Young Thug Wears a Custom Rolex in GQ Editorial Shoot

.Celebrities.
Young Thug is an interesting character study in terms of hip hop and fashion. The ATL rapper has gained popularity over the past few years, collaborating with TI and Kanye West, among other hip hop greats. He has also been called a 'rap hippie' because of his styling choices - throwing on a girl's dress over skinny jeans in some instances. 

Young Thug wearing a custom Rolex in GQ (photo: Ben Watts)
In the profile of the rapper that appeared in the February issue of GQ magazine, Young Thug is characterized as both violent and stoic, brilliant yet unintelligible. This dichotomy may explain why people are fascinated by his music. If art is a mirror for society, then Young Thug is showing us that growing up in the projects of south Atlanta indelibly affects the way you approach the world.

Instead of using fame and success as a vehicle to move away from the street, the hip hop star seems to want to take the street with him on his climb to the top. Unlike rappers like Jay Z, who seem well adjusted to the finer things in life, Thug still seems to cling onto the volatility and language of the street. Perhaps this is what makes people gravitate toward him, even though they may not understand a word he is saying in any of his songs.

In the above photo from his GQ shoot, Young Thug layers a Bally jacket over a floral shirt by All Saints and a tank by Saturdays NYC. He wears an Apple watch on his right wrist and a custom Rolex on his left wrist, making an interesting statement about whether or not smartwatch sales will have a negative effect on the mechanical watch industry.

>>BACK TO RAPPERS

UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor Wears a Rolex Sky-Dweller

.Celebrities.
Irishman Conor McGregor is one of the most popular UFC fighters because of his sense of humor and his memorable takedowns, including his history-making 13 second knock out of Jose Aldo last year. 

UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor Wearing a Rolex Skydweller (photo: Second Hand Time Shop)

The featherweight champ is also known for his dapper style at press conferences and talk show appearances. He is photographed above wearing a yellow gold Rolex Sky-Dweller paired nicely with a navy vest and purple pocket square.

Unselfish with the millions he has raked in for his fights, McGregor gifted girlfriend Dee Devlin a Rolex Datejust with a diamond bezel last Christmas.

TMZ caught up with Mixed Martial Artist leaving a Rolex store in March of 2016, just after his loss to welterweight Nate Diaz in Las Vegas on March 5, 2016. Unfortunately, the cameraman seemed more interested in talking to him about Justin Bieber than asking what he may have purchased at Rolex. Watch the video below.

>>BACK TO ATHLETES

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer II

.Rolex Models.
First released in 1971, the Explorer II built upon the legacy of the original Explorer model. In the spirit of exploration, Rolex added additional features to this model to aid in polar exploration and cave expeditions. 

The watchmaker debuted the latest model (ref 216570) at Baselworld 2011, commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Explorer II. New features include an orange 24 hour hand, large hour markers outlined in black with blue luminescence and a 24 hour fixed bezel.

The oyster bracelet and the 42 mm case (larger than the 40mm case of the previous model) come in 904L steel, brushed to give them a modern finish. The watch contains a 3187 movement, manufactured entirely by Rolex. 
Rolex Explorer II 216570
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer II
The marketing for this Explorer II model boasts superior luminosity and legibility. The 24 hour hand is also an important component, allowing one to distinguish between day and night in places that may lack daylight. 

A 24 hour hand may seem like a superfluous feature for those who live in areas with regular daylight cycles, however, for those who live or work in latitudes where there is night for several days at a time, this feature would appear to be more useful. It would also help those who may be conducting research underground or in caves, where there is no natural light.

The suggested retail price for the stainless steel Explorer II model shown above is 7,700 Swiss Francs, or $8,076 US. 

The brochure for the Explorer II contains several pages featuring explorers and mountain climbers using the world as a laboratory to test the features of the timepiece over the past decades.

>>BACK TO ROLEX SHOPPING GUIDE

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master

.Rolex Models.
Appearing on the scene in 1992, the Yacht-Master is still considered one of the newer models in the Rolex lineup, followed by the Sky-Dweller model two decades later in 2012.

