Madoff auction welcomes bids on wristwatches like: Rolex, Ulysse Nardin, Blancpain, Piaget, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, IWC and Jaeger LeCoultre.

(Bernard Lawrence “Bernie” Madoff)

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Bernard Lawrence “Bernie” Madoff was born on April 29, 1938. He is the former Chairman of the NASDAQ stock exchange and the admitted operator of the Ponzi scheme that might be “the largest investment fraud in Wall Street history”.
In March 2009, Madoff pleaded guilty to 11 felonies and admitted to turning his wealth management business into a massive Ponzi scheme that defrauded thousands of investors of billions of dollars. Madoff said he began the Ponzi scheme in the early 1990s. However, federal investigators believe the fraud began as early as the 1980s. The amount missing from client accounts, including fabricated gains, was almost $65 billion. The court appointed trustee estimated actual losses to investors of $18 billion. On June 29, 2009, he was sentenced to 150 years in prison, the maximum allowed.
Madoff founded the Wall Street firm Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC in 1960, and was its chairman until his arrest on December 11, 2008. The firm was one of the top market maker businesses on Wall Street, which bypassed “specialist” firms by directly executing orders over the counter from retail brokers.
On December 10, 2008, Madoff’s sons told authorities that their father had just confessed to them that the asset management arm of his firm was a massive Ponzi scheme, and quoting him as saying it was “one big lie”. The following day, FBI agents arrested Madoff and charged him with one count of securities fraud. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had previously conducted several investigations into Madoff’s business practices since 1992, which critics contend were incompetently handled.
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Madoff lots are 196-299 & 301-386.
U.S.Marshals Service
National Forfeited Jewelry Auction
Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 10 AM
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During the auction conducted live on Saturday, November 14th at the New York Sheraton Hotel & Towers and online simulcast utilizing http://www.proxibid.com., many of Madoff’s belongings were auctioned. And so, his wristwatch collection. Between the wristwatch brands he was a fun, like Rolex, there were many Cartier, Ulysse Nardin, Blancpain, IWC, Hublot, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Piaget and Bulgari’s expensive watches.
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Some of them, the most expensive Rolex and some from other wristwatch brands:
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234
ROLEX: Gents 18kr vintage Rolex chronograph wristwatch; silver/white dial w/ black sticks & Arabics; 36.10mm round case; Black stitched crocodile strap (tang); Serial 66658 (1936); professionally restored.
$23000 – $26500

235
ROLEX: Gents 18ky vintage Rolex Oyster chronograph wristwatch; Monochrome motif; gold dial w/ luminous sticks & Arabics, 3 gold sub-dials; 35.1mm round case; Brown stitched Alligator strap (tang); 17 jewel Rolex Genève mechanical winding mvmt; Case 4048; Serial 58105 (1935). Note: Professionally restored.
$54000 – $58000

236
ROLEX: Gents st.steel & 18kr & 18ky vintage Rolex Oyster chronograph wristwatch; rose gold bezel, yellow gold crown; white dial w/ black sticks & Arabics; 34.6mm round case; Brown stitched Alligator strap (tang); 17 jewel Rolex Genève mechanical winding mvmt; Case 3668; Serial 146583 (1940). Note: Professionally restored.
$60000 – $63500

237
ROLEX: Gents 18ky vintage Rolex O.P. “Monoblocco” chronograph wristwatch; aka “Prisoner Watch”; domed plastic crystal; black dial w/ rose tri-sticks & Arabic numerals; gold hands; polished bezel; 35mm round case; dk brown alligator strap (tang); Model 3525; 17 jewel Rolex mechanical winding mvmt; Serial 380223 (1945).
$75000 – $87500

248A
WATCH: Gents st.steel Ulysse Nardin San Marco GMT wristwatch; black dial w/ luminous Arabic numerals; syn saph crystal; date at 3 position; dual-time at 11 position; 37mm round case; Black stitched leather band w/ tang buckle; Automatic mvmt; Model 203-22; Serial No 978.
$1500 – $2000

250
WATCH: Gents st.steel Blancpain Leman chronograph flyback wristwatch; white dial w/ white sub-dials (3); syn saph crystal; date at 6 position; 38.2mm round case; brown alligator strap w/ deployant buckle; Automatic mvmt; Model 2185-1127-53B; Serial No 294.
$4000 – $5200

251
WATCH: Gents 14kw Piaget Gouverneur Automatique chronograph wristwatch; light blue dial w/ matching sub-dials (3), Arabics; syn saph crystal; date at 6 position; 34.2mm round case; black alligator strap w/ 18kw Piaget tang buckle; Automatic mvmt; Model 12978; Serial 810797.
$4500 – $5800

253
WATCH: Gents 18kw Patek Philippe Annular Calendar wristwatch; black dial w/ silver Roman numerals; date at 6 position; 3 black sub-dials; syn saph crystal front & back; 36.95mm round case; black alligator band w/ 18kw deployant buckle; Model 5035G; 35 jewel Patek Philippe automatic mvmt, Cal. 315/198, Serial 3059777.
$12500 – $15600

254
WATCH: Gents 18ky Audemars Piguet Huitieme chronograph wristwatch; crème colored dial & sub-dials (3); date at 3 position; gold hands; 40.4mm round case; dkBrown alligator strap w/ 18ky AP double deployant clasp; Automatic mvmt; Serial C54966.
$6000 – $8000

