In mid-April Christie’s showcased a few collectors’ Rolex pieces at a Sales Opening Reception, including the unique “Paul Newman” dial Daytona. Before the Important Watches auction at Geneva in May, watch fanatics in the Middle East also got a taste of special vintage collections.
The brand new Rolex stall at Basel (the three-floor space spread out across 1230 sqm and was designed by the Rolex interior decorator team, who were inspired by the visual elements of the brand’s watches) and the novelties enthralled the fleet of Rolex fans at the show. Returning to the Daytona series, I’ll start off with one of my favourites in a unique colour combination. The Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona turns 50 this year, and is one of the excessively successful models of the brand. Back in the seventies it was often mentioned as Paul Newman’s favoured watch; however when in 1995 they achieved the GTS-1 class victory at the Rolex 24 in Daytona with the team, his name was forever fused with the model. This year the Daytona was issued with an ice blue dial, a monobloc Cerachrom bezel and counters in ceramic and chestnut brown lacquer, with an 18 ct white gold border. The watch hides a COSC certified, mechanical chronograph movement (4130, Manufacture Rolex). The platinum bracelet truly completes this new composition.
The GMT-Master was the preferred watch of one of the most widely-known airlines in civil aviation: PanAm. In addition to the 24-hour display, the watch also shows a second time zone, with independent rapid-setting of the hour hand. It also has stop-seconds for precise time setting.
The brand showcased the Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II in 904L steel, with a rotatable bezel featuring for the first time a two-colour ceramic bezel. Rolex has created this bezel with a specially developed and patented method; half of the ceramic bezel is blue while the other half is black, representing day and night.
Their former slogan stated: Rolex – a crown for every achievement. Rolex has crowned the achievements of not only flight and golf, but also yachting. The Fastnet Race is a famous biannual offshore yachting race organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club of the United Kingdom. The race is considered to be hard this year, which will test the abilities of both the yacht and the crew. Rolex has been a sponsor of the event since 2001. The tough race will start once again this August, where the sailors will be accompanied by the Oyster Perpetual YACHT-Master II. The matte white lacquer dial features blue hour indicators, blue counters and a red second counter, the case and straps are stainless steel. (The 904L alloy has greatly improved resistance to strong reducing acids, particularly sulphuric acid. It is also highly resistant to chloride attack – pitting/crevice corrosion and stress corrosion cracking. ) The YACHT-Master II is a chronometer-certified professional regatta chronograph, the perfect combination of the most cutting edge technology and respect for traditions.
The Oyster Perpetual Day-Date is a symbol of prestige. It is made entirely of gold or platinum with an alligator leather strap and a calibre 3155, a self-winding mechanical movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. The collection was issued this year in bold colours. The dials and straps change according to the colour of the watch case: green or cognac for the 18 ct yellow gold versions; blue or cherry for 18 ct white gold models; and chocolate, or a more classic rhodium dial with a black strap, for cases in 18 ct Everose gold. All the colours are beautiful; however I’m sure that different colours will become the top favourites in different cultures…
“Sertie” is a novelty from the Day-Date series, designed specifically for ladies. The dial is mother-of-pearl, engraved with various patterns, the most interesting is the dial pattern inspired by the famous English Oxford woven fabric. The 18 ct Everose or white gold watches are framed by 217 diamonds.
The Lady-Datejust Pearlmaster is a true jewel. The case and bracelet in 18 ct Everose gold are graced with a bezel and bracelet links in 18 ct white gold exquisitely set with sparkling diamonds. The base of the dial is white or black mother-of-pearl, adorned with a lace-like pink gold lotus motif. The numerals are also pink gold; the VI is set with diamonds.
Photo credits: Rolex, Loupiosity.com.
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