Rocking Roger Shows Up at U.S. Open Rocking Rare Rolex Daytona...

...Rolex Super Coolness...

Rocking Roger

Shows Up at U.S. Open

Rocking an Exclusive Yellow Gold

 'Le Mans' 100th Anniversary Daytona

First Time Rare Daytona Seen in Public

Man, I don't even know where to begin with this story!!! Roger Federer is not only the greatest tennis player in the history of professional tennis, but one of the coolest guys on the planet. Rocking Roger Federer in many ways is the living embodiment of Rolex, in the sense he was born and resides in Switzerland, and is a top Rolex brand ambassador, or to use fancy Rolex parlance, would be to say Roger is 'a Rolex Testimonee.'

So Roger Federer recently was seen at the U.S. Open with Rolex CEO, Jean-Frederic Dufour, (pictured above) who is also another really cool guy, with great style. Jean-Frederic Dufour has always kind of reminded me of Steve McQueen in that he looks like McQueen with his blond hair, and the way he wears his Rolex on his right wrist. 

As an example, we see Steve McQueen pictured above in the 1968 movie named Bullitt, where he is roaring through the streets of San Francisco in his Army Green Ford Mustang Fastback, and he is wearing a sports coat. If I told you the man driving the Mustang in the photo above was Rolex CEO, Jean-Frederic Dufour, and you didn't know otherwise, you could confuse them. Also, as I previously mentioned, Steve McQueen also famously wore his Rolex Submariner on his right wrist, as does Dufour. No, that's not Dufour pictured below, but Steve McQueen back in the day...

Back to the main story, I originally discovered the image below which is a crop from the first image in this story on Perpetual Passion's Instagram page, and Matthew Bega wrote a great story on PerpetualPassion.com titled "Roger Federer at the US Open with the new Rolex Daytona 'LeMans' in yellow gold, ref. 126528LN-0001". Also, our Captain Danny also wrote a story titled "Exclusive Rolex Daytona Seen in the Wild for the First Time".

The Rolex Daytona 126528LN-0001 was very quietly introduced "off catalog" by Rolex at Watches and Wonders in Geneva, Switzerland earlier this year, and it was almost identical to the original Rolex Daytona 100th Anniversary of Le Mans model with debuted in white gold earlier, but this one is yellow gold. 

Speaking of coolness factors, I will let you in on a Rolex strategic marketing strategy that most people probably are not aware of. Watch brands like to associate themselves with cool things. For instance, Omega wanted to associate themselves with the James Bond Franchise, and came out with watches that said "007" all over the dial which was an exercise is kitchy, campy goofiness. Rolex has always taken the opposite minimalist approach and the 100th Anniversary of Le Mans Daytona is a concrete example. 

Instead of plastering the name "Le Mans" all over the dial, Rolex ever so subtly added a red 100 on the bezel insert, as well as adding vintage Paul Neman Daytona Subdials, to set this beauty apart from all other Rolex Daytona models. For clarity sake, we see Paul Neman's actual Exotic White Dial Daytona pictured above, which sold at auction for more than $17 Million, and notice the three black subdials have markers that are shaped like a See's Candy Lollipop.

Matthew Bega from PerpeualPassion.com beautifully summarized the significance of Rocking Roger rocking this new Rolex model when he said:  

"This model features a yellow gold case with a black ceramic bezel and a dial with 'Paul Newman' style counters, a configuration very similar to the Daytona reference from the era of manual movements, the 6263/8.

The new Rolex Daytona 126528LN-0001 “LeMans” in yellow gold, unlike the references 126500 which mounts the caliber 4131, has a 24-hour totalizer thanks to the caliber 4132, a modified version of the caliber 4131 of the classic Daytona, making it perfectly suited to an endurance race such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

We could consider Roger Federer's appearance with the new Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 'LeMans' in yellow gold, as a real official launch. The most famous and recognized face among the Ambassadors of the Rolex family, with a new reference on his wrist that has found little space in the official communication of the brand.

What better communication strategy than having it worn by Roger Federer, the one who more than anyone else embodies the values ​​of the brand?"

Rolex Lume Shot Of The Day Hypophyse Submariner: Reference 5512

...Rolex Lume Shot Of The Day...

