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.
Posts filed under Rolex
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.
Experience: Creyente Mezcal Joven. Perfectly Paired with a Rolex Yacht-Master 40 ref. 126622.
As we’ve discussed before, Mezcal is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from any type of agave and the word comes from the Nahuatl language mexcalli, which means ‘oven-cooked agave’. While all tequilas are considered mezcals, not all mezcals can be tequilas. Even though tequila and mezcal are both agave-based distilled spirits, tequila can only be made out of blue agave —agave tequilana— and that is one of the main differences between these two Mexican spirits, not to mention the prominent smoky flavor of mezcal on the palate.
W&W 2021: Rolex Explorer Goes 36 mm ref. 124270, New Two-Tone Explorer ref. 124273 and a Movement Update on the Explorer II ref. 226570
Rolex is presenting the latest creations brought to life by its unique watchmaking expertise. Among these are the new-generation Explorer and Explorer II, watches that take us from the highest mountain peaks to the most isolated polar regions. Watches in the Explorer range have mastered the extreme frontiers of exploration: from mountain tops to the depths of caves, in the biting cold of the Arctic or the searing heat of volcanoes.
From the Editor: Rolex Explorer ref. 214270. Almost 68 Years After the Conquest of Mount Everest, will Rolex be Updating it for 2021?
As Rolex prepares to release their 2021 novelties in just two days, the speculation and rumors that have been spreading for a few months now might be a reality as it seems like the Rolex Explorer line might be getting a facelift. If we keep in mind that this is the only Rolex professional model that is not available in a two-tone version, it might be time for us to finally see it in a combination of metals.
Experience: The Backgammon & Watches Society. By Invitation Only.
Despite the current global pandemic, is almost impossible to not get together with other like-minded individuals or hobbyists in a safe manner. While there are clubs for almost every hobby out there, there are only a handful of clubs where watch enthusiasts seem to be quite active. Clubs like Cars & Coffee and the PCA —Porsche Club of America— bring together car guys that happen to also be watch guys and when it comes to watch-centric clubs we can only think of the Red Bar Group or a small group of collectors that used to hang out in South Florida.
Insider: Rolex Datejust 41 ref. 126300. The Blue Dial Chameleon is Our Ultimate Choice.
The Rolex Datejust has always been one of the most classic and iconic watches out there. When it comes to Rolex watches, this is the choice for those looking for an everyday watch that is not too sporty nor too flashy —especially when equipped with a smooth bezel rather than the flashier 18K white gold fluted bezel. Available in 31 mm, 36 mm, or 41 mm, the Rolex Datejust 41 ref. 126300 is to us the perfect Datejust in terms of proportions. Not too big nor too small and with a relatively slender case measuring only 12 mm in thickness, the Datejust 41 is the result of Rolex’s constant search for perfection and innovation.
Experience: Valentino Garavani Flycrew Leather Sneakers. Better when Paired with a Blue Rolex Datejust 41.
There are times when a pair of retro-looking white sneakers is all that you need to complete a very Euro-chic look along with a pair of Armani blue jeans, a navy blue merino from Ferragamo, and a Rolex Datejust 41 ref. 126300. The Valentino Garavani Flycrew leather sneakers are exactly that perfect supple, ultra-luxurious 80’s-esque retro-looking sneakers you need to have. Handmade in Italy from ultra-supple white leather, these sneakers feature a row of gunmetal colored Valentino signature rockstuds along the profile of the heel.
From the Editor: Rolex Submariner Hulk ref. 116610LV Gets Discontinued, Secondary Market Skyrockets
The Rolex Submariner Date ref. 116610LV a.k.a 'The Hulk' was one of those watches that in 2010 made me gravitate back into the brand. Fitted with a 40 mm stainless steel case and a striking green dial and green cerachrom bezel, the ‘The Hulk' is one of those special Rolexes that I will miss dearly and will forever regret not buying when the opportunity was there. Today, after the new 41 mm Rolex Submariners have been presented and the Rolex Submariner Date ref. 116610LV a.k.a 'The Hulk' has been officially discontinued, the secondary market is going crazier than ever.
News: Rolex 2020 New Sky-Dweller with Oysterflex Bracelet
The Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller is fitted with an Oysterflex bracelet for the very first time. This high-performance elastomer bracelet is only available for the gold versions of the Sky-Dweller. The watch is the first in the classic category to include this innovative bracelet made of high-performance elastomer. It also features a bright black, sunray-finish dial with hands and hour markers in 18K yellow gold. The light reflections on the case sides and lugs highlight the refined profile of the 42 mm Oyster case.
