A look into the beating heart of the legendary Rolex Paul Newman Daytona ref. 6239. The beating of the manual wound Valjoux calibre 72 a.k.a. Rolex Cal. 722. Please enjoy!
Posts filed under Rolex
Insider: Rolex Datejust ref. 116200. As Classic as a Negroni.
This particular Rolex Datejust has been the daily watch of our friend and watch lifestyler Carlo. After 7 years of ownership we share with you his own personal journey with this watch. Today, a Rolex Datejust with white roman numeral dial is as classic as a Negroni. The Negroni originated in Firenze, Italy in 1919 by Count Camillo Negroni. The story tells that one afternoon he asked his bartender to strengthen his favorite cocktail— the Americano— by replacing the soda water with gin. The bartender also replaced the lemon garnish with an orange wedge to signify that it was a different drink and that's how one of the most classic cocktails was born.
Just like the Negroni, the Rolex Datejust was also launched many decades ago back in 1945. The Datejust was the first wristwatch with a date function. The Datejust is offered with two options of bracelets—the jubilee and the oyster— and also several different bezel and dial variations. Its 36mm case is just perfect for men or women and every day wear, whether dressed up or down. Today, most Rolex Men's watches are being worn by women fashionistas that appreciate fine watches. In 2009, the Datejust II was released with a 41mm case. The ref. 116200 is fitted with caliber 3135 with a power reserve of 48 hours. Sticker price: $6,600.
As wear marks and battle scars are already prevalent on the case, bezel and bracelet, one can tell that this watch has been much loved and enjoyed. Carlo purchased this Rolex Datejust as his first Rolex back in 2006. Carlo, a restauranteur by trade and also a Paneari lover, mentions that he will wear this watch over his Panerais all the time. The reason why, in his own words: "It's the most comfortable watch I've ever owned and the best suited or any occasion".
For more info on this watch click here.
Insider: Rolex Sea-Dweller Ref. 16600. A Discontinued Classic.
By far one of the most iconic Rolex references in conjunction with the Submariner. The Sea-Dweller originally launched in 1967 was developed as a sturdier and deeper rated Submariner for the french industrial deep-sea diving company COMEX S.A.
Back in 1967 the reference number for the Sea-Dweller was ref. 1665 and it had a depth rating of 610m/2,000ft. The Sea-Dweller also incorporated a helium release escape valve for gas decompression chambers. This model also lacks of a cyclops —date loupe— providing a cleaner and more simple look in comparison with its sibling the Submariner Date.
The Sea-Dweller Submariner 2000 watches also known as Double-Red Sea-Dwellers are highly collectible and very coveted by vintage Rolex collectors around the world. The DRSD as it is commonly known in the watch collecting world, had 2 red text lines on the watch dial which led to an unofficial "Double Red" designation under watch collectors for these watches.
Picture courtesy of www.doubleredseadweller.com
The Sea-Dweller Submariner 2000 models were displaced by the Sea-Dweller 4000 model ref. 16600 rated to a depth of 4,000ft/1,220m. The last Comex Sea-Dweller 4000 Rolex reference number is 16600 and this watch was issued to Comex divers since 1992. Today, the ref. 16600 is now discontinued after the launch in 2008 of the DeepSea Sea-Dweller ref. 116660 with a depth rating of 12,800ft/3,900m.
This wonderful diver's watch is very solid with a glossy raised white gold surround minute markers, a decompression times uni-directional rotating bezel, date aperture, triple-lock screwdown crown, oyster bracelet with divers extension and a flip-lock clasp. The case and bezel setup construction is definitely thicker than that on the Rolex Submariner and the HRV —Helium Release Valve— is located at the 9 o'clock position. This reference has no lug holes as of the early 2000s and is fitted with a solid-link oyster bracelet.
Experience: Inside a Paul Newman Daytona ref. 6239. Beating Heart.
The beating of the manual winding Valjoux caliber 72 a.k.a. Rolex Cal. 722. Enjoy.
Insider: GMT Master ref. 1675. Over a Cup of Espresso.
Yesterday I decided to have a cup of espresso with a close watchlifestyler and friend of mine and talk about his GMT with black bezel insert. As most of us know, the GMT Master ref. 1675 was traditionally sold with two options of bezel inserts. The now called pepsi—blue and red— and the black one. While the black insert is less coveted among most savvy vintage Rolex watch collectors, we believe that a vintage GMT sporting one of this black bezel inserts is not only less common and rarely seen in the wild but also makes the watch look more sophisticated and easier to wear with any outfit or any occasion.
This beautiful specimen is a mid 70's watch with a great creamy patina, silver date wheel with open nines and sixes, original oyster bracelet and a sharp solid black bezel insert. After 35 years of life, this watch is still very accurate and losing only 2 seconds a day. The dial is what experts consider to be a MK IV tritium dial correct for the time period with no visible blemishes or unstable lume. The tritium does not glow any more and the hands are in perfect condition with no corrosion or pitting. This watch has only seen two different owners in over 35 years that have kept it in great condition, regardless of being a daily wearer.
After close review of the watch, we can say that the black bezel insert is definitely more visually appealing to me than the classic coveted pepsi insert. When it comes to the GMT Master with black insert, we have seen that most collectors would prefer a faded black bezel—usually referred to as ghost insert— over one that is scratch-free or free of fading or discoloration. We actually prefer the solid jet black look of this one.
Now, are you a pepsi, black or ghost insert type of watchlifestyler?
Insider: The Iconic Rolex GMT Master Nipple Dial 'Rootbeer' ref. 16753
Also known as the 'eye of the tiger', 'tigerauge' or 'occhio di tigre' because of the resemblance of its dial to the semi-precious stone with the same name, the GMT Master ref. 16753 with brown dial is an iconic vintage Rolex reference. Typically, more vintage looking when fitted with a jubilee bracelet instead of an oyster bracelet. The example included here, is in the 6.1 million serial range circa 1979 with a quick-set feature and a pristine clean matte dial.
This beautiful specimen very popular among Italian vintage watch collectors is not as rare and hard to find as one would think. Now, finding one with a naturally faded bezel insert and with no flaking to little flaking on the dial is hard to come across. Most nipple dials from the 70s start to show some flaking and discoloration due to unstable elements in the paint used back then to create the dials.
Experience: Replacing the Plexi on a ref. 1675. Five Minute Pit Stop.
All it takes is a reputable Rolex watchmaker like M. Chamosa in Dallas, TX. The proper Rolex tools, a correct original new old stock Tropic 116 and five minutes of a collector's time.
