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Rolex did not have the same commercial success with the Tudor Submariner watch as with its parents, the Rolex 5512 and Rolex 5513 Submariners. Tudor was sold at a fraction of the 5513 cost. As such it was not difficult for the French Navy (La Marine Nationale) to negotiate a well for a significant number of pieces.

Unlike contracts for the U.S. and British Royal Navy, which specified all the characteristics of timepieces from size to materials, the French government contracts were purely commercial contracts. Therefore, the Marine Nationale (or M.N.) provided its divers with many different watches including Zenith, Doxa, Longines, Rolex, Blancpain, Beuchat, Auricoste and many others. But that’s another story.

Early on, the French Navy equipped its divers (plongeurs de bord) with Tudor Submariners. The first Tudor was purchased from Rolex by the M.N. in the late 60’s. This model seemed to meet army specifications for Commando Marines. It was then the classic “rose” model watch, featuring case reference 7928 and the Rolex-derived 390 movement. Curiously, this model had the same sharp crown shoulders as the first Rolex 5512. The back is prominent and flat (unlike the bubble-back-like of that of further models). These models do not hack, but backwards action will stop the movement.

Unfortunately, Rolex kept no manufacturing records for these watches, and therefore, it remains difficult to date them accurately. A good indication is the date marked inside the back (something like I-67, for first quarter 1967, according to Rolex).

Ironically, the same model was issued by the U.S. Navy to their UDT and Navy Seals . Like their American cousins, the M.N. Tudors were always issued “head only.” The absence of any sign of wear between lugs that a metal bracelet might have produced is a good clue for purists.

In 1974, the M.N. started to extensively equip their commando marines with Tudor submariner watches. From this point, most of the watches (except a few, for some “sterile” reasons) are marked on the back MN 19xx or MNxx. This date -1974- is very important from a collector’s point of view. This transitional model (case reference 7016/0) always has a black dial and “square” or “diamond hands”. The case back is slightly different from subsequent models in that it retains somewhat of a “bubble back” Rolex look. The movement is now an ETA 2483, non-hack, no longer found on the earlier models. Of course, the rose is no longer the Tudor emblem, replaced in the late 60’s by the current shield.

The poor quality of the dial coating and its vulnerability to moisture led Rolex to propose another dial. Starting in 1975 dials with a blue finish were introduced by Rolex which had much better tolerability to water. This watch had square then “Mercedes” style markers and hands. These blue dials proved to be an excellent choice in that the dials were coated with an enameled material which prevents aging.

I don’t know of any model issued after 1983. Most of The Tudor submariners were auctioned by the army, according to their date of end of service. Some of them are being destroyed manually by troopers.

Tags: rolex watch watches tudor french+navy diving

The wristwatch was now to be a welcome addition to the company’s success.  From that point on, Wilsdorf made and sold watches. He soon decided that the wristwatch should be available for the general public, stylish, affordable, and accurate. He also created a variety of case designs that ranged from sporty to formal or casual. Eventually, the wristwatch became an accessory no well dressed male or female would be without.

This Rolex Explorer II has faired well over the last five years. I have only had it serviced once in this time, to have a spring in the mechanism replaced, which took a month!
The hands have the luminescence stuff along with 11 dots! So you can tell the time at night! WOW! A red dual time hand does one full rotation in 24 hours and is quite useful if you need to refer to a different time zone. An outer bezel with the 24 hours marked is fixed and non rotate able.
The non-scratch sapphire crystal face is still in perfect condition after many a knock. The watch has a date with a bubble on the screen to magnify. The bracelet is stainless steel and is very comfortable to wear. Surface scratches to the under side are evident but nothing major and in fact become part of the character of the watch. These can be polished out if returned to A and E Watches for a service. I have worn this Rolex Explorer II everyday for the last five years and to be honest apart from the minor scratching still looks as good as the day I purchased.

