Queen Camilla Wears Rolex Turquoise OP

When a Queen
Rocks a Rolex

Queen Camilla Tries on

a Turquoise-blue-dial OP

Rolex is a brand that has long been inspired by and associated with Royalty—even the Rolex Coronet itself is in the form of a Royal Crown. Back in the 1920s, during the art-deco era, Rolex made models like the Rolex King, Queen, Prince and Princess, and later in the early 1960s even came out with the King Midas. The Rolex logo below is from 1934 and showcases the original first generation Rolex Coronet Crown, which was obviously symbolic of Royalty.

Someone's allocated OP was worn by a queen. Britain's Queen Camilla tried on a 31mm Oyster Perpetual with the beautiful turquoise-blue dial on Monday during her visit to a Rolex authorized dealer in Swindon, England ... the latest sign of the power of that dial color in the Rolex collection.

A crown for a queen (Photo credit: Getty)

We're told she went to the 175-year-old family-run jeweler not to shop for a Rolex but to bring in a vintage Breitling for repairs. Still, Queen Camilla seemed interested in all things watches ... checking out vintage pieces and taking a tour of the sixth-generation workshop, where she spoke to a young female watchmaker. 

Also in attendance was Deacon & Son's manager director Richard Deacon and, of course, Richard de Leyser, the CEO of Rolex UK, seen below, who had been briefed of her visit.

(Photo credit: Getty)

(Photo credit: Getty)

Queen Camilla didn’t pull the trigger on the Tiffany-dial OP, we’re told... that could be a future gift idea for King Charles III. After all, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. 

A Rolex Royal Family

Rolex leadership has always been fascinated with royalty, and featured many different Rolex watches with names like The Rolex King Midas, The Rolex Queen, The Rolex Prince, and The Rolex Princess. Former Rolex CEO, André-Jean Heiniger is pictured with the future King of England, who is speaking to Gérard Souham (left), an advertising executive and former CEO of J. Walter Thompson, Paris branch. 

Photo appears courtesy of S3C Collection

In the photo above, the four gentlemen are discussing the Rolex King Midas model, of which King Charles has owned a special version of for many years.

Former Rolex CEO, André Heiniger is pictured again above with his wife Odette Heiniger, Colonel Gerard Leigh and King Charles at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor, U.K.

All four of Queen Elizabeth's children have worn Rolex watches, according to our research, as well as some of her grandchildren. King Charles' son, Prince Harry of Wales, below, is seen rocking a Rolex Explorer II "Orange Hand" while serving as a helicopter pilot in Afghanistan.

Prince Harry is pictured below at a Polo match in Sentebale with legendary car racing legend, Sir Jackie Stewart, and Rolex Global Director of Communication and Image Arnaud Boetsch.

Prince Harry, in the photo below, is checking out Arnaud Boetsch's Rolex. Before joining Rolex, Arnaud Boetsch was a top ranked professional tennis player.

Rolex Submariner 16613 Printed Ad

...1990s Rolex Printed Ad...

Rolex Submariner 

1996 [Reference 16613]

As we mark 70 years of the Rolex Submariner in 2024, we'll celebrate the world's most iconic watch in these pages. Read about — and watch — the time the Submariner made its movie debut here. David Doubilet is considered to be one of greatest underwater photography innovators, and has been a Rolex Ambassador for 4 decades now.

Martin Scorsese Leading Hollywood Director

...Rolex Super Coolness...

Martin Scorsese
Breaking Oscars Record
Academy Award Winning Director
Nominated — Again! — for Best Director
'Killers of the Flower Moon'

Congratulations to Martin Scorsese for his Oscars nomination for Best Director and Best Film for "Killers of the Flower Moon," setting a director record among living filmmakers. He is now the most nominated living movie director.

Martin Scorsese is not only one of the greatest directors in history, he is also a Rolex Ambassador, who has participated in the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative. In the photo below we see Martin Scorsese wearing his Rolex Day-Date.

Martin Scorsese has directed some of the most classic and seminal films in a career that has spanned six decades. This list of profound films includes Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, The Color of Money, Cape Fear, Good Fellas, Casino, The Aviator, Gangs of New York, The Departed, Hugo, The Irishman, The Wolf of Wall Street and Killers of the Flower Moon.

Martin Scorsese's films have received more than 80 Academy Award nominations, of which they have won 20, including Best Director. He has 10 Best Director nominations, surpassing Steven Spielberg who has nine. Scorsese has won that category just once with The Departed.  

