingly talented singer, songwriter guitarists of his time, and when I was a kid growing up in the 1970s his songs were on the radio all the time. Born in Great Britain, Cat Stevens specialized in folk music as well as rock and pop. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.

"We must not cease from exploration. And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we began and to know the place for the first time." —T.S. Elliot

We are in for a real treat today on Jake's Rolex World with the AMAZING full-length Cat Stevens concert below. Enjoy!:



Cat Stevens is famous for hits like "The First Cut is the Deepest", "Father and Son", "Wild World", "Moon Shadow", "Morning Has Broken" and "Peace Train." 

Cat Stevens was born in a household with strict Christian parents, and in a move that shocked the world, in 1977 he converted to Islam and in 1978 changed his name to Yusuf Islam. The next year, in 1979, Cat put up all his guitars for auction and donated all the proceeds to charity and walked away from his ultra-successful music career.

Being a huge music fan, I always though it was totally bizarre and sad that he retired so early from music. Once again, in 2006 he shocked the world as he returned (28 years after he retired) to his music career! The video above was shot in 2015, and as we see he sounds better than ever!!!

Cat Stevens' voice and overall musical vibe is like Billy Holiday in the sense he has a unique sound signature that sounds like nobody else. Frank Sinatra once said "There is something to be said for things that endure", and just like Rolex, Cat Steven's is beyond timeless!!!

On a side note, I always thought Cat Stevens was American, as he sings with what appears to be an American accent—but when he speaks he has a British Accent!?!! I have noticed that basically all people with a British accent sound like they are singing in American English!?!! Think about it for a second. Listen to ANY Beatles or Rolling Stones song, and they sound American. I don't know why this is, but it's fascinating to me :-) I have a close friend who grew up outside the U.S. and she once made an interesting observation about the British accent and said: "People with a British Accent sound like they are chewing gum with their nose plugged up!?!!" :-0

1953 Rolex v. Corvette

1953 v. 2020

Rolex v. Corvette

Basel World 2020 Prediction

Chevrolet recently debuted the upcoming all new mid-engine Corvette stingray which just went through its most radical transformation in its history. So much so, it metamorphosed from a caterpillar crawling around on the ground, to a beautiful butterfly flying through the sky. In my opinion this is something GM should have done 20 years ago, but as they say, 'better late than never."

Little Red Corvette

The most amazing thing about the all-new Corvette model is that it looks AMAZING, and does 0-60MPH in less than 3 seconds while starting at under $60,000. This car is potentially going to wreak-havoc on upscale brands like Ferrari. The 2020 Corvette pictured above has a targa top that can be stored in the rear trunk, and Chevy has already showed of a convertible version as well. Chevy made the 2020 available for pre-order on Chevrolet.com and from what I understand, they are close to being sold out already.

I think the new Corvette is super cool, and but I would never purchase one unless it was electric. I hope GM is working on an electric version of this car, which would really be awesome! Chevrolet introduced the original Corvette in 1953, which is pictured below in front of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Ironically, Rolex had a 'Corvette' model long before GM as we see in the photo below of the 1943 Rolex Corvette wristwatch!

So what does this have to do with Rolex beside the fact the Corvette and Submariner are both super-iconic? Rolex debuted the Submariner in the same years GM launched the Corvette, 67 years ago, back in 1953.

I believe it is likely Rolex will be debuting an all-new Rolex model at Basel World 2020. I have no evidence of this, and I am speculating, but I think the Submariner is next in line for a major update. So what would I expect? I hope and pray Rolex introduces a 43MM Single Red Submariner, which for me would be THE ultimate Submariner. I could see Rolex introducing a 40 and 43MM Submariner. As they say, time will tell...

The screenshots below show Tadge Juechter who is featured in the keynote video below. Tadge is the Corvette Executive Chief Engineer and notice he is wearing his Rolex Day-Date! 