Hypophyse' Submariner
Reference 5512

Mysterious Off Catalog Datejust with Ice-Blue Dial and Hands

September 5th Update: It's pretty amazing how many people have attempted to get to the bottom of this mystery. Here are some examples: Cam from Craft & Tailored, said he thought perhaps it might actually be a Platinum Datejust. Nick Gould said he thought perhaps Rolex sent an "Ice blue dial and hands to the Datejust line by mistake?" And somebody on our Instagram @Rolex.Magazine said "Judging by the reflections on the bracelet, I'd go with just blue lighting." Captain Danny is following up to see if he can separate-the-fact-from-the-fiction, and if he does I will post another update.

WhatIsDis!?!!

Mysterious Off Catalog Datejust

with Ice-Blue Dial and Hands

Captain Danny in Paris

Captain Danny was recently in Paris, where he noticed what appears to be new "off catalog" stainless steel Rolex Datejust with an ice blue dial, with a complimentary metallic teal blue Rolex Crown on the dial as well as matching blue hands.

"Sowhat is the deal with this off catalog Rolex?" (Said with Jerry Seinfeld accent ;-). We can't seem to figure it out, but one thing for certain is she is a dropped stunning beauty...

Rolex Day-Date with Ice Blue Dial

Below we see Rolex's Platinum Day-Date in 40MM with the Ice-Blue dial, which looks somewhat reminiscent of the Datejust pictured above, but under more careful evaluation we see the dial and hands on the mystery Rolex Datejust pictured above is a darker Ice-Blue, or metallic teal blue, which looks super-cool...

Also, the baton marker surrounds on the mystery watch as well as the Rolex coronet logo on the dial and the minute, hour and seconds hand are also a metallic teal blue, which the Platinum Day-Date lacks, with the exception of it's seconds hand, which is the same darker metallic teal blue.

Captain Danny even said, "When I first saw the Datejust, my brain mistook it for the Platinum with Ice-Blue Dial 40MM Day-Date. The Rolex Day-Date 40MM in Platinum pictured below lacks the metallic teal blue, but is still a very cool looking watch...

ONE MORE THANG

One of my favorite things to do when I write stories on Rolex is to add a music video with a soundtrack that feels like it's on point for my poetic assertion. I was watching the Vanilla Ice vide above, and I remembered, speaking of Rolex Day-Date and Vanilla Ice, brought to mind my memory that he has worn a Rolex Presidential model his hole adult life...

Coco Gauff – On the rise to greatness

Coco Gauff
On the rise to greatness

Talent. Grace. Grit. Coco Gauff’s many qualities have propelled her all the way to Grand Slam® glory at the US Open. But her greatest achievement has been to win hearts and inspire millions around the world. We are proud to partner her on this amazing journey and look forward to witnessing her continued success in the future. Be sure to check out Rolex.com to learn more about Rolex and the U.S. Open.

ROLEX Smartphone Wallpaper by Captain Danny

 ROLEX

Smartphone Wallpaper

by Captain Danny

Back in late July, I posted a story on how Captain Danny had created a really cool Hans Wilsdorf smartphone wallpaper, that got us both so inspired that we discussed creating a dedicated collection of cool Rolex related wallpapers. I mentioned that Captain Danny and planned to build an online library of Rolex images for smartphone wallpaper that would look rad on an iPhone, or Android smartphones. I mean, just look at how dope that Rolex Daytona image looks on an iPhone with all the colors dialed in 👆🏼👀...

Well, I've got some great news, and the smartphone Rolex wallpaper gallery is now live on Captain Danny's Coronet Rolex Blog and it looks magnificent!!!

In the future, Captain Danny and I plan to expand the collection of free images, but in the meantime there are a lot of awesome images, so be sure to check them out over on the free Coronet Wallpapers gallery.

I find it to be totally fascinating that as the world has moved full-speed-ahead into the digital age, many people have stopped wearing watches and instead just use their smartphone which they always have with them, or they wear a smartwatch like the Apple Watch, yet Rolex watches, as anachronistic and old-fashioned as they may be—are more popular than ever—and continue to defy obsolescence as they are built-to-last, and very low-maintenance as they don't require being plugged-in to charge every night, not to mention they don't bother you to death with stupid and unnecessary notifications... 

Rolex Coolness: Marcello Mastroianni La dolce vita

...A Rolex Family...

Catherine Deneuve

&

Marcello Mastroianni

Legendary Acting & Style Icons

Marcello Mastroianni is pictured below in 1972 with his gorgeous and talented wife, Catherine Deneuve, and in this photo we get a clear shot of Marcello Mastroanni's Rolex Datejust.