The current model is offered with an Oysterflex bracelet made with a titanium-nickel alloy blade that attaches the case to the clasp and is coated with black elastomer, giving it a sportier look than we have seen from Rolex in past models. The inside of the bracelet is lined with a longitudinal cushion system designed for a comfortable fit.

Everose Gold Rolex Yachtmaster with Oysterflex Bracelet
Rolex Yacht-Master Everose Gold with Oysterflex Bracelet
The Yacht-Master is the only one of the current Rolex Oyster professional models that is available with either a 35mm or 40mm case. The 40mm version is equipped with a 3135 movement and the 35mm with a 2235 movement. It also features a bi-directional, rotatable, 60 minute graduated bezel with a black ceramic inlay and raised numerals.

Waterproof up to 100 meters, this incarnation of the Yacht-Master provides an interesting mix of the luxury Rolex is known for and the pragmatism that is more complimentary to those who wear the timepiece on a daily basis - especially on the open seas.

The suggested retail price for the Yacht-Master configuration shown above (reference # 116655) is 23,800 Swiss Francs (approximately $24,964 US).

>>BACK TO ROLEX SHOPPING GUIDE

Saint John Paul the Great Wore a Rolex Datejust

.Celebrities.
Pope John Paul II was canonized by Pope Francis on April 27, 2014, making him a Catholic saint. Though much can be said about his accomplishments as a spiritual leader - including the two miracles that were verified by the Church during the canonization process, it may also be noted that the Pontiff chose to wear a Rolex wristwatch. 

I'm not sure how many other watch brands have graced the wrists of Catholic saints, but this does seem like an interesting endorsement for the watchmaker. How many companies can say that their watches were worn by saints - aside from Saint West, who is probably already sporting a luxury watch in his crib.

Pope John Paul II Catholic Saint Wore a Rolex Datejust
President Ronald Reagen and Pope John Paul II, who shows off his Rolex in an OG pose
In the above photograph, the Pope was wearing his Rolex Datejust during his meeting with President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s. The two leaders worked together with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to end the cold war, a conflict of both personal and spiritual importance to the Polish Pope.

It may seem odd to see a spiritual leader wearing a luxury watch - some would say hypocritical. However, anyone who has been inside the walls of the Vatican knows that this Datejust would only make up a tiny fraction of the riches of the Catholic Church. Some speculate that Rolex likely gifted the Pope with the watch for publicity, but that doesn't really detract from the fact that it's still an interesting legacy for the brand. He chose to wear it and not re-gift it, after all.

>>BACK TO CELEBRITIES

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller

.Rolex Models.
Globalization has made traveling for business a must for many executives and professionals. As the name suggests, the Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller is a Rolex for those who spend time in the sky. If you're a frequent flyer, keeping track of time zones on your watch can be frustrating. 
Rolex Sky Dweller Black Leather Strap
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller

This beautiful timepiece is designed to remedy that. With a turn of the bezel, you can set your watch to two different time zones without stopping the watch. This allows you to tell the time in your current time zone while keeping your watch set to the time zone you came from. It also adjusts the date between months with 30 and 31 days, meaning you only have to adjust the date once a year on March 1.

Shown here in 18 karat white gold with a black leather strap and ivory dial, this wristwatch is built to go anywhere and go with anything. Golfer Adam Scott is featured in Rolex's ads for this model.

Adam Scott Rolex Sky-Dweller Ad
Golfer Adam Scott wearing Sky-Dweller in Rolex Ad

Styled with a classic blue sport coat and black slacks, the Sky-Dweller completes the look with an effortless elegance that is difficult to achieve with any other accessory. Though the 24 hour ring on the dial may not be aesthetically pleasing to everyone, it certainly gives the watch a distinctive look among other luxury wristwatches.

The watch features Rolex's 9001 movement, a self-winding movement developed by Rolex in 2012. This certified Swiss chronometer passed Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) testing.

The suggested retail price for the Sky-Dweller configuration above (reference # 326139) is 37,700 Swiss Francs, or approximately $39,544 US according to the current exchange rate.

>>BACK TO ROLEX SHOPPING GUIDE

Featured Post

Rolex Online Resources