The video below of Martin Scorsese shows him wearing his Day-Date while talking about who inspired him to be a movie director:

This next video features a conversation with Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola:

Hunters of the Deep: Rolex Submariner's First Movie Appearance

A Note from Jake: This is a really exciting story from our Captain Danny, and it's particularly on-point as 2024 represents the 70th Anniversary of Rolex's official launch of their now super iconic Rolex Submariner. As a matter of fact, throughout 2024 we will be hopping in the Rolex Time Machine and taking a fascinating look back at the Genesis of the Submariner and explore previously undocumented Rolex history.

FOUND: THE  FIRST ROLEX

 SUBMARINER'S MOVIE DEBUT

THE OLDEST MOVIE FEATURING

A ROLEX SUBMARINER

'HUNTERS OF THE DEEP' 

(1954)

The Rolex Submariner was featured in a movie for the first time in 1954, in Ben Chapman's “Hunters of the Deep,” a full two years before “The Silent World” by Jacques Cousteau. The discovery was first made by Nick Gould.

The documentary, which features for the first time on camera the most iconic Rolex ever made, was narrated by actor and Oscar nominee Dan O'Herlihy (Robinson Crusoe). 

Excerpt: A second check on pressure regulators, on the depth gauges, on the underwater wristwatches — ‘Rolex Oysters’ they're called for the ability to stand tremendous undersea pressures. Time is vital since each tank is equivalent to just 30 minutes under water. But 10 minutes of this must be saved for the trip back to surface as the diver gradually depressurizes...

“Hunters of the Deep” tracks several oceanographers and geologists during their intrepid explorations of the deep sea around the coast of Southern California and Mexico. The 1-hour-4-minute full feature can be watched on most streaming services including YouTube.

Jake's Take

Our Captain Danny surprised me with his brilliant story seen above based upon superb detective work done by Nick Gould. When I shared the article with Nick Gould he responded by saying: "You know how I found that documentary? This ad. See No.6 😉" Nick also quipped "The interesting thing is in 54 was advertised as the Frogman. Then in 55 was Skindiver."

Since the subject of the movie was from 1954, it naturally made me think about an article I posted earlier this month, which seems to be perfectly on-point. Thus I added it below:

 

The Hunt For The Earliest Submariner Ad

1954 Rolex Submariner Ad

If you are a regular reader of Jake's Rolex World, you know I am working a series of books that cover the entire history of Rolex. One of the subjects I cover in great detail in the books is the genesis of the Rolex Submariner which remains one of the most icon watches in history. In particular, I am fascinated with the really early Rolex Submariner advertisements. 

Above we see a very early ad that was originally published in the Tampa Morning Tribune on November 25, 1954, and it is filled with all kinds of fascinating detail, including the fact the first Rolex Submariner retailed for $150!?!?!?!

Also, we see the correct pronunciation of "Sub-Marine", which means the model was correctly pronounced Sub-Marine-er. Below is the upcoming book cover of the volume that goes into great detail on the origins of the Rolex Submariner:

Perpetual Planet

Perpetual Planet

Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf used the world as a testing ground for his watches, supporting explorers who ventured into the unknown. Rolex continues his legacy but with a new mission to help make the planet Perpetual by supporting those who protect the oceans, study the effects of climate change and create a more sustainable world. Rolex stands behind the scientists, explorers and visionaries who will spark the imagination of future generations – for the sake of a Perpetual Planet.

In 2005, Cristina Mittermeier coined the term “conservation photography”, which she has championed ever since. Today, through stunning visual storytelling paired with scientific knowledge, she is an unwavering voice for protecting our natural world. She has gained international recognition for her powerful pictures, which tell the ocean’s story, drawing attention to its fragility. 

1926 Rolex Oyster Advertisement...

1926 Rolex Oyster Advertisement

Rolex invented and patented the first waterproof watch in 1926 and Hans Wilsdorf named it the Rolex Oyster. Today we take waterproof watches for granted, but in 1926 it was a completely revolutionary invention.

The objective with creating a waterproof watch originally was not to make a watch you could swim or take a shower or bath with, but a watch that was completely impervious to all elements. You see, prior to the invention of the Rolex Oyster, watches used to literally rot from the inside out. This would occur because things like humidity, perspiration, grease, dust, dirt, water and oil would get into the watch case and gunk it up.

Also, by allowing air molecules to easily get inside the case, it would dry out the lubrication oil much faster. In the 1920s and 1930s, Rolex would showcase their watches in Authorized Rolex Dealer's windows, but putting the watches on display in fishtanks with real fish to show-off the waterproofness.

The Following Rolex illustration is from 1926:

1979 French Rolex Explorer II: The Original Orange Hand

The Complete History Of The Rolex Explorer II

...Rolex Super-Coolness...

