rolex

Tudor GranTour Date Ref. 20050N Watch

Tudor watches are relatively unknown in the United States, probably because you can't find them in the United States. That might be changing soon as the brand is revitalizing their marketing efforts. Who is Tudor? Well, think of it as a baby Rolex. That is right, Rolex-owned Tudor has been selling similarly themed watches for years, marketed toward people not quite able to afford Rolex, or who want something a bit different. The new line of Tudor watches is more sporty looking that most Rolex watches but has a similar demeanor. They feel like Rolex's baby brother brand, and it is an important niche.

Pictured is their new Grantour watch inspired by auto racing, GT racing to be exact - where stamina and distance are more important than brute power. In addition to the three-hand model, a chronograph version fills out the collection. Inside are automatic mechanical movements as you would expect. Based on the current markets that Tudor primarily serves, the sizes of the steel watches are modest at 41mm wide. Vintage themed dials do clarity and the racing theme justice, while the perforated leather strap is a nice touch. I consider this watch to be an alternative to the famous Chopard Mille Miglia. The case is also water resistant to 150 meters, while the black in the bezel is lacquer. A lot of the same polish that you get with a Rolex, but just a bit more entry-level.

Ariel Adams publishes the popular watch review site aBlogtoRead.com

Tags: grand tour, GrandTour, grantour, GT, rolex, tudor, watch

Monte Carlo Hopes For Good Attendance At Tennis Tournament

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Sports

U.S. players don't fill up the roster but for the rest of the the tennis world, the Rolex Masters Monte Carlo is a prime sports event and the start of the season on the French Riviera. It is the first big clay court tournament of the season and heralds the beginning of warm weather activities much the way the Masters does for golf.

Wealth Bulletin reports that after this grim and withering winter, Monte Carlo tennis fans are ready to indulge. A 20-seat prestige box at the Masters tournament costs 48,000 euros. The Monte Carlo Country Club has invested on expanding their facilities, adding 10,000 to the center court. The club is expecting an additional 3,000 spectators on what is one of the most gorgeous viewing courts in the game.

Monaco has been looking for increased tourism in a more aggressive way lately. Events like the Masters tennis tournament and the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix should provide an indicator of just how willing the wealthy are to continue to flock to the seaside town.

Tags: masters, monte carlo, MonteCarlo, rolex, tennis

Jaques Picard Limited Edition DLC Modified Rolex DeepSea Sea-Dweller Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Here is a pretty cool aftermarket line of timepieces based on the new Rolex DeepSea Sea-Dweller watch. To be clear, these watches are not affiliated with Rolex, but merely are an aftermarket modification. These Jaques Picard SingleRed DeepSea limited edition of 86 piece watches take the new Rolex DeepSea watches, add a red colored DeepSea title (similar to very rare vintage models of the Rolex Submariner with red text), cover them in a diamond like carbon (DLC) coating, and place a special engraving on the caseback. There is also a special case, NATO strap in addition to the DLC coated steel metal bracelet and a book by Jacques Picard ( who was a prominent Belgian ocean explorer and researcher).

The 86 piece run corresponds to how old Jaques Picard was when he died. A portion of each SingleRed DeepSea watch sold will go to the preservation of the "Jaques Picard Archive." The reason I discuss this interesting limited line of modified Rolex watches is because it is for some people, the perfect Rolex Sea-Dweller watch. DLC is a popular ultra-hard coating that is incredibly scratch resistant and retains a healthy sheen on its surface. Applied over the new several mile deep diving Sea-Dweller, you have a bona bide holy grail Rolex for watch lovers world-wide. Price is 12,900 Euros, shipped from The Netherlands.

Via SingleRedDeepSea.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Single Red DeepSea Rolex Sea-Dweller watch

Tags: DeepSea, dlc, jaques picard, JaquesPicard, Rolex, seadweller, singlered, watch

Rolex Loses eBay Lawsuit

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions

Once again in the lawsuit follies, eBay is the victor. Bloomberg reports that the world's largest online auctioneer won a German court ruling in a case brought by Rolex over sales of counterfeit watches on eBay. The decision showed that Rolex could not find any similar counterfeit goods were offered on eBay after the company after the company was alerted to the possibility of counterfeits. Ulrich Egger, the spokesman for the court said that eBay's filter program detects sales that wold violate trademark rights.