The Rolex Explorer II is very easy to set up including the dual time. It keeps time very well and only needs to be adjusted every couple of months. Obviously the date has to be corrected for every month, which doesn’t have 31 days. The watch is automatic so needs no winding, except for the everyday movement on your wrist. If you don’t wear it, it will continue working for about 24 hours before stopping.
Waterproof to a ridiculous depth! Cant remember exactly but one hundred meters seems to ring a bell? Plenty of capacity for a dip in the pool on your holiday and wont stop in the bath!
A few comments were made about wearing your watch in less salubrious areas, i.e. you might get mugged! But mine has been everywhere, from downtown Johannesburg to the back waters of Mozambique and currently in the slums of Manila. To date no problems, the Explorer is not quite so instantly recognizable as the Submariner, but I get plenty of comments from people who appreciate a good watch! My personal philosophy is if you are going to spend that much money, you might as well wear it and enjoy it.
Why buy one? Good question, personally I am not into male jewelry. All a man needs is a good watch and perhaps a wedding ring (if you want to go down that road.) The less the better. You cant get much more exclusive than a Rolex for the money. You can go for some of the other premium brands, but nothing says it better than Rolex (in my humble opinion).
Cost of ownership, like I said it cost $3500 plus a service of $200 which totals out at $3700. Over five years that has cost me $740 per year. That is $2 per day. That is cheaper than a coffee at Starbucks!
But if you look on Ebay, a second hand Rolex Explorer II will still cost you in excess of $3500! So with its intrinsic second hand value, it has cost me nothing to wear something as special as this, for the last five years. A worthwhile and enjoyable experience by any stretch of the imagination and getting cheaper by the day!

tagsrolex, explorer, used rolex, explorer II, luxury watch, watch, wrist watch/tags

This has been a topic of debate lately, and I think it is rather simple to keep your Rolex and other luxury watches clean.

Soap and water is what has been working for more than 15 years on all my luxury watches with bracelets. I will say that using a dish washing detergent is not advised as people have stated that the grease cutting properties will dry out the gaskets prematurely. Even when you clean your bracelet often there is no reason why a gentle hand soap and your fingers can’t wash your watch well. If you use a moisturizing soap for your hands and that doesn’t dry out your hands then your bracelet and watch will not be harmed. I wash my Rolex GMT very often and have had no problems with any accumulation. Be certain the crown is tightened and can not come undone. Look for any signs of condensation and if some is evident than bring the timepiece in for repair. These are only some tips that have worked for me – there are other methods for cleaning a high end watch. Other people might use a gentle brush, but this has never been necessary for me.

tagsclean, maintain, rolex, cartier, watch/tags

For the past eighty-four years, innovation, craftsmanship, and excellence are the trademark of the Rolex Watch Company. From its inception and dedication to furthering the standards of the industry in watchmaking, its timepieces remain items of luxury, precision, and beauty.

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner is a line of watches manufactured by Rolex, made for underwater use such as diving the watch is water resistant. Created in the mid 1950’s The Submariner was the initial watch considered water resistant and each completes a high pressure test underwater. This is one watch from the very popular Rolex Oyster Perpetuals.

The watch has gone with explorers on sea and land to many extreme places. During a diving trip one stood up to over a thousand dives. The eminent scientist, Thor Heyerdal used a Submariner during his 1970 journey. The Submariner was the watch of choice for James Bond in his first nine movies.

The original Submariner was certified for depths of 330 feet but the watch was later upgraded and was more waterproof and the insides were improved. On the eve of The Submariner’s 50th birthday Rolex released a new design. It has a green bezel and large dial. The Submariner is waterproof to a maximum depth of 300 metres/1000 ft. If your watch has three dots on the crown then it is protected by the Triplock system of three gaskets it will then be able to tighten against the case tube as well as the Oyster case for a better seal. The case itself is made of 904L stainless, platinum or gold. 904L is an alloy that cuts the destructive effects of water. Rolex only uses gold that was created in their own foundry so that they can continue to find the best methods.