258
WATCH: Gents st.steel IWC Portuguese chronograph wristwatch; silver dial w/ rose gold markers; 40.9mm round case; stitched brown alligator strap w/ tang buckle; Automatic mvmt; Model IW3714-01; Serial 2697455.
$3000 – $4000

264
WATCH: Gents 18kt rose gold Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Duo wristwatch; Night/Day dials; brown crocodile strap w/ 18kr deployant buckle; Mechanical, winding mvmt; Case 270.2.54; Serial 1961500.
$4000 – $5100

Metropolitan Ballroom
New York Sheraton Hotel & Towers
811 Seventh Avenue
New York City, NY 10019

The auction was conducted by:
´Gaston & Sheehan Auctioneers

[Source: CanadaEast]

Filed under: Audemars Piguet, Audemars Piguet Watches, Bernand Madoff, Blancpain, Blancpain Watch, Blancpain Watches, IWC, IWC Watch, IWC Watches, Jaeger Lecoultre, Jaeger Lecoultre Watch, Jaeger Lecoultre Watches, Luxury, Luxury Watch, luxury watches, Madoff, Mens, Patek Philippe, Patek Philippe Watch, Patek Philippe Watches, Piaget, Piaget Watch, Piaget Watches, Ref., Rolex, Rolex 2009, Rolex Accuracy, Rolex and Sports, Rolex Watc, rolex watches, Timepiece, Ulysse Nardin, Ulysse Nardin Watch, Ulysse Nardin Watches, Watch, Watches, wristwatches

ROLEX AMBASSADORS

Among its long path, Rolex has been represented by many figures of many kinds. Ambassadors coming from the arts such as Cecilia Bartoli, Michael Bublé or Plácido Domingo; equestrians like Meredith Michael – Beerbaum or Rodrigo Pessoa; golfers such as Luke Donald, Retief Goosen or Trevor Immelman to tennis players like Roger Federer or Ana Ivanovic.

Yachting

Paul Cayard

Paul Pierre Cayard was born May 19, 1959. Rolex Ambassador’s Cayard is an American yachtsman who has participated in a wide range of world championship sailing events including the America’s Cup, the Volvo Ocean Race and the Olympic Games, between many others. In 1998 he was selected as the Rolex Yachtsmen of the Year. Cayard has twice participated in the Olympic Games and five times in the America’s Cup, in addition to winning seven world championships.

Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II

Tennis

Roger Federer

Roger Federer was born on the 8 August, 1981. Federer is a Swiss professional tennis player currently ranked world No. 1 by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), having previously held the number one position for a record 237 consecutive weeks. Many sports analysts, tennis critics, former and current players consider Federer to be the greatest tennis player of all time

Oyster Perpetual Day-Date

Ana Ivanovic

Ana Ivanović was born in November 6, 1987, in Belgrade, Serbia. Ivanovic is a former World No. 1 Serbian tennis player ranked as World No. 11 by the Women’s Tennis Association. She won the 2008 French Open and was the runner-up in singles at the 2007 French Open and the 2008 Australian Open.

Oyster Perpetual Datejust

Skiing

Hermann Maier

Hermann Maier was born on December 7, 1972, in Altenmarkt im Pongau. Maier is an Austrian alpine ski racer that won four overall World Cup titles (1998, 2000, 2001, 2004), two Olympic gold medals (both in 1998), three World Championship titles (1999: 2, and 2005) and 54 races on the World Cup circuit.

Oyster Perpetual Datejust Turn-O-Graph

Golf

Luke Donald

Luke Campbell Donald was born on 7 December, 1977. Campbell Donald is an English golfer who plays mainly on the U.S. based PGA Tour but, is also a member of the European Tour. In 2006 he reached the top ten in the Official World Golf Rankings for the first time in his career. In January 2007, he reached a career high ranking of 7 and was briefly the highest ranked European golfer. He has spent over 50 weeks in the top-10.

Oyster Perpetual Datejust Turn-O-Graph

Retief Goosen

Retief Goosen was born 3 February 1969. Goosen is a South African professional golfer who has been in the top ten in the Official World Golf Rankings for over 250 weeks between 2001 and 2007. His main achievements have been two U.S. Open wins (in 2001 and 2004) and also heading the European Tour Order of Merit (money list) in 2001 and 2002.

Oyster Perpetual Datejust

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Filed under: Luxury, Luxury Sports Watches, luxury watches, Mens, Rolex, Rolex Accuracy, Rolex Chronograph, Rolex Datejust, Rolex Day Date, Rolex Day Date President, Rolex Daytona, Rolex Explorer, ROLEX HISTORY, Rolex in Movies, Rolex Kew A, Rolex Lady's Watches, Rolex Movements, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex President, Rolex Prince, Rolex Quartz Watches, Rolex Releases 2009, Rolex Sea Dweller, Rolex SeaDweller, Rolex Submariner, ROLEX THE KEW “A”, Rolex Watch, rolex watches, Seamaster, Sports, Timepiece, Vintage, Watch, Watches, Water resistant, Womens, wristwatches

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Rolesor, Oyster Perpetual Datejust II, Oyster Perpetual Datejust Rolesor 36mm 2009