Next up for eBay, a suit in London against L'Oreal. So far, eBay's lawsuit results have been mixed. It won against Tiffany & Co. last year in New York but lost to LVMH and Hermes in France. Rolex first sued eBay in 2001 over counterfeits but the original ruling in Dusseldorf for eBay was overturned in part in 2007 by the Federal Court of Justice which said eBay couldn't be held liable for damages and had to monitor its site to prevent fakes from being sold. Judges determined eBay is doing enough to police its site.

UPDATE: Blogging Stocks reports that eBay shares are at a seven-year low, partially due to concerns over the sales of counterfeit items on the site. Although eBay is spending millions to monitor its sellers, the problem of fakes continues to be one that plagues the site and damages its reputation.

Source

Tags: ebay, lawsuit, rolex

JamesList Launches Global Luxury Marketplace

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Yachts & Sailing, Luxury Cars & Autos, Wings

Stockholm-based Jameslist.com has just launched the "world's first truly transparent luxury marketplace", allowing buyers to find and compare high-end cars, watches, boats, yachts and aircraft from dealers around the world. The site features some 20,000 listings, including rare watches such as the Paul Newman Rolex Daytona, hard-to-find cars like the Maserati MC12 and Ferrari Superamerica, and magnificent 120+ ft. yachts from Palmer Johnson. The 350-plus global dealers on JamesList range from high-end custom builders such such as Project Kahn Design (their Bentley GTS Mulliner, above) to "traditional dealers with exceptional inventory" such as ExecuJet and Lamborghini Stuttgart.

"Given the recent roller-coaster of currency and market fluctuations, we saw an opportunity to give serious buyers the tools they need to find premium goods at the best possible price, regardless of where they are in the world," says JamesList CEO Noam Perski. "We have brought together the world's best dealers, from Alain Class Motors in Dubai to International Yacht Collection in Monaco, to offer international buyers a complete marketplace." Important functions for international deal making such as currency and unit conversion are built in to the heart of the platform, as well as language translation.

Tags: Bentley, Ferrari, JamesList, Lamborghini, Monaco, Private jet, PrivateJet, Project Kahn, ProjectKahn, Rolex, Sweden, Yacht

Rolex Jumps To Take Credit For Owen Wilson's Depression Recovery

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Events, Celebrity Shopping, Big Givers

It is well known that actor Owen Wilson suffered a suicide attempt in 2007. He later remained reclusive for a period of time during his recovery after slitting his wrists. It's not clear what causes celebrity depression, though it is theorized that extreme media attention combined with drug use, and Hollywood break ups - typically pushes the already edgy, over the edge.

After beginning his recovery in August of 2007, Owen Wilson made no media appearances until he finally showed up at a benefit event sponsored by the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative in New York City in November of 2007. Wilson is a well known Rolex fan, wearing his Rolex Submariner watch in his personal life, and often adorning a Rolex watch on the screen. The Rolex Mentor Protégé Arts Initiative is a philanthropic organization with an interesting mission. It takes current masters (the mentor) in the worlds of film, literature, theater, visual arts, dance, and music, and sets them up with a protégé who is an up and comer in the same industry. Many press releases and media opportunities ensue. It's not clear whether Owen Wilson has been chosen to be a mentor for the initiative - perhaps a protégé.

Rolex is clearly happy that Rolex watch lover Owen Wilson chose the Rolex philanthropic event to return to the spot light. Clearly it must be his love of watches that gave him the strength to...keep on ticking.

Via MelroseJewelers.com.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Rolex Submariner Watch

Tags: celebrity suicide attempt, CelebritySuicideAttempt, owen wilson, OwenWilson, rolex, rolex mentor protege initiative, RolexMentorProtegeInitiative, submariner, watch

The Ultimate Rolex Book

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Books

A couple weeks back we mentioned that the world's finest collection of Rolexes will go up for auction in Italy this spring. If you're thinking of acquiring some of the incredible timepieces on offer, you should probably get a copy of an amazing new book called 100 Superlative Rolex Watches first. Edited by renowned Rolex expert John Goldberger, it comes in a green leather slipcase (like Rolex's famed watch boxes) and contains full details and photos on 100 of the finest and rarest Rolex watches ever made, including examples that belonged to the Sultan of Oman, the Emperor of Vietnam, and Elvis Presley. The book is priced at $200, while most of the watches pictured inside are worth hundreds of thousands.

