Celebrating One Year of Rob's Rolex Chronicle

Today marks one year since I published the first post to Rob's Rolex Chronicle. My original intention was to offer useful and nuanced information about Rolex to fans of the brand, including newbies to the world of horology. I have learned a lot about the company and their wristwatches over the past year and hope that I have shared that knowledge in the content of my posts.

The Rolex Models section has seen tremendous growth over the past year. It currently features sections about new and vintage watches as well as a Tech section that offers a look inside your favorite Rolex models. The Model Comparisons page has garnered particular interest, especially from those who are trying to figure out which model is right for them.

The Rolex Shopping Guide has also expanded over time, covering topics related to the search for the perfect Rolex model for you. There are so many factors that go into the purchase of a luxury timepiece that I felt it necessary to break them down in terms that the average consumer can comprehend. From pricing to functionality, I hope that my shopping guide offers a comprehensive look at the market and the most important aspects of the purchase decision.

The Rolex Owner's Lounge is the newest section of this site and it offers Rolex owners information on every aspect of ownership. The most utilitarian information is found in the Owner's Guide, covering topics that range from how to set the time on your watch to repairs and maintenance. The company's history is also presented in a Historical Timeline that covers their milestones over the past century. Another point of interest for readers is seeing their favorite Rolex model on today's most talked-about celebrities.

An FAQ page featuring Frequently Asked Questions About Buying a Rolex completes this blog. The answers range from information about Rolex to mechanical watches in general. This is a great place to start if you are new to the world of wristwatches. I break down the parts of a watch, show you how they work and answer questions about Rolex as a company.

With Baselworld 2017 around the corner, I look forward to adding new and exciting content in the weeks to come. I would love to hear what topics readers enjoy the most so that I can focus my content on that. E-mail rolexchronicle@gmail.com or use the social media links on the sidebar to connect with me and share your thoughts and ideas.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for following my Rolex journey. This blog's readership has grown exponentially over the past few months and I look forward to seeing it grow even more in the future. For now, I hope that the information found in these sections is helpful and informative to you on your journey.

Thank you again!

Rob

Rolex Submariner Date and Deepsea Side by Side

While Rolex is a very recognizable brand that has been around for many years, it can be difficult to decide which of their wristwatch models best suits your lifestyle. Model configurations vary in size, material and pricing, each with their own unique characteristics. While no one can tell you which Rolex model(s) to choose, your decision can be made much easier when you have all of the information necessary to properly evaluate them.

Although the decision ultimately comes down to personal aesthetic and functionality in most cases, pricing is usually a big factor in determining which Rolex model to choose. Rolex offers many of their popular models in 904L stainless steel, like the GMT-Master II BLNR shown in the photo below. Most of their stainless steel models are priced under $10,000 US. I put together a list of my picks in this category that includes suggested retail prices in a previous entry found here.

Rolex GMT-Master II BLNR (photo: Rolex)

Rolex also offers configurations that combine stainless steel with gold. They refer to this combination  as Rolesor and their rose gold as Everose. The Yacht-Master II model is one of their largest models and comes in two tone Everose Rolesor as shown in the photo below. Check it out along with many other Rolesor model configurations on my list of the best Rolex models under $25,000.

Rolex Yacht-Master II Model in Everose Rolesor (photo: Rolex)

If gold is what you're looking for, Rolex has many model configurations that really shine in white, yellow and Everose gold. Rolex makes the gold used for their wristwatches in their own foundry located at their Plan-les-Ouates site in Geneva, Switzerland. Most of their gold models are priced under $50,000 and you can check out my picks here. Their popular Cosmograph Daytona model is shown below in yellow gold with a blue dial.

Yellow Gold Rolex Cosmograph Daytona (photo: Rolex)

If price is not an issue and you are looking for a classic Rolex with a modern aesthetic, I would recommend the Platinum Day-Date model with the ice blue dial shown below. Justin Timberlake wore the yellow gold version of this model in his latest music video. The suggested retail price for this model is 59,600 Swiss francs or approximately $60,180 US.

Platinum Rolex Day-Date 40 (photo: Rolex)

Another thing that makes it easier to decide which Rolex model is right for you is by seeing it on somebody else. I have a Style section on this blog dedicated to showing which celebrities wear what models. Golfer Adam Scott was tapped as a Rolex brand ambassador and was featured in their ads for their newest model, the Sky-Dweller.

Golfer Adam Scott in ad for Rolex Sky-Dweller (photo: Rolex)

For those who like to know what makes their watches tick, I have added a Tech section to this blog with information on Rolex movements, materials and technical innovations. I have also created a Historical Timeline following the watchmaker from its founding by Hans Wilsdorf in 1908 to the present for those who like to know more about the company they are buying from.

My hope is that this information will help bolster your understanding of Rolex watches and allow you to make a wise purchase decision. For more information about Rolex and their wristwatch models, including model comparisons, check out my Rolex Shopping Guide.

