Watch Rolex Blog

New Longines Watch to Pay Tribute to Famous Aviator

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 11:11:11 +0000

The Longines Lindbergh Hour Angle Watch pays tribute to famous aviator, Charles Lindbergh, who made the first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean in in May, 1927. The stainless steel case of the timepiece measures 47.50 mm in diameter.

The white lacquered dial of the Longines watch displays the time with blued steel Breguet-style hands and a slim seconds hand. The dial is protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. The dial spotlights black painted double minute track and Roman numerals, as well as twelve blue painted Arabic numerals for calculating and displaying longitudes.

The seconds hand of the model is synchronized to a radio time signal with help of the silvered rotating center dial displaying a black painted double minute track with red Arab numerals. The rotating bezel reveals blue and black Arabic numerals necessary for adjusting it to daily variations in the equation of time.

The Longines Lindbergh Hour Angle Watch has incorporated an L699 self-winding mechanical movement. The mechanism beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour offers an advantage of 42-hour power reserve. The timepiece has been constructed with the hinged and engraved back cover. Lift the cover, and you will be surprised to see a transparent sapphire plate revealing the movement's sparkling dance.

The watch is secured to the wrist with a brown leather strap. It boasts 30-meter water-resistance.

Charles Lindbergh's flight across the Atlantic on board of the Spirit of Saint Louis made the aviator really famous. The aviator conceived the design of the Hour Angle Watch and commissioned the Longines Company to produce the timepiece.

In the first decades of the 20th century, a pilot or navigator wearing gloves could easily manipulate the "Louis XV" oversized knurled crown of the Lindbergh Hour Angle Watch. Today the crown offers an optimal handling to the watch's wearer.

The L699 movement beating in the heart of the Longines new watch, provides 42 hours of power reserve, implying the time period longer than the entire duration of Charles Lindbergh's flight from New York to Paris that required 33.5 hours.

Antiquorum's Thematic Sale to Mark Rolex 100th Anniversary

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:11:11 +0000

In 2008 Rolex celebrates its 100th anniversary of its watches. Antiquorum Auctioneers, the leading auction house for timepieces in the world, will mark the centenary of the brand through holding the one-of-a-kind sale 'Revolution: The Evolution of the Rolex Sport Watch'. The event will take place on April 17th at Antiquorum's US headquarters located at 595 Madison Avenue, New York City.

The Rolex brand is famous worldwide as it revolutionized the concept of the sports wristwatch, having developed the Rolex 'Oyster' that was destined to become the first water-proof and air-tight wristwatch to have withstood Mercedes Gleitze's swim across the English Channel. Having accompanied the courageous swimmer during his amazing swim that lasted 15 hours, the timepiece still provided perfect functionality. This remarkable feat marked the birth of the true sports watch.

The invention of the groundbreaking Rolex Oyster was followed by the development of a whole army of other remarkable timepieces, with the Explorer, the Submariner, the Turn-o-Graph, the Milgauss, the Cosmograph, the Sea-Dweller, and the Explorer II highlighted on the list. The above-mentioned Rolex watches were found among the first timekeepers to be developed for specific professions or recreational pursuits.

100-year-history of the Rolex brand vividly demonstrates its continuous evolution and product development. The sports watches worn by present-day customers have been created as a result of the brand's dedication to progress.

The upcoming sale to be held on April 17th at Antiquorum will be dedicated to the remarkable evolution of the Rolex sports watch. It will also feature the impact the revolutionary Rolex 'Oyster' case has had on the entire watchmaking industry. The Antiquorum sale will be highlighted by the best available Rolex watch models representing the historical development of these remarkable timepieces, Rolex 'SBS' Submariner Ref. 5517, Rolex Comex Ref. 168000, Rolex 'Turn-O-Graph' Ref. 6202 and many others.

