Robert Downey Jr. wearing a Patek Philippe Nautilus Moonphase 5712

Robert Downey Jr. is one of the worlds highest paid actors in the world and is the epitome of an A-List actor.  His success over the years hit epic proportion when he became Iron Man in the Marvel Universe.  He appeared in 3 Iron Man movies, and 4 Avenger's movies that each grossed over 500 million.  He is also known for his depiction of the great Sherlock Holmes in Guy Ritchie's successful movie releases, both of which earned over 500 million apiece.

Robert Downey Jr. appeared on YouTube showing off his impressive watch collection which includes a Jaeger LeCoultre Amvoz 3 GMT Tourbillon, Patek Philippe Nautilus Moonphase,  Breitling Colt Automatic, Bell and Ross Titanium Orange Chronograph, Baume & Mercier, and Omega Speedmaster.

For our interest we are going to focus on his two Rolex time pieces - the Rolex Submariner Hulk out of Green Steel, and the Rolex Bamford PVD.

Rolex Submariner Date "Hulk"

The Rolex Submariner Date is probably one watch that should be in every man's collection. This all-steel watch is robust and strong, made out of 904L Stainless Steel, virtually guaranteeing it to be a family heirloom that can be passed down from generation to generation. The Submariner was originally launched in 1953. This version of the submariner features a 40 mm redesigned iconic Oyster case with large luminescent hour markers and a date window with Cyclops lens on the Sapphire crystal.

The bezel rotates in one direction and contains 60- minute graduations to allow a diver to accurately and safely monitor diving time and decompression stops. The screw-down crown and scratch-resistant crystal are designed for the diver, and can withstand a depth of 1000 feet.

The movement is a caliber 3135 with functions that include a center hour, minute and seconds hands. The watch supports instant date with rapid setting and a stop-seconds for precise time setting. It has a 48 hour power reserve.

The green dial and matching bezel is what makes this watch stunning.  Downey calls this his "Green Money Rolex." Green, like Iron Man's seemingly favorite superhero (the Incredible Hulk), it is tough and rugged and looks like it can take a pounding. The Oyster bracelet with folding Oysterlock safety clasp with Glidelock extension system are sure to protect your investment even when wearing it on top of your diving suit. The white gold surrounding the lumens of the date markers are engineered to protect against aging, while providing high visibility in dark diving situations. This watch sells for a reasonable $9,000 today.

Rolex GMT Master II Ghost Reenvisioned by Bamford

Brad Pitt sporting the Rolex GMT Master for the movie Ocean's 13. Image Rolex Magazine

This is the second article.  To see Part 1 of our review of Brad Pitt's extensive Rolex collection click here.  The Ocean movies have become a key part of Brad Pitt's movie history.  His role as partner to George Clooney's Ocean character is one of legend.  They are so in synch they don't even have to speak to know what each is thinking.  Obviously, they are stealing huge sums of money and the stakes are high, so the scam has to be well planned, orchestrated and subtle.  The team is hand picked by Ocean and each team member must execute their part with precision.

Rolex GMT Master II

The precision and subtle power of the Yellow Gold Rolex GMT Master is just as legendary as the Ocean's team members.  The GMT Master might be the best Rolex watch made today.  This watch features an Oyster Bracelet with Oysterlock safety clasp made from 18 ct yellow gold which matches the 60 mm, 18 ct yellow gold Oyster case.  The winding crown uses the Triplock triple waterproofness system which provides support for 330 feet of water resistance.  The caliber 3186 movement supports about 48 hours of power reserve.

This watch has a center hour, minute and seconds hands.  It has a 24 hour display and a second time zone with rapid-setting of the hour hand - perfect for a globe trotting international thief.  It uses sapphire scratch resistant crystal with a cyclops lens over a date window.  The black bezel and black dial provide a stunning compliment to the yellow gold, provided in the case, bracelet, dial numbers, gold hands, and surrounding each luminescent hour marker.

Rolex Day-Date II with Yellow Gold and Arabic numerals

This Rolex Day-Date Reference 218238 was made around 2008 and is a stunning 41 mm watch with both the day of the week shown at 12 o'clock right above the Rolex crown, and a date window at 3 o'clock.  This watch retails for around 33k and is fairly unique since Rolex seems to be selling only current Day-Dates with the standard luminescent hour markers rather than the Arabic numerals represented in this piece.  The black dial provides a powerful compliment to the surrounding yellow gold case and fluted bezel. The President bracelet is similarly in 18k gold, matching the case forged from a solid block of gold.

