For the first time, the Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 126710 in stainless steel is cloaked with a new cerachrom bezel insert in grey and black just like that insert introduced in 2023 for the 18K yellow gold GMT-Master II model ref. 126718GRNR. This time the new GMT-Master II also features a 40 mm case where either the Oyster or Jubilee bracelets are interchangeable unlike on previous models where if the watch was fitted with a jubilee bracelet, the case wouldn’t take an oyster bracelet.
Posts filed under Rolex
News: The Rolex Watchmaking Training Center Accepting Applications for Inaugural Class in Dallas, Texas
The Rolex Watchmaking Training Center located in Dallas, TX was created in 2023 to prepare and educate the next generation of Rolex-certified watchmakers, furthering Rolex’s mission to create a stable and sustainable future for watchmaking in the United States.
From the Editor: The Rolex 24 at Daytona Race and the Rolex That is Given to the Winners
This weekend January 27-28, 2024 is the weekend for the legendary 24 Hours at Daytona Race now called The Rolex 24 at Daytona. Held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, it is considered one of the most prestigious races worldwide. A thrilling endurance race, The Rolex 24 at Daytona is the second most important endurance race in the world after the 24 Hours of Le Mans —24 Heures du Mans— in France.
From the Editor: Do You Know How to Properly Size the Rolex Oysterflex Bracelet/Strap? I Explain How to Achieve the Perfect Fit.
While Rolex calls it an Oysterflex bracelet, this is in reality a high-performance elastomer strap with flexible metal blades in its core. The Rolex Yacht-Master’s Oysterflex bracelet was developed and patented by Rolex using a high-performance elastomer over-molded over a flexible titanium and nickel alloy metal blade. To provide higher resistance, the metal blades are located within the areas where the strap connects to the case and to the clasp.
From the Editor: My Thoughts on the Acquisition of Bucherer By Rolex
On August 24th, 2023, we all heard the news about Rolex acquiring Bucherer, one of the oldest watch retailers. I am finally publishing this editorial, as I wanted the news to settle down and also give myself plenty of time to publish an editorial that would be thought-provoking about this acquisition. Rolex and Bucherer share a long history as Bucherer has been an official retailer of Rolex since 1924 and Jörg G. Bucherer is the last person still in activity to have known and worked with Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex.
Introducing: Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 100th Anniversary 24 Hours of Le Mans ref. 126529LN
Rolex is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race with an original version of its legendary chronograph. The 40 mm case is crafted in 18K white gold, the black Cerachrom bezel features the number ‘100’ in red on the tachymetric scale, evoking the race’s centenary. This new Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 100th Anniversary 24 Hours of Le Mans ref. 126529LN is equipped with an exclusive movement, calibre 4132, which is a 24-hour chronograph instead of the model’s usual twelve.
From the Editor: My Honest Thoughts on the New Rolex Oyster Perpetual 'Celebration' Dial ref. 124300
Now that the dust has settled, I am going to share my honest thoughts on how I really felt and feel now about the new Rolex Oyster Perpetual 'Celebration' ref. 124300. As I stood in front of the vitrines at the Rolex pavilion during Watches & Wonders 2023 in Geneva, I just couldn’t believe what my eyes were seeing. This is the very first time that the Green Giant would do something like this. On one hand, I felt that they were very ballsy to come up with such a dial, but on the other hand, I felt that this wasn’t what I would ever expect from Rolex and their very ‘by the book’ approach.
From the Archives: Rolex Explorer II Polar. A 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.
Experience: Diptyque 'Tempo' Eau de Parfum. A Nod to 'The Sixties', Like the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116500.
The 1960s, was a one of the greatest decades of the modern era for many reasons. During 'The Sixties' not only man conquered space by landing and walking on the surface of the moon, but also one of the most iconic and legendary watches of all time was born. The Rolex Cosmograph was born in 1963 when a new exotic scent was changing the world. Born only two years after the release in 1961 of Dyptique's first fragrance 'L'Eau', the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is today, as perfect as it was more than 50 years ago.
From the Editor: Rolex Launches Rolex Certified Pre-Owned Programme. Here's What I Think Will Happen in the Secondary Market.
Rolex announced today that they are launching the Rolex Certified Pre-Owned Programme. Rolex is now offering the opportunity to purchase pre-owned watches that are certified pre-owned from its official retailers. The Rolex Certified Pre-Owned programme now enables retailers in the brand’s official distribution network to sell second-hand models that are certified as authentic and which come with a new two-year international guarantee.
Experience: Blanton's Original Single Barrel Bourbon. The Interesting History Behind the Stoppers.
We discovered Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon more than 13 years ago at The Benjamin Steakhouse in New York City. Perfectly suited for those cooler nights during the fall, the warm notes of this bourbon paired with the warm tones of a Rolex Sky-Dweller Everose with slate dial ref. 326935 makes a more than a perfect combo. While the law does not require bourbon to be made in Kentucky, the Bluegrass state produces approximately 95% of the world’s supply.