Tags: Rolex

Rare Rolexes in Antiquorum Watch Auction

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Auctions, Men's Style

At Antiquorum's important watch sale in NYC on Dec. 10 and 11 there are the usual passel of megabucks Patek Philippes, but we're focusing here on some of the rare Rolexes which have been much discussed lately and which represent an undeniably solid investment in this uncertain economy.

The top-priced Rolex in the sale is a Comex Sea Dweller that was formerly the property of Theo Mavrostomos, the world's deepest dive record holder, estimated at $75,000 - $95,000. From a purely aesthetic point of view we're very fond of the rare pre-Daytona black dial chronograph (right) made in the 1960's, est. $60,000 - $80,000.

Also among the rare Rolex offerings: A 1956 "James Bond" model Submariner, est. $70,000 - $90,000; a 1972 British Royal Navy military issue Submariner, est. $70,000 - $120,000; and a 1973 "Paul Newman" Cosmograph Daytona, est. $60,000 - $90,000. See the gallery for pix.

Gallery: Antiquorum December Rolexes

Tags: Antiquorum, Rolex

Daniel Craig Prefers Rolex

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Men's Style

Omega may now be the official watch of the James Bond films, but offscreen, nouveau 007 Daniel Craig is a diehard Rolex fan. In the original books, Bond creator Ian Fleming wrote that "[Bond] could not just wear a watch. It had to be a Rolex." In the early Bond films, Sean Connery sported a Rolex Submariner, and Craig has said in interviews that he favors the identical model. Over at the Rolex Blog, Jake Ehrlich has done some impressive sleuthing into the James Bond / Craig / Rolex connection, examining quotes, photos and other clues.

In a 7-part series of posts, he determined that Craig usually wears a Rolex Submariner on a NATO spec, striped nylon strap (sold as the "James Bond" model). It is in fact not exactly the same as the one Connery sported in Goldfinger, as his was on slightly different regimental stripe strap. Most recently, Craig has been spotted wearing an understated stainless steel Oyster Perpetual (above), so he obviously has more than one Rolex in his arsenal.

Tags: 007, Daniel Craig, DanielCraig, James Bond, JamesBond, Omega, Rolex, Sean Connery, SeanConnery

World's Finest Rolex Collection Up for Auction

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Auctions

One of the world's finest collections of rare vintage and classic Rolex watches will take place in Milan in March. The collection, amassed by Italian Rolex enthusiast Davide Blei, is not the largest Rolex collection in the world but may well be the finest, on account of its unprecedented level of quality and exclusivity.

Blei acquired only "exquisite, rare and unique" examples of Rolex models, stressing quality over quantity and buying only the very best. The auction will be conducted by the newly formed Patrizzi auction house, and a preview is being held at Asprey in London next week.

The highlight of the sale is a pink gold "Stelline" Oyster Perpetual Chronometer with star indexes, estimated at $ 260,000 – $320,000.
Another standout is this stainless steel "Paul Newman" Cosmograph Daytona with white dial, black subdials and applied gold indexes, estimated at $58,000 – $87,000.

[Patrizzi via Hodinkee]

Tags: Milan, Rolex, Rolex Daytona, RolexDaytona

Bamford Custom Ferrari-Inspired Rolex Daytona

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Last spring we told you about a super-cool custom Rolex Daytona from London-based Bamford & Sons. Now the bastion of top-drawer British style has come out with a new version of the classic sports watch, designed as an homage to vintage Ferraris with a red dial.

The new Daytona (right) is treated with a military grade, scratch proof PVD coating over the stainless steel case and bracelet, though it is not flat black like the previous Bamford model. Only 25 examples of the Ferrari red watch are being produced at a price of $23,000 each, available by special order from Bamford's London flagship in Sloane Square.

In addition to its special limited edition pieces, Bamford is now offering customers a bespoke dial color matching and customization service on classic Rolex models such as the Submariner, GMT, Explorer II, Sea Dweller and Milgauss.

