Setting a new world record for any Rolex GMT Master ever sold at auction, this rare Rolex GMT Master ref. 6542 in 18K yellow gold sold for CHF 341,000 Swiss Francs —including Buyer's premium—, approximately $350,000 USD. Not only this watch is one of the most well preserved and most complete sets out there, but it also features a very unique bronze hue dial.
Posts filed under Rolex
Breaking News: Ultra Rare Rolex Daytona ref. 6239 'The Doctor' with Blue Pulsations Dial Sells for 900,000 Swiss Francs at the Phillips Watch Auction.
One of the main highlights of the Start-Stop-Reset Phillips watchauction was lot number 88, an ultra rare Rolex Daytona ref. 6239 nicknamed 'The Doctor' with pulsations dial. This watch, expected to surpass its original estimate of CHF 350,000-700,000 Swiss Francs, just sold for 900,000 Swiss Francs at the Phillips Watch Auction that took place at the Hotel La Réserve in Geneva on May 14, 2016.
Breaking News: Rolex Split Seconds ref. 4113 Sells for Two Million Swiss Francs at the Phillips Start-Stop-Reset Watch Auction in Geneva. A New World Record for Any Rolex Ever Sold at Auction.
Breaking any previous records set at any watch auction including the world record just set less than 45 minutes ago by Lot 31 a super rare Rolex Daytona Paul Newman Tropical Oyster Sotto —selling for CHF 1,650,000 Swiss Francs at the Phillips Watches Start-Stop-Reset auction in Geneva—, lot 56 another ultra rare watch from Rolex just set a new world record selling for CHF 2,000,000 Swiss Francs at the auction taking place at La Resérve in Geneva on May 14th, 2016.
Insider: Rolex Explorer II ref. 216570 White Dial a.k.a Polar. Hands-on Review of our Favorite Modern Era Rolex.
Considering that it's been a while since we last published a hands-on review of a modern Rolex timepiece, we decided to work on this special review of what we consider to be our favorite modern era Rolex watch. As you all know, Rolex is the typical gateway to the luxury watch category and a brand with the highest 'top of mind' in the luxury watch world. Additionally, Rolex ranks as one of the top five most valuable brands when it comes to luxury goods.
Insider: Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller D-Blue Dial ref. 116660 a.k.a James Cameron. Built like a Marine Tank and Exceptionally Beautiful.
It's been a long time since we've done a hands-on review of a Rolex timepiece. While we've never been big fans of the Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller ref. 116660 since its launch several years ago, we've always liked the looks of the D-Blue dial version a.k.a. James Cameron that came out in August of 2014. A watch that doesn't fly under the radar due to its crazy thick case construction —17.7 mm thick—, this ultra-resistant diver's watch was engineered by Rolex to conquest the deep.
Experience: Some of Our Picks from the Phillips Watch Auction THREE. Live Pictures of Nine Exceptionally Rare Lots.
Last spring, the international team of Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo consisted of only nine people. Today, only a year later, their team around the world has almost doubled and grown to 17. Thus far, Phillips Watches sales exceed $80 Million USD and have set price records for different watches including the Patek Philippe Split Seconds chronograph ref. 1436 that sold for $3.301 Million Swiss Francs as we reported it here, the Patek Philippe Monopusher Chronograph ref. 130 Doctor's Watch selling for $4.645 Million Swiss Francs as we reported it here and of course the privilege to bring down the gavel on what is today the world’s most valuable wristwatch ever sold —not only at auction—, we are talking about the Patek Philippe reference 5016A selling for $7.3 Million Swiss Francs as we reported here.
Baselworld 2016: Presenting the new Rolex Air King ref. 116900. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Today, we are reporting live from Baselworld 2016 and Rolex is introducing a new Oyster Perpetual Air-King, a watch that perpetuates the aeronautical heritage of the original Rolex Oyster. The new Air-King, with a 40 mm case in 904L steel, features a distinctive black dial with a combination of large 3, 6 and 9 numerals marking the hours and a prominent minute scale for navigational time readings.
