The Rolex Daytona Cosmograph, originally designed to measure the average speed of cars and took its name Daytona after the famous racing beach in Miami. When referring to Cosmograph its origin come from the greek Kόσμος “cosmos”, that is translated as the world. For the Greeks Cosmograph is the science that maps the general feature of the Κόσμος (world) and the universe. Literary Cosmos in greek κόσμος — the world & graph in greek γραφή that means write, so in greek Cosmograph comes from the connection of this two world.
ROLEX COSMOGRAPH RAINBOW
In 2012 Rolex introduced the famous COSMOGRAPH ‘RAINBOW’ DAYTONA in yellow and white gold under the REF 116598RBOW. Its amazing and luxurious aesthetics with its multi color sapphires around the bezel accompanied with the diamond set at the lugs and the crown guards set high standards in the watch industry. It is important to mention that each stone is carefully hand picked in order to secure the high quality that Rolex represents. In. 2018 Rolex is adding the Everose gold edition under the reference 116595 RBOW.
In 2018 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “Rainbow” Everose Gold was added to Rolex Collection. The watch was loved by many celebrities.
ROLEX COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA 116595
ROLEX COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA RAINBOW Ref. 116599RBOW
Introduced in 2013 another yet amazing Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Rainbow that combines in the most awesome way the sporty and luxurious aesthetic. Difficult not to be spotted among the crowd this unique limited edition Rainbow takes your style in a totally new level.
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The ROLEX SUBMARINER MISLUB can be considered a historic watch with a fascinating story to tell. When the first series of ref. 6538 Submariners was given to the divers of the Royal Marines’ Special Boat Squadron (later renamed to Special Boat Service), the divers reported that it was extremely difficult to rotate the bezel as they were wearing their diving gloves. Also they expressed the need for a watch with a solid strap that it would be more convenient to wear while diving.
In order to fulfil this request Rolex decided to create a special model just for them with ROLEX SUBMARINER MISLUB. This was the beginning of the very limited collection that counted only 21 watches and that would be the base of the amazing the Submariner Reference 6538. The watch was named therefore Mislub under the Reference A/6538.
ROLEX Submariner MISLUB Ref A/6538
ROLEX SUBMARINER MISLUB and Public
As ROLEX SUBMARINER MISLUB was only produced for military reasons it was never available for the public, therefore from the beginning was considered a highly collectable watch. As there was only 21 watches produced there were all produced at the same time therefore all the watches have the same manufacturing date of the final quarter of 1957.
ROLEX SUBMARINER MISLUB Characteristics
As the divers asked for a specific bezel that would be easy to rotate while wearing their diving gloves Rolex created a bezel that was more extended making it much more helpful for the divers. The new bezels were made of German Silver, the dials were kept the same the only difference was that Rolex decided to replace the 200m=660ft with the 200/660 and change the color lettering of the Submariner with red.
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Hans Wilsdorf is considered as one of the legends in watch history, he is the visionary founder of Rolex. As we begin the journey back in time, let’s unravel the remarkable story of a young gentleman whose creativity and persistence in excellence changed for ever the world of watchmaking.
ROLEX Hans Wilsdorf
Early Life of HANS WILSDORF
Hans Wilsdorf’s amazing journey in this world began on the 22nd of March in 1881 in the streets of Kulmbach, Germany. A young man that kept a creative eye in the traditional world of watch manufacturing and transform it to a world of luxury, adventure and precision. In the early stage of his journey everyone could understand that this young men came to stay and his spirit could change for ever their world.
But Why ROLEX?
This tricky question was answered by HANS WILSDORF and we quote:
“I tried combining the letters of the alphabet in every possible way. This gave me some hundred names, but none of them felt quite right. One morning, while riding on the upper deck of a horse-drawn omnibus along Cheapside in the City of London, a genie whispered ‘Rolex’ in my ear.”
The Birth of ROLEX
In 1905, the idea of Rolex was conceived and this was the beginning of this long journey that holds now over a century. Hans Wilsdorf passion for innovation led to the development of the first waterproof and dust proof watch, a groundbreaking achievement that solidified Rolex’s reputation for unparalleled craftsmanship.
HANS WILSDORF Precision
Wilsdorf’s commitment to precision gave the ability to Rolex to stand out quickly. An important milestone was the introduction of the Oyster Perpetual in 1931, featuring a self-winding mechanism, that changed the watch history forever. This innovation not only enhanced accuracy but also was the birth of the automatic watches.