News: Rolex 2020 New Oyster Perpetual 41 mm and Five Colorful New Dials
Completely revised, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual range welcomes a new 41 mm model, the Oyster Perpetual 41 ref. 124300 and five new dials for the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36 ref. 126000. One version of the Oyster Perpetual 41 has a novel configuration with a silver sunray-finish dial graced with hands and hour markers in 18K yellow gold, while the second version is introduced with a bright black sunray-finish dial, and hands and hour markers in 18K white gold. These two dials on the Oyster Perpetual 41 are also available for the Oyster Perpetual 36.
News: Rolex 2020 New 41 mm Submariners
Rolex is introducing the new generation of its Oyster Perpetual Submariner and Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date, watches that exemplify the historic links between Rolex and the world of diving. Both timepieces now feature a redesigned, slightly larger 41 mm case whose profile is highlighted by the light reflections from the case sides and lugs, and are also fitted with a redesigned bracelet that is wider and makes the watch look way more balanced on the wrist.
From the Archives: Rolex Day-Date 36 Galore. Some Wild Presidents from Baselworld 2019.
Last Baselworld 2019 Rolex introduced a new generation of its Oyster Perpetual Day‑Date 36, available in 18K yellow, white, or Everose gold with distinctive new dials and gem-set bezels on some versions. Without a doubt the wildest releases this year from the Rolex a.k.a. The crown. First released in 1956, the Day-Date became very popular among the elite as well as world dignitaries to then soon be referred to as the Presidents’ watch.
Rare Bird: Rolex Oysterquartz Day-Date 'President' ref. 19018. A Timeless Iconic Watch.
The Rolex Oysterquartz has now been discontinued for almost 17 years. The watch was the first Rolex to be fitted with a sapphire crystal and originally launched in 1977 in stainless steel, stainless steel with white gold bezel, stainless steel and 18K yellow gold, 18K white gold, and 18K yellow gold. It has been estimated that in all, close to 25,000 Rolex Oysterquartz watches were ever produced. The Rolex Oysterquartz Day-Date ref. 19018 is one of the most coveted Oysterquartz with its fluted bezel, Oysterquartz President bracelet with a concealed clasp, and its unmistakeable ticking sound that comes from its quartz —battery powered— movement.
Experience: Havana Club Unión. The Only Time You'll See a Rum of this Caliber Alongside a Pepsi.
There are rums made to be mixed with cola and there are others that you just don’t even dare to do so and you drink either neat or over a big rock of ice. While a Cuba Libre —Rum with Cola— calls for cola in the mix, it’s sacrilege to ever mix it with a Pepsi and not with a Coca-Cola. Here at WCL we like to go against the tide and we are mixing this Havana Club Unión with a Pepsi, at least just from a photo essay standpoint. If you ask us why?, we’ll tell you that the reason behind is because a Rolex GMT Master Pepsi was the iconic watch that Fidel Castro —the former dictator of Cuba— used to wear after the triumph of the Cuban Revolution he once led.
Insider: Artisans de Genève Rubens Barrichello Gold Rolex Daytona Project
If regular stainless steel Rolex Daytonas seem scarce nowadays, just imagine how hard it is to run into a modified Rolex Daytona like the Artisans de Genève Rubens Barrichello Gold Daytona we are talking about. Artisans de Genève is a watchmaking workshop based in Geneva, Switzerland that offers exclusive service of watch modification for private customers. Their modifications are made exclusively upon request, at their workshops in Switzerland, all done by independent and highly skilled watchmakers
Rare Bird: Rolex GMT Master ref. 1675 Pepsi from Former Mexican President José López Portillo
I was born just a few years before President José López Portillo y Pacheco took office in Mexico in 1976 and I spent much of my childhood drooling over the president’s watches —including a stainless steel Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo ref. 5402ST—, his sense of style and extravagant lifestyle. Thanks to López Portillo and to the line of business in which my family was involved, we had a bonanza era. Sadly, for the majority of the country and for businessmen like Manuel Espinosa Yglesias —the owner of Bancomer—, it was the worst presidential term ever. Abundance, mostly driven by oil prices turned into a disastrous presidential term after the banking system was nationalized in 1982.
News: Marlon Brando's Rolex GMT Master Featured in 'Apocalypse Now' to be Auctioned by Phillips Watches
Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo, the leading auction house for collectors’ timepieces of the highest quality, is pleased to announce the theme of its next New York Auction. Taking place on December 10th, 2019, the Game Changers Auction will be a tightly curated thematic auction dedicated to watches owned by extraordinary people who are considered “game changers” in their fields. The evening sale will also include iconic collectors’ models from leading brands that have changed the course of watchmaking and watch collecting, alongside other important timepieces that are outliers in terms of provenance, aesthetics, condition, and rarity.