Oyster Perpetual Datejust RolesorOyster Perpetual Datejust Rolesor, the world’s most recognized and recognizable watch was created sixty years ago and still remains as eternally and modern as it was first conceived, according to the vagaries of fashion. The new Datejust II
Rolesor for men and the Datejust Rolesor 36 mm for ladies, with gem-set bezel, are
proof.
The Oyster Perpetual Datejust Rolesor no only represents an archetype of timeless
Luxury but also embraces all the latest watchmaking innovations to meet the most demanding technological requirements.
Oyster was the first waterproof and dustproof wristwatch entirely designed and manufactured by Rolex in 1926. The movement of the watch receives its energy from the Perpetual rotor (the first self-winding mechanism with a free rotor) created in 1931. The Datejust made its debut in 1945, its name was inspired by the date displayed in a window on the watch dial. The Oyster Perpetual Datejust Rolesor is the hallmark of the Rolex brand. Precise, waterproof, self-winding, this officially-certified Swiss chronometer with date display is crafted with only the noblest of materials and assembled with the greatest of care.

Oyster Perpetual Datejust II With White or Yellow Rolesor

The Datejust II Rolesor represents a must-have between those who appreciate extraordinary timepieces. Its case, which comes in yellow or white Rolesor, is available for the first time in 41 mm and merges optimal comfort with the elegance of refinement. It is fitted with a fluted bezel, the watch is waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet).
The movement, the Datejust II features a calibre entirely designed and manufactured by Rolex. It also has a Parachrom hairspring, highly resistant to shocks and magnetic fields, as well as new Paraflex shock absorbers, which ensure its superlative chronometric precision and remarkable reliability. The movement is chronometer-certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) and has a power reserve of 48 hours.
The Datejust II features original dials that are, at once, contemporary and altogether classic available on an Oyster bracelet, fitted with an Oysterclasp and Easylink extension link, providing additional wearer comfort.

Descriptions of the Models

Reference: 116333-72213
Yellow Rolesor case
Fluted bezel in yellow gold
Slate dial, black Roman numerals (fine green border)

Reference: 116334-72210
White Rolesor case
Fluted bezel in white gold
White dial, hour markers

Reference: 116333-72213
Yellow Rolesor case
Fluted bezel in yellow gold
Black dial, Arabic numerals

Reference: 116334-72210
White Rolesor case
Fluted bezel in white gold
Rhodium dial, blue Arabic numerals

Oyster Perpetual Datejust Rolesor 36mm

Oyster Perpetual Datejust Yellow or White Rolesor, 36 mm

The new Oyster Perpetual Datejust Rolesor, in this resolutely feminine version, continues
the tradition of being a timeless companion of women who

are both sure of themselves and their aesthetic preferences, it is entirely adaptable to every attitude, occasion and lifestyle.
The 36 mm case combines optimal comfort and elegant refinement. Waterproof to a depth
of 100 metres (330 feet), it now, for the first time, features a bezel set with brilliant-cut
diamonds. The Datejust is also equipped with a movement entir

ely designed and manufactured by Rolex. Its chronometer-certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) and. It has a power reserve of 48 hours. The Datejust is available on an Oyster bracelet fitted with an Oysterclasp and Easylink extension link, or a Jubilee bracelet with a Crownclasp. Both features ensure optimal
wearer comfort and the perfect finishing touch.

Descriptions of the Models

Reference: 116243-72603
Yellow Rolesor case
Bezel set with 52 brilliant-cut diamonds
Silver dial with floral motif and Arabic numerals (at 6 and 9 o’clock)
Oyster bracelet

Reference: 116244-63600
White Rolesor case
Bezel set with 52 brilliant-cut diamonds
Pink dial with floral motif and Arabic numerals (at 6 and 9 o’clock)
Jubilee bracelet

Reference: 116243-63603
Yellow Rolesor case
Bezel set with 52 brilliant-cut diamonds
Aqua green dial with floral motif and Arabic numerals (at 6 and 9 o’clock)
Jubilee bracelet

Reference: 116244-72600
White Rolesor case
Bezel set with 52 brilliant-cut diamonds
Bronze dial with floral motif and Arabic numerals (at 6 and 9 o’clock)
Oyster bracelet

Descriptions of the Models

Reference: 116243-72603
Yellow Rolesor case
Bezel set with 52 brilliant-cut diamonds
Green waves dial, gem-set Arabic numerals (at 6 and 9 o’clock)
Oyster bracelet

Reference: 116244-63600
White Rolesor case
Bezel set with 52 brilliant-cut diamonds
Pink mother-of-pearl dial with 10 diamonds
Jubilee bracelet

Reference: 116243-63603
Yellow Rolesor case
Bezel set with 52 brilliant-cut diamonds
Black mother-of-pearl dial with 10 diamonds
Jubilee bracelet

Reference: 116244-72600
White Rolesor case
Bezel set with 52 brilliant-cut diamonds
Rhodium waves dial, gem-set Arabic numerals (at 6 and 9 o’clock)
Oyster bracelet.

