Rolex Arts Testimonee, Conductor Gustavo Dudamel

.Arts.
Conductor Gustavo Dudamel (photo: Rolex/Monika Rittershaus)
A Rolex Arts Testimonee since 2008, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel began his career young, making his conducting debut at age 12. He has remained busy since then, serving as musical director for several orchestras before turning thirty years old. Most recently he conducted the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra at the 2016 Salzburg Festival in collaboration with Testimonee Cecilia Bartoli on a new production of the broadway musical West Side Story.

In addition to serving as the musical director for the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, he has fulfilled the same role for the El Sistema project of Venezuela, a program that brings classical music to the country's youth. He has also directed the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra in Sweden and the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the US. He has also been a favorite at the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. He has an extensive discography that goes back a decade and has won Grammy and Classic Brit awards for his work.

More recently, the young musical talent conducted the opening and ending credits of the latest film from the Star Wars franchise. In the YouTube video embedded below, Dudamel conducts the Star Wars theme for the film's famed composter John Williams. For more information on Gustavo Dudamel's schedule, bio and recordings, visit his official website at gustavodudamel.com.

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2016 Rolex Submariner Date Configurations

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Introduced in 1953, the Submariner Date has become one of the most recognizable Rolex models in the world. Its 60-minute graduated bezel, now made using the watchmaker's patented Cerachrom insert, combines form and function to create a useful tool watch underwater that can also go with you anywhere on land. Rolex offers its most iconic dive watch in stainless steel, two tone and gold configurations, with dials and bezels in either blue, green or black. 

2016 Stainless Steel Submariner Date (Reference # 116610LV) (photo: Rolex/James Higginson)
In stainless steel, the Submariner Date comes with either a green dial and bezel combination (Reference # 116610LV) or a black dial with black bezel (Reference # 116610LN). The green configuration, known as the 'Hulk' by some, is shown in the photo above. The combination of stainless steel with green seems odd at first glance, but this version is very popular amongst enthusiasts. The dial has a sunray finish that looks particularly resplendent in the sun. The 904L steel of the case and Oyster bracelet have a satin finish and the Oysterlock clasp features the Glidelock extension system that adds 20mm to the bracelet in increments of 2mm.

In terms of precious metal configurations, Rolex offers the Submariner Date in either white or yellow gold or a combination of yellow gold and stainless steel, referred to as Rolesor. The photo below shows the white gold version with a blue dial and bezel combination (Reference # 116619LB) on the left, the yellow gold/black dial and bezel combo (Reference # 116618LN) in the middle and the two tone stainless/yellow gold Rolesor with blue dial/bezel combination (Reference # 116613LB) on the right. Aside from those shown in the photo, the watchmaker also offers a yellow gold Sub Date with a blue dial and bezel combo (Reference # 116618LN) and the two tone Rolesor with a black dial and bezel combination (Reference # 116613LN).

2016 Gold Rolex Submariner Date Configurations (photo: Rolex/Seref Yucar)
Equipped with a 3135 self-winding mechanical movement manufactured in-house, the Submariner Date features a depth rating of 300 meters and a power reserve of 48 hours. The precious metal configurations feature polished center links on the bracelet. Its 40mm case is sealed with a screw down Triplock winding crown, ensuring a watertight seal. Its hands and hour markers contain Cromalight appliqués that make it highly legible underwater or in darker environments.

The stainless steel Submariner Date configurations dominate the market, but the yellow gold and Rolesor versions compliment the nautical blue dial and bezel spectacularly. The white gold version is known as the 'Smurf' by some and is also a favorite amongst those who don't like yellow gold watches. Anyone who is looking for a solid and simple dive watch with a classic aesthetic should look no further than the Sub. The watchmaker offers a Submariner without a date function for those who like a cleaner dial display. And if the Cyclops magnifying lens is a deal-breaker for you, check out the Sea-Dweller 4000, a 40mm dive watch made by Rolex that has a date function without the magnification lens.

After decades on the market with very few changes to its aesthetic and functionality, the Submariner Date has proven to be a reliable dive watch. Its consistency has also helped keep its resale value high, something that is important to those who tend to flip watches in their collections. For more information on the archetype of the diver's watch, visit the watchmaker's official website at rolex.com.

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Titan Black Rolex Explorer Oro

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Titan Black is a family run business based in the Mayfair area of London that specializes in customization of luxury watches made by Rolex and other watchmakers. The company offers their own range of unique luxury watches modified using their DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coating and also offer their modification services on any watch provided by the customer, even allowing one to come up with their own bespoke design on their website. 