Jean-François PERNETTE

1998 Rolex Laureate Winner

Rolex Awards for Enterprise

5 Decades Of Exploration

Relying On His Orange Hand Rolex Explorer II

One of my favorite things to do on Jake's Rolex World is bring to life many characters who have appeared in vintage Rolex ads, by delving deeper into their history to learn what makes them tick. Today, I am excited to do just that, by taking a closer look at the amazing career achievements of Jean-François Pernette. 

Jean-François Pernette is one of the worlds leading cave explorers, and he is pictured below in Pierre Saint Martin, four decades ago, in 1981, while on a cave exploration expedition, and he is wearing his trademark Rolex Explorer II "Orange Hand."

Jean-François Pernette pictured above in 1981 wearing his Orange Hand Rolex Explorer II

Jean-François Pernette is considered to be one of the worlds leading speleologists. He was born in 1954 in France, and he is pictured below, exploring in Papua New-Guinea in 1980, and notice he is wearing his trademark Orange-Hand Rolex Explorer II. Jean-François Pernette went on to become the 1998 Rolex Laureate Winner of the Rolex Awards for Enterprise. 

1979 French Rolex Explorer II

The Original Orange Hand

Reference 1655

The 1979 Vintage Rolex Jean-François Pernette magazine ad was published in France.

Journey To The End Of The World

Rolex Awards For Enterprise Documentary produced a video about Jean-François Pernette in 1998 and it is Titled, Journey To The End Of The World, which you can watch below:

The next two photos below, show Jean-François Pernette in Papua New-Guinea in 1980, communicating with natives, who have had limited contact with the outside world.

In the next two photos we see Jean-François Pernette exploring a cave in Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin, which is part of a mountain pass on the border of Spain and France, located in the western Pyrenees mountain range.

The above photo was taken in 1981, and the photo below were taken in 1982 in  Pierre Saint-Martin. Notice Jean-François Pernette is wearing his trademark Orange Hand Rolex Explorer II in most of these photos taken over the last 4 decades. The Orange hand serves two purposes. First to keep the cave-dweller aware of wether it is AM or PM, and secondly, to able to keep track of time in a second timezone.

In the photo below, we we see Jean-François Pernette sporting a Rolex Datejust.

Rolex Awards Geneva 1998

This next photo was taken in 1998, upon the occasion of Jean-François Pernette winning the 1998 Rolex Award For Enterprise, and we see him being awarded with a yellow gold Rolex Day-Date.

In the next photo below, we see Jean-François Pernette hiking in the mountains of Nepal in 2012. Notice he is still sporting his Orange Hand Rolex Explorer II, which has served him well since 1979 without any challenges, throughout all his expeditions, the latest of which were Patagonia in 2010 and Nepal in 2012.

Jean-François Pernette pictured above in 2012 wearing his Orange Hand Rolex Explorer II

This last photo of Jean-François Pernette was taken this year (2013) while cave exploring in France. Jean-François Pernette has lived an extraordinary life, filled with amazing achievement, all while keeping time with his loyal companion and timekeeper, which is an original, vintage Orange Hand Rolex Explorer II. You can learn much more about the Jean-François Pernette by visiting his Rolex Awards For Enterprise microsite.

Harold Wilson Prime Minister Of The United Kingdom

A Prime Minister Wearing A Rolex President

Harold Wilson

Prime Minister Of The United Kingdom

1916-1995

James Harold Wilson served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1964 to 1970, as well as from 1974 to 1976. He was a British Labour Party politician. He began his political career in 1945 when he entered Parliament. As we see in the photos below, Harold Wilson wore a yellow gold Rolex Day-Date, also known as The Rolex President.

One of my favorite things to do on Jake's Rolex World is tell the story behind different Rolex Magazine advertisements, but the challenge is some of them don't use the persons name, which was the case with the "Men who guide the destinies of the world wear Rolex watches" ad seen below from 1964, thus we need to use some logical deduction...

Harold Wilson is pictured below meeting with U.S. President Kennedy at the White House in Washington D.C., on April 2, 1963.

Harold Wilson is pictured below meeting with U.S. President Johnson at the White House in Washington D.C. and notice LBJ is also wearing his Rolex Day-Date.

Harold Wilson is pictured below with Queen Elizabeth in September of 1975 at Balmoral just after he informed her he was planning to retire his position as Prime Minister on his 60th birthday in the following March.

"He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery." —Harold Wilson

Rolex Studio Shot Of The Day SMBRNR's Rolex GMT Master [Reference 1675: Jubilee Bracelet]

...Rolex Studio Shot Of The Day...

Rolex GMT Master

[Reference 1675: Jubilee Bracelet]

GMT Master models always look so cool on a Jubilee. Don't get me wrong, because I love the look of an Oyster bracelet, it is just cool to switch it up with a different vibe.