Marcello Mastroianni was a major style icon and famous international actor. He was born in Fontana Lori, which is a small village in The Apennines. He grew up in Turin and Rome.

Catherine Deneuve is a French actress, singer model and producer. She is also to be considered to be on of the most beautiful women that ever lived. She is pictured below wearing her Rolex Ladies Datejust on an Oyster Bracelet.

Rolex Datejust

...La dolce vita...

Marcello Mastroianni is perhaps best known for his role in the 1960 Italian Film Noir, La dolce vita which was directed by Frederico Fellini. In the photo below we see Marchello Mastroianni with the stunningly beautiful Swedish model, Anita Ekberg. Of course La dolce vita is Italian for The Good Life.

Marcello Mastroinni and Catherine Deneuve (pictured above) had a daughter named Chiara Mastroianni, and she is pictured below with her father, Marcello when she was a little girl, and you notice his Rolex.

Chiara Mastroianni is pictured below wearing one of her father's Rolex Datejust watches. Chiara Mastroianni is a famous actress and singer.

1956 Italian Rolex Brochure Cover

1956 

Italian Rolex Brochure Cover

Paul Schutzer Photojournalist

...Rolex Coolness...

Paul Schutzer

LIFE Magazine Photojournalist

"It doesn't just tell time. It tells history"

Paul Schutzer was an American photojournalist who worked for LIFE Magazine. His name may not be familiar but some of his photographs are instantly recognizable, and he is arguably one of the great photojournalists of the 20th Century.

Note from Jake: After Nick wrote this story, Ralf from Germany send in this superb 1965 photo of Paul wearing his Submariner as a real tool watch.

The earliest photo I came across of Schutzer wearing a Rolex timepiece was in 1958.  He was covering the inauguration of newly elected Argentina's newly elected president Arturo Frondizi in Buenos Aires.  

Schutzer followed Presidential candidate John. F Kennedy during his successful campaign against Richard Nixon in 1960. While traveling on Kennedy's train, Schutzer snapped a photograph of JFK reading through some notes while lying down in his cabin.  What makes the photograph so cool, is the fact Schutzer took it through the reflection of the mirror.  It shows Schutzer wearing his stainless steel Rolex Oyster Perpetual, while JFK is talking to someone at the door in the background.

"It doesn't just tell time. It tells history"

Schutzer took the iconic photo of Bobby Kennedy with his wife and kids, wearing their pajamas just before bedtime in their home in Maclean, Virginia on April 30, 1957.

The famous photograph below of JFK at his inauguration ball on January 20th 1961, after being elected the 35th President of the United States, was taken by Schutzer.

Paul Schutzer was a regular in Washington D.C. and attended the March on Washington on August 28, 1963 and he shot this magnificently profound photo of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. standing in the Lincoln Memorial rotunda.

In 1962, Schutzer travelled to Iran to cover the aftermath of an earthquake. Schutzer was wearing his Oyster Perpetual on Oyster bracelet, which is clearly seen on his wrist in the picture below.

In 1964, Schutzer went to Israel, where he took photographs of the Israeli Army and is seen below next to a group of marching female soldiers. His trusty Oyster Perpetual can be seen on his left wrist.

In 1965, Schutzer was sent to cover the Vietnam War, and his photograph of a captured Viet Cong solider was the cover photo for the November 1965 issue of LIFE Magazine.

Schutzer was photographed wearing a No Crown Guard Submariner during his time in Vietnam, which is clearly recognisable due to the bezel, dial and Oyster bracelet. I can't tell the exact reference but due to the crown size being small it is either a reference 6536 or 5508 Submariner.

Paul Shuzter was an amazing photographer. “Unfortunately his career was cut short as he was killed while on assignment during the first day while covering the ‘Six-Day War’ in 1967. One thing is for certain and that is the fact his images will live on as part of our historical record.

Rolex Color Change Dial 2005 White Gold Daytona Cosmograph

...Rolex Studio Shot Of The Day..

Rolex Color Change Dial

White Gold Daytona Cosmograph

2005 Reference 116509

This is a really unusual white gold Rolex Daytona that was auctioned by Antiquorum few years ago. The thing that makes it unusual is over time the dye from the red hands have migrated onto the subdials, which give it a fascinating patina look.

Rolex Lume Shot of the Day: LV Lumepower...

...Lume Shot Of The Day...

LV Lume Power

Chris B took this stunning shot of his LV Submariner and he really captured the power of those Maxi Markers...