Filed under: Rolex, Rolex 2009, Rolex Accuracy, Rolex Chronograph, Rolex Datejust, Rolex Day Date, Rolex Day Date President, Rolex Explorer, ROLEX HISTORY, Rolex Kew A, Rolex Lady's Watches, Rolex Movements, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex President, Rolex Prince, Rolex Quartz Watches, Rolex Releases 2009, Rolex Sea Dweller, Rolex SeaDweller, Rolex Submariner, ROLEX THE KEW “A”, Rolex Watch, rolex watches, Rolex: THE GMT-MASTER

Eric Clapton’s Watch Collection

(Eric Clapton)

Eric Patrick Clapton was born in 30^th March, 1945. Eric is an English blues-rock guitarist, singer, songwriter and composer, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of the Yardbirds, then Cream and also as a solo performer. He was often considered to be by critics and fans as one of a kind musician, one of the greatest guitarists of all time. Clapton was ranked fourth in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” and #53 on their list of the Immortals: 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

(Eric Clapton at a concert)

Although Clapton has varied his musical style throughout his career and so he is qualified as an innovator in a wide diversity of genres. These include blues-rock (with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and the Yardbirds) and psychedelic rock (with Cream). Additionally, Clapton’s chart success was not limited to the blues, with chart-toppers in Delta Blues (Me and Mr. Johnson), pop (“Change the World”) and reggae (Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff”).

(Rolex Daytona)

Five of his most well known songs, those that have been sang for years: Before You Accuse Me, Wonderful Tonight, Tears In Heaven, Pretending and Change The World (Between a wide range of great songs).

(Rolex Chronograph Antimagnetic)

Those watches that are able to measure time with extreme precision are those for which we invest more money.

(Rolex Daytona)

Eric Clapton owns a watch collection, a very exclusive one, brought together as a consequence of the beauty and precision they share.

(Rolex Daytona)

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Filed under: Eric Patrick Clapton, Eric Patrick Clapton's Watch, Eric Patrick Clapton's Watch Collection, luxury watches, Rolex, Rolex Accuracy, Rolex Chronograph, Rolex Datejust, Rolex Day Date, Rolex Day Date President, Rolex Explorer, ROLEX HISTORY, Rolex Lady's Watches, Rolex Movements, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex President, Rolex Prince, Rolex Quartz Watches, Rolex Sea Dweller, Rolex SeaDweller, Rolex Submariner, ROLEX THE KEW “A”, Rolex Watch, rolex watches, Watch, Watches, Womens

Rolex Sea Dweller Watch

THE SEA DWELLER

While the Submariner was capable of working at the depths the divers did, the long exposure to high pressures had not been anticipated by its designers. The Subamriner was designed to be waterproof and airtight and to survive the pressures of the deep water.

Rolex and Comex (COmpagnie Maritime d’EXpertise) started working together in order to design a watch that would be efficient enough to work properly under the conditions the industrial deep-sea diving as Comex is the world leader in sub-sea engineering and in manned and unmanned sub-sea interventions, scoured all the seas on earth and worked at depths of over 300 meters. Although both companies working together first took one normal Submariner and modified it till they reached the perfect model: “The Submariner 2000 Sea Dweller”. The divers require the best equipment that is available because precision and perfection according to watch quality can mean the difference between life and death. The Sea Dweller differs from a regular Submariner by being much thicker and heavier. It has no “Cyclops” date lens because the glass because of the glass thickness placing the lens at a greater distance from the date disc. According to its bracelet it is machined from solid metal.

The advantage of the Sea Dweller over a Submariner is its ability to undergo repeated compression/decompression cycles in a helium-oxygen atmosphere.

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Filed under: Rolex Accuracy, Rolex Datejust, Rolex Explorer, ROLEX HISTORY, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex Prince, Rolex Sea Dweller, Rolex Submariner, Rolex Watch, rolex watches, Watch, Watches, Womens

Rolex Submariner Watch

THE SUBMARINER

In 1954 Basel, Rolex presented the Submariner model, Rolex pride. The model number 6204 watch was waterproof to a more realistic 200 meters (or 660 feet). It was sold as the watch that was the diver’s friend. When the development of the SCUBA (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) diving as a sport really began to take off toward the end of the fifties, a reliable watch was needed as much as a reliable oxygen tank. Rolex developed the Submariner 6204, which had simple parallel hands and it had no protective shoulders by the winding crown and the rotating bezel had only five minute markers. Two years later, this model was replaced by two Submariner models. Theses ones were: the 6538 model (waterproof to 660 feet) and the 6536 model (waterproof only to 330 feet), commonly known by collectors as the “James Bond” models. Then, although the model was redefined it kept the same model number and it introduced a more robust case with bezel markings for the first 15 minutes and a red triangle at the 12 position. Besides, it featured a larger “Triplock” style crown which had the “Brevette” sign under the crown or patented around the circumference. The watch had an officially certified chronometer powered by the new 1030 movement.
When model 5512 was launched in 1959, the new case featured the protective shoulders which defended the weakest part of the watch from inadvertent knocks and harms underwater. The new Submariner was launched on the back of Jacques Piccard’s latest adventure where he dove into a new record depth of 25, 798 feet (10.916 meters). The watch was exposed to pressures of over seven tons per square inch, the watch was found in perfect conditions with no evidence of moisture inside the case.
In 1965, when the 1565 calibre movement was fitted to the Submariner divers had the joy of combining the benefits of both chronometers movements and date function in one watch. The new model’s number was: 1680.