Baselworld 2016: Presenting the new Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Stainless Steel with Black Cerachrom Bezel ref. 116500LN. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Today, we are reporting live from Baselworld 2016 with the biggest news many of you were dreaming of. Rolex is introducing a new version of its Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona in 904L steel, with a monobloc Cerachrom bezel, developed and patented by Rolex, in black ceramic. This latest evolution is a blend of high technology and sleek aesthetics, and pays tribute to the heritage of this legendary chronograph.
The Watch Collectors: Meet Nick Boulle. Second Place at the 54th Rolex 24 at Daytona and a Huge Watch & Porsche Guy.
Today, we start a new section within our Collector's Corner. The new section named 'The Collectors' will feature watch collectors around the globe in their element. We will be talking watches with them and of course about other luxury things they love regarding the good life. Without more preamble, let's go straight to meet our first featured collector.
News: James Bond's Rolex Submariner ref. 5513 from 1972 Sells for $365,000 USD at Phillips Auction Two. Live and Let Die.
Yesterday November 8th, 2015 in Geneva at the Phillips Watches Auction Number Two in partnership with Bacs & Russo, the Rolex Submariner ref. 5513 worn by Sir Roger Moore as James Bond, sold for $365,000 USD. The most recognizable watch in history with 1 billion people having watched the film “Live and Let Die”, the wristwatch worn on the wrist of Sir Roger Moore as James Bond is in fact a Rolex Submariner reference 5513 made in 1972, and was later modified for the movie. The present Rolex reference 5513 “Q” is the most unforgettable watch prop used in a movie and is even signed inside the caseback “Roger Moore 007”. As a highlight in the most iconic scenes of “Live and Let Die”, this watch is sure to interest both watch collectors and true fans of cinematography alike.
News: Rolex Daytona Paul Newman Non-Oyster Sotto Sells at Christie's for $479,705. Possibly the Only One in the World.
It happens at times, in the field of watch collecting, that a timepiece previously unknown to the market is discovered and upsets what is until then considered an unmovable tenet by market and scholars alike. It is of course an extremely rare occurrence, but when such a hidden treasure appears on the market it never fails to stir the hearts of collectors and to amaze scholars. For example the history of Patek Philippe minute repeaters was rewritten in 2011 when a previously unknown reference, 2419, was discovered. With this lot, Christie's is proud to rewrite the textbooks about Rolex Daytona as it introduces to the public the only example of reference 6263 with black non-oyster sotto Paul Newman dial.
Until yesterday, it was believed that black Paul Newman dials mounted on reference 6263 were all and necessarily distinguished by the different disposition of the designations: instead of reading, as in all other dials, Rolex/Oyster/Cosmograph, a correct black 6263 Paul Newman should read Rolex/Cosmograph/Oyster.
Experience: Iberico 'Pata Negra' Ham 5J Cinco Jotas along with a Rolex Submariner ref. 16800. When Two Classics Meet.
It's been a while since we brought you content around food, one of the key components of the good life. The Iberico acorn-fed ham from Spain is as classic and refined as an unpolished Rolex Submariner 16800 with tons of real patina. Faithful to its origins, Cinco Jotas makes one of the finest acorn-fed hams in Spain and the company has maintained the purity of the 'Pata Negra' —black hoof— Iberian pigs they use as well as the proper preservation of their natural ecosystem —in which the pigs develop— flawlessly, just like Rolex has kept its DNA intact over the last 60 years. The 'Pata Negra' acorn-fed ham Cinco Jotas, just like real patina on a Rolex Submariner is easily identified by its color, texture, overall appearance and cannot be faked as those that are true connoisseurs will be able to spot it.
Insider: Rolex Milgauss Z Blue ref. 116400GV. Pictures Under Natural Light are Worth a Thousand Words.
