Rolex Coolness: John Travolta...

...Profiles In Rolex Coolness...

John Travolta

An Amazing Career with Rolex Keeping The Time Of His Life

John Travolta is one of the most famous and successful actors in history, as well as being a cinema producer, dancer and singer. He was also an Ambassador for the Brietling brand of watches, but before that, he wore Rolex watches as seen in the photos below.

John Travolta has worn many different Rolex watches in his far ranging career. It the photos above, we see him wearing a stainless steel Datejust, and in the photos below we see him wearing a yellow gold Rolex Day-Date.



John Travolta is pictured below with his arm around Marilu Henner. 

Marilu Henner is an unusual woman, when it comes to her amazing memory skill as witnessed in the videos below.







In the photo below we see John Travolta wearing his yellow gold Rolex Day-Date, standing in between Sylvester Stallone and Chevy Chase. I always like seeing photos of people together that all wear Rolex, which is the case below.

John Travolta is pictured below wearing in the 2016 movie titled "The People V. OJ".  It is ironic that John Travolta wore an Everose Rolex Daytona with a ceramic bezel, as he played the role of O.J. Simpson defense attorney, Robert Shapiro. The historical 'continuity error' challenge is that this Rolex watch model did not exist back in the 1995 :-0

John Travolta is pictured below wearing a Yellow Gold Rolex Submariner, which he wore in the 2004 movie, titled, "The Punisher".

John Travolta is pictured below wearing a Rolex Submariner, which he wore in the 2001 movie, Swordfish.

An Amazing Career

John Travolta's career has been absolutely amazing. He began starring on the 1970's TV show, Welcome Back Kotter where he played Vinny Barbarino which ran from 1975 to 1979.

Where did John Travolta learn how to dance? In this clip from Welcome Back Kotter, we see John rockin' out pretty hard and it is not difficult to imagine him dancing in Saturday Night Fever and Grease.

Saturday Night Fever

1977

John Travolta went on to star in the blockbuster film, Saturday Night Fever, and followed up by starring with Olivia Newton-John in the blockbuster, Grease.

The Saturday Night Fever soundtrack broke multiple record industry records and became the highest-selling record album in recording history, by selling more than 40 million copies, and to this day it remains one of the top five best-selling soundtracks of all time, and to this day it is believed to be in the top 10 best selling albums of all time, world-wide.

In this next video we see the Bee Gees performing You Should Be Dancing from the Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack. The Bee Gees consisted of three brothers from Australia named, Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb, and they are one of the best selling bands in history. In this next video we see the Bee Gees joined by their younger brother, Andy Gibb, and if you look closely you will notice it really looks like Andy Gibb is wearing a Rolex GMT...

Grease

1978

Grease was another mega-hit that starred John Travolta, and Barry Gibb who was the lead singer for the Bee Gees wrote the title song for the Grease soundtrack which Frankie Valli performed, which went on to become the number 1 song on the billboards.

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Callas at One Hundred

Callas at One Hundred

This episode of Take Me to The Opera, the arts documentary series on BBC News Channel and BBC Reel, in association with Rolex, takes us to Athens for the centenary of the birth of Greek American soprano Maria Callas, hailed as the best soprano of her age and one of the greatest singers in operatic history.

New Titanium Rolex Yacht-Master Review

New Titanium Rolex Yacht-Master Review

Watch Eric just go ahold of the new Titanium Rolex Yacht-Master which represents a huge step for Rolex. Eric's does a great job of showcasing and intelligently reviewing this magnificent new Rolex model.

Rolex Hotness: Cheryl Tiegs The First Supermodel In History

...Rolex Hotness...

Cheryl Tiegs

The First Supermodel In History

Many iconic females in the 1970s wore smaller Rolex watches including Charlie's Angles. Also, since the 1960s, women began wearing men's Rolex watches. T. Walker Lloyd, who is a former Rolex executive did a podcast interview with me where he told a great story about Cheryl Tiegs and he mentioned her Rolex and you can see she is wearing a Rolex Lady-Date in the photo below (Ladies, Rolex President).

Cheryl Tiegs was not only a successful supermodel, but also extremely successful as a brand ambassador for companies like Olympus Camera, and she even had her own designer signature clothing and accessory line at Sears, which from 1980 to 1989 sold close to a Billion dollars!

Cheryl Tiegs wore at least two different Rolex watches. She wore a Rolex Lady-Date on a President Bracelet, as well as two-tone Ladies Datejust.

Cheryl Tiegs became the worlds first real Supermodel in the 1970s and she graced the cover of Sports Illustrated many times.