Extreme Watches from Luminox

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 11:11:11 +0000

Luminox watches are well-known for their self-powered illumination (borosilicate glass capsules), requiring no 'charging' from an external source of light. The timepieces generally belong to the extreme and sports watch categories.

Extreme watches imply extreme capabilities, such as shock absorption, luminosity, water resistance. Luminox extreme watches have been highly demanded among the representatives of the rough and tumble world of armed forces and law enforcement officers.

The watches aimed at these markets are produced to be tough enough to stand any unfavorable conditions - altitude, cold, heat, water, pressure, shock, etc. In addition, extreme watches are equipped with special features - high luminosity to show the time on a stakeout or mission, with no need to push a button and an anti-reflective finish that will not allow the timepiece reveal the position of its wearer.

Luminox develops watches aimed at the military and law enforcement. The brand offers complete lines with names inherited from the military terminology and fighter planes, including the F-117 Nighthawk, the Navy SEAL watches, the SR-71 Blackbird, the Black Ops, and the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Luminox supplies its watches to police groups, military personnel and all forms of security personnel, law enforcement and fire safety. People who belong to these working environments consider Luminox to be a tough brand producing durable and functional watches with such a useful feature as the night time illumination.

Today, however, Luminox watches appeal not only to the representatives of the above-mentioned spheres but also to customers who simply like the military and extreme collections, even if they do not have to use all the capabilities. A Luminox customer often takes part in active endeavors, including a variety of sports activities, or the one associated with security and serving the public.

Luminox has recently developed the Color Mark series. Watches from the collection catch attention due to bright colors for the markings of the dial, yet maintaining their sleek, black, military look. The brand has decided to create its basic series in all black to keep to the military flavor, and with the different colors are for the markings - the dial markings, the hands, and the bezel markings. The new series has enjoyed great success.

Moreover, Luminox has redesigned several of its major series, including the EVO Ultimate Seal - characterized by larger cases, dial openings, new markers, numbers and some more distinctive features.

Luminox watches are higher priced than timepieces developed by fashion brands but not as high priced as the majority of pieces of the Swiss brands available in jewelry stores.

Luminox success has also been strengthened by the partnership with Mondaine. The brand has centralized everything in California, having implemented systems improving the flow. Luminox has worked out a system to ship orders on the day they are received.

The Mondaine factory is responsible for sourcing and producing the components and the watches, while Luminox feels free to design the watches. Mondaine has the operational procedures, while Luminox has the product knowledge. Mondaine is also involved in selling Luminox watches outside the USA and Luminox deals with selling Mondaine watches in North America.

Luminox takes advantage of Mondaine distribution network covering many countries around the world. The United States still represents the number one market, followed by Japan.

The partnership with Mondaine allowed Luminox to join the list of Swiss companies. All the timepieces entering the Luminox collection are Swiss made.

Rolex Offers Support to Alzheimer's Research

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:11:11 +0000

Rolex has once again acted as the underwriter of the annually organized Alzheimer's Association Rita Hayworth Gala. The event was held on October, 10th to pay tribute to American screen legend Rita Hayworth. The actress, who was especially famous in the 1940-s, became the sex symbol of the era. She was stricken with the Alzheimer disease in her 40s.

The event took place at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. The organizers managed to raise more than 2 million dollars for the Alzheimer's Association.

The event was hosted by Louise Kornfeld, gala chair, and Allen Brill, underwriting chair, Rolex president and CEO. Among those who joined the event there were New York socialites, famous actors and media representatives, including Muffy Potter Aston, Bryant and Hillary Gumbel, Donna Dixon Aykroyd and Dan Aykroyd, John McEnroe, Anne Hearst, Regis Philbin Ron Perelman, and Ivana Trump.

Rolex Watch USA has acted as the underwriter of Alzheimer's Association Rita Hayworth Gala for the fifth year in the row. Mr. Allen Brill has announced that the prestigious watch brand will continue to act in this role through 2012, the year to mark the company's 10-year anniversary as the gala's underwriter.

Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, daughter of Rita Hayworth, was the one who established the Rita Hayworth Gala more than 20 years ago. More than 48 million dollars have been raised to support Alzheimer's Association care and research.

A Stolen Rolex Brought 160000 to Its Owner

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 11:11:11 +0000

Guys, a famous saying "blessing in disguise" is really wise. An amazing story happened in London where police maintained an operation to check up some jewelry stores activity. They have found a great number of stolen things there. Basically watches. And an interesting thing happened. In order to return everything found police placed pictures of the stolen things on a special site. Interesting, isn't it?

Soon after it first "victims" appeared. Have you already guessed that this is the end of the story? It turned out that those thieves passed their loot to light-fingered jewelers and those jewelers incrusted watches with the precious stones. Yes, they killed two birds with one stone: they made watches more expensive and at the same time watches lost their similarity with their description.

Oh, of course it's a great idea...but Great Britain police works great as well. They gradually returned stolen things to their owners; moreover a very pleasant surprise was waiting for them.

For instance, a woman that bought a watch for 10000 pounds got the same watch but its present price with precious stones was 32 000 pounds.

But the greatest bonus got a golden Rolex owner. From the very beginning his watch wasn't cheap 40000 pounds, but after theft its price became 200000. Wonderful, isn't it?

When the Rolex watch owner saw his renewed watch for the first time he was shocked. And we can easily understand his reaction - just imagine: his watch was beautiful till the theft took place, but this beauty was later adorned with precious stones. Oh, guys, who want to steal my watch, decorate it with precious stones and then give it back to me? Nobody? Why?

Ok, it was a joke but let's be serious. So, I don't know your opinion but as for me, it's a great compensation for all the bypast troubles, agree?

A Sensational Rolex Watch Theft

Fri, 09 Feb 2007 11:11:11 +0000

How an expensive watch like Rolex can be stolen? Really, I don't understand it. In any high-class store the latest security system is set. But it turns out that it's not as secure as we might think ...

A jewelry store in Florida, USA "lost" a $50,000 Rolex because of one chevalier of fortune. And now, police continues searching for a thief who, according to their words, tried to look fitted in with other customers and then took off with a watch that cost as a good car.

A surveillance camera at the jewelry store shows a well-dressed man looking at very expensive watches. Usually, in such stores and in such cases while I am looking at something more or less expensive, at least one shop assistant is next to me...Quite a weird situation, isn't it?

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, until the man took off with a $50,000 watch in his hand. The thief looked like an average customer, he was well-dressed and calm. But after tape examining, police said the store guard could guess what he had kept in his head. I think, nobody has to be Einstein to understand it from the first sight but life shows a different view.

"His purpose was to steal a Rolex. He came in with his hands in his pockets. He never touched the glass case. There wasn't anything that he was leaving behind", police said. Well, does anybody wonder now about his purpose? What about banal intuition? As for me, I'd fire immediately all the stuff!

It seems the watch was an original, and if that's the case, the crook might have a hard time getting rid of it. However, it is not very difficult to do. Having some dollars in the pocket allows this "well-dressed customer" going at least to Mexico, a well-known place for such dirty business.

Hey, folks, has anyone of you seen that guy in any place? If yes, shake his hand on my behalf!

Marilyn Monroe Rolex Watch

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 11:11:11 +0000

Wow! I couldn't even suppose the Rolex watch could bring so much money...I have some friends who admire Rolex. They sent me interesting news about it. It concerns one of the greatest and legendary women Marilyn Monroe.

I'm eager to tell you the details. So, she presented Kennedy with two gifts: the first gift was seen by everybody. I mean the world-known song she performed: "Happy Birthday, mr. President". I am 100 per cent sure you know what I'm talking about...But till the present moment almost nobody knew about her second gift.

It turns out that the great actress presented him a Rolex watch with the inscription "Jack, with love as always from Marilyn May 29th 1962."