The Submariner utilizes a unidirectional bezel that enables the diver to calculate immersion time. Since the bezel only rotates counterclockwise the elapsed time can only become shorter in case of accidental bezel motion. There is a mechanism that spins inside the watch as you move through your day, this is the part that makes the watch Perpetual, it is turning and the movements are transferred to a spring where the energy is stored for those times that the watch is still, it can keep running up to three days. Each Rolex Submariner has a movement that is a certified Swiss chronometer. The Rolex calendar advances itself very simply each midnight. The Rolex Sea-Dweller,introduced in 1971,is a heavier-duty version of the Submariner in steel, with a thicker case and crystal. To this watch Rolex built in a helium escape valve for use in saturation diving. These watches are rated for dives as deep as 4000 feet.

tagsrolex, submariner, watch, wristwatch, dive, dive watch, sea dweller/tags

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SYDNEY, Sept. 11 UPI A Rolex watch acquired by a prisoner in the German camp depicted in the movie The Great Escape was auctioned Monday in Australia.WWII P.O.W. Mementos Auctioned UPI

With Wilsdorf, Rolex has progressed in many ways until this day. Starting from pocket watches to high excellence water-resistant guard, Rolex has grown to become one of the free guard companies known to man.
The name Rolex had grown a rapid sum of conviction, considerably. In the year 1925, after an thorough promotion campaign, The Rolex attribute was inauguration and by 1927, all Rolex sentinel were booming the name inside the case and the measure and dial.

Throughout history, people have discovered ways to improve the quality of watchmaking. Developing, manufacturing, and market time itself, was Hans Wilsdorf desire. Through Hans’ determination, Rolex came alive and progressed to be the most unusual company of its kind. Giving the highest quality and craftsmanship in his products.

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Anyone who enjoys scuba diving will want to look into owning a diving watch. Though offerings are really along more of a continuum, there are two basic types to investigate.

Any watch labeled ‘diving watch’ will have to satisfy one obvious basic criteria above all. It will need to be able to withstand the pressure from diving without leakage.

Watches are commonly rated 30M or 50M, indicating they should be able to stand up to water pressure at a depth of 30m or 50m (about 100ft or 150ft). But those measurements are made under very carefully controlled laboratory conditions of static pressure. Movement substantially increases the pressure on the watch.

So, any diving watch will have to be rated 200M at minimum in order to stand up to even a casual dive without the case getting leakage from water. When even a small amount of water gets inside a watch parts can rust, electronic systems short circuit or moving parts gum up and fail.

One of the reasons a true diving watch needs to be extremely well sealed, though, is not just to keep out water. Deep dives can result in the need to spend time in a decompression chamber. Those chambers use helium under pressure as part of ‘the cure’ and it’s much harder to keep helium out of a watch than water. Though it’s an inert (and therefore, non-reactive) gas, it can still interfere with the watch’s functions, so infiltration needs to be avoided.

Beyond the basic of having to stand up to deep water (or gas) pressure, the case and crystal need to be strong enough to not crack or gap if you tap it against something. It can be hard to see at even just 3 fathoms (18ft, 5.5m), and there are lots of rough, hard things under the surface to brush or bang against. A casual tap shouldn’t cause your watch to leak.

The second category of diving watches goes well beyond this simple physical requirement. They provide functions that are amusing on the surface, but essential during a dive. More advanced diving watches are as much dive computer as they are a timekeeping piece.

Any diver needs to know how long he can stay under, both because of air limitations and because of the possibility of decompression sickness (‘the bends’) or nitrogen narcosis and other effects. That can be measured by an ordinary clock, but it’s important to have more than that.

One simple mechanism that you should look for is the use of a rotating bezel. That’s a small dial that you can set at the beginning of the dive. As the minute hand sweeps, it essentially acts as a visual timer. When the hand meets the pre-set number, you’re out of time.

How long you can stay under depends not only on the elapsed time, though, but also on what you’ve done during the dive. It depends on how long you swim at a given level, whether you dive straight down and move horizontally or make angles and lots of ascents and descents. That’s pretty typical dive behavior and a good diving watch/computer will take account of it dynamically.

