TUDOR VANILLA PEPSI COMES TO LIFE AT WATCHES AND WONDERS 2023

JAKE'S TUDOR TAKE

TUDOR VANILLA PEPSI

REALITY IS STRANGER THAN FICTION

In the wonderful world of Rolex, not much is cooler than The Complete History of the Rolex GMT-Master!!! TUDOR is on a tear lately and at Watches And Wonders last week surprised everybody when they introduced a new Pepsi Tudor GMT-Master model with a white opaline dial. Our Captain Danny was especially surprised as he contacted Tudor 4 years ago and begged them to come out with a Tudor GMT-Master with a white dial, to which Tudor responded "No Way, Jose!"

UPDATE April 8, 2023: Captain Danny sent me a message and said: "Great story about the Vanilla Pepsi. BTW here’s the Delta mockup I had sent to Tudor. As you can see, the watch matches perfectly a Delta jet livery."

The Vanilla Pepsi in not a new idea, and I originally showcased the idea on RolexMagazine 15 years ago in 2008 in a story titled 'Jake's Cherry Vanilla GMT Design Idea...'. In that article I showed off my idea of a watch design I would love to see, that I dubbed the Cherry Vanilla GMT as seen below.

In 2008, I  also showcased an idea I dubbed the Oreo Cookie, which is pictured below. Percy from the German R-L-X forum made this watch by putting an all black GMT-Master bezel insert on a Polar white dial Explorer II. So basically, this would be the result if a Polar Explorer had a baby with an all black bezel GMT-Master!!!

I begged Rolex to bring such a model to life and still think they should!!!!! Why? For many reasons. First and foremost, people LOVE Rolex spinning bezels, and play with them like fidget widgets not to mention, it just looks so cool! Rolex if you are listening, PLEASE make an Oreo Cookie GMT model!!!

This article would not be replete without my customary video response message which comes courtesy of Van Halen!!!!:

Also, Percy put a Pepsi Bezel on his Explorer II and thus created what I dubbed and showcased in my 2008 article as the Vanilla Pepsi. But where did this color combination idea come from?

It turns out Rolex once made a Vanilla Pepsi, kind-of, sort of...The apocryphal story put forth at the time said "When Rolex introduced the GMT-Master in 1955, they produced it with standard black dials and Pan Am Airlines gave them to all their pilots to wear. The executive at Pan Am were jealous, so they ordered white dial models which were exclusively made for Pan Am executives only."

It turns out that story is a falsely perpetuated myth which I dispel in great detail in my upcoming series of books on Rolex history. 

So how do you explain the 100% authentic Rolex GMT-Master from the later 1950s with a white dial? This model was NEVER sold by Rolex nor made available to the public.

It turns out it was an early prototype, as it used to be been fairly standard for Rolex to make early pre-production prototypes with white dials. The interesting point is so many people originally believed the false narrative that was created by auction houses who wanted to see higher auction results, and people just grew to want such a model, and last week Tudor, which is owned by Rolex made many collectors dreams come true with the introduction of this new model.

This new model comes in a 41MM case and the best news is it retails for only $4300, which is not only much cheaper than an equivalent Rolex, not to mention that Rolex doesn't even offer a bold model like this!!! Hopefully Rolex will be able to keep up with demand for this beauty!

Rolex Celebration Oyster Perpetual

 

JAKE'S CELEBRATION TAKE

Rolex Celebration

Oyster Perpetual

Rolex seems to have surprised everybody with some of their unexpected new novelties which debuted at Watches And Wonder 2023 last week, and that includes this all-new 36MM and 41MM version of this Oyster Perpetual which features a Celebration model that features playful bubbles as pictured below.

This new model reminds me of Celebration Cake as seen below from SusieCakes. This new model pays homage to the new OP dials that Rolex debuted in 2020 ago as the colors of the bubbles and the dial ground are based upon them. My best guess is that model is targeted at ladies who want a fun watch, but it seems a lot of dudes also like it...

All You Need Is LOVE

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

One thing I have learned about Rolex after 15 years of publishing RolexMagazine.com is Rolex is often unpredictable in the sense once you think you figured them out you realize you know very little... It's almost safe to say you should always expect the unexpected, and that is exactly what Rolex just shocked the watch world with at Watches And Wonders 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland when they launched this brand new 36MM Day-Date dubbed TIME STAMPED WITH EMOTION that features a bold champlevé enamel dial with applied baguette-cut sapphire 5 minute markers on top of puzzle pieces.