Titan Black Rolex Explorer Oro (photo: titanblack.co.uk)
Horology geeks tend to turn their noses up at modified watches, but companies like Titan Black continue to find success with those willing to spend their money on timepieces that are truly one of a kind. The watches in their Titan Black Collection, like the Rolex Explorer Oro shown above, are all sold in limited quantities. They are also the only luxury watch customization company to offer modifications on any watch, not just watches from their collection. They also offer concierge services to watch collectors, helping their clients source rare and hard to find vintage pieces

The Explorer (Reference # 214270) is one of the simplest models in Rolex's professional line. The legibility and symmetry of its dial make it easy to tell time on it. The large arabic numbers at 3, 6 and 9 o'clock are unmistakable and its otherwise clean design makes it an excellent candidate for a modification. The Oro customization from Titan Black moves the watch away from the basic stainless steel and black configuration most commonly seen on Rolex sports models. With gold on the hands, hour markers, logo and model name and their DLC coating on the case, bezel and bracelet, this watch takes on a life of its own. However, the combination of black and gold isn't at all jarring or flashy, as one may expect when imagining a modified watch.

Most of the watches in their range are blacked out as one would expect, with some exceptions. The Lathbridge watches from their collaboration with designer Patrick Cox, like the Daytona shown in the photo below from the Titan Black Instagram feed, feature a cognac colored coating. The color is a bit more earthy and warm than yellow gold, but not as pink as rose gold. The polish is subtle and allows the timepiece to avoid being considered flashy or gaudy. In addition to working with Patrick Cox, the company has also created special edition Cartier, Richard Mille and Audemars Piguet timepieces.

Customization may be considered a dirty word in the world of Rolex, but Titan Black's work offers an adventurous take on classic timepieces that is worth a look. Their pieces may not fit into everyone's collections, but they are designed to make the person wearing it feel unique and distinguished. If you are interested in seeing what a watch would look like with one of their modifications, check out the Design Your Own page on their official website, titanblack.co.uk.

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Every Rolex Tells a Story: Vijay Amritraj

.Celebrities.
The story behind professional tennis player Vijay Amritraj's road to owning a Rolex begins in his home country of India during a childhood spent plagued with health issues. India's first professional sportsman spent most of his childhood in the hospital with a disease of the lungs. His doctors recommended to his parents that he partake in outdoor sports to help strengthen his frail body. Amritraj chose to take tennis lessons, an extraordinary expense for an Indian family at the time, which would not only help him get healthier, but also help pave his way to Wimbledon and other major tennis tournaments before he was twenty years old.

Professional Tennis Player Vijay Amritraj (photo: Rolex)
"I think tennis was my greatest education. It taught me about not just the world, but about myself and what one is able to achieve. Tennis gave me more than I could have ever asked for and my Rolex stands for exactly that. It makes you think of the impossible as nothing." Amritraj won the Newport Hall of Fame Tournament in 1976 and received a yellow gold Rolex Day-Date 36 in addition to his cash prize. At 23 years old, the athlete felt too young to wear a Rolex, but kept it on his wrist because it was a source of pride for him, especially given what he had to overcome to achieve his success in sports.

After forty years, the gold Rolex is still on his wrist, as you can see in the video embedded below. The athlete credits his health and life accomplishments, which include being named a UN Messenger of Peace and carrying the Olympic Torch for India, to his involvement in sports. He sees his Day-Date as a symbol of how perseverance and dedication can lead to excellence and he wears it proudly. For information on Vijay Amritraj's story and a closer look at his vintage Day-Date, visit rolex.com.

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Lindsey Vonn Wears a Rolex on Running Wild With Bear Grylls

.Celebrities.
Lindsey Vonn on Running Wild With Bear Grylls (photo: NBC)
Olympic gold medalist in alpine skiing and Rolex brand ambassador Lindsey Vonn appeared on NBC's Running Wild with Bear Grylls this week, an outdoor survival show in which Grylls takes a celebrity on an adventure in each episode. Vonn's episode was filmed on the island of Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea and while she spends most of her time skiing down mountains, climbing the rocky coastal cliffs of the island proved to be a challenge for the athlete.

Vonn tested her individual survival abilities during the 48 hour journey, letting survival expert Grylls know early on that she did not want help getting up the mountain. "One thing I've noticed with Lindsey is that everything's a competition," Grylls said early in the challenge. Her competitive nature combined with an intense work ethic have helped her become the successful athlete she is today, something she would like to pass on to her children someday. "I definitely want to teach my kids that they can be whatever they want to be. Nothing's going to be handed to them," she said. "There's no substitute for hard work."

The olympian entered the challenge wearing a yellow gold Rolex Day-Date, a timepiece that accurately reflects her accomplishments. Vonn was featured in ads for Ladies models, including the diamond-encrusted Pearlmaster earlier this year, but it seems that she prefers the President's Watch for her personal collection. This makes sense to me after watching the episode. While most media outlets focused on her comments about Tiger Woods, I found it interesting that she expressed a desire to compete with men on the slopes as a skier.

Lindsey Vonn may model swimsuits and compete against women in her sport (for now) but what struck me the most while watching the episode is how her spirit resembles that of strong women from the past, like Mercedes Gleitze, the first woman to cross the English Channel unaided in 1927. Her pioneering spirit and commitment to excellence makes her a great representation for the brand and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for the athlete.

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