HANS WILSDORF Excellence
Under Wilsdorf’s guidance, Rolex became a status symbol that reflected the excellence in each field it was involved. Each Rolex timepiece was a statement and a sign of his commitment to quality, setting the brand among the top of the watch industry. In 1910, Rolex was the first watch manufacturing company that received the Swiss Certificate of Chronometric Precision, by the Official Watch Rating Centre in Vienne.
Legacy of Mr Rolex
Hans Wilsdorf’s legacy lives on in every Rolex watch till now. His creativity and perfectionism left an indelible mark on the world of horology and change it for ever. Without HANS WILSDORF the watch industry would not be the same.
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The Rolex “Bond Submariner” watch 6538 is the original Submariner to be featured in James Bond/007 films. Both Connery and Roger Moore sported a number of different Sub references during their respective tenures, but it’s the first model 007 wore as he set about ruining Dr. No’s plans for world domination that will be forever be known as the Bond Submariner, a vintage Rolex Submariner that is incredibly hard to find.
The Iconic Rolex Submariner 6538: A Legacy of Bond Films and Collector Prestige
The 6538 gained a lot of attention among Rolex fanatics. With its unique black, rotating bezel, an amazing added feature since the watch’s inception, it was influenced by Rolex’s own Turn-O-Graph ref. 6202. The ref. 6538 was produced with a massive variation of different dials with tiny changes concerning the color or the amount of text, assuming that these changes that we can notice were randomly produced.
Among the most immediately noticeable differences between certain types of watches is whether they have what is known as 2-line or 4-line dials.
Produced between 1954 and 1959, the 38 mm tonneau thinner-shaped Oyster case features more beveled lugs, a screw back, and a large screw-down crown. It is waterproof under water pressure up to an impressive 300 meters or 1000 feet. The Rolex Submariner 6538, with its caliber 1030 nickel-finished lever and 25-jewel movement, became the first of the brand’s calibers to gain official chronometer status, winning certification after challenging testing from the COSC. While all Submariner 6538 watches are highly popular among watch collectors, one is getting more attention than the others and is highly collectable and hard to get due to its limited production and 4-line dial.
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“ROLEX SUBMARINER Big Crown REF 6200” made its debut in 1954, it took on the nickname Big Crown because of its large crown. The need for the Big Crown on the 6200 was due to the need to create a watch with thick gloves in heavy-duty situations. What is also interesting is that many of the 6200 have military provenance.
ROLEX SUBMARINER BIG CROWN 6200.png
ROLEX SUBMARINER BIG CROWN Ref 6200 Dives in that Watch Legacy
The Rolex Submariner 6200 is a legend in the vintage Rolex collecting community. There were only a small number of productions (approximately around 300 were produced by Rolex) in a tied serial range of 31.9xx–32.2xx. The Submariner 6200 came in three different dial versions. In some cases, you can find the big logo and “Oyster Perpetual” text under 12 o’clock, while in others, you can notice a smaller logo and text, or some may have the “SUBMARINER” label above 6 o’clock while others don’t.
In 2013, Christie’s sold a Submariner ref. 6200 with “Officially Certified Chronometer” text under the “Submariner” label for CHF 485,000. This model is the first Submariner with 200 meters of water resistance, featuring an A296 caliber. The auction house stated that this is the only known example of the Submariner 6200 to include the “OCC” text.
According to Rolex collectors, if you ask them, what is the most important diving watch—the holy grail of all subs? They will all answer the big crown 6200. The Paul Newman Daytona of Submariners watches!
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The Rolex “Root Beer” is a popular nickname given to certain watches that feature a distinct brown and gold color scheme. This nickname originated from the resemblance of the watch’s bezel to the color of root beer, a popular carbonated beverage.
Its history can be traced back to the 1960s, when Rolex introduced a new variation of their GMT-Master watch. The GMT-Master was originally designed for pilots and allowed them to track time in different time zones simultaneously. The watch featured a rotating bezel with a 24-hour scale, allowing the wearer to read a second time zone by aligning it with the GMT hand.
By the time of the ’80s, Hollywood was beginning to create iconic stars, one of them was Clint Eastwood, who stated that the Root Beer was one of his favorites, he even used it in several of his films such as Firefox (Firefox, 1982), Tightrope (1984) and In the line of fire (1993)
ROLEX FISRT GMT
The first Rolex GMT-Master “Root Beer” made its debut in the 1960s with reference 1675/3. It had a two-tone bezel with alternating brown and gold segments, giving it a unique and distinctive appearance. The brown color of the bezel was created by using anodized aluminum, which provided durability and a rich hue.