Presidential Day-Date Ref 218238

The movement is a Rolex caliber 3156 engine and provides approximately 48 hours.   The screw down crown and sapphire crystal with cyclops lens provides water resistance up to 330 feet.

The main difference between the pictured above and Brad Pitt's Day-Date is that the Arabic Numerals are actually in Black rather than in Gold.  Although this makes the timepiece a bit more difficult to read, the black markers do have a masculine look to them.   Pitt's model is close to the reference 218235 in this respect, but does not use pink gold since he seems to prefer yellow gold with black dials.  Pitt's reference 218238 is a stunning watch which he wore to the premiere of the Inglorious Bastards.

The Presidential Day-Date first made its debut in 1956.  Today, it is available in Yellow Gold, Pink Gold, White Gold and Platinum.  The bezel is offered in smooth, fluted, or gem-set.  It has several bracelet types including Oyster, President, and leather.  It has several dial colors including chocolate, blue, black, pink, purple, green and many other colors.  The hour markers seemed to have moved away from the Arabic numerals, however currently gems, gold or silver markers and even roman numeral options are available today.  The cases are available in 40 mm or 36 mm.

Rolex Yacht Master 16622

Rolex Submariner with Black Dial

Rolex Explorer II with Black Dial

This Yacht Master II was released initially in 1997 and combined steel and platinum, coined Rolesium. This handsome watch features 3135 movement with quickset 48 hours of reserve power. It has a red seconds hand, a stainless steel oyster bracelet and a platinum 60 minute bezel. The platinum maxi dial has large luminous hour markers and hands.

The 40 mm Oyster case is durable, as is the scratch resistant sapphire crystal. The screw down crown and sapphire crystal with cyclops lens over the date provide water resistance up to 330 feet. This is one of several stainless steel watches in Pitt's collection. 


However this is unique addition to Brad Pitt's Rolex collection since it seems to be one of the few with a platinum dial.  His favorite dial seems to be black.  Case in point, he also owns a stainless steel submariner with a black dial and a stainless steel Rolex Explorer with black dial.

Brad Pitt wearing a Stainless Steel Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Reference 116520

Brad Pitt is one of the most recognizable Hollywood A - list actors who has made a tremendous and impressive range of movies in almost every genre, from thrillers like Seven and World War Z, historical movies like Troy and Legends of the Fall, to heist films like the Oceans trilogy, to romantic action comedy like Mr. and Mrs. Smith to Book remakes like Interview with the Vampire and more.  He is an actor, producer and has been involved in at least 32 Hollywood projects - most of which were blockbuster successes.

Pitt was named by People as the Sexiest Man Alive twice and he has appeared in countless magazines from Time to Forbes and more.  He is also well known for marrying two of the most prominent and beautiful Hollywood A-list actresses, including Jennifer Aniston from the hit TV Show Friends, and later, Angelina Jolie, who may be Hollywood's most well-known A-list actress.

Brad Pitt has been seen with a tremendous number of Rolex watches.  Pictured above he is wearing a Stainless Steel Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Reference 116520 with white dial and Chromalight luminescence.  This classic Daytona watch has a small seconds hand at 6 o'clock, a 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock and 12-hour counter at 9 o'clock. It also has a chronograph (centre hand) accurate to within 1/8 of a second. The Oyster 40 mm steel case is made of 904L steel and the Crystal is a scratch resistant sapphire.  It is waterproof to 330 feet.  The caliber 4130 movement gives a power reserve of approximately 72 hours.

Rolex Yacht-Master 16628

Part of his enormous Rolex collection is a gorgeous Rolex Yacht Master Reference 16628 with white dial and 18k Yellow Gold, manufactured around 1991.

This is a 40 mm watch with sapphire crystal with cyclops lens over the date, and a time lapse bezel.  

It uses a 3135 movement and has a date window at 3 o'clock.  The dial is white but has black surrounded by gold hour markers. 

The bracelet is an 18k gold Oysterlock with fliplock clasp.  The gold Yacht-Master is not as common as the blue face offered by Rolex today.  It is quite a stunning watch and increasingly collectible.

Chocolate Datejust with Silver band.

Although I could not find an exact match to this Rolex Datejust, Pitt owns an incredible Silver Banded Datejust with chocolate dial and roman numeral numbers. 

Although I doubt he is wearing a women's Rolex (as what I have pictured here), this is the closest picture I could find to match his choice in timepiece.  Please feel free to comment if you can identify the exact reference to this gorgeous watch.