-LOVE

-FAITH

-ETERNITY

-GRATITUDE

-PEACE

-HOPE

-HAPPY

This all-new model also replaces the 31 numbers on the date wheel with emoji symbols, and the Day of the week wheel is replaced with 7 different encouragingly positive words as listed above. Of course this playful and fun new model features a 100 meter water resistance rating.

Somebody once said if you have to ask the price, you can't afford it. I would say if somebody were to ask what the point is of a 'DAY-DATE' watch model is that can't tell you the day or date, I would say, if you need to know the day or date, you can't afford to wear this watch. In other words, if you live a life where every day is like Christmas and every night is like New Years Eve, this watch may be perfect for you. The Rolex 'PRESIDENT' has long been the nickname for the DAY-DATE model, which has historically been a business/political tool watch. 

This makes this new model is a fun/carefree tool watch, but one that can be instantly recognized from across a room as it is so iconic, and we know it's just a matter of time before we see it showing up on the wrists of some famous celebrities who are too-cool for school...

THE

 RAINBOW 

CONNECTION

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...

In an increasingly complex world filled with discord (to use a Wilsdorfism) where we are bombarded with one seemingly confusing tragedy after another like Covid lockdown, Covid passports, Covid vaccination, Covid booster shots, spiraling inflation, school shootings, World War 3, and energy shortages, it's nice to see something so creative, light-hearted and fun! I would go so far to say that this new Rolex model makes my should sing with joy, just by looking at it.

After more than a century of playing it safe with relatively conservative models, Rolex let their hair down and seemingly opened up their kimono in the most puzzling way with the introduction of this most unexpected watch.

In many ways, this watch is like Miles Davis, who wore Brooks Brothers for many years, then evolved to a point where he would walk out on stage and perform an entire concert with his back to the audience. Is Rolex playing weird in 2023 or is there something more to it?

GIRLS JUST WANT 

TO HAVE FUN!!!

There are so many images that begin racing thought my mind when I look at the new Rainbow Puzzle Dial Love Day-Date, so I thought I would share some with you...

At 36MM it's likely targeted toward woman who want a really fun watch that pops, not to mention setting the Day and Date on a Rolex President is not the easiest thing to figure out, so Rolex may have figured a foolproof method to ensure they are always correct.

When I first saw this new model the very first thing that popped into my head were the photos below of Jessica Simpson wearing her yellow gold Rolex Day-Date upside down, because after all, who really cares what the day or date is, and if the time is off by 6 hours, who cares?

If you look closely at the image below you will notice that Jessica Simpson's Rolex Day-Date is clearly upside down on her wrist but who really cares?

I know first hand, there are many women who wear a Day-Date as a beautiful bracelet and not as a precision time-keeper.

They are confused with how to properly set the time and date on a Rolex and in the case of the Day-Date, it's even more confusing. With this new model, wearers don't have to. Cindy Lauper's famous 1983 mega hit song titled "Girls Just Want To Have Fun", comes to mind. I want my MTV!!!

One of my favorite things to do is read peoples comments online, whether it's on Hodinkee.com or on forums. In a threat on RolexForums.com somebody said"

"They're trying to change the most famously "old man watch" ever into something more youthful."

As previously mentioned, the new Rolex LOVE-DATE reminds me of so many different things and song, of which I have included below. The first thing it kind of reminds me of is a Keith Haring painting as far as the the color palate and stroked outlines everywhere.

Don't bother looking for this new Rolex work of art on Rolex's website, as it's strangely not listed there. My understanding is that these watches are going to be rare as they will be produced in smaller quantities. This beauty incorporates the Rolex 3255 Caliber movement which oscillates at 28,800 beats per hour and includes a 72-hour power reserve. My prediction is this is going to be and all-the-rage statement piece among collectors, wrappers and super-leggy-models...Also, I can definitely see Sir Elton John rocking one of these Rolex DAY-DATE masterpieces...

This is NOT FAKE NEWS!!!
This is NOT your father's Rolex Day-Date

1964 Rolex Day-Date Magazine Ad from the "Men who guide the destinies of the world wear Rolex watches."

One could argue this departure from the staid, old-fashioned Rolex Day-Date of yesteryear (as showcased above) really represents the completion of Rolex's metamorphosis from a high-quality Swiss watch brand to a true luxury goods brand, which began decades ago and is perhaps best worn and symbolized by Rolex Hotness, Jennifer Aniston as seen below, not as a day, or date keeper, but as a stylish, fashion bracelet that not only tells the time, but tells people you have arrived in a retro-futuristic, feel good, I WANT MY MTV / Right said Fred 'I'm too sexy for your cat' kind of way...

