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

Oyster Perpetual Datejust Rolesor

Oyster 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

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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 entirely 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



































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Eric Clapton's Watch Collection

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(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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Rolex Movements

MOVEMENTS

Since the beginning, Rolex used Aegler’s movements , so the firsts ones were powered by jewelled lever movements from Jean Aegler’s factory placed on Rebberg street which later gave the name to the movement. Rebberg movement was introduced in the early years of this century and was initially available with both lever and cylinder escapements.

In 1912, Hans Wilsdorf convinced of the imminent arrival of the wristwatch, gave Hermann Aegler the largest order the firm had ever received. The Rebberg was produced in two different grades, 15 and 7 jewels. The “Rolex 15 Jewels” model featured an all over machined finished to the plates and featured a main winding wheel.

Later, the Rebberg movement was replaced for the Hunter one which production would run almost twice as long. It was first introduced in 1923 in a 10 – ½” size not being recognizable to most of the people because the center wheel bridge is completely different from the later, a more common version. All Hunter movements have a polished rhodium finish. The initial version of the 10 – ½” Hunter was made in 3 different grades: Prima, Extra Prima and Ultra Prima; all of them with 15 jewel movements. The Hunter was the first Rolex movement capable of being timed to chronometer precision. These, were 16, 17 or 18 jewel movements with capped escape jewels, and always had a “Chronometer” sign on its dial.






In 1935 a new Rolex came up with a new patent, the 188077 model: the Superbalance in which timing adjustment screws were recessed from the external surfaces of the balance wheel. The introduction of the Superbalance produce the abandonment of the three grades previously used. The differences were now in the quality of the jewelling.

A visible way of judging the quality of the movement was by looking at the number of adjustments engraved on the main plate. The simplest movements had only two adjustments while better grade movements could have between five to seven adjustments.

From 1935 to 1969, the company produced two iterations of the same 10 – ½” Hunter Calibre: the first one has a much simplified balance wheel and the movements are usually 17 jewels and, the second one, also used this simplified balance wheel and is signed “Rolex 15 jewels Swiss made” on the winding wheel.

The earliest Perpetual models had three immediate factors: the engraving, the rotor and a small slot in the top plate of the frame in order to facilitate the adjustment of the regulator without removing the rotor and its accompanying plate. It was replaced by the “Swiss Made”, engraved around the center retaining screw.
The last original movement was replaced by one that reaches to the edge of the case and it has no longer a movement ring: the Chronometer. By 1944, it changed again adding the signature “oyster Perpetual” for the first time. Then, it changed again from being based on the 9 – ¾” Hunter to the 10 – ½” Hunter. This last version was launched as the calibre 720 and it continued till 1950 when it was changed for the calibre 1030. This last one had a flat rotor, two angled cuts ending in circles and a Rolex coronet engraved on the rotor with the legend “Rolex Perpetual”. The model 1030 wasn’t based on a Hunter movement and it was also the first to wind in both rotor directions. Even though the calibre 1030 was a very successful model for Rolex, because of technology developments, it was replaced in 1957 by the new calibre 1530.

The calibre 1530 featured a flatter rotor with five complete annular cuts and two open cuts. The movement was equipped with a free sprung balance produced by Stella for Rolex and it was timed by screws on the wheel rather than the traditional regulator.




Between 1957 and 1977 the 1500 series was introduced. The first one was the calibre 1535 with a progressive calendar mechanism. This model was followed by the 1555 calibre launched which was then followed by the 1565 GMT. In 1964, with the introduction of the faster beat train, meant the rename of the all the previous ones. The new Milgauss featured the calibre 1580. In 1977, the Datejust was introduced; calibre 3035, capable of improving the exactness of the watches. The calibre 3035 was the first one to be fitted with a “quick set” date wheel.












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Rolex Lady's Watches

THE LADY’S ROLEX

At the very beginning, when Wilsdorf and Davis established the original company, the wristwatches they produced were exclusively for ladies. All of these watches used Aegler movements signed “Rebberg” below the dial. The simple early lady’s watches are classic “transitional” pieces and were tonneau, baguette and rectangular models introduced around 1920. The first ones to incorporate the movement made exclusively for Rolex by Aegler.