Rolex GMT, Root Beer Ref. 1675
ROLEX ROOT BEER through the 70s
Rolex continued to produce different variations throughout the years. In the 1970s, they introduced the reference 16753, which featured a new case design that also had a date function. This model was also available in a two-tone configuration, with a mix of stainless steel and yellow gold.
In the 1980s, they updated the design with the introduction of the reference 16713. This model retained the brown and gold bezel but featured a slimmer case profile and improved movement. It was crafted from a combination of stainless steel and 18k yellow gold, giving it a luxurious and refined aesthetic.
RECENT YEARS
Rolex has reintroduced the theme in their GMT-Master II collection several years ago. At Baselworld 2018, they presented the GMT-Master II reference 126711CHNR, often referred to as the “Root Beer” or “Root Beer II.” This model featured a brown and black ceramic bezel with a two-tone Everose gold and stainless steel case and bracelet.
This collection has gained a strong following among watch enthusiasts due to its distinctive color scheme, luxurious materials, and Rolex’s reputation for exceptional craftsmanship and precision. The combination of brown and gold gives the watch a warm and sophisticated appeal, making it a sought-after timepiece in the luxury watch market.
The name has become synonymous with Rolex watches that feature a brown and gold bezel, and while the specific references and design details may vary over the years, the essence of the Root Beer remains an iconic and desirable part of the watchmaking legacy.
Today, however, Rolex makes a modern bezel in black and brown ceramic, fitted to Everose gold (ref. 126715CHNR) or two-tone Everose gold and steel GMT-Master II (ref. 126711CHNR) watches. CHNR is short for the French words for chocolate and black, “chocolat/noir”.
Important Milestones
Rolex GMT-Master “Root Beer” Reference 1675/3: This was one of the earliest iterations of the theme, introduced in the 1960s. It featured a two-tone bezel with alternating brown and gold segments, crafted from anodized aluminum.
Rolex GMT-Master “Root Beer” Reference 16753: This model was introduced in the 1970s and featured a two-tone stainless steel and yellow gold construction. It had an updated case design and included a date function.
Rolex GMT-Master II “Root Beer” Reference 16713: Released in the 1980s, this version featured a brown and gold bezel along with a slimmer case profile. It was crafted from stainless steel and 18k yellow gold, offering a luxurious appeal.
Rolex GMT-Master II “Root Beer” Reference 126711CHNR: This model was unveiled at Baselworld 2018 and is often referred to as the “Root Beer II.” It featured a brown and black ceramic bezel, a two-tone Everose gold and stainless steel case, and bracelet. It represented the modern interpretation of the theme.
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The Rolex “Coke” is a term used to refer to certain watches that feature a black and red color scheme, reminiscent of the iconic Coca-Cola logo. The nickname “Coke” was given to these watches due to their resemblance to the brand’s distinctive colors.
The history of the Rolex Coke can be traced back to the Rolex GMT-Master collection. The GMT-Master II was introduced in the 1980s as an updated version of the original GMT-Master, offering enhanced functionality and design.
Rolex GMT-Master II “Coke”
The first Rolex GMT-Master II “Coke” Reference 16760 was introduced in the mid-1980s. This is the only GMT with reference 16760 in the history of Rolex that only had this unique coke bezel from 1984-1989, previous models were launched with all 3 bezels (black, pepsi and coke).
This model featured a black dial, a black and red bezel insert, and a stainless steel case and bracelet. The red portion of the bezel represented the daytime hours, while the black portion represented the nighttime hours. With its magnificent design and with a strong and powerful presence due to its color combination the watch was an immediate success.
In the late 1980s, a new version of Coke was released with reference 16710, which also included a “Coke” variant. This model continued the black and red bezel color scheme as the previous models, but with updated design elements such as improved luminous hour markers and hands. Reference 16710 was available in both stainless steel and two-tone (stainless steel and gold) configurations making it more appealing to the watch enthusiasts.
ROLEX COKE GMT-Master II Reference 16710LN 2000
In 2005, Rolex introduced the GMT-Master II reference 16710LN, commonly known as the “Coke” due to its black and red bezel. This model featured a new scratch-resistant black ceramic bezel insert and an updated bracelet design. It was crafted from stainless steel and had a black dial.
ROLEX GMT COKE
However, it’s important to note that in 2018, Rolex made changes to the bezel colors in the GMT-Master II collection. The black and red “Coke” bezel was replaced with a black and blue bezel, creating a new variation known as the “Batman” due to its resemblance to the colors of the superhero’s costume.