AMAZING ROLEX Watches And Wonders VIDEO From Adrian Barker

AMAZING ROLEX VIDEO COVERAGE 
FROM WATCHES AND WONDERS 2023
From Adrian Barker

I have been a big fan of Adrian Barker from Bark And Jack for some time now, and in his newest video, Adrain offers an AMAZINGLY insightful overview of the novelties from Watches And Wonders! In particular, Adrian shares all kinds of information I had no idea about, and I love how he wastes zero time in this video. Enjoy!!!

Rolex Newest Line: The 1908

JAKE'S 1908 TAKE

Danny's article seen below offers a great overview of the new Rolex 1908, but I want to share my perspective. I think the new model looks great but I think having a white minute marker track on this watch is a mistake. It should have a gilt gold seconded and sub second tracks.

2023 Rolex 1908 New Model Introduction

Also, I think Rolex should take things to the next level and start making grand complications again. I am a designer and I have spend thousands of hours studying all the Rolex and Patek grand complications and I came up with the triple-date-moonphase dial design seen below, which I think would look AMAZING in a 1908 case as seen below.

2025 Rolex 1908 Triple Date Grand Complication Concept Design by Jake Ehrlich

My Rolex triple date grand complication design seen above is high design and has some excellent features. I originally showcased my design concept on my article named The Complete History of the Rolex Triple Date Moonphase. 

First, it replaces the 3 and 9 button markers with the Day and Month windows, and this version incorporates rubies for the minute markers between the 5 minute markers, which gives it that 'touch of red' vibe, which beautifully compliments the cobalt blue moonphonse dial. I also included a version of my design concept below with all gold markers for frame of reference. Rolex, if you are listening, PLEASE MAKE THIS WATCH!!!!!

2025 Rolex 1908 Triple Date Grand Complication Concept Design by Jake Ehrlich

NEW: THE PERPETUAL 1908

Last week I wrote a story alerting Jake's Rolex World readers Rolex had just trademarked "1908" and "Perpetual 1908," and I was wondering whether a new watch that was tapping into the roots of the brand would be unveiled at Watches & Wonders. 

On Monday, after a half-century of production Rolex discontinued the Cellini line including its only moonphase in the collection and released two models for a new line called "1908" named after the year the Rolex brand was created. It is likely we will see more complications in the 1908 line in years to come, including a moonphase version.

The 1908 features a 39 mm case in 18 ct yellow or white gold and equipped with a brand new movement unveiled this year, the 7140. The strap is in alligator leather. With the 1908 line, Rolex also brings back the exhibition caseback.

Thank you to Clement Entretemps for sending us the pictures.

A Throwback to the 1931 Oyster Perpetual

The design language on the new 1908 model with the Arab numeric 3, 9, 12 markers and its small seconds hand at 6 o’clock revisits and is derivative of the style of an Oyster Perpetual from 1931 seen above.

Live Pictures: The 2023 GMT-Master II

THE NEW GMT-MASTER II

Clément, who is a friend of mine and the host of the excellent French watch channel Clément Entretemps, sent me these pictures for publication. 

Jake's Take: I am kind of blown-away with these new All Gold and Two-Tone models as they are so Retro-Futuristic looking...In other words, they look very vintagey, like they are from the 1960s, but at the same time they are ultra modern. So basically, they are TIMELESS. What do I mean by timeless? Timeless design is when something looks like it's from the past and future simultaneously. 

Jenni Elle Responds to Watches And Wonders Novelties

 

You Know: Wowlex!

Jenni Elle Waxes Poetic on 

2023 Watches And Wonders Novelties

Jenni Elle ALWAYS offers fascinating insight and opinions on Rolex as she psychoanalyzes Wowlex! In this excellent video Jenni offers her perspective on the new novelties at Watches And Wonders 2023, and discusses many of the Rolex watch models that have been discontinued. FYI, ICYWI We have MUCH, MUCH more Watches & Wonders 2023 coverage coming up so stay tuned!!!

"

Rolex Discontinues the Milgauss

 

...MILLE MINUTES OF SILENCE...

ROLEX DISCONTINUES

THE MILGAUSS. AGAIN.

Before colors became the new black, the Milgauss was the most colorful Rolex in the collection. It was not just the anti-magnetic watch for the nerd, it was the un-Rolex Rolex for the young and cool.

First introduced in 1954, eventually discontinued in the late '80s before it was brought back in 2007, the Milgauss's death had been greatly exaggerated. A lightning orange second hand, a green sapphire crystal or Glasse Verte, it represented the watch for those who wanted to wear Rolex but were too cool to show it. In 2014, with an electric blue dial coated with Zirconium, the Z-blue made a splash at Baselworld 2014. It lived for less than a decade but it lived for greatness. 

