I Spy a Rolex GMT Pepsi...

I Spy a Rolex GMT Pepsi

Speaking of I Spy, Bill Cosby and Robert Culp both wore Pepsi Rolex GMTs on the show as you can see below. In case you are not familiar with I Spy, it was an American TV show about the adventures of two American Secret Agents named Kelly Robinson and Alexander Scott.

I Spy ran for three seasons from 1965 to 1968 and completed a total of 82 Episodes, and was about international espionage agents and the dangerous missions they went on all over the world.

I Spy was unusual in the sense the show was always shot on location at exotic locales all over earth, which set a new standard for television dramas.

Kelly Robinson played by Robert Culp poses as a tennis player who lives an extravagant playboy lifestyle, and Alexander Scott played by Bill Cosby poses undercover as his tennis trainer. As they travel the globe while exhibiting exceptional savoir-faire, and everlasting coolness, they are constantly matching wits with one another.

Robert Culp's figure of Kelly Robinson always wore ascots which I have always thought was a great, elegant look. Very, very Cary Grant–Once again, homage to Cary Grant being the real James Bond in "To Catch A thief" shot in 1955.

I spy was the first American TV series to feature an African American actor in the lead role. The fact that Bill Cosby's character was of African American heritage was never mentioned in the show. Bill Cosby won 3 Emmy Awards (1966,1967, and 1968).

I must admit that since I have been wearing Rolex watches, for more than a quarter century I always thought that wearing a stainless steel Rolex Submariner or GMT Master was not correct, but after checking out I Spy and the Gary Seven Star Trek episode it has changed my mind. I know think it is a kinda off cool look.

I also really enjoyed watching the episodes of I Spy. They have a kind of campy, kitschy, fun, Grooovy Baby–Yeah!!! Austin Power's–Man Of International Mystery vibe. I think I like watching this old stuff for the same reason I appreciate other older shows like Star Trek and Jacques Cousteau Odyssey.

Watching the episodes of I Spy, left me wanting more. So I plan to purchase all the DVD episodes and watch them all and hopefully I can get some higher quality screen captures of Rolex shots.

Bill Cosby and Robert Culp also made a movie named I Spy returns in 1994.

Highly Collectable Rolex Watches Defying Economic Crisis...

Highly Collectable Rolex Watch Value Enduring

John Goldberger who wrote the amazing 100 Superlative Rolex Watches is one of the top vintage Rolex collectors on planet earth. If you missed it, I recorded a detailed podcast along with a superb preview of his book which you can see by clicking here.

I talk with John on a pretty regular basis and we were discussing how Rolex would perform at the recent Antiquorum action and then at the even more recent Christie's Important Watches auction in Geneva on November 17, 2008.

John said "Christie's and Antiquorum had good results and a high percentage of items sold. Regarding the Christie's auction, the high quality Rolex watches achieved huge auction results–especially the classic models like the Prince, Bubbleback, Moonphase 8171, Chrono 3525–the kind or watches illustrated in my book."

"I think the era of high prices for Comex, Cosmographs with brown dials, low quality Sports models, and other overpaid amenities is over. In times of crisis the classic models with rare dials, in great condition will be the only good investment. Remember, quality always pays."

You can watch a video news story of the Christie's auction in French that features an interview with John Goldberger by clicking here.

One of the star performers at the Christie's Auction was this magnificent and very rare, Pink-Gold Rolex Triple-Date Moonphase [Reference 8171] which was made in 1949. Christie's points out in their auction catalog "Rolex has produced only two different models of moonphase wristwatches, reference 8171 and 6062. Both models are automatic, however reference 8171 has a snap on back, while reference 6062, the Oyster version, is fitted with a water-resistant type screw back."

"Reference 8171 was made in a small series between 1949 and 1952, mostly in yellow gold. Examples in pink gold or stainless steel are very rare."

This magnificent Rolex Moonphase [Reference 8171] significantly exceeded the estimated sales price at the Christie's auction [LOT 16/Sale 1357] on November 17, 2008 in Geneva of between $140k - $220K to sell for $250K. You can learn more about this beautiful watch by visiting the  Christie's auction page for this watch by clicking here.

The Start of Star Trek...

The Start of Star Trek Movie

What does Star Trek have to do with Jake's Rolex Watch Blog beside the fact that William Shatner wears a Rolex? Two things:

1. In my podcast I did with Mercury astronaut, Scott Carpenter, I mentioned that in the upcoming Star Trek movie trailer that just before Leonard Nimoy says the now famous, "Space, the final frontier" that you hear a sound-byte from JFK's moon speech and then you hear Scott Carpenter say, "Godspeed, John Glenn."

2. In my Podcast with International Space Station astronaut, Leroy Chiao, he mentioned that a Star Trek character named Gary 7 is shown wearing a Rolex Submariner on the original TV show.