During the war years Rolex focused on the production of man’s steel Oyster and the lady’s one were ignored till the Rolex Jubilee in November, 1945, when Rolex introduced two Jubilee models in which was included the lady’s version of the Perpetual, model 4487. Ten years later, at Basel Spring Fair, an Oyster Perpetual Chronometer lady’s version was introduced.














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Rolex Quartz Watches

QUARTZ

(Rolex Oyster Quartz 19018)

Even though Quartz watches are much more accurate than mechanical movements, strangly Rolex produced a few. Strangely, Rolex was one of the first companies to develop quartz movement.
The Quartz Rolex was launched on June 5, 1970 as model 5100, It was the first Rolex production to have a Sapphire crystal and it featured hacking seconds and quick date change. It was an angular shaped and not and Oyster one. It was available in 18 kt gold, both yellow and white.
It is the only model that Rolex ever signed their name on as Rolex was not involved in the construction of the movement.












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Rolex: THE PRESIDENT or DAY-DATE

THE PRESIDENT or DAY-DATE

The Day-Date model 6511 was introduced at Basel fair in 1956. It features a window at 12 spelling the day out in full, allied to the Cyclops date window at 3 o’clock. Even though as the Datejust model, this one was available only in 18 Kt gold or platinum but it was a introduced with a new matching “President” bracelet and that is why it was significantly more expensive than the previous models. The Day-Date model features automatic movement and an additional day and date discs and screwed back. When model 6511, was replaced by 6611, the Day-Date started featuring the new calibre 1055, which, with its free sprung Micro-Stella balance, enabled the new watch to become the first Rolex model to bear the legend “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” on its dial.
When Rolex gave on of these with the designed concealed clasp bracelet to the then-president Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Day-Date started being called the “President”. In order to complete the creation of this major watch Day-Date or by this time President model, Rolex introduced a new case reference number system which is still used nowadays. This new 5th digit added to the model delineated the materials in the watch as it left the factory enabling potential buyers to determine that the timepiece was not a replica.

0 = Stainless steel (not stainless and gold)
1 = Yellow gold – filled
2 = White gold – filled
3 = Steel and tallow gold
4 = Steel and white gold
5 = Gold shell
6 = Platinum
7 = 14 kt gold
8 = 18 kt yellow gold
9 = 18 kt white gold

The newest Day-Date model was introduced at the en of the 90s: the Double Quick Set feature that made possible aligning both the day and date into their proper positions easily. The “Crown collections” are the most expensive watches in Rolex production featuring an expanding variety of precious stones.












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Rolex: THE GMT-MASTER

(Rolex: THE GMT-MASTER)

Pan American Airways was the first airline to make intercontinental flights with the 707 aircraft. Pan- American was worried about the effect of “Jet-Lag” on its pilots to commission a research and as a result, the company asked Rolex to develop a watch that could keep their pilots knowing their home time and the local time to which they had reached. In remarkably short order the task force produced the “G.M.T. Master” (model 6542), named after Greenwich Mean Time, the world’s standard time. The GMT Master featured a 1035 calibre movement upgraded with the addition of a supplementary 24 hour driving wheel. This new movement was called calibre 1065 powered now four hands where the new hand was complemented by a rotable 24 hour bezel. In 1976, approximately, the GMT Master started featuring the hacking second’s movement and a few years later the “quickset” attribute was also added. Finally, the sapphire crystal was added.
The second and newest model was the GMT-Master II, model 16710, featuring the new calibre 3085 movement which allowed the hour hand to be moved forward and backwards in precise one hour jumps without losing the precise accuracy which was usually the reason the watch was bought in the first place.












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ROLEX: THE KEW “A”

In the 50s Rolex undertook the challenge of submitting its watches to the Royal Observatory at Kew for chronometer testing. Almost all of the tested watches passed and received the coveted Kew “A” certificates and the distinction of “especially good results” meaning that they produced rating in the top 20% of the accuracy needed to obtain a Kew “A” certificate. It was confirmed that the daily variation was less than half a second.

After obtaining their certificates, the movements were returned to Switzerland and cased prior to sale. Some of them required multiple testing so it was quite common for watches with sequential movement numbers to have case numbers all over the place

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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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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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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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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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