Earlier this year at Baselworld 2014, Rolex released a new iteration of the legendary Rolex Milgauss that was revived back in 2007. While we didn't feel too excited about the look of this new watch during our time in Baselworld, our feelings for it had changed since then. The new Rolex Milgauss Z Blue ref. 116400GV is definitely better appreciated under natural light and one good picture is worth a thousand words. The Rolex Milgauss was originally launched in 1956 for engineers and technicians who were exposed in their work to magnetic fields which disrupt the performance of their mechanical watches. It was designed to resist strong interference of up to 1,000 gauss, hence its name. Mainly two innovations contribute to its resistance to magnetism.
Experience: Water Damaged Rolex Datejust Turn-o-graph 'Thunderbird'. Please Keep Those Crowns Properly Secured.
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual was in reality the first waterproof self-winding watch ever produced, but not the first self-winding. Harwood produced the first self-winding watch in 1928 and the iconic Rolex Oyster Perpetual was introduced by Rolex in 1931. This interesting timepiece was only produced for a little bit over two decades and then phased out when the first Explorer prototype was launched in 1952. Rolex has always been known for having some of the most resilient timepieces in the market and the most water tight due to its design. In reality there's no other workhorse and more robust timepiece than a Rolex. Tight as a clam or an oyster shell, the water resistance in any Rolex can only be guaranteed if the gaskets are in good shape and if the screw-down crown is properly secured. This time, we are featuring a Rolex Datejust ref. 16264 Turn-o-graph fitted with an 18K white gold 'Thunderbird' bezel and powered calibre 3135 circa 1993 with water damage.
Experience: WatchCollectingLifestyle Hosts Luncheon for Chicago Members of The Rolex Forums.
If watch forums like The Rolex Forums, Timezone, ThePurists or Watchuseek had never existed, it is very likely that the boom of digital watch publications —like ours— would've never taken place and we probably would've not been around at all. Little to no credit is given to some of these most visited watch forums in the world regarding the significant amount of consumer generated content that is hosted by them nor the amazing knowledge and expertise that some of their members possess.
Experience: Smythson of Bond Street Leather Card Case. Classic and Functional as a Rolex GMT Master ref. 1675 Pepsi.
Smythson of Bond Street is one of the leading names in the luxury leather goods industry around the world and an icon in the UK. Smythson of Bond Street was established in 1887 and is the proud holder of three Royal warrants, granted by Her Majesty The Queen in 1964, HRH The Prince of Wales in 1980, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in 1987 and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in 2002. While holding The Queen Mother's Warrant, Smythson was one of only eight companies in the world to hold all four warrants simultaneously. Royal Warrants are a mark of recognition given to companies or individuals that have supplied goods or services for at least five years to the households of the British Royal Family. As users of the most functional and classic pigskin card case, we can attest that their quality, design and craftsmanship is exceptional.
This beautiful black pigskin card case gets its inspiration from an early card case launched by Smythson back in 1925 and described in their catalogue at the time as 'perfectly finished and available in the finest leather'. At that time the card case was fitted with a thin sterling silver mount on the border of the top cover and embossed with gold foil lettering.
Today, the current model of their card case features a simple, functional and durable design that catches the eyes of other watchlifestylers every time we pull it out to hand out one of our business cards. Measuring only 4" tall by 2.75" wide, the card case is light, sturdy but not too bulky at less than 0.5" at its thickest point.
Besides its functionality and design, something else we love about this card case is how discreet the Smythson of Bond Street branding was done. The branding is only visible as you pull the top cover off to take out one of your business cards. This is a nice and elegant touch that gets enhanced even more, if your business cards happen to have silver foiling.
This elegant Smythson of Bond Street card case is as functional as that Rolex GMT Master ref. 1675 Pepsi you've been wanting to buy for months. The best part about Smythson leather goods, is how exclusive they are and how only a very few watchlifestylers will be pulling out one of these cases out of their bespoke suit pockets.