It’s possible to calculate that approximately before you go down, and every diver should. But there’s nothing better than real-time measurements under actual conditions. A good diving watch will have functions that perform accurate measurements and automatic calculations. It should also be able to display that information clearly under poor visibility conditions.

Fortunately, thanks to excellent technology, there are dozens of brands, models and styles in a range of prices that provide those benefits. Anyone who spends even a modest amount of time looking will find a diving watch that fits them like a great wetsuit. However the original dive watch, The Rolex Submariner, is still manufactured today and is available. It is still the top of the line.

tagsrolex, submariner, watch, wristwatch, dive, dive watch/tags

What is the last luxury item you bought for yourself?

Watches these days are mostly electronic. For many years now they’ve required batteries to power their functions. But watch batteries can be expensive and fail at the worst time. You may buy a watch for $20 and spend another $20 on batteries over its wearable lifetime. Batteries can also, in rare cases, corrode and ruin your watch.

Battery-less watches to the rescue!

Seiko’s Kinetic, and other models, feature a mechanism that allows you to power an electronic watch without a battery. Similar mechanisms, such as so-called self-winding watches, have been around for decades actually. The first such mechanism was designed in the 18th century, and the modern type was patented in 1923. Rolex took it the next level in 1930 and The Rolex Oyster Perpetual self winding watch endures today.

Shaking the watch, or movement from normal wearing, caused a small, mechanical piece to wind a spring. But those were strictly for watches with mechanical timekeeping devices – springs, used to power the oscillator or balance wheel.

The newer technology is similar in that it still uses mechanical motion. But in this case – like a miniature dynamo – it uses that movement to generate electricity that is then stored in a capacitor. Capacitors are tiny electronic devices that store current, but for much shorter periods than batteries. Also, unlike batteries, they don’t generate electricity on their own.

Other powering technology has been around for a long time. Solar powered watches, for example, have been common for over 20 years. But solar watches, though they don’t require an outside power source, still have a battery. In that case, the watch has a photo-receptor cell and associated circuit that charge the onboard battery.

A solar-powered watch without a battery (with rare exceptions) would run down quickly without a long-term storage feature, such as a battery. The exceptions are very expensive, high-end capacitors used for space applications and other specialized purposes. Citizen, for example, has a range of solar-powered models, but they have batteries.

Some recent designs even use the temperature difference between the skin and air to create a current. That current is used to power the watch.

In the electronic, battery-less watch the timing mechanism is essentially the same as any other electronic watch. The current powers a quartz timing mechanism, which vibrates when a voltage is applied. A circuit senses that vibration and turns the oscillations into mechanical movement of hands or changes an LCD display.

Whether these are the wave of the future or not depends more on market forces than technology. Certainly, having a watch that never requires replacing the battery is a value. But there are lithium-iodine batteries in use in some applications that will now last for 20 years. That makes widespread adoption of the technology as much a matter of advertising as it is a technical advantage.

Perhaps Rolex did it best over 80 years ago. Their watch is self winding and runs on precision mechanical parts that last lifetimes.
That said, the idea of a self powered electronic watch itself is very cool. For those gadget freaks it is another advantage in that these models offer several different ways of monitoring the remaining power. Capacitors naturally ‘bleed off’ stored current over time, unless recharged. That indicator can itself be an attractive feature, for those who like checking.

Not many people need a wristwatch these days – yet watches continue to sell like iPods. Most people now have a cell phone that will give the the time. A wristwatch is still part of our daily fashion statement and convenience. How come?

It is up for discussion, however remember that they make a great accessory when dressing. Well dressed folks still wear a personal timepiece of some kind.

In this day and age it is not surprising that luxury watches still sell well. Traditional watch makers like Rolex still make watches that are worth more everyday.

The cheap plastic watch can be most daring in its fashion statement. Many of these models are chock full of features. Day and date is always there. But they also do double, triple or hundred-fold duty as well. They can be helpful as a stopwatch. Now they also might tell you where you are if lost.

These features do more than their tasks – the subtlety is that the person wearing a watch like this needs the most modern accessory. The watch proclaims for its wearer that they are important and need the latest gadget.