Rolex Forums (photo: Rayi Christian Wicaksono)

Which Rolex Model is Right for Me? (photo: Leandro Puca)

Rolex Bienne, Switzerland (photo: Rolex/Rémy Lidereau)

What set Rolex apart for me when I was on the market for a luxury watch was a combination of design aesthetic, legacy and technical innovation. When compared to the interesting new designs that have a appeared on the market recently - from skeleton watches to smart watches - Rolex watches may appear a bit traditional or even simple. However, it is their adherence to classical style and elegance that made me go with a Rolex in the end.

While smart watches are trendy, there's just something about having another digital screen to look at every day that turned me off from them. And I love the artistic look of skeleton watches, but the legibility is an issue for me - and why wear a watch if you can't tell the time on it? If I had a budget for multiple luxury timepieces I would buy one of each for different occasions. But I don't, so I went with what made the most sense for me.

Rolex Workshop (photo: Rolex/Jean-Daniel Meyer)

Another factor that helped me decide on a Rolex for my first luxury watch purchase was the company's history. Learning about Rolex's founder, Hans Wilsdorf, and his obsession with reliability, innovation and excellence was compelling to me. I had always seen Rolex watches as a status symbol, but I never really asked myself why this brand was associated with success more so than any other.

That enduring success is also largely due to the technical innovations that Rolex has developed over the years. While Rolex models don't seem to change dramatically over the years, the movements inside have seen many improvements. Rolex is a vertically integrated company and they manufacture most of their movements, precious metals, steel bracelets and cases in house.

These are the main reasons that I decided to purchase a Rolex watch, but I would be remiss not to mention the fact that I inherited a Rolex from my grandfather and wore it for years before deciding to purchase one for myself. I ultimately chose a different model, but that experience certainly informed my purchase decision.

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Another common reason to buy a Rolex is to mark the passage of time. Anniversaries and birthdays are great times to show loved ones how much you care. Receiving a gift in the form of a luxury watch is always appreciated and creates a beautiful memory. It's also really nice to soften to blow of growing older by gifting yourself with one after reaching a certain age - a fortieth birthday, for example.

Finally, such a gift is an ideal way to honor an accomplishment. To receive or purchase a timepiece after a graduation or promotion imbues it with meaning and honors the tradition of excellence that is the hallmark of the Rolex brand.

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Rolex Oysterlock Clasp (photo: Rolex)

The Oysterclasp is the simplest of the clasp options, consisting of a folding clasp and a small lever that secures the clasp. The Oysterlock, shown in the photo above, was introduced in 2005 on the GMT-Master II model. This clasp features 15 micro technical components patented by Rolex for a secure clasp. It snaps shut, allowing the wearer to easily fasten and unlock it. The watchmaker added a crown design detail to the clasp that provides a small lip that can be gripped to open or close it.

The Crownclasp is the most inconspicuous of the clasp options, with a folding blade concealed by the bracelet, revealing only a crown shaped lever used to open and close the clasp. This clasp appears on the Jubilee bracelet as well as the President bracelet shown below in platinum.

Rolex Crownclasp on a President Bracelet (photo: Rolex)

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona

My grandfather was an avid deep sea diver and fisherman and he was rarely seen without his Rolex on his wrist. He left me that watch in his will a few years ago, and I wore it proudly for years. I liked having a piece of him with me and was also fascinated by wearing a watch that was close to my age that still looked great and functioned well.

For my fortieth birthday, I decided to purchase my own Rolex and preserve my grandfather's for when my young son would be old enough to inherit it.

It was the search for my own Rolex that became the genesis for this blog. With so many options and styles to choose from, I spent a lot of time diving into the rich history of Rolex to decide which model best suited my lifestyle.

As a creative executive based in South Florida, I spend a lot of my time with clients and colleagues, but I also like to get out on the water as much as possible. Whether I'm taking the family out to the sandbar on a Saturday or kite surfing on the beach in the early mornings before heading to the office, I need a watch that can handle my active lifestyle, but still look good with a Tom Ford suit for one of the many black tie events I have to attend throughout the year.

Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller with Black Ceramic Bezel

After much consideration and hours spent in Rolex forums, I went with the Rolex DeepSea Sea-Dweller with the black dial, black ceramic bezel and oyster bracelet. It is certainly a departure from the yellow gold Daytona with the brown leather strap in terms of style, but the DeepSea gives me all that I want in a watch - it is rough and tumble but still elegant. I feel comfortable transitioning the stainless steel watch from diving and boating to getting dressed and going out.

Although the search for my own Rolex is over, I am left with an appreciation and passion for the Rolex brand that I intend to explore using this blog. My particular areas of interest include the history of Rolex, vintage advertisements, Rolex models, design, functionality, fashion, style and accessories.