If you are walking around New Bond Street in London or 57th Street in New York City, make sure to pay them a visit and look at all their leather goods selection that includes everything from bags, wallets, card holders and cases, leather accessories, books, diaries and even some amazing chess sets and watch boxes.
Sticker Price £115. For more info on Smythson click here.
Baselworld 2014: Introducing the New Rolex Milgauss Z Blue. Live Pictures of an Interesting Combination.
Perhaps the most unexpected release from Rolex this Baselworld 2014, is the new Rolex Milgauss with Green Sapphire crystal and a Z Blue dial as reference 116400GV. This new watch with what we consider to be a strange color combination but that for some reason works well, was a totally unexpected new watch.
The new Milgauss with Z Blue dial is fitted with the Rolex calibre 3131 and a robust stainless steel case measuring 40 mm in diameter.
Frankly, we are quite intrigued about how well or bad this new watch will do. Only time will tell but so far we like it a lot. Very 70s looking in our opinion. Enjoy these pictures for now.
Sticker Price TBC. For more info on Rolex click here.
Time Machine: A Dozen Rolex Oyster Perpetual 'Bubblebacks'. It Took 10 Years To Hunt Them Down.
From time to time we receive emails from watchlifestylers that want to share their watch collections with us. While we only feature these collections sporadically as we get dozens of emails every month, we are always very careful on featuring only those collections or timepieces that spark our interest and those which we believe would be appealing to our readers. Last week, we received an email with an interesting subject line: "Dozen Bubblebacks, All Rare and in Working Condition". As soon as we opened the email and read the kind words from this collector, we knew we had to schedule a private meeting to peruse these timepieces and feature them here. The collector who prefers to remain anonymous, is a fine gentleman that currently lives in Chicago and that spent 10 years hunting down these fascinating 'Bubblebacks'. In his own words: "once I bought my first 'Bubbleback' —pictured below—, I knew I had to get rid of all the other watches that I had been collecting for years and focus my attention on this beautiful Rolex icon".
Rare Bird: Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust ref. 1630. The Datejust that Looks Like an Oysterquartz but it's an Automatic.
Last week while we were visiting our friend Howard Frum and taking some pictures for the story we published last Friday, we were amazed to find not one but two Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust ref. 1630s at his store. An amazing find of a true 'rare bird'.
The 'rare bird' Rolex ref. 1630 was introduced a few years earlier than the Oysterquartz as its predecessor —at least from a case and bracelet standpoint. While the stainless steel version of this watch was named Oyster Perpetual Date ref. 1530, the two-tone version bears the name Oyster Perpetual Datejust ref. 1630. Interestingly enough, the case diameter on both watches is 36mm and not 34mm and 36mm respectively as it typically happens between a Date and a Datejust.
The ref. 1530 was fitted with an integrated 'Oyster' bracelet while ref. 1630 came with an integrated 'Jubilee' bracelet. A timeless and very 'Gerald Genta' looking design that would later be adopted by the Rolex Oysterquartz. As you can imagine, very few 1530s and 1630s were made in the 1970s.
For this particular timepiece, the reference number marking is located on the back of the case right behind where the 1 and 2 o'clock markers would be located on the dial. The serial number marking is typically located on the opposite side from where the reference number is engraved. The serial numbers for this model fall within the 5.1 and 5.4 million range.
This Rolex ref. 1630 came fitted with an integrated 'Jubilee' bracelet code 96673 in 14K yellow gold and stainless steel. The main difference between the two-tone bracelet in the Oysterquartz ref. 17013 and this one, is that the bracelet on the Oysterquartz comes with two gold center links while the bracelet on the ref. 1630 has three gold center links. It is very common to have unscrupulous sellers replace the bracelet of the ref. 1630 with the one on the ref. 17013 so be very careful. The clasp is identical to other Rolex clasps and the clasp code shows the letter B —circa 1977 and correct to the time period of this watch— and the number 14 indicating the type of yellow gold in this bracelet is 14K.