The watch was packed in a golden watchcase with the following poem: "Let lovers breathe their sighs/ And roses bloom and music sound/ Let passion burn on lips and eyes/ And pleasures merry world go round/ Let golden sunshine flood the sky/ And let me love/ Or let me die!"

But because of a small nuance that Kennedy was married, he ordered to save him from that gift.

It's funny but the person empowered kept the watch that's why it was recently sold by auction.

Have you already managed to imagine the price? Approximately at least? So, it is $ 120, 000! Not bad, how do you think?

From the beginning auctioneers valued it at $ 40-60 000. But the estimation was wrong, as we can see.

It's also known that an American and a European collector were the main opponents. Finally a person from the USA won.

I guess the collector who purchased this watch was really more in love with the fabulous actress than with the watch itself! Maybe, I should gift my own Rolex to a celebrity to become a celebrity some time as well? Must think about it...

Meteorite Rolex Does Exist!

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 11:11:11 +0000

I consider myself to be a rather down-to-earth person. But when I heard the information I'm going to share with you I've immediately understood that miracles exist. How else is it possible to explain a watch made of meteorite? Unbelievable, isn't it? Though it's true.

Ok, I'll explain you from the very beginning. So, Rolex Watch Company was extremely popular.

It was a cherished dream of everybody to have a Rolex on the wrist.

But at sunset of the XX century it became evident that a consumer satiated with technological novelties. Of course the Company wanted to sell its watches as hot-dogs for hungry people that's why they felt a necessity to invent a new advertising trick. And Rolex has been successful in it.

And to tell you the truth their idea was amazing! Just imagine: in 1988 Rolex launched the first and unique watch made of ... meteorite! Unbelievable, isn't it?

The case and watch crystal represent a finished piece of a small cosmic traveler. What other kinds of miracles can skilled craftsmen perform? There are no limits for human inventiveness and genius, agree?

Of course Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is not a watch to be worn on your wrist. A museum or a reliable lock box of a passionate collector is a right place for it.

But you know what? Rolex has managed to produce the necessary effect by this unusual watch.

New Rolex Jeweled Timepieces

Sun, 10 Jun 2007 11:11:11 +0000

The new Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Special Edition and the Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II successfully combine daring compositions and well-maintained traditional craftsmanship. The cases of the both timepieces are crafted in 18k white gold.

The Datejust Special Edition features an eye-catching bezel paved with black sapphires or diamond baguettes. The originally designed watch's dial reveals 'straps' composed of white diamonds that distinctively contrast with the black background. The white diamonds have replaced the hour-markers. There is a big date window at 3 o'clock. As for the watch's strap, it sports the combination of stingray leather and rubber. The strap is embellished with sparkling diamonds and equipped with a folding clasp.

The Rolex GMT-Master II features a 24-hour rotatable bezel set with jewels. The watch's case lugs and protective shoulders are paved with brilliants. The solid Oyster bracelet is provided with the new Oysterlock security clasp with Easylink comfort extension link. White mother-of-pearl hour markers provide great readability on the black dial. The GMT function is featured by the additional central hand with a triangular tip. the timepiece also provides the date function with a window placed at 3 o'clock.

The new Rolex jeweled watches are the reflection of the company's exclusive art of watchmaking and gem encrusting.

New Audemars Piguet Chronograph for Alinghi Team

Thu, 31 May 2007 11:11:11 +0000

Audemars Piguet has recently introduced a new watch to join its Alinghi series. The timepiece pays tribute to Team Alinghi, the Swiss yachting team that won the America's Cup in 2003. Team Alinghi will be defending the America's Cup at the races in Valencia, Spain, starting June 23. The company has sponsored the team since 2002.

The novel Audemars Piguet creation is called the Royal Oak Offshore Alinghi Team Chronograph. Following the steps of the brand's Polaris launched in 2005, the new chronograph is equipped with a flyback chronograph and countdown regatta timer.