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Filed under: Brands History, Mens, Rolex, Rolex Accuracy, Rolex Chronograph, ROLEX HISTORY, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex Prince, Rolex Submariner, Rolex Watch, rolex watches, Watch, Watches, Womens

Rolex Explorer Watch

THE EXPLORER

With black dial, large luminous triangle marker at 12 and luminous Arabic numerals for the other quarters, The Explorer is one of the most recognizable Rolex watch together with the Datejust. An explorer watch is the one that has its dial described. It was first designed and made in honor of Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay, the first to reach the summit of Everest wearing Rolex watches. The Explorer was design for explorers and so it had a high visibility dial, an extra strong case and, under request, they could even be lubricated with a special oil which could withstand temperatures between -20ºC and + 40 ºC without changes in its viscosity. The Rolex Explorer line was designed with extremely challenging conditions in mind. This Rolex watch line was the one that received first the triangle marker at the top of the dial.

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Filed under: Brands History, Mens, Rolex, Rolex Accuracy, Rolex Chronograph, Rolex Datejust, Rolex Explorer, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex Prince, Rolex Watch, rolex watches, Watch, Watches, Womens

Rolex Datejust Watch

THE DATEJUST

In 1942, with the introduction of the bubbleback powered by a perpetual version of the classic 10 – 1/2”’ Hunter, Rolex made one of the most significant movements of its history. This new model had two additions: a sweep seconds hand and a date disc visible though and aperture in the dial at 3.
The first Datejust was a seminal one, a model and a design that would last for the next 50 years. This model is still the most beautiful of the Datejusts. Even though the registered name was Ritedate, by the time the watch was presented, it was called “Datejust” and the model was “Jubilee”, applied later to the bracelet.
The date function also retained its alternating red and black numbers, presumably to let the wearer know that the date had indeed changed. The only obvious change was when Rolex introduced the Cyclops date magnifier at Basel becoming a signature for the Rolex line.
The stainless and gold Datejust was introduced around 1962 and has proven to be one of the most popular models Rolex has ever produced. The new “two-tone” look not only fit the times, but also enabled Rolex to increase the margins on a very popular watch.
Since the end of the 1980s, all Datejust have been equipped with a “sapphire” crystal. This crystal is sliced out of a lab-grown sapphire with the Cyclops date window cut from a smaller crystal and the applied.

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Filed under: Brands History, Mens, Rolex, Rolex Accuracy, Rolex Chronograph, Rolex Datejust, ROLEX HISTORY, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex Prince, Rolex Watch, rolex watches, Watch, Watches, Womens

Rolex Chronograph

THE CHRONOGRAPH

In 1930, when sportsmen begun to demand chronographs, Rolex started to fulfill that demand. Seven years later, Rolex catalogue shows for the first time the chronographs wristwatches. Rolex chose 10- ½” to 14” movements in one button models allowing the customers to time a single continuous event. The demand came not only from racing spectators, but also from anyone whose profession required having an accurate measuring of and exact elapsed time.
In the late 30s, the real breakthrough happened as a consequence of the two button configuration making possible for the customers to stop the timing for breaks in the action.
The “Zerograph” is one of the most interesting Rolex Chronographs. It was produced in very limited quantities at the end of the 1930s. It had a 10-1/2”’ Hunter sweep seconds movement, it was the first model to feature the Oyster crown.
Afterwards, the first Oyster Chronograph was the model 4500. Models: 6232 and 3668 followed model 4500 and the proved to be as unpopular as the first one. The reason: the depths of World War II.
After years of making imperceptible and trivial changes, Rolex reached the final watch: The Cosmograph (model 6239), one of the most popular watches ever produced.
In the late 1970s, when Rolex introduced the 6263 Cosmograph, the model was the first to have truly waterproofed pushers. The screw down pushers were added because the customers kept trying to operate the push buttons while the watch was underwater so that let water into the movement. Another advantage of the locking buttons was that it also prevented inadvertent operation pushers.

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Filed under: Brands History, Mens, Rolex Accuracy, Rolex Chronograph, ROLEX HISTORY, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex Prince, Rolex Watch, rolex watches, Watch, Watches

Rolex Accuracy

ACCORDING TO ACCURACY

Wilsdorf was the visionary man who created an accurate wristwatch that can be compared to the finest contemporary mechanical chronometers around the globe.
In 1905, when Wilsdorf and Alfred James Davis created Wilsdorf & Davis they never imagined how important the company would become. At the very beginning, the company was just two businessmen trying to make a living in a hard environment. When Wilsdorf registered “Rolex” as the trade mark in Switzerland and began to use the name inside the watches on movements and cases, he then started advertising the name in order to make people asking for the watches by their name: Rolex.
In 1914, perfected Rebberg obtained a Kew A certificate for one of their 11”’ movements. The Royal Observatory at Kew (in London) was an outstation of the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, where all the initial work on accurate time keeping had been initiated such as: the search for a method of accuracy finding longitude, the institution of an universal time standard, the development of the first marine chronometer and the establishment of a central facility to test timepieces and certify them were all products of Greenwich. Its principal purpose was to teste marine chronometers, whose accuracy was vital to marine navigation until the 1930’s. The Kew tests were designed to time watches for the Royal Navy would offer to purchase it. Beyond that, based on the chronometer tests at Kew major manufacturers could state that their watches were the most accurate in the world becoming another powerful sales promotion device. Wilsdorf put Rolex watches through such test. Rolex was the only watch in the world to hold a Kew A certificate, getting to promote the success.
In order to avoid hurting the watches badly while they were imported to London, Hans Wilsdorf was finally convinced to move the administrative offices of the company from London to Geneva. Later, when it started exporting to United States of America, Wilsdorf made another astute move. While the European market was sinking as a consequence of the war, the American one was rising from the dust. Once again, Rolex was in the right place at the right time.

