Rolex Watches a General Estimate
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Hans Wilsdorf, founder of Rolex and Tudor |
Rolex watch is the watch that the world watches. Today
it is in great demand world over. This is due to the brand equity that has been
built by the company. But, how did they brand become one of the most
recognizable symbols of class and luxury. Primarily it is by the intrinsic
merit of the company’s high level of perfection. Another factor that
contributed to the glory of the watch is the galore of great men who chose this
watch to adorn their persons. The Rolex watch today is your passport into a
class.
Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay used a Rolex as they scaled
impenetrable heights of the formidable Everest in 1953. If the mountaineering
duo trusted Rolex to keep time at 8848 then there is every reason for Rolex to
be trusted by you and me. Rolex does a little more for us than to keep time; it
decorates us. A mountaineer is not very keen on his appearance on the rugged
mountain top. The great qualities that made Rolex one of the most appreciated
symbols of the world today is even more popular due to higher levels perfection
the brand could achieve.
What are the reasons for the abiding fame of Rolex? It is one of
the most recognized status symbols in the world. According a recent report from Business Week, Rolex is ranked
71 among the 100 most valuable global brands. Rolex produces a mind boggling
2000 watches a day, making it the largest produced single luxury watch brand.
Rolex revenue generation exceeds $3 billion. These statistics reveal the extent
of popularity of the brand.
Rolex is a trailblazer. It produced the first watch
that automatically changed date on the dial, Rolex
Datejust, 1945. Rolex
Day-Date was the first to
change day and date on the dial. Rolex
Oyster Perpetual Submariner is
the first wrist watch case that is water proof at 100 meters. This was launched
in 1953. Rolex GMT Master launched in 1953 was first watch that
could show two time zones at the same time. Rolex also is the first watch maker
to get chronometer certification. With so many firsts no doubt Rolex is the
crowning glory of horology.
Rolex Yacht-Master
Rolex can trace many years of history during which it produced a
series of watches. There are watch lines like Rolex Cosmograph, Date just,
Submariner and GMT-Master which can go back in memory lane way back to 1960’s
to 1940’s. However, Rolex Yacht-Master can be called truly the baby of the
Rolex Family. Launched in 1993, the Yacht-Master is derived from the
Submariner. They are available with gold and platinum bezels. The cases are
40mm, 35mm and the smaller version of 29mm.
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Rolex Yacht-Master |
By now we know that Yacht Master is the end product of the
evolution of the Submariner. While Submariner is water resistant at 300 meters,
Yacht-Master is water resistant at 100 meters only. Both are for professional sailors.
However, the Submariner is more divers oriented. As the term Yacht-Master
indicates, it is a watch with greater orientation towards the needs of the
water sport lovers. Cost wise Yacht-Master is priced much higher than the
Submariner.
Rolex is clearly designed for the regatta event which is a sport
for the rich. Now, the name of the watch echoes the names of the popular sport
called yachting which has something royal about the game. The watch is a
favorite with those who love the expensive sport. There are more and more
high-end users for this watch.
The resolute pursuit for excellence in Rolex watch making is
effectively can be seen in Rolex Yacht-Master. Minutest attention