The watch's peculiarity is the fact that it is partially produced from forged carbon. The forged carbon represents a carbon fiber that has been put inside a mold, compressed at a high temperature under pressures over 300 kilos per cubic centimeter. The first watch variation features the forged carbon case and bezel. The other two variations have forged carbon bezels and cases produced from platinum or rose gold.

The Audemars Piguet watchmakers have opted for forged carbon as it is shock-resistant and characterized by chemical stability, including corrosion-resistance. The material's one more advantage is its light weight - the forged-carbon-case model weighs as little as 100 grams. The brand's specialists developed their own method of forged carbon production entirely in-house at the manufacture facility in Le Brassus, Valee de Joux. The eight-sided shape of the case with sharp angles and smooth finishing made their task really complicated.

The first glance at the Team Chronograph will make one notice a few nautical or Alinghi inspired details. The shape of the hands on the chronograph counters reminds the prow of a ship. The watch's dial sports a combination of red accents matching the red color of the Alinghi logo - a red swirl placed at 3 o'clock.

The titanium case back reveals an original relief depicting the Alinghi team during the race. The bezel of the model, the same way as the bezel on every Royal Oak model, is octogonal-shaped and features tiny screws, thus associated with a porthole of a ship. The timepiece goes on a black rubber strap.

In the heart of the Team Chronograph there beats the self-winding AP caliber 2326/2846 operating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. The countdown timer allows the team members to keep track of the all-important 10 minutes prior the sounds of the starting gun. It is found on the right part of the dial.

As for the flyback function, it gives the watch's wearer a chance to stop the chronograph, return it to zero and start it again at once just with one push of the push-piece featured at 4 o'clock. The push of the same button also starts the countdown timer.

All variations of the Royal Oak Offshore Alinghi Team Chronograph are developed in limited editions - 1,300 models with forged-carbon cases, 600 models in rose gold and 107 in platinum.

Updated Version of the Legendary Oyster Perpetual Milgauss

Thu, 17 May 2007 11:11:11 +0000

At present day a lot of people work in environments that are subject to intense magnetic fields. Aerospace industry, research labs, telecommunications and medical imaging are just a few examples of fields that are found under the considerable magnetic influence. Scientists, technicians, engineers and other specialists all need a reliable timepiece that would be well protected from magnetic influences and provide accurate timekeeping. Rolex developed its Oyster Perpetual Milgauss with these people in mind.

The Oyster Perpetual Milgauss bears a French name that implies that the timepiece with an inner 'Faraday cage' case will resist a magnetic flux density of one thousand gauss. The year 2007 marked a new step in evolution of the model. The first model of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Milgauss appeared back in the 1950s, having brought technological progress to focus. The movement of the watch reliably protected by the magnetic shied has been developed to provide exceptional performance even when found under the influence of strong magnetic fields.

In 2007 the Rolex vintage Milgauss celebrated its 50th anniversary. As one could have expected, prices for the extremely rare vintage models available through auction sales are amazingly high. Taking these facts into account, no wonder Rolex has decided to update its legendary Oyster model offering an advantage of anti-magnetic protection. Rolex fans will surely be pleased by the updated model's perfect execution and reasonable price - that is £3,210.

The distinctively orange sweep-seconds hand is designed to remind a lightning-bolt. The black dial features white and orange applied hour markers. The Arabic minute numerals are also in orange. The dial is covered by a green-tinted sapphire crystal that adds a slight trace of stylishness to the dial. The watch goes on a rigorous stainless steel Oyster bracelet.

Rolex GMT Master II Newly Improved 2007 Version

Fri, 04 May 2007 11:11:11 +0000

The year 2006 marked the 50th anniversary of the Rolex GMT Master II. To celebrate the occasion, Rolex launched the anniversary edition of the timepiece. The brand's watchmakers have significantly improved the older version of the GMT Master II. They developed the model with two-tone case - 18k gold and stainless steel. In 2007, at BaselWorld 2007 Watch and Jewelry show, Rolex presented a stainless steel model of the watch.