Another difference —besides the obvious difference in movement and dial imprint that doesn't say Oysterquartz— between ref. 1630 and the Oysterquartz, is the presence of a flange with a minute and half minute track. Something worth mentioning, is that ref. 1530 came with a minute track flange with the same layout as the one one on the second picture. As far as we know, all original flanges on ref. 1630 show the minutes and half minutes, while service replacement flanges only show markers for the minutes.
Without a doubt, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust ref. 1630 is one of the most iconic watches of all time and a clear example of an era influenced by flat top cases and Royal Oak inspired designs. Long live the Rolex ref. 1630.
If you find one of these rare references, make sure you have done your homework and always, always buy the buyer.
Pre-owned Sticker Price $3,800-5,000 USD depending on the condition. For more info on Rolex click here.
Insider: Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116520. Celebrating 50 Years of an Iconic Reference.
Launched in 1963, this is a Rolex reference that needs no introduction or long lines to describe it. Fifty years ago, one of the most iconic watches of all time was born. All watchlifestylers know this watch very well, as there's a wealth of knowledge and amazing content —in cyberspace and in books— regarding the history of this amazing reference that has already been published; therefore, we will focus on sharing some nice images of this wonderful iconic watch and give you some basic reference information.
The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is definitely one of our all-time favorite chronographs; however, the lack of a date aperture is a deal breaker for us. They are elegant, refined and iconic.
Any watchlifestyler can spot one from a block away and the watch spotting always turns into a nice conversation as this is still a 'grail' watch for many collectors. We should say that there's almost a 'cult following' fueled by Italian collectors and by the many intricacies and variations that this watch has had over half a century.
For those that wear this amazing reference, thank you for paying tribute to one of the most beautiful watches ever made in the history of watchmaking.
This reference, originally launched as ref. 6239 in 1963, has undergone several changes to its bezel, pushers, dial configurations, movements and reference numbers. A true evolution of a classic watch. For instance, the original ref. 6239 featured a stainless steel bezel graduated to 300 units per hour —years later the bezel was changed to 200 units per hour— and the dial didn't make any allusion to 'Daytona', the home of car racing in the U.S.
In 1965, when ref. 6240 was presented, the dial configuration had changed from 'Cosmograph' to 'Oyster Cosmograph', the pushers were changed from pump to screw-down, its water resistance was improved and the bezel changed from solid stainless steel to a bezel with a stainless steel ring and a black acrylic graduated insert with numbers in white.
Since then, there had been numerous references and changes made to this watch including changes to the case size —from 37 mm to 40 mm— and the movement. The watch was originally fitted with the manual-winding Valjoux calibre 72 and from there, it went to the automatic self-winding Zenith 400 on ref. 16520 —known as Rolex calibre 4030. Today, the Daytona is fitted with a newer and improved Rolex in-house movement calibre 4130. With all of its variations, the Daytona is a watch with perhaps the most fascinating and difficult to master history in the horological world. Every time we think we've read it all, there's a new article being published with another interesting set of facts regarding this timepiece.
By the way, a great source for information on rare, unusual Rolex watches including extremely rare Daytonas is Stefano Mazzariol's blog.
Today, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is still as timeless and classic as it was 50 years ago. Its coveted white dial makes watchlifestylers travel around the world for one, pay special premiums over the retail price and even put their names on prepaid waiting lists for one. In reality, if you are in the know and you are a watchlifestyler with a good network of collectors, finding one is way easier than what most people think.
Now, if you want to get a rare vintage piece like a Rolex Cosmograph Yacht Master ref. 6242 or a ref. 6263 'Albino', then you really need to dig underneath the stones or you can call one of your close friends in Firenze, Roma, Napoli or Livorno.
Photo: Stefano Mazzariol Blog
Photo: Stefano Mazzariol Blog
For now, the images on this fantastic Rolex Daytona ref. 116520 should be good enough to put a big smile on your face.
Sticker Price $12,000 USD. For more info on Rolex click here.