Filed under: Brands History, Mens, Rolex, Rolex Accuracy, ROLEX HISTORY, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex Prince, Rolex Watch, rolex watches, Watch, Watches, Womens

Rolex Accuracy

ACCORDING TO ACCURACY

Wilsdorf was the visionary man who created an accurate wristwatch that can be compared to the finest contemporary mechanical chronometers around the globe.
In 1905, when Wilsdorf and Alfred James Davis created Wilsdorf & Davis they never imagined how important the company would become. At the very beginning, the company was just two businessmen trying to make a living in a hard environment. When Wilsdorf registered “Rolex” as the trade mark in Switzerland and began to use the name inside the watches on movements and cases, he then started advertising the name in order to make people asking for the watches by their name: Rolex.
In 1914, perfected Rebberg obtained a Kew A certificate for one of their 11”’ movements. The Royal Observatory at Kew (in London) was an outstation of the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, where all the initial work on accurate time keeping had been initiated such as: the search for a method of accuracy finding longitude, the institution of an universal time standard, the development of the first marine chronometer and the establishment of a central facility to test timepieces and certify them were all products of Greenwich. Its principal purpose was to teste marine chronometers, whose accuracy was vital to marine navigation until the 1930’s. The Kew tests were designed to time watches for the Royal Navy would offer to purchase it. Beyond that, based on the chronometer tests at Kew major manufacturers could state that their watches were the most accurate in the world becoming another powerful sales promotion device. Wilsdorf put Rolex watches through such test. Rolex was the only watch in the world to hold a Kew A certificate, getting to promote the success.
In order to avoid hurting the watches badly while they were imported to London, Hans Wilsdorf was finally convinced to move the administrative offices of the company from London to Geneva. Later, when it started exporting to United States of America, Wilsdorf made another astute move. While the European market was sinking as a consequence of the war, the American one was rising from the dust. Once again, Rolex was in the right place at the right time.

Filed under: luxury watches, Mens, Rolex, Rolex Accuracy, Rolex Chronograph, Rolex Datejust, Rolex Day Date, Rolex Day Date President, Rolex Explorer, Rolex Lady's Watches, Rolex Movements, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex President, Rolex Prince, Rolex Quartz Watches, Rolex Sea Dweller, Rolex SeaDweller, Rolex Submariner, ROLEX THE KEW “A”, Rolex Watch, rolex watches, Watch, Watch Glosary, Watches, Watches Store & Jewelry Store, Womens

Rolex Prince

After Davis sold his shares to Wilsdorf and Aegler they both got to be the directors of Rolex Company. Just over a year later on October 1, 1927, the patent number 120849 was granted for the movement that was to be named Prince. The main advantage of the movement design was that, by placing the winding barrel and the balance at opposite ends of the watch, they could each be much larger than if they were arrayed closely to each other, as would be the case in a normal round watch.
The Rolex Prince watch proved to be one of the most accurate wristwatches made to date. The accuracy comes from the very high quality balance wheel, which most unusually for a wristwatch used solid gold screws to add extra weight and, thus, momentum. The watch also had a very high quality finish to the whole escapement, even the wheels. All of these efforts went to ensuring the accuracy of the Prince.

(Rolex’s latest style, the “Prince,” in 18k rose gold)

Many years went by… many models were designed.

The name Marconi was the fourth brand name that Wilsdorf registered. Rolex was registered in 1908, Omigra later the same year, Elvira the following year, and then Marconi Lever, registered as a name for watches and watch parts.
Marconi was, of course, named after Gugliemo Marconi who successfully sent radio signals over the Atlantic Ocean in 1901. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for physics in 1909 in recognition of this achievement.
By the time the Marconi brand hit the market, it had one small problem: Marconi was a figure whose time had passed.

According to LON, Wilsdorf had gone though a phase of registering company and brand names in 1919 and 1920. On March 17, 1919, to celebrate the end of the “war to end all wars” and the foundation of the League of Nations (the predecessor to the U.N.) in Geneva, he registered the name LON (League of Nations) as a brand name. At the same time, he also registered the names Brex and Unicorn Lever. Unicorn took over from Marconi and a few years later it was joined by Rolco, a simple contraction of “ROLex Company”.

In 1946, the year Rolex celebrated their 40th anniversary or jubilee, it introduced its most expensive watch, the “Datejust”. At the same time Rolex launched its final attempt at penetrating the lower cost watch market: the Tudor which was, at first, symbolized with a stylized rose, representing the Tudor rose. Then it was replaced with a stylized shield.
Rolex Tudor was at first, introduced as a “workingman’s” watch. The people most often seen wearing a Tudor watch are the ones leading an active lifestyle requiring a sturdy watch with good timekeeping abilities. Although the Tudor movements may have fewer jewels than the traditional Rolex, they are just as good time keeping as their more expensive “sister brand” watches and also just as durable.

In 1932, the company introduced a new pocket watch movement, the “Rolex Prince Imperial”. This new movement was redesigned to prove one of the most accurate watches ever made by Rolex.

