Rolex Dial Comes To Apple Watch

 Rolex Dial

 Comes To

 Apple Watch

Imitation is the Highest Form of Flattery

Want an Apple watch with a vintage Rolex Dial? Well things have come full-circle now! Today Apple held its World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) in San Jose, California, and they showed off WatchOS 6, which now includes a "California Dial"option as seen below. Rolex patented this dial design in 1942.

The supreme irony, at least in my own mind is that the design language of the "California Dial" is the essence of the Submariner, SEA-DWELLER, GMT-Master & Yacht-Master as Rolex incorporated the upside down triangle marker at 12 O'Clock as well as the three rectangular markers at 3, 6, and 9 into those afore mentioned dials respectively. 

The Perhaps not so obvious question is whether or not adding this "California Dial" is a nod from Apple to Rolex, or just an unintentional nod that Apple thinks is cool since the dial design is commonly referred to as "California" dial? Part of the irony is that Rolex originally referred to this style of dial as an  "Error-Proof Radium Dial with Error-Proof Radium Hands." If you read my story titled The Complete History Of The "California Dial", you can learn all about how this dial style became associated with California.

Rolex Patent Application

California Dial

June 15, 1942

In the past, I have written extensively about the art deco Rolex California Dial. The significance of this dial  is it is the basis of the dial on the Rolex Submariner, SEA-DWELLER and GMT-Master.

The 1943 Rolex ad below shows a Rolex with what is now commonly refered to as a "Califorinia Dial."

One More Thang

At Apple's WWDC event today, they also showed off the all new Apple Mac Pro with a 32 inch Pro Display XDR, which you can see in the photo below with Apple CEO, Tim Cook.

On of the things I noticed about this new Apple Pro computer and monitor is their price-points are far higher than they have ever been in the past. In my mind it's almost like the new Apple Pro equipment is very Rolex like...In other words, it is highly functional, made out of stainless steel, but intentionally over-engineered with a dramatic yet tasteful timeless jewelry style.

The Apple Pro Display XDR pictured above is $6000 with the stainless steel stand pictured above. The Mac Pro, begins at $6000 for the base model and goes up from there..

Speaking of Rolex and Apple, below is a photo of Apple's World Wide Marketing Vice President Phil Schiller from 2006 rockin' his Rolex Submariner:

Below we see Apple executive, Dr. Dre wearing his Rolex Day-Date masterpiece. Dr. Dre sold his brand, 'Beats by Dre' to Apple for $3 Billion.

...Rolex Super-Coolness... Hello, My Name Is Johnny Cash

The Kings of Country Music Wearing Rolex Series

...Rolex Super-Coolness...

Hello, My Name Is:

Johnny Cash

An Amazing Career

With Rolex Keeping The Time Of His Life

1932-2003

Johnny Cash is widely regarded as one of the greatest recording stars of the second half of the 20th century. His music style spanned, Rock and Roll, Country, Rockabilly, Blues, Gospel and Folk. Johnny Cash was born in 1932 in Kingsland, Arkansas, and died in 2003. 

Johnny Cash's wore at least 3 different Rolex watches in his career. His actual 1950s vintage yellow-gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual is pictured below and it seen on a rust colored alligator strap. This is clearly a different Rolex than the one on pictured at the top of this story.

Johnny Cash appears in the 1955 video below, singing his country hit "I Walk The Line."

Johnny Cash was good pals with Elvis Presley, and the two of them used to perform at the same venues together. Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley are pictured together below in 1956. Of course, Elvis Presley also wore a Rolex.

Johnny Cash is pictured below in 1956 standing behind Elvis Presley (sitting). On the far left we see Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins playing guitar.

Johnny Cash is pictured below with Bob Dylan who is a big fan of Cash's.

The Highwayman

Rolex Day-Date

Just like today, back in the 1970s and 1980s wearing a Rolex Day-Date was the International Mark Of Success, especially if you were a top Country Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist—as we see in the photos below, we first see Country Singing Legend, Glen Campbell, who is pictured above on the far left, wearing his yellow gold Rolex Day-Date. In the photo below from the cover of Glen Campbell's 1975 record album titled "Arkansas" we see Campbell sporting his yellow gold Rolex Day-Date with the champagne dial.

Willie Nelson, is also pictured above next to Johnny Cash in the photo above Glen Campbell, and in the picture below we see Willie Nelson also wearing a yellow gold Rolex Day-Date as he performed for 40,000 fans at Farm Aid II at Manor Downs Quarter Horse Race Track in Manor, Texas on the 4th of July in 1986. It's actually amazing to me how many of the top guitarist in history wear Rolex watches!

Johnny Cash is pictured three pictures above between Glen Campbell and Willie Nelson at Farm Aid in 1985, and we see them perform together in the video below.

Johnny Cash is pictured below with his wife, June Carter Cash

Johnny Cash left behind an amazing recording catalog, and legacy. It is fascinating to note Johnny Cash was a Rolex man, and we see him pictured below performing on September 22, 1985 performing live at Farm Aid, and he is sporting his yellow gold Rolex (President) Day-Date.