The Datejust he is wearing is likely a 41 mm with 3235 movement. 

It has a center hour, minute and seconds hands.  It has a power reserve of approximately 70 hours and can be submerged to a depth of 330 feet. The folding Oysterclasp gives him added protection from losing this timepiece while swimming.

The crystal is scratch resistant sapphire with cyclops lens.  I love this watch for several reasons.  I am not a huge fan of the dual gold and silver watch band that is offered in the current Datejust model.  Also, I prefer the roman numerals to the more common hour markers found on the typical datejust models.  Also, the fluted bezel is a nice touch and is superior to the diamond studded bezel offered on some of the women's models. 

Although one might think adding gold or diamonds to a timepiece would add value to the resale of this wrist candy, that is most often not the case.  The 904L steel time pieces are often preferred by collectors for many reasons, including the idea that it is considered less overt and ostentatious to wear a steel Rolex to a Gold one.  Additionally, a timepiece of obvious gold or platinum build might be thought to be too precious for activities such as diving, driving or other athletic endeavors.

Every Rolex Tells a Story, Björn Borg (photo: Rolex)

Björn Rune Borg is the legendary tennis player from Stockholm, Sweden.  He was an unstoppable force on the world Tennis scene between 1974 and 1981 and became the first man in the Open Era to win 11 Gran Slam titles including 6 French Opens and 5 consecutive Wimbledon titles.  He won 3 year end championships and 15 Grand Prix Super Series titles. 

He owned the world #1 ranking in 1977-1980 and was runner up in 1975, 1976, and 1981.  He still owns 7 all-time records - demonstrating his dominance including a 92.7% win percentage at Wimbledon, 41 consecutive match wins (another record) and an 89.8% Major winning percentage which still stand today.

Borg after winning Wimbledon  Photo: Rolex

He had two major rivalries - early on with Jimmy Connors, and more famously later in his career with John McEnroe, with whom he created a life-long friendship.  He became maybe the first tennis rock star with his long hair and beard - hounded constantly by fame and press.  He retired at the young age of 26 at the top of his game after nearly missing taking home his 6th Wimbledon - making many to wonder how much magic he could have rendered in the years to come and how many more majors he could have won had he continued.

Borg helped change the way tennis would be played.  He had a powerful ground stroke with heavy top spin.  Yet his exceptional athleticism helped power his dominance, especially on grass courts.  He showed great grace under pressure and calm demeanor which earned him the nickname "Ice Man."

Rolex Day-Date 36 worn by Tennis Legend Björn Borg (photo: Rolex)

2017 Everose Gold Rolex Day-Date 36 (Reference #118135)

 yellow gold Rolex Day-Date 36

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Rolex "Pepsi" GMT Master Reference 1675

The next Rolex on the Mayer buy list is the Rolex GMT Master Reference 1675.  It is known as a Pepsi because of its stunning blue and red bezel with fat font.  This was produced between 1959 and 1980, one of the longest running Rolexes to be produced in history.  The earlier versions of this watch had a red 24 hour hand with a small triangle at the end.  In 1970 this changed to large red triangle at the end.

The bezel is metal for sturdiness and it is rotatable for time-lapse.  The two crown guards and screw down crown add further protection.  The movement is an automatic caliber 1575 with 26 jewels and a power reserve of 42 hours.  It uses acrylic crystal with a cyclops date viewer at 3 o'clock and a black gilt dial with glossy finish.  The GMT Master is waterproof up to 165 feet.  The Oyster Bracelet provides a solid and reliable compliment to this powerful and durable Rolex.

Rolex Explorer II Reference 16550 Black Photo: Woundforlife

The last recommendation Mayer makes in his buy list is a Rolex Explorer II Reference 16550 (Black Dial).  Although the white dial 16550 may have more value in the resale arena, Mayer prefers the black dial which has a black gloss dial with white gold hands and hour markers.  This may be partly because the cream dial versions had some production issues with the paint on the dial. 

If you find one which says Superlative Chronometer Official Certified" wording on it, you would have found a rare model with a premium value. It was produced only between 1985 and 1989.

It has a stainless steel bezel and a scratch resistant sapphire crystal with cyclops lens at 3 o'clock. The case is 40 mm and the dial is black with luminescent hour markers. It uses a caliber 3085 movement but has an independent hour hand to track a second timezone.  It has a waterproof screw down crown and it supports a depth of 300 meters.