During the 50’s decade, two of the most esoteric models the company ever produced were introduced. The “Tru-beat” (model 6556) and the “Milgauss” (model 6541). The “True-beat” was a standard chronometer grade non-date Oyster Perpetual, but it had a dead beat sweep seconds hand that would make the second hand stop at each seconds mark before jumping to the next one. According to the “Milgauss”, it was made in response to people working in areas of high electro-magnetic radiation, such as research labs or power stations, in which the effects of radiation would make the watches unreliable because of magnetizing the balance work of a watch.

At the Basel Fairm in 1954, Rolex launched four major models: The Explorer, the Turn-O-Graph, the Submariner and the Lady’s Perpetual Chronometer. The “Turn-O-Graph” (model 6202) was a simpler version of the “Submariner”. The “Turn-O-Graph” watch was Oyster Perpetual Precision grade (non-chronometer) with luminous visibility and black dials, luminous hands and rotating bezel. The “Submariner” featured almost the same characteristics, but it was water resistant to 200 meters. It was called “The diver’s friend”. The “Submariner” together with the “President” proved to be one of the outstanding successes of the 1950’s for the Rolex Company. Two years later, the company introduced the “Date-Date” model, a very important model.

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Rolex Perpetual

(Rolex Oyster Perpetual Mid-Size Mid Size Ref. 177200)

The movement that was just as important to Rolex as the Oyster case was the first Perpetual. Rolex had used movements made by Eagler from the very beginning. The first one was de Rebberg which came in a wide variety of sizes and also in versions with a subsidiary seconds hand, with a sweep seconds hands or without any seconds hand. It was a simple, robust and versatile movement that served Rolex well for almost 20 years
Then, Rolex produced the Hunter movement which was the first one that was regularly capable of being timed to chronometer precision. These chronometer movements were often either 17 or 18 jewel models with capped escape jewels.
Even though the Oyster was proving very successful and met or exceeded all of Wilsdorf’s hopes for it, there was one problem: he needed an automatic system. Once again Rolex (or Aegler, who actually patented it) took the read of patient modification of an existing product. The first perpetual models are simple subsidiary seconds 8-3/4”’Hunter movements with the “Auto-Rotor” mechanism bolted straight onto the back. This arrangement had three additional benefits. First, the watch could be wound manually if needed. The facility to wind the automatic watch is now something to be taken for granted, but it is interesting to note that all of the early automatics ere incapable of manual winding. Apart from its use during periods of enforced idleness, the manual facility on the Rolex Perpetual gave confidence to those people who still did not trust the watch yet.
Second, because the rotor swung through a full rotation, there was nothing for it to hit, so the movement received no shocks through the sudden braking of a weight. Besides, the watch was less noisy as Rolex advertised: “Rolex, the silent self winder”.
Finally, the arrangement allowed the watchmaker to remove the whole of the automatic mechanism with only two screws and then be faced with a simple manual movement that he would instantly recognize. This is an important factor in the success of Rolex’s automatic movement.
The exact date of the launch of the Rolex Perpetual would seem to be in late 1933 or early 1934. No earlier Rolex advertisement makes any mention of the watch. The first Perpetuals were produced in a case that was another classic Rolex modification, simply the first model Oyster Royal with a new, deeper back.
What we must not forget is that in introducing the Perpetual in 1934, Rolex chose to do so in the depth of the worst depression the industrial world had seen, and as the world’s economies began to improve the Perpetual was waiting.

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Rolex Oyster

(Rolex Oyster Precision Mens DATE Circa 1954 Ref. 6294)

Although it is the generally accepted view that Hans Wilsdorf, the famous Swiss watchmaker, sitting alone in his Geneva workshop and working late into night, came up with the idea of the Oyster case and thereby set Rolex off in a new direction, none of this is true. Wilsdorf was never either Swiss or a watchmaker. The Oyster was the result of at least four attempts by the company to produce a waterproof case prior to the introduction of the Oyster.
Despite his British Nationality and Swiss domicile Hans was very much a German and his greatest strengths were his persistence and his dedication to slow progressive development of his existing product and so after trying hardly, in 1914, Wilsdorf and Davis introduced their first watch with a threaded bezel and back. The introduction of the Borgel cases was known to be the first model produced by Rolex in which the case was specifically designed to give protection against some of the elements. When Rolex wristwatches sales took off in the tropical markets on India and East Asia, in hot and humid conditions there were natural challenges: humidity over mechanisms. Baumgartner came up with the “hermetic” cases solution that Wilsdorf patented in London on May 10, 1923. Wilsdorf was so proud of his watch that even before submitting his patent he applied for three new model names, “Aqua”, “The Submariner” and “Diver”. He also registered a new style of window display involving the suspension of a working watch in an aquarium.
Finally, in October 30, 1925, in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Paul Perregaux and Georges Peret, two prototype maker, filed a patent that was later given the number 114, 948 which describes the invention for a moisture proof winding stem and button. The button utilized springs and double helical screws to provide the first real solution to waterproofing a watch steam. The both sold their rights to the patent to Wilsdorf and a year later a British patent was then issued bearing the number 260.554 has always been seen as the Original Oyster Patent.
The name “Oyster” it self was Wilsdorf’s own contribution, saying he was inspired by the diffulty he experienced in opening an oyster while preparing a dinner party. He registered the name in Switzerland on July 29, 1926 and two months later in London.