Cherly Tiegs is pictured below with her famous husband and fashion photographer, Peter Beard, who at the time was wearing a men's Rolex Datejust.

Captain Danny's Espresso GMT-Master

...Rolex Pilot Shot of The Day...

Captain Danny's Espresso GMT-Master

Captain Danny has been writing for Jake's Rolex World since 2017.  Danny took this amazing wrist shot photo of his all black dial Rolex 'Green Hand' GMT-Master...

Rolex Studio Shot of the Day: Quantities Of Rolex Quality...

...Rolex Studio Shot of the Day...

Quantities Of Rolex Quality

Photo Credit: Freddy

1927 Rolex Oyster Introduction Advertorial & Brochure

...Rolex Coolness...

Hans Wilsdorf

1927 Rolex Oyster Introduction Brochure

The next two photos are from a Rolex Oyster brochure and the first image depicts The Founder of Rolex, Hans Wilsdorf observing the Rolex advertorial he placed in the London Daily Mail on November 24th, 1927. I included a copy of the original Daily Mail ad at the bottom of this story.

This next illustration depicts Mercedes Gleitze as she emerges from the English channel. In the past, I wrote a detailed article about Merceds Glietze swimming the English Channel.

1927 Rolex Oyster Introduction Advertorial

Sneaker & Pant Wrist Shot Of The Day: Darren's Single Red Submariner & Converse All Stars

Note: One of my favorite things to do is hop in the Rolex Time Machine and go back and examine Rolex stories I posted in the past. I just stumbled into this story that I originally published back in 2011, which is pretty interesting:

Sneaker & Pant Wrist Shot Of The Day

Darren's Single Red Submariner & Converse All Stars

If you are a daily reader of Jake's Rolex World, you are probably familiar with Sneaker and Pant Wrist Shots. To the best of my knowledge, Bernhard (Bullibeer) who lives in the Dutch Netherlands started this trend.

Who is Bernhard and what exactly is a Sneaker and Pant Wrist Shot you ask? Basically, Bernhard (Bullibeer) is not only a collector of vintage Rolex watches, but he is so into them, he will basically conduct a vintage Rolex fashion show, just for himself, and he photographs these shots and posts them on the web in forums and most recently on his "100 Percent-Rolex (The Blog For Rolex Passionado's.)"

I almost forgot to mention, Bernhard (Bullibeer) typically only wears vintage sneakers to match up with his vintage Rolex watches. Of course other collectors all over the world were inspired by Bernhard's Vintage Sneaker and Rolex Wrist Shots, and started posting their own.

The logic with this is remarkably similar to photographing wrist-shots and posting them on the web, but the photographer takes it several steps further by showing how they match their watch with what they are wearing. It is really kind of a fashion-play for men.

The photos in this set are not from Berhnard, but from Darren, who is sporting his Single Red Submariner [Reference 1680] and matching it up with some leather Chuck Taylor, Converse All Stars.

So why would anybody in their right mind pose by themselves and take photos of a Rolex on their wrist and show their clothes, but not their face? I know Bernhard (Bullibeer) likes to make a shot or more of espresso before he takes the photos, so he gets all hyped-up on caffeine and takes these photo, but why?

I can't speak for Bullibeer or Darren, or anybody else for that matter, but there is just something about vintage Rolex watches that is so inspirational and timeless. Something that inspires people to achieve more. Rolex watches not only tell you the time, but they also tell you something about yourself.

Celebrating 100 years of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023

Celebrating 100 years 
of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023

A time to celebrate. This year, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, motor sport’s oldest and most prestigious endurance race, marked its centenary. In this epic endurance test, the best drivers harness their machine’s performance as much as their own. As a long-standing partner of the event, Rolex counts among its family of Testimonees race icon and record nine-time winner Tom Kristensen.

400 Years Of Watchmaking: Watches From The Hans Wilsdorf Collection

400 Years Of Watchmaking

Watches From The

Hans Wilsdorf Collection

In the past, I have written extensively about Hans Wilsdorf, who founded Rolex in London, England 109 years ago in 1908. Hans Wilsdorf ran Rolex until he died in 1960. Hans Wilsdorf was an extremely passionate vintage pocket watch collector, who in his lifetime amassed an incredible collection of historically significant pocket watches, which we will learn about in this article.

Today, we will gain great insight into what made Hans Wilsdorf tick, literally and figuratively. When we look at vintage Rolex watches today from the 1910s through the 1960s we see how the genesis for the modern watches evolved. In other words we see the inspiration, but what inspired Hans Wilsdorf? In 1905 when he started his first watch company, Wilsdorf & Davis, what vintage watches inspired him?