Johnny Cash in 1985 at Farm Aid wearing his yellow gold Rolex Day-Date

Rolex Perpetual Planet Living Laboratory

Rolex Perpetual Planet

Living Laboratory

Mr. Wonderful-Kevin O'Leary

A Rolex Shark

Mr. Wonderful

Kevin O'Leary

I originally published this story on Kevin O'Leary back on November 18, 2018, but Mr. Wonderfull just published an AMAZING video as part of a seriew named "Mr. Wonderful On Watches" which can be seen below this photo! In this episode Mr. Wonderful goes into great detail on The Best Investment Watches You Can Buy!! (Special shout out to Nick Gould for pointing out this video)

Rolex Dayonta on a Red RubberB

The aforementioned ABS-CBN story pointed out, according to a 2015 Forbes.com story that O'Leary owns a huge collection of more than 30 watches. The ABS-CBN article quotes Shark Tank superstar, Kevin O'Leary as making the profound point to his audience at ANC's Leadership Forum last Monday: 

"This asset class (high-quality collectable watches) outperformed everything in the last 5 years, growing at least 400 percent."

During the ANC Leadership Forum Kevin O'Leary was wearing his stainless steel Rolex Daytona on his Red Rubber B Strap paired with his skull cufflinks as seen in the photo above and below, which appear courtesy of ABS-CBN. Kevin O'Leary was the headliner for ANC's Leadership Series for the fourth year in a row.

The ABS-CBN article quotes Kevin O'Leary as saying: 

"Now, everybody's into collecting watches because the appreciation is phenomenal! It's just one of those crazy asset classes and you get to wear them. That's also good."

"I like competing. I like kicking ass. I like being successful. The monetary rewards are interesting and I buy all the watches, that makes it more interesting."

"Every time I close a deal, I buy a watch and I remember that deal with that watch. It's always great to remember the deal with the watch".

THE SHARKER

Several days ago I published a story about Robert Herjavec who is one of the six members on Shark Tank, so I thought it was fitting to share this story on one of his fellow sharks, Kevin O'Leary. Kevin O'Leary is commonly referred to by his nickname of Mr. Wonderful as he typically very skeptical and cynical in the way he hazes participants on Shark Tank. Kevin O'Leary is pictured below wearing his two-tone Rolex Submariner.

A few days ago Nick Gould from Quill & Pad pointed me to this Instagram post from Kevin O'Leary that features his new stainless steel Rolex Daytona on a red RubberB strap as seen below. 

View this post on Instagram

When you a a fashionista like me you are always trying to accessorize to a higher level. Tomorrow we are back in the studio shooting @sharktankabc season 10 and as usual the other sharks will be wearing beer caps for cuffs. I'll be featuring this combo with my classic black suit. They will learn all about fashion from the master!

A post shared by Kevin O'Leary (@kevinolearytv) on Sep 11, 2018 at 3:51pm PDT

Kevin O'Leary is known for wearing watches on red straps, which is kind of his trademark. I wrote an article a couple years ago on Jake's Panerai World about Kevin's Panerai PAM000219 which is seen below.

SHARK TANK

Kevin O'Leary is one of six sharks on Shark Tank, as we see below from top left to bottom right: Daymond John, Mark Cuban, Roger Herjavec, Barbara Corcoran, Kevin O'Leary, & Lori Greiner.

So it looks like Kevin O'Leary is back to Rolex, which he put on his trademark red strap and it looks great. Below is another photo of Kevin wearing his two-tone Submariner.

Kevin O'Leary is pictured below with his friend and fellow Shark Tank member, Daymond John as they enjoy some O'Leary wine.

I could not help but notice in the video above on Good Morning America, that Michael Strahan was wearing the exact same stainless steel Rolex Daytona that Mr. Wonderful showed on his Instagram post.

Story Update: I originally published this story on September 15, 2018, and usually I would not update a story so quickly but I came across a superb article on Kevin O'Leary that was published on November 15th, 2018 by ABS-CBN that offers significant insight into Kevin O'Leary's love of watches.

Smokey Robinson Two-Tone Rolex Datejust

...Rolex Super Coolness...

Iconic Motown Music Legend

Smokey Robinson

Keeping Time with Rolex Datejust

Smokey Robinson is an international treasure. There, I said it. Smokey's Rhythm and Blues Motown music defined a generation, and as we seen in the photos below, Smokey wears two different Rolex Datejust models.

In the photo above and below, we see Smokey Robinson hanging out in 2013 with world renowned music producer, Jimmy Lovine, on the set of American Idol. Smokey Robinson was a guest judge for an episode of American Idol, and I noticed he was wearing a two-tone Rolex Datejust.

Smokey Robinson is considered to be one of the greatest R&B singer/songwriters to ever live, and despite the fact he performed many of his instantly recognizable hits, he wrote many other famous songs that were sung by other famous Motown recording artists. 