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Filed under: luxury watches, Mens, Rolex, Rolex Accuracy, Rolex Chronograph, Rolex Datejust, Rolex Day Date, Rolex Day Date President, Rolex Explorer, Rolex Lady's Watches, Rolex Movements, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex President, Rolex Prince, Rolex Quartz Watches, Rolex Sea Dweller, Rolex SeaDweller, Rolex Submariner, ROLEX THE KEW “A”, Rolex Watch, rolex watches

THE ROLEX HISTORY

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THE ROLEX HISTORY

(Hans Wilsdorf)

Hans Eberhard Wilhelm Wilsdorf was born in Kulmbach, a tiny village 50 kilometres from Nuremberg in Bavaria in March 22, 1881. He came from a family of ironmongers, a business initially founded by his grandfather Carl Traugger Wilsdorf in 1842. After working in Geneva for Cuno Korten, the watch making company, he moved to London in 1903. Two years later, he was able to start his own watch business. When seeking for a partner, he met through his lawyer Alfred James Davis. The relationship was further strengthened when Davis married Wilsdorf’s younger sister.

The Company called Wilsdorf and Davis was founded and commenced trading in 1905. They traded from offices at 83, Hatton gardens; the heart of London’s jewellery world, but within 18 months they had moved to 44 Holborn Viaduct, less than 500 yards from Hatton gardens and less than a mile from Clerkenwell, then as now the center of the English watchmaking trade.
The business was, at the time, one of importing movements from Jean Aegler’s ebauche factory in the Rebberg, Bienne, and cases and dials from other Swiss suppliers. The watxhes would then be tested for performance by English watchmakers before being cased and shipped to their customers, many of whom were just down the road in Hatton Gardens. The watches were unsigned on the dials, allowing the retailer to place his own name there. On the movement was the simple mark W&D, which also repeated on the inside of the case back, standing, of course, for Wilsdorf and Davis.

Although they started by trading only two watches, the pocket and purse models, Hans saw a small niche in the market and decided to exploit it. He would specialize in wristwatches. “Rolex” word was first registered in Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland on July 2, 1908 and four years later in London on July 6, 1912. The invention of a brand name for the product allowed the partners to differentiate their product from all others. It had to be a word that wouldn’t mean anything in any language (if possible) and easy to pronounce. They came up with ROLEX, it is not known who of them created because there weren’t left any notes or explanation about this. They then began to mark the watches with the new trademark, first on the movement only and then on the inside of the case back.

Between the company’s innovations, we can name the first self-winding watch; the first waterproof watch case; the first wristwatch with a date on the dial; the first watch to show two time zones at once and, most importantly, the first watchmakers to earn the coveted chronometer certification for a wristwatch. According to prestige, Rolex still holds the record for the most certified chronometer movements in the category of wristwatches. Another known fact is that Rolex participated in the development of the original quartz watch movements. Although Rolex produced a few quartz models for its Oyster line, the company’s engineers were involved in design and implementation of the technology during the early 1970’s.

The first self-winding Rolex watch was accessible to public in 1931, powered by an internal mechanism that used the movement of the wearer’s arm. This not only made watch-winding unnecessary but also eliminated the problem of over-winding a watch and harming its mechanism. Rolex was also the first watch company to create a truthfully waterproof watch, another milestone from novelty to functional timepiece. Wilsdorf even went so far as to have a specially made Rolex watch attached to the side of the Trieste bathyscaphe, which went to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. The watch survived and it was as well tested so that the results obtained would be keeping perfect time during its descent and ascent.

Rolex has also a trascendental reputation in watches suitable for the extremes of deep-sea diving, aviation and mountain climbing. Sport models include the Oyster Perpetual Sea Dweller 2000 feet in 1971. This watch features a helium release valve co-invented with Swiss watchmaker Doxa that dispenses helium during decompression. Another similar model is the GMT Master, originally developed as a consequence of a Pan Am Airways request in order to assist pilots in transcontinental flights. The Explorer and Explorer II were developed specifically for explorers who would go through rough environments, such as the world famous Everest Expeditions.

On the most glamorous side, Ian Fleming’s James Bond character wore a Rolex Oyster Perpetual in the series of spy novels. In the early EON production of James Bond films, Commander Bond was seen wearing a Rolex Submariner.

Among modern Rolex watches are the Air-King, Datejust, GMT Master/GMT II, Submariner, Sea-Dweller, Daytona Cosmograph, Day-Date, Oyster Perpetual and Yacht-Master. Most Rolex watches have a case design called the Oyster. Dressy designs usually fall under the sister brand called Cellini. The third line in the Rolex Empire is the lesser expensive, but high quality, Tudor brand. The primary types of Rolex bracelets include the Jubilee, Oyster and the President.
Rolex SA, the current company name, is not a public corporation. In fact, it is a foundation initiated and originally established by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred James Davis. According to establishing documentation, the Rolex SA Company can never be sold nor even traded on any stock market.

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Filed under: Brands History, luxury watches, Mens, Rolex, Rolex Accuracy, Rolex Chronograph, Rolex Datejust, Rolex Day Date, Rolex Day Date President, Rolex Explorer, ROLEX HISTORY, Rolex Lady's Watches, Rolex Movements, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex President, Rolex Prince, Rolex Quartz Watches, Rolex Sea Dweller, Rolex SeaDweller, Rolex Submariner, ROLEX THE KEW “A”, Rolex Watch, rolex watches, Watch, Watches, Womens