High end varieties with gold make their own statement which carries its own message. Gold with precious stones and a gold band is good way to stand out and say… You want it. Go get it for yourself. Which is possible. High end can be affordable.

Perhaps you would like a classic Cartier for yourself Or you might prefer a newer watch as a fashion statement. Whichever look is your favorite you will find a watch you like.

Now you have more decisions. As much as the watch is a fashion statement the same is true of the band. You may enjoy the rich, supple brown lizard skin with the series of striped rectangles. Or you could get alligator in different shades. You may be truly daring and opt for the shark.

Straps come in fabric, animal skin, metal… all kinds of materials. You may like the cool feel of canvas. Perhaps you would like something that lasts longer like metal. Some people like more of a novelty watch that says something about them.

Whichever your preference, you can bet there’s a strap to suit your taste.

Modern watches are accessible and good looking in many varieties. It’s lightweight, elegant, personal and incredibly accurate. It has style and can be a beautiful addition to your wardrobe, changing your whole look. Or, you could be the intellectual type who really knows how to use all those functions on your hi tech watch. Take the plunge.

Get a watch and show the world what you’re made of.

tagsrolex, watch, wristwatch, wrist watch, fashion, cartier, strap, band,/tags

When Wilsdorf & Davis, the company that became Rolex, sold their first watches they were delivered with blank dials. It was up to the retailer to put their own name on the dial. Many of these watches had porcelain dials and when they were printed with the dealer’s name it had to be printed on top of the enamel. This meant that any cleaning of the dial would result in the name quickly coming off. Which is why so many of the enamel dials we find today are completely blank; although many have been repainted with the “Rolex” name.

These early watches come from the period between 1905 (when Rolex was founded) and 1919 (when they moved their facility from London to Geneva). During this period the vast majority of their watches were sold in Britain and to a lesser extent in the far flung colonies of the British Empire. Rolex were still a new company and most of the stores had been in business for a long time; so people would have more faith in a watch with the name of “The Goldsmiths Company” or “Asprey” on the dial than in an unheard of company such as Rolex; although (of course) the movements and cases were signed Rolex.

These co-branded early Rolex models are today worth a great deal of money to knowledgeable collectors.

Where’s My Rolex?

A lawyer opened the door of his BMW, when suddenly a car came along and hit the door, ripping it off completely. When the police arrived at the scene, the lawyer was complaining bitterly about the damage to his precious BMW. “Officer, look what they’ve done to my Beeeemer!!!”, he whined. “You lawyers are so materialistic, you make me sick!!!” retorted the officer, “You’re so worried about your stupid BMW, that you didn’t even notice that your left arm was ripped off!!!” “Oh my gaaad….”, replied the lawyer, finally noticing the bloody left shoulder where his arm once was, “Where’s my Rolex?”

It is not surprising that the Rolex GMT Master II is not the most popular of all Rolex watches. Especially the model with the red and blue bezel, often called the “Pepsi” model, because of it resemblance to their emblem. The fashion conscious might choose a more standard Rolex look such as the venerable Submariner or a Cosmograph Daytona. Even the all black bezel version of The GMT Master II might be a safer choice. But for the true collector the red and blue bezel has the distinctive look of the old time GMT Master and a it makes a strong statement. To watch lovers they either love or hate this model.

Besides its fashion appeal this is a very functioal piece of equipment for the regular traveler. It works this way! Set the red arrow “GMT” hand to match the hour it would be at home, but matching it to the corresponding hour on the 24 hr. graduated markings on the bi-directionally rotating bezel. Next, set the “standard” hour hand (the one with the Mercedes symbol) to the time of whatever time zone you’re in currently. As you move between time zones, you can move the “standard” hour hand up or back in hour increments – without actually stopping the movement to do it. The beauty of the GMT Master II functionality is the ability to adjust the time without having to stop the second hand. It is this functionality that separates watches like the Rolex GMT Master II, and the Omega Seamaster GMT from other, lesser functioning watches.

