Get a bunch of watch nerds together in a room and ask them who made the first dive watch and you’re likely to hear a discordant harmony of “Rolex!” and “Blancpain!” Continue reading
WHO MADE THE FIRST DIVE WATCH? ROLEX? BLANCPAIN? PANERAI?
Category Archives: Rolex
Something Swell from Rolex
On my recent trip to Europe I made a pilgrimage to Geneva, any good watch aficionado needs to see this at least once. The headquarters for many of the biggest brands are here, and the pulse of the entire industry can be felt. for fun I snapped some pictures at Rolex, have a peek, the visit was totally swell.
Geneva Fountain
The Rolex D-Blue Dial Deepsea Sea-Dweller James Cameron expedition
Last year I wrote all about a record breaking dive With James Cameron and National Geographic and a record breaking watch from Rolex, if you get a minute you can read it here. This year there are some excititng announcements on that historic dive. At 10,908 meters (nearly 36,000 feet) The Mariana Trench is the deepest point in the ocean on earth. On March 26th, 2012 filmmaker and explorer James Cameron in partnership with National Geographic made the first solo dive to and scientific exploration of the Mariana Trench. Making this kind of a dive was no small feat, and to commemorate Cameron’s expedition as well as the documentary of said expedition called Deepsea Challenge 3D, Rolex has released a new edition of a great watch. Personally I was hoping for the actual Deep Sea Challange model to be publicly released,. However, what they did introduce is still rather exceptional. They have delivered a new version of the Deepsea Sea-Dweller with a gradient “D-Blue” dial that fades from deep blue to black. The coloring is intended to invoke images the ocean’s depths, diving lower and lower until you reach a point completely void of light. Continue reading
Record setting Rolex sells for 1.2 Million
I was reading some watch news this week and stumbled across this Gem, normally I wouldn’t post this, but I couldn’t help but be enamored with this beautiful watch. Sold at Christie’s which is renowned for some high dollar watches and jewelry sales, this Rolex has set the record at 1.2 million. It is a 1949 Oyster Perpetual Rolex made by Marguerite Koch with a cloisonné’ dial featuring a ship at sea, and it is totally swell. Continue reading
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner- The Original Bond Watch
Even though I have written a lot about Rolex, I have been putting this post off for a long while. Writing about the Submariner can be a bit of a cliché, being that nearly everyone has written something about it. Now, it isn’t that it’s worth writing about, but I want to avoid adding to the noise and write something worthy of a great watch. So being the swell blogger I am, it is my duty -when I finally broach the subject- to do it justice. Continue reading
Timekeeping 101: How to Read a Bezel
I have written a lot about watches, it is something I enjoy. I spend a serious amount of time reading about, looking at and playing with watches. I am always on looking at what is called “watch porn”, the same way one might go to Motor Trend or Hemmings to check out the motor in the latest corvette, I go to International Watch or Hodinkee to see the inner workings of the calibre 9001 in the Rolex Skydweller-oooh, aaah check out that Ssaros gear system!, look at those perlage’ bridges!
So with all of this writing about watches I’ve addressed a few tool watches as well, and I thought I should really do a How-to on using the bezels and complications of some of these watches. Well, the great guys at Gearpatrol have already done it for me. I found this recently, and thought it the perfect tutorial for How to be Swell readers. So I am sharing it here for all of you. If you want to read the original check it out here. I also suggest that you go visit the site and browse around, it is a great resource for all sorts of things from food and drink to watches, clothing, outdoor gear and personal care, they write about everything. So here it is the best guide to deciphering those cool looking rings courtesy of Gearpatrol.com: Continue reading
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller
I have admittedly been on a Rolex kick for some time now, but frankly they offer a lot to talk about. This particular piece also happens to be one to dream about. New for Rolex is the moderately complicated Sky-Dweller, I have heard about this one for a little while and had the opportunity to play with one recently, and it is fascinating. The properly titled Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller is Rolex’s new flagship watch. I am not sure of the origin of the name Sky-Dweller, but it definitely sits above most of their line up. With a completely new calibre 9001 movement, the Sky dweller does more than your average watch. Continue reading
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer II
I am growing into a rather loyal Rolex fan. I do understand the stigma attached; the perceived pretentiousness by the uninitiated. I had felt this way at one time as well. That was until I owned one of my own, I now appreciate the brand for their longevity, history, technical feats, and overall quality and value. I do tend away from the instantly recognizable blingy “look at me” models in favor of the more understated pieces. After all I appreciate a Rolex for what it is, not what it means to everyone else who sees me wearing it. Continue reading
50th Anniversary Platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona
Yup, I am in the watch mood. Basel World 2013 just came to a close, and the world’s watch manufacturers had their finest on display and their newest, most exciting treats were announced there. I unfortunately did not attend Basel World, but I have had a close eye on what is new coming out of there. This piece, I am truly excited about, from a brand that I enjoy, but haven’t said a lot about. This watch is the stuff dreams are made of, it the type of piece that (excuse the expression) gives watch collectors a woody, in a word it’s breathtaking. Continue reading
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air King
My first foray into the world of Rolex is the simple, yet wonderful watch loaded with history. I have been acquainted with many of the Rolex models, and I have a few favorites, I mean who wouldn’t love a Daytona, and I can’t ignore a Submariner with or without a date, but for my entrance into the world of Rolex I chose a simple model with a rich history. The air king has been a part of Rolex for what seems as long as Rolex has been a part of horology.
How to be Swell 