While the specific references and designs may have changed over the years, the GMT Coke has become an iconic and sought-after timepiece among watch enthusiasts. Its striking black and red color scheme, combined with Rolex’s renowned quality and precision, have contributed to its popularity and desirability in the luxury watch market.
ROLEX COKE Important Milestones
Rolex GMT-Master II Reference 16760: This model, introduced in the mid-1980s, featured a black and red bezel insert along with a stainless steel case and bracelet.
Rolex GMT-Master II Reference 16710: Released in the late 1980s, this reference also had a black and red bezel. It was available in stainless steel and two-tone variations.
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The Rolex “Batman” is a nickname commonly used to refer to certain GMT-Master II watches that feature a black and blue color theme. This nickname was given due to the resemblance of the bezel colors to the custom colors of Batman.
The history of the Rolex Batman can be traced back in 2013 when GMT-Master II Reference 116710BLNR was released. In this model major changes can be identified as it was the first time that black and blue ceramic bezel was introduced. The black color represented the night time hours, while the blue the daytime hours on the bezel.
ROLEX GMT BATMAN Master II Ref. 116710BLNR
The Rolex GMT-Master II reference 116710BLNR, often known as the “Batman,” with its stainless steel case and bracelet, quickly gained popularity among watch enthusiasts for its amazing and strong color combination. The blue and black ceramic bezel insert was crafted using Rolex’s patented Cerachrom technology that was able to give amazing scratch resistance and color durability. ROLEX GMT BATMAN became one of the most favorite models of Rolex for its unique aesthetic.
ROLEX GMT BATMAN Ref 126710BLNR
In 2019, “Batman” made a strong appearance in the watch world with the release of the GMT-Master II reference 126710BLNR. This version kept the black and blue ceramic bezel but changed the case and introduced slimmer lags and added the choice of a Jubilee bracelet.
ROLEX GMT BATMAN
ROLEX GMT BATMAN IMPORTANT MILESTONES
Rolex GMT-Master II Reference 116710BLNR: This model, introduced in 2013, is often referred to as the “Batman” due to its black and blue ceramic bezel. It features a stainless steel case and bracelet and became popular for its striking color combination.
Rolex GMT-Master II Reference 126710BLNR: This updated version of the “Batman” was released in 2019. It retained the black and blue ceramic bezel but introduced a slightly redesigned case with slimmer lugs. It also offered the option of a Jubilee bracelet in addition to the traditional Oyster bracelet.
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The “Rolex Batgirl” is often used to describe a variant of the Rolex GMT-Master II with a black and blue ceramic bezel and a Jubilee bracelet.
This particular GMT has gained popularity within the watch community as a way to distinguish this particular GMT-Master II from the “Batman” reference, which has a similar black and blue bezel but is paired with an Oyster bracelet instead. For many this GMT is categorised as the most playfull Rolex watch.
The ROLEX BATGIRL typically refers to the following reference:
Rolex GMT-Master II Reference 126710BLNR: This model features a black and blue ceramic bezel, a stainless steel case, and a Jubilee bracelet. It was introduced in 2019 and is an updated version of the “Batman” reference. The new Jubilee bracelet that replaced the Oyster from the previous version has led to its association with the nickname “Batgirl.” It is not considered as a collectable watch but has gained an extreme popularity between the sport range of Rolex watches.
Technical Characteristics
Calibre: 3285 automatic, 31 jewels
Case: stainless steel, screw-down case back
Size: 41 mm
ROLEX BATGIRL
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The Rolex Fat Lady nickname is connected with the Rolex GMT-Master II reference 16760. This particular model, introduced in the 1980s, is sometimes called the “Fat Lady” due to its thicker case compared to its predecessors. The thickness of the new case was a necessity in order to accommodate the updated movement of the the new GMT-Master II, which allowed the two time zones to be set independently.
Another nickname for the GMT-Master II ref. 16760 is the “Sophia Loren.” Have in mind that it was the first GMT-Master II model to feature a sapphire crystal and a quickset date function.
The GMT-Master II reference 16760, or “Rolex Fat Lady,” was also the first GMT-Master II model to incorporate the independently adjustable hour hand, allowing the wearer to set the local time without affecting the GMT hand or 24-hour bezel. This feature in Rolex Fat Lady made it a necessity for frequent travellers.
ROLEX FAT LADY it is!
The nickname “Fat Lady” is derived from the larger case size and overall heft of the watch compared to earlier GMT-Master models. The term gained popularity among collectors and enthusiasts as a way to distinguish this specific reference from other GMT-Master II models.
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