2020 Corvette

I have an interesting story to share with you. When I was 16 years old I wanted to be an automotive engineer. In high school and college I would sit in class and draw cars all-day. I decided ultimately not to pursue a career in automotive design since at the time American cars were the absolute worst they ever have been. This was the era of cardboard cars like the Chrysler Reliant K, which made me want to vomit out my ears! In other words, I didn't want to waste me design skills on working for companies that made instantly obsolete garbage.

At the time, in the mid 1980s the only people making cool cars were from Germany which included models like The Porsche 911 Cabriolet, The Porsche 928, The Mercedes 500SEC, and the BMW 633CSI. At the time I didn't see it as a possibility to move to Germany to design cars since I didn't speak German. Little did I realize most German's spoke English at the time.

I remember a few decades ago having a conversation with somebody about automotive design and I said "I can't understand why car companies don't make cars that look like a Ferrari, but are far less expensive? In other words, why doesn't a company like Toyota make an MR2 that looks like a Ferrari?" Well, it finally happened with the 2020 Corvette.

It's interesting from what I have observed with the new Corvette. It's not just a car that looks cool, featuring typical half-baked American junk interior quality. Instead, Chevy seems to have gone all-out to make the Corvette the Real Deal!!!

Looking at the new Corvette makes me think about the song "Tighten Up" by Archie Bell & The Drells starts playing in my head so I thought I would share the video below. Play it and look at the photos above of the new Corvette!!!

Mr. Wonderful... Goes Gaga for Red Rubber Bands

Mr. Wonderful 
Goes Gaga for Red Rubber B Bands
Kevin O'Leary, AKA, Mr. Wonderful is not only a Rolex fanatic, but a huge fan of Rubber B, but he only wears Red Rubber B straps as we see in this fascinating video.

Rolex Super-Coolness: Tenzing Norgay

...Rolex Super-Coolness...

Tenzing Norgay


Mountain Climbing Legend

Conquerer of Mount Everest

Back in 2009 I wrote an 8 part series named, "The Complete History of Rolex Conquering Mount Everest, and in that series I documented how both Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary might have worn Rolex watches when they were the first humans to successfully climb to the top of Mount Everest in 1953. The photo below of Tenzing Norgay was taken on October 31, 1957 wearing a Rolex on an Oyster Bracelet.

The super iconic photo below taken by the Royal Geographic Society shows Tenzing Norgay with Sir Edmund Hillary on their way establishing Camp 9 as they head to the summit of Mount Everest.

In the photo below taken in 1953 by the Royal Geographical Society we see Tenzing Norgay with Sir Edmund Hillary and they both might be wearing Rolex watches. Tenzing received a Rolex as a gift from Swiss climber, Raymond Lambert after he and Lambert almost reached the summit of Everest the year before on a Swiss Everest Expedition in 1952. 

The photo above shows Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary on May 25th, 1953 during the Mount Everest Expedition as the duo prepares their oxygen systems just before they set off from Camp 9 for the summit of Everest. If you look closely you will notice Tenzing has their Summit flags wrapped around his ice axe which he is holding like a cane.

This next photo of Tenzing Norgay was taken by Sir Edmund Hillary on the summit of Mount Everest. Tenzing offered to take a photo of Hillary on the summit but Hillary refused the offer.

The Rolex advertorial seen below was published 3 days after Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary conquered Everest.

1957 Rolex Mount Everest Ad

This next two photos below show Tenzing Norgay at  Rolex International Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland taken on July 5, 1953 and he is wearing a Rolex on his wrist. 

The photos above and below were recently discovered by our super-talented researcher, Alan who is located in Hong Kong. The next photo shows Tenzing Norgay examining a Rolex Datejust on a Jubilee Bracelet in Rolex Founder, Hans Wilsdorf's private office at Rolex Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

It is believed Hans Wilsdorf traded Tenzing Norgay a Rolex in exchange another Rolex which is now in the private Museum collection. 

The photo above and below appear courtesy of Rolex Passion Report who first discovered this historical yellow gold Rolex Datejust that apparently was a gift from Rolex to Tenzing as a memento for the 1952 Swiss Expedition to Everest.