I am not a Trekky, but when I was a kid, I loved watching Start Trek with Willaim Shatner as Captian Kirk and Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock. I was not crazy about any of the Star Trek movies, but this next one looks like it might be amazing. It will be appearing soon in movie theaters. Kind of cool, first James Bond, and now Star Trek...

It takes place before on the time-scale, prior to the original TV series, so we get to learn about how the original characters were formed. It is really a prequel. To watch the amazing trailers click here. I recommend watching the 720p or 1080p if you computer can handle it.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

"The First Thanksgiving" painting by Jean Gerome Ferris (1863-1930)

Happy Thanksgiving from Jake!!!

Hi everybody!!!

I would like to wish all my readers a happy Thanksgiving. I realize Thanksgiving is a United States holiday, but I believe the concept is universal.

In my mind, Thanksgiving is a day to pause and deeply reflect on how privileged we are and give thanks to the universe for allowing us to experience this miracle we call life.

I am extremely thankful to be able to explore and share all this great Rolex history with you. I am also very appreciative of all the great friends I have made all over the world through publishing my blog. Thank you all for reading and contributing!!!

Once again, Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Warmest regards,

Jake

Eleven Magazine has a very nice mention about Jake's Rolex Watch Blog...

Osama Eisa from Eleven Magazine posted this very nice mention about Jake's Rolex Watch Blog:

The Rolex Blog

I stumbled upon this blog when wanting to check out some things about Rolex. Rolex is a brand that is associated with rich guys with money to spare, but the reality is that Rolex has a far more complex culture than that.

At Jake’s Rolex Blog, there is a tremendous resource on the brand and its ethos in ways that very few (if any) other places are able to match. The blog is awesome and provides you with an understanding of why people decide to spend that much money on a watch.

The reality is that it is more than just a watch, it is a tool. Astronauts, military men, and explorers have all used and relied upon this watch for one of the most important aspects of our lives: time. If time dictated whether you lived or died, would you trust your life in a Seiko? I think not.

The coolest aspect of the blog that I found was the exploration of how James Bond was known in the Fleming novels as a man who only could wear a Rolex, yet today he wears an Omega.

The article can be found here.

Rolex Explorer Mark II...

Orange Hand Explorer

Eric Ku from 10pastTEN.com is the top vintage Rolex dealer in the San Francisco, Bay Area. He took these photos of this Rolex Explorer.

Rolex Hotness: Danille Lloyd Wearing Her Stainless Daytona With White Dial...

Watch Quote of the Day: Albert Einstein on Atomic Power & Watchmaking...

"The release of atom power has changed everything except our way of thinking... the solution to this problem lies in the heart of mankind. If only I had known, I should have become a watchmaker." -Albert Einstein

The New York Times on Remembering Ian Fleming...

Ian Fleming–James Bond Exhibition

We have been covering much James Bond history lately due to the release of the new James Bond movie Quantum of Solace and if you want to learn about ALL the watches worn by James Bond you can do so by clicking here.

A few weeks ago, Jake's Rolex Watch Blog ran a story about Ian Fleming's Rolex Explorer being displayed at the Imperial War Museum in London. A few days ago, The New York Times ran an interesting article about the same exhibition which opened at the Imperial War Museum in London last month. The exhibition explores the relationship between James Bond writer/creator, Ian Fleming and James Bond. The exhibition runs thorough March 2009.

I highly recommend reading the New York Times article which you can find by clicking here.

Phillip's Magnificent Rolex Submariner Prototype...

A Fascinating RED Rolex Submariner Prototype

This is an extremely rare Rolex Submariner Prototype [Reference 1680] and it is owned by one of the most fascinating Rolex collectors in the world–Philipp S. 

Philipp is not only a Rolex collector, he says he is addicted.

Technically this Submariner is referred to as a NON-Minute-Track Submariner with Tritium Indices. This Rolex Submariner also referred to as a Red Submariner because the SUBMARINER designation is red. Actually on this version the red is laid down over a white print. This overprinting process was done to make the red pop more.

Philipp does not know for certain exactly why Rolex made this prototype dial without the minute track. It could have been for many reasons, but somehow this watch left the Rolex labs and was sold into the market. In many ways, lacking the minute track gives the Submariner a fascinatingly simple look.

Magnificent Macro Shots

You can tell if a Rolex has Tritium indices by the SWISS – T<25 designation pictured above. Over time the tritium has changed color from white to an off white, almost yellow color. This yellowing also provides evidence that the dial is authentic.

In the photo below Philipp surrounds the trackless Red Submariner with two other Red Submariners from his brilliant collection. Notice the other two have minute tracks.  Philipp is a fascinating collector because he is obsessed with examining and exploring the details on his Rolex watches like not other. Thank you for sharing your stunning images with us Philipp, they are magnificent!!!