The Rolex GMT Master II is highly appreciated by Rolex fans as the most practical watch. The timepiece wins numerous hearts due to its elegant design and durability - a perfect timekeeping device for frequent travelers. It displays the time in its owner's home time zone as well as a second time zone. There is also a date window for the home time zone. With the GMT Master II it is really easy to change time for different time zones and switch the date.

What major improvement are featured by the Rolex GMT Master II? First of all, Rolex watchmakers updated the movement. The timepiece is powered by the new caliber 3186. If compared to caliber 3185, it makes the hour hand move much smoother. It has also become possible to set the hour hand more precisely. The watchmakers replaced the main spring with a more temperature resistant one. The case of the timepiece has been made a little taller to provide enough space for the new movement.

The dial design of the Rolex watch has also been changed - now it features the so-called 'maxi-dial', implying larger hour markers and wider minute and hour hands. The 24-hour hand of the stainless steel GMT Master II is distinctively green. The case of the timepiece is equipped with a ceramic bezel. Ceramic makes the bezel more durable and resistant to abrasions and color-fading. The inner part of the bezel reveals the word 'ROLEX' engravings all around its length.

For the GMT Master II, Rolex watchmakers applied the Triplock crown system that has already been used for other Rolex watches, including the Sea-Dweller, Submariner and Yacht-Master. The watch's crown is larger and heavier that means it is more comfortable to grasp. As for the timepiece's Oyster bracelet, it catches the eye due to nicely polished links in the center.

Drop a look at the picture of the watch to make sure the new Rolex GMT Master II is not only technically advanced but also a really beautiful timepiece.

New Generation of Rolex for Yachtsmen

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 11:11:11 +0000

The Rolex Yacht-Master II, a new sports watch for fans of yacht racing, was initially presented at BaselWorld 2007.

Connoisseurs of Rolex watches are aware that every newly renovated model of the brand is characterized by supreme functionality. As the proof of this fact, the company's watchmakers have essentially modified the GMT Master movement if to compare the first GMT Master and the GMT Master II. The GMT Master II makes possible to set the hour hand and the 24-hour hand independently. In comparison to the original Explorer, the Explorer II also features dramatic changes. The timepiece is equipped with the same movement as the GMT Master II, having employed a 24-hour hand and date. As for the Rolex Yacht-Master II, it has become a worthy successor of the original model.

Experienced watch experts consider the first model of the Yacht-Master to be quite a standard watch for diving. The watch displays the bi-directional rotating bezel necessary for tracking the start sequence of a yacht race. Its Triplock crown leaves the case perfectly protected from any water drops.

The new version of the Rolex Yacht Master houses an innovative movement of a really complicated nature. It offers a countdown timer. It is possible to set the timer to start between one and ten minutes for regattas with different start sequences. The countdown timer remembers the value, and when it is reset, the countdown hand goes back to the last set value. Connoisseurs of mechanical timepiece, will surely appreciate such an impressive advantage.

Some of the watch's wearers may consider as a slight drawback the necessity to unscrew the crown for setting the countdown timer. This way the timepiece becomes not really protected from moisture, especially if it is used while sailing. One more thing you will notice about the the watch a big "YACHT-MASTER II" inscription on the bezel the new generation of Rolex watches is distinctively branded.

The Yacht-Master II is a quite complicated piece to operate. It is aimed at real watch aficionados. The timepiece will become a great choice for those who are passionate about yachting and value the watch's aesthetic appeal.

Rolex Yacht-Master II, as the majority of the brand's timepieces, is destined to become a trend-setter in the world of watchmaking. It will be available on the watch market in the beginning of summer. There will be produced the watch's models in yellow or white gold. Their retail price will reach about $ 30,000.