From the Editor: The Rolex Daytona with 24 Hours at Daytona 'Winner' Engraving is Not a Myth
This morning, I was asked by one of our readers via email if a Rolex Daytona bearing a 24 Hours at Daytona ‘Winner’ engraving on its case back was necessarily a fake watch or not. Since I’ve covered this topic before, I decided to talk about it again today and clear up the air for those of you still wondering. While some of those watches bearing the ‘Winner’ engraving could be absolute garbage fakes, there are some of them out there, that are as real as it gets.
From the Editor: Rolex Yacht-Master 40 ref. 126679SABR aka 'The Cotton Candy'. Is this @ILikeRolexes Next Watch?
Where the sky meets the ocean and the sun comes up over the water, the new Rolex Yacht-Master 40 ref. 126679SABR creates a powerful combo already nicknamed ‘The Cotton Candy’ by my close friend @ILikeRolexes. If you follow him on Instagram, you then know he’s the king of modern Rolex watch collecting and a watch collector that loves gem-set Rolexes like no one else I’ve ever met.
Insider: Rolex Yacht-Master 42 Yellow Gold ref. 226658
For Watches & Wonders 2022, Rolex brings a third iteration —now in yellow gold—of the Yacht-Master with an Oysterflex. The first iteration of the Yacht-Master with Oysterflex bracelet was released at Baselworld 2015 sporting an Everose Gold case and in two different sizes that included a 37 mm —perfectly sized for ladies or for men with smaller wrists— and a 40 mm one. Then for at Baselworld 2019 Rolex presented a Yacht-Master in 18K white gold with a 42 mm case. The new Rolex Yacht-Master 42 ref. 226658 in 18K yellow gold marks a new step in the Oysterflex saga and the Yacht-Master.
From the Editor: Why the new Left-Handed Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 126720VTNR Touched my Heart
I don’t talk much about my personal life here on WCL and what makes me tick, no pun intended. However, the reason why I really liked the new Left-Handed Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 126720VTNR has to do with why I fell in love with Rolexes in the first place. Let’s go back to Mexico City in the late 1970s when I was not even a tween yet. At that time, a distant cousin of mine who’s nickname was ‘El Chico’ would come for dinner at my parent’s house and he would always be wearing a different Rolex or Tudor watch.
From the Editor: The Revamped Rolex Air-King ref. 126900 is a True Winner
When the Rolex Air-King ref. 116900 came out in 2016, it was love at first sight for me and I was one of the first ones to buy one. While I loved the watch back then and even took it with me on a trip through Japan and Hong Kong, I feel there was something missing about this watch that didn’t make me fall in love with it forever. Now that the Air-King has been revamped and the new reference 126900 was presented a week ago at Watches & Wonders 2022, my love for this watch is back.
From the Editor: Cartier the 2nd Largest Watch Brand, Audemars Piguet the 4th, and Patek Philippe Falls to 6th Place.
Morgan Stanley just released a piece of research that includes the estimated revenue and units sold by the top 50 Swiss watch brands. While the rankings are relatively similar to what has been published by them in previous years, there are a few surprises. For the very first time, Audemars Piguet has surpassed Patek Philippe in terms of revenue and consolidated its spot as the 4th most important watch brand with a revenue of almost 1.6 billion Swiss Francs.
From the Editor: Counterfeit Rolex Warranty Cards are on the Rise. Here's What You Can Do to Protect Yourself.
Today, Rolex watches are at the peak of their demand and their secondary market prices are simply out of control. With that being said, I’ve noticed that the number of fake/counterfeit Rolex Warranty Cards out there has also skyrocketed. People can easily double their money by selling coveted Rolex professional models in the secondary market and watches that were typically sold ‘naked’ —without boxes or papers— are now being accompanied by fake boxes or real boxes but with counterfeit warranty cards.
Experience: Goyard Goyardine Ambassade Briefcase. The Color of Money is Green and so is a Rolex Submariner Hulk.
While there are many wonderful European maroquiniers or leather Maisons from France to choose from, Maison Goyard along with Fauré Le Page are those that typically stand out as Louis Vuitton is extremely more mainstream. Goyard originally started as the House of Martin in 1792 by Pierre-Fraçois Martin specialized in box-making, trunk-making, and packing. Originally the brand was known as a specialist in box-making, trunk-making, and packing. Pierre-Fraçois Martin was the guardian of a young woman named Pauline whom he arranged to marry his employee, Louis-Henry Morel. As her dowry for her wedding, Pierre-Fraçois Martin gave his business to Morel. In 1834, the House of Martin moved its store from 4, rue Neuve des Capucines to 347, rue Saint-Honoré.
From the Editor: Fully Stickered Rolex Watches Still Worth the Premium or the Hype?
When it comes to watch collecting, a lot has changed in the last five years. Before certain Rolex professional models became a big moneymaker for resellers and watch collectors, and before Patek Philippe and stainless steel Rolex watches became as scarce and difficult to obtain as they are today, watch collectors were buying watches just because they loved them and wanted to wear them. A little bit over two years ago, Rolex sent a letter to their authorized dealers demanding to remove all plastics —protective stickers— at the moment of purchase and that’s when the game drastically changed.