Smoke Robinson was the founder of the legendary Motown band, named The Miracles. Smokey Robinson wrote and performed many top hits like, Shop Around, The Tracks Of My Tears, Ooo Baby, Baby, Cruisin', and Being With You. Smokey Robinson's music, just like his Rolex, is completely timeless!!! The following videos offer an excellent overview of Smokey Robinson's incredible music career, which has spanned over 60 years!!!

Mystery Solved: Fidel Castro Submariner

Mystery Solved

Fidel Castro

1959 Rolex Submariner

Exclusive Photo Proves

First Rolex Sport Watch Was A Submariner

If you are a regular reader of Jake's Rolex World, you are likely aware Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro wore multiple Rolex watch models. This first photo below—which is exclusive to Jake's Rolex World—of Fidel Castro was taken when he was 32 years old. It was taken in Houston, Texas in April of 1959 and it's deeply profound as is the first photo that proves, as a matter of fact (with 100% Positive ID) Fidel's first Rolex sports watch was a Submariner and NOT a GMT-Master. 

In the photo above we see Fidel Castro signing a letter of intent with Texas Oil Millionaire, Frank B. Waters for the film rights to his life as the leader of Cuba. Marlon Brando was chosen to play Castro, but the movie was never made.

The photo below is a tight close up of Castro's Rolex Submariner and it reveals some interesting details. In particular, his winding crown is NOT screwed down? Castro's Rolex Submariner is an early Reference 6536, and is probably a 1956 model.

Castro Took Cuba Wearing His Submariner

Fidel Castro wore a sport Rolex Submariner when he overthrew dictator Fulgencio Batista during the Cuban Revolution in late 1958. In this image from the LIFE Magazine archives we see Fidel Castro standing on the balcony of the Hilton Hotel with friends after his triumphant entry into the Havana, Cuba wearing his Rolex Submariner.

I originally published the image seen above and below more than 10 years ago, and in the images we can clearly see Castro wearing his Rolex and at the time I assumed it was a Submariner, but realized it could be a GMT, but it was not as the first image in this story now proves unequivocally. 

The Habana Hilton Hotel-Casino is pictured above in 1958 just after it opened. After taking over Cuba in late 1958 Fidel Castro made the Habana Hilton his headquarters. The photo below was taken in January of 1959 and shows the Habana Hilton Foyer filled with armed Cuban revolutionary soldiers.

In this next photo seen below of Castro, also taken in 1958 in Cienfuegos, Cuba you see Castro being cheered by crowds on his victorious march to Havana after successfully ousting Batista. 

Fidelito Castro 

Fidel Castro's First Son

Fidel Castro's oldest son is named Fidelito Castro, and he is pictured below with his father Fidel Castro in 1959 at the Havana Hilton Hotel in Cuba.  In the photo below Fidelito is inspecting his father's Rolex what was previously assumed to be a Rolex Day-Date with an early Rolex 'President' bracelet, but Nick Gould from Quill & Pad recently figured out it was a Datejust on a Rolex President bracelet. We also see Fidel wearing his Rolex Submariner on his left wrist along with another watch that is flipped-around out of view. 

The photo below is the same as the one above, just zoomed-in on Castro and we see he is wearing his Submariner with the crown in the unscrewed winding position.

In the photo below, we see Castro in 1964 wearing an early Coke Rolex GMT-Master with no crown guards [Reference 6542].

Communism for the masses. 

Capitalism for the Bosses. 

Fidel Castro also wore a Pepsi Rolex GMT-Master [Reference 1675] with crown guards as pictured below on the cover of TIME Magazine. 

Castro's Legacy

Castro remains a highly polarizing figure in the world today. Some people see him as a hero, or David who stood up to Goliath (Batista and the Imperialist Americans). Others see Castro as being a stone cold killer and hypocrite. I received an email which include the photo seen below in response to this story from a reader who shared his insightful perspective:

Hi, Jake

I have been a fan of Rolex watches for many years and a fan of your website and therefore your post.  However, I hate to see guys like Fidel Castro and Che Guevara wearing Rolex watches and given credit for wearing them despite their atrocities and crimes against humanity.  These two guys, were criminals just like Hitler and lately Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela.  They killed thousand of peoples and destroyed thousands of families, some of them my friends families, just to please themselves and their relatives with money. 

To me they are all cowards hiding behind a political ideology to become billionaires. The Castro family is well worth over 10 billion dollars at the expense of the Cuban people which still live in misery.  The same is with Maduro in Venezuela. Well, Guevara didn’t get that lucky, he got what he deserved. I guess the guys who captured him were better Rolex ambassadors, perhaps and I hope they had the chance to wear Guavara’s GMT.

Jose

History is filled with all kinds of atrocities, and hopefully as mankind moves forward we can all learn from these mistakes so they are not repeated. In the Chess game of life, Che Guevara was hunted down like a dog in Bolivia and brutally executed.