Today's Rolex's blue Parachrom hairspring makes any Rolex more anti-magnetic than the Milgauss. The technology in watchmaking has improved. We no longer make a watch anti-magnetic by protecting the movement with a soft iron cage, but by improving the materials that make up the movement. 

As Rolex battles supply shortages, it decided to streamline the production. It made sense to discontinue the heavy case, the old 3131 movement. No word on when or if it will be back. 

In memoriam, check out the dozens of awesome pictures of the Milgauss in the Rolex Magazine library including the complete history. 

All-New Rolex.com Is a Masterpiece & Tour de Force in Design Simplicity

 

All-New Rolex.com 

Is a Masterpiece &

Tour de Force in Design Simplicity 

Rolex's new model launches at Watches And Wonders 2023 has been pretty amazing! But there is another magnificent gem hiding in plain sight, and that is the all-new Rolex.com website, which is an absolute masterpiece of design simplicity. Rolex.com has ALWAYS been one of the great websites, but this brand-spanking new model is a true work of art!!!!!

The screen grab pictured above is from the all-new Rolex.com, and the newly designed header below is a magnificent exercise in simplicity, making it amazingly simple to instantly navigate to anything in the world of Rolex!!!—almost like an iPhone in the sense you instantly know how to find everything right away, —with zero learning curve. I would go so far as to say it's more Rolexy than ever...including that beautiful new green gradient header with the gold Rolex logo. Don't take my word for it: Head over to the new Rolex.com and see for yourself!!!

Sometimes when I am writing a story a song pops into my head that seems like a perfect soundtrack for the post, and this great song named 'Soulful Strut' by Young-Holt Unlimited from 1968 seems to perfectly compliment and epitomize not only this story, but the way I feel about the entire Rolex 2023 Watches And Wonders launch!!! Enjoy this superb song and let it be your anthem for W&W 2023!!!

Rolex Introduces a New Titanium Submariner Yacht-Master Model!!!

 

"A Submariner by any other name would smell as sweet." 

—William Shakespeare ;-)

[Romeo & Juliet]

Photo credit Clément Entretemps

Rolex Introduces a New Titanium 

Submariner Yacht-Master Model!!!

Rolex just introduced a new Submariner, I mean a Yacht-Master made entirely out of Titanium. Let me be specific. In my original story titled The Complete History of the Rolex Yacht-Master I told the story of how Rolex set out to modernize the Submariner when they created their first Yacht-Master, but they renamed it as the Yacht-Master since they did not want to disrupt the design language of the classic Submariner which has been their bread and butter for may decades. Rolex put a plantium bead-blasted dial with a matching platinum bezel insert to throw everybody off, but other than those two features, the watch was basically identical to a Submariner. Of course, I would be remiss if I did not point that the Yacht-Master, just like all the SEA-DWELLER models are aquatic Submariner variants...

Well guess what!?!! Rolex just inched the Yacht-Master that must closer to being a hyper-modern Submariner as it now features a black dial and bezel with a non-polished Oyster bracelet. In other words, the Yacht-Master now features everything Rolex could do to modernize the Submariner, including a 42MM case, while leaving their classic Submariner alone, not to mention the significant weight loss from Stainless Steel to Titanium. 

If you take a close look at the photo above, it's like Rolex is knocking itself off. As we see in the photo below the all new Titanium Yacht-Master features a wider Oyster Bracelet which does not taper as much as a Submariner clasp, while incorporating a satin brushed finish, which definitely makes it a very cool new tool watch. I predict this is going to be the HOT new model that is going to be really difficult to get, and is kind of another link in the daisy-chain friendly competition between Rolex and the Apple Ultra...

Of course we predicted this 42MM Titanium Yacht-Master model earlier this year, but it is great to finally see it in the flesh, and of course a special shout-out to our eagle eyed Captain Danny!!! Below is a photo of Sir Ben rocking his prototype Titanium Yacht-Master he was testing for Rolex a few years ago...

Sir Ben Ainslie rocking his Titanium Yacht-Master

Juliet:

O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?

Deny thy father and refuse thy name;

Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,

And I'll no longer be a Capulet.

Romeo:

[Aside] Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?

Juliet:

'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;

Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.

What's Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot,

Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part

Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!

What's in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet;

So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,

Retain that dear perfection which he owes

Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,

And for that name which is no part of thee

Take all myself.

Romeo:

I take thee at thy word:

Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized;

Henceforth I never will be Romeo.

From Act II, Scene II of William Shakespeare's love story of Romeo and Juliet.