One of the design features which are a point of criticism for the GMT Master II is the crown size. The Rolex “Twinlock” crown used on the GMT Master II is smaller, and less water resistant than the Triplock crown used on the Submariner and Sea-Dweller. The GMT Master II has a water resistance rating of 100 meters, or about 330 feet. From a functional standpoint, I do not find the smaller Twinlock crown difficult to use, and given that it’s designed to be a pilot’s watch and not a dive watch, the water resistance rating is appropriate. However, the more sizable Triplock crown is such a joy to use, and is more aesthetically pleasing, so it’s understandable that many would like to see it incorporated into the Master II.

Like all stainless steel Rolex sport watches, the GMT Master II comes with the standard Rolex Oyster bracelet, complete with adjustable links held in place by actual screws. Since 2000, Rolex has fitted the Oyster bracelet on the GMT Master II with solid end links (SELs) which are a great improvement. The flip lock clasp is a variation of the same clasp used on the Submariner and Sea-Dweller, but it’s slightly shorter and doesn’t have the dive suite extension link found on the Sub/Dweller. I do hope that Rolex will soon add the same upgraded clasp currently used on the Daytona on the rest of the Rolex sport line. The current clasp looks good closed, but looks flimsy and feels cheap when opened.

Even though the blue and red bezel GMT Master II may not appeal to all watch enthusiasts I think of it as authentic Rolex. The GMT complication makes it a great travel companion for work or play. Some may consider the bright red and blue bezel to garish for “dress up” but the white gold markers and classic Rolex black dial give the watch just enough class to go well with the right power tie.

tags/rolex, luxury,watch,wristwatch,wrist,GMT,pre-owned,used/tags

so the neighbour ask her these are 2 beautiful Rotweilers, why did you name the Rolex and Timex so the blond goes heelllooo the are watch dogs”

General Information

Price: $22,200.00
Item Number RMDAY05
Manufacturer Rolex
Model Style Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph
Ownership Unused
Gender Men
Metal 18kt White Gold
Dial Color/Style Sodalite with Diamond Hour Markers
Bezel Style 18kt white gold
Band Style Leather strap
Buckle Style Deployment 18kt white gold
Documentation Invoice with identification numbers
Warranty 24 Months
Crystal Sapphire

Additional Information:

This watch is new, never-worn; in superb condition and will be shipped with the Rolex inner-outer box, tags, owners manual and 2-year buckle-to-buckle warranty.

See watch of the day!

tagswatch, rolex, wristwatch, luxury watch/tags

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch is, by any measure, a timeless classic. The Oyster Perpetual sold for all of $125 in 1965. That’s about $750 in today’s dollars. A new comparable watch (another Oyster Perpetual or an Air-King) would sell for about $3,000 today. Despite steady price increases, Rolex watches are in such demand now that you’re likely to pay full retail for a new one. You may even have to order the exact watch you want.
So why do I use the cliche “timeless classic” to describe the Oyster Perpetual? There are three things about a Rolex watch that makes them timeless.
Quality. They are one of the highest quality watches in the world. Although there are plenty of comparable and probably even a few superior brands out there, in a fair fight,they can hold its own against just about anything.
Design. The look of Rolex watches doesn’t change much over time which means they will function for additional generations. They also will still look like relative modern automatic watches rather than ancient family heirlooms.
Brand. Whether you like a Rolex watch or not, there is no denying their popularity. They are one of the most recognized and sought after brands in the world. Although their demand is what makes them expensive and often difficult to get, it is also what makes them sound investments.

It is always good for people who are considering purchasing a Rolex to consider other brands of watches, as well. There are several other comparable brands out there which are much less expensive and that will serve precisely the same purpose. In the end, though, if you are sure you want quality, craftsmanship, tradition, beauty, and brand, you can’t go wrong with a Rolex watch.

tagsrolex, oyster+perpetual, watch, rolex+watch, watches/tags

What exactly are luxury watches and how are they different from ordinary ones?
Unlike ordinary timepieces, luxury watches are those made from the finest materials. Most are designer watches; these may or may not be diamond watches, but they definitely include precious metals and more often than not, More »