Remember, when he started in 1905 wristwatches were almost non-existent, so all he had was pocket-watches for inspiration. As a matter of fact, at the time, the consensus was that watch 'wristlets' as they were commonly referred to were considered to be effeminate on men.

In November and December of 1974, Rolex assembled an incomparable collection of watches to show off at the new Rolex Building in New York. This collection included watches on loan from the Metropolitain Museum of Art in New York as well as the Zale Collection of Dallas, the Benis Collection of New York, and most importantly, watches from the Hans Wilsdorf Collection.

When I first saw this 1974 Rolex magazine ad, I was surprised to learn  the Breguet in this ad that was made in 1825 had "One of the first automatic movements." Most people belive Rolex made the first "Automatic" movement when they patented their automatic Perpetual movement in 1931. 

Thus it is fascinating to learn pocket-watches had automatic movements almost 200 years ago!?!?! It just goes to show that indeed, we do learn something new everyday!!!


I must also admit, the more I study this ad, the more I like it. It is really profound, the more you think about it!!!!!

In this incredible article we will be examining just some of the fascinating watches from Hans Wilsdorf's personal collection. The first thing that stands out in my mind about Hans Wilsdorf is that he was extremely passionate about collecting beautiful watches with staggering detail. 

The second thing that stands out is that he loved colorful watches, and particularly jewel-tone colors. Just to be clear, ALL the watches below are from the Hans Wilsdorf Collection.

Fully Enameled Dress Watch

Made in 1665 by Jeremias Flug of Passau. 38mm. Number 116.

This first watch is from 1665 and it was made in Germany by Jeremias Flug of Passau. The watch is fully enameled and the form has silver-set turquoise and the back enamel depicts the Departure of Ulysses. The diameter is 38mm, which means it is bigger than a current Rolex Datejust (36mm), but smaller than a Rolex Submariner (40mm). 

The most fascinating thing in my mind is that the original pocket-watches only had one hand and that was an hour hand. Having a second hand (pun not intended) did not come along for many, many years.

XVII Century Gold Enamelled Dress Watch

Made between 1670-1680. 36mm. Number 118.

This next dress watch (pictured in the next three images) is from 1670-1680 and was made my Thomas Willimson of London. The movement has no hairspring and the bassine case is painted inside and out in multicolored enamel by Huade le Puisne (1665-1723), whose signature appears in the cartouche. Puisne was an eminent member of a famed dynasty of early Geneva painters in enamel. 

The back of the watch which is pictured below shows Cleopatra and the Asp. The Asp is a poisonous snake and as legend goes, Cleopatra put the snake to her chest to kill herself rather than surrender to Caesar Augustus. This watch is 36mm.

The watch case also has mythological landscapes inside

XVII Century Gold Enamelled Dress Watch

Made between 1676-1680. 36mm. Number 119.

This next watch (as seen in the next three photos below) was made by a Parisian named Dumoulin sometime between 1676-1680. The watch has an open face bassine and dial. The inside and outside are done in multicolored enamel by the great Huaud le Pusine. The dial represents Salome with the head of John the Baptist and the outer cover shows Herod, Herodias and Salome. This watch is 36mm.

Pair-Case Window Automaton Watch

Made in 1702 by Baltazard Faure. 62mm. Number 118.

This next watch is really interesting. It is called a pair-case window automaton watch and it was made by Baltazard Faure of Geneva in 1702 out of silver. 

The oval aperture is the silver dial successively reveals fine multicolored enameled figures representing stage personae. The panels are moved by depressing the pendant. This watch is a whopping 62mm.

 Enamel & Gold Bedside Watch

Made in 1760. 36mm. Number 138.

This next watch is know as a Bedside Watch and it is a jumbo 79mm. It was made in England and strikes hours and quarters and has a center second hand which is not visible in the photo below. The case is pierced and engraved with splendid detail on Geneva enamel. The flowers are inlaid in gold. The case and bezel have two circles of rubies and pearls.

Louis XV Sedan Chair Watch

Made between 1750 by Julien Le Roy. 110mm. Number 140.

This next watch is called a Lois The 15th Sedan Chair Clock-Watch. This French made beauty has an alarm movement and is signed by Julien Le Roy of Paris and was made in 1750. The watch is a quarter repeater–on a string with a silver acorn–and has alarm and calendar subsidiary dial. The case and bezel are pierced and engraved silver. This 110mm watch has a swivel suspension that enables it to follow the movements of the sedan chair thus avoiding injury.

Opera-Glass Telescope With Watch

Made in 1760 by James Cox, London. Length 237mm. Number 145.