[via JustLuxe]

Gallery: Bamford & Sons Rolexes

Source

Tags: Bamford, Bamford Sons, BamfordSons, British fashion, BritishFashion, Ferrari, London, Rolex, Rolex Daytona, RolexDaytona

Rare Patek Philippes & Rolexes in Geneva Auction

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Auctions

In Geneva on Monday, Christie's is staging a stunning sale of Important Watches. Top of the timepiece heap is a fine, large and rare stainless steel chronograph by Patek Philippe made in 1941, one of Patek's rarest chronograph models, which could fetch up to $1 million. There are several extremely precious Patek Philippes in the sale, including an 18K gold dual crown world time wristwatch made for Tiffany & Co. in 1963, est. $500,000 - $760,000; and a large and rare 18K pink gold chronograph with a pink dial from 1941, est. $425,000 - $850,000.

Also included are several superlative Rolexes, including a very fine and rare stainless steel automatic triple calendar wristwatch with moon phases from 1953, est. $127,000 - $212,000; a stainless steel chronograph with pulsometre scale and a black dial from 1941 (above), est. $127,000 - $212,000; and an atimagnetic stainless steel triple calendar chronograph from 1960, est. $100,000 - $150,000. See the gallery for pix.

Gallery: Christie's Watches Nov.

Tags: Christies, Geneva, patek philippe, PatekPhilippe, Rolex

Rolex Celebrates with Oyster Perpetual Day-Date II

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

In celebration of their 100th anniversary Rolex is offering an updated and upgraded version of their original Day-Date timepiece called the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date II. Features include a bigger 41mm face (up from 38mm), a Super-President bracelet, Crownclasp, and your choice of 18 kt yellow gold, Everose gold, platinum, or (if you're really feeling spendy) a white gold version with 8 diamonds and 2 baguettes set into the dial.

The five versions of the Day-Date II all have their own individual personalities so choosing your favorite will be a little more complicated than just picking a favorite color. $20,000 and up.

Via Dvice

Gallery: The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date II

Source

Tags: rolex, timepiece, timepieces, watch

The Classicist: Dunhill's Timeless Luxury for Men

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Men's Style, The Classicist

In times of economic uncertainty luxury consumers looks to timeless classics they know will hold their value and last for years as opposed to flash-in-the-pan trends and glitzy impulse buys. Witness the sudden increase in Rolex sales as Iceland's financial markets tanked, or the way the traditional tailors of Savile Row are weathering the crisis, which we wrote about in this space last week. In fact, the very basis of this column as you may recall is timeless style, enduring elegance, and true, built-to-last luxury as opposed to mere extravagance.

We think that London-based men's clothier and luxury goods firm Dunhill, which dates back to the 1890s, is well situated to weather the storm in similar style thanks to their espousal of these same values. That's a very good thing as the company recently opened two new flagship stores, in New York City and London. The 7,000-sq.-ft. NYC store (above), on the corner of Madison and 55th, replaces the old shop at 711 Fifth Avenue.

It carries the full range of Dunhill's luxe merchandise, including menswear, leathergoods, accessories, writing instruments, watches, gifts and games. The lower level houses Dunhill's custom-made menswear and leathergoods offerings, as well as a display of one-of-a-kind pieces from the firm's illustrious history such as Truman Capote's Dunhill tuxedo worn at his famed Black & White Ball in 1966, and original sketches of a Dunhill bespoke suit made for Frank Sinatra.

Gallery: Dunhill Store & More

Tags: Dunhill, London, New York City, NewYorkCity, Rolex, Savile Row, SavileRow, Truman Capote, TrumanCapote

Continue reading “The Classicist: Dunhill's Timeless Luxury for Men”

LVMH Exploring Acquisition of Bamford

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Bastion of top-drawer British style Bamford & Sons is looking for an investor, and luxury goods behemoth LVMH, owner of Louis Vuitton, might buy in. "We've come to the end of phase one, and we need a partner with more expertise in other markets," Lady Carole Bamford, who founded the brand in 2004, tells the Financial Times. She has engaged the Blackstone Group to help the firm, which has experienced 50-55 per cent growth per year for the past two years, field investment offers.

LVMH and rival luxury conglomerate Richemont are in the running, the paper reports. We have previously written about Bamford's custom $30,000 black PVD Rolex Daytona and its fall line of cashmere shooting jackets and such made from sustainable materials. They currently have men's, women's, accessories and bath & body collections, carried at their own retail stores (above) and the likes of Barneys. Bamford bills itself as "the first mainstream luxury brand to make an identity out of its organic stance."

Gallery: Bamford & Sons