Next we have an Opera-Glass Telescope with a built in watch from the Loius the 15th era. This telescope has a wooden interior tube that is covered with transparent lacquer on a gold ground. It is decorated with pierced gold, repousse and open work. The six golden panels contain enamel silhouettes of birds and animals. The hinged , swing-out watch at the end is movable and signed by James Cox, London and was made in 1760. The bezel on the watch is studded with rubies and the telescope is 237mm long.

Danish Gold Dress Watch

Made between 1750-1760 by I. Iac. Lincke of Copenhagen. 55mm. Number 146.

This dress watch has an outer case that  depicts the Three Graces with and the watch features a repeater movement.

Chatelaine With Watch In Geneva Enamel

Made between 1750-1760. Length 190mm. Number 150.

This next contraption is a Chatelaine with a watch in Geneva Enamel. This elaborately jeweled fob is named a chatelain and it caries a watch with a rare-half quarter repeater movement that was signed by Benjamin Gray and Justin Vullimay in London in 1750-1760. The watch has a double Geneva-made case is gold with enameling and engraving. The Chatelanin has charms that include a locket of hair, a good luck horseshoe, a watch key and a hand-shaped amulet. It is 190mm in length.

Louis XVI Ring Watch 

Made in 1770. 23mm. Number 154.

Next we have a Louis The 16th Men's Ring Watch. This watch was likely made in Geneva around 1770 and has a cylinder escapement movement with  a repeater which chimes quarter hours on an invisible bell. The ring diameter is 23mm.

Directoire Silver Decimal Watch

Made in 1793. 60mm. Number 159.

This next watch is really unusual. It was made in 1793 and was designed for the post-French Revolutionary era and it is called a Republican calender Directoire Decimal Watch. The watch has a twelve month year, thirty day months and ten-hour days with hundred minute hours. The dial represents the new decimal system which only lasted a year. It shows the ten days of the Republican week, with their quaint and forgotten names. A small traditional dial synchronizes the classic twelve-hour cycles with the new ten-hour day. This watch is 60mm.

Breguet Pair-Case Gold and Enamel Watch

Made in 1810 by Abraham-Louis Breguet. 57mm. Number 168.

This next masterpiece was made by Abraham-Louis Breguet and it has his secret signature on the dial of the ruby cylinder movement. The white enamel dial has both Turkish and Western numerals. The multi-color enamel on the outside of the watch is amazing as you can clearly see. The watch is 57mm.

French Empire Self-Winding Gold Watch

Made in 1820 by Abraham-Louis Breguet. 66mm. Number 170.

This next watch is a highly complicated self-winding watch and is a so-called Perpetuelle which contains a platinum rotor. It has an hour, quarter and minute repeater, as well as a 31-day calendar that shows the moon phases. The engine-turned dial is silver and contains a centered calendar hand. Breguet's tiny, but not secret signature and shop number are engraved on both sides of the XII indices. It is just amazing to realize this watch was made in 1820, long before Hans Wilsdorf was born.

Triple-Case "Turkish" Dress Watch

Made in 1824. Movement By Rundell & Bridge, London. 56mm. Number 173.

This watch has a triple case in gold that is highly decorated with Turkish landscapes done in magnificent Geneva enamel.  The watch has a quarter repeater movement.

Gold and Enamel Automation Watch

Made in 1815 with a Piquet & Meylan of Geneva Movement. 55mm. Number 174.

This next watch is a musical repeater type. It has an automaton of a moving figure which becomes visible by opening the back. The figures on the front are of Titus and Berenice.

Gold and Enamel Bonbonnier-shaped Watch

Made between 1815-1820. 63mm. Number 175.

This French Empire watch skillfully painted in enamel. The center panel has a fruit motif encircled by 12 floral segments which is surrounded by 750 pearls.

French Restoration Pistol Watch

Made in 1820 signed by Garrand. Length 125mm. Number 176.

This gold and enamel automaton pistol watch with pomander has a watch hidden in the handle. When the trigger is pressed a lotus flower springs from the barrel end which sprays perfume.

French Empire Mandolin-Shaped Watch

Made between 1815 & 1820 by Piguet & Meylan, Geneva. Length 130mm. Number 179.

This mandolin shaped watch has a music box and repeater gongs that play O du Lieber Augustin.

Conclusion

I must admit I was never a fan of pocket-watches before putting together this article, but I learned so much about the evolutionary steps of the pocket-watch that made it absolutely fascinating. 

I think the greatest takeaway point from this story is that Hans Wilsdorf was extremely passionate about exploring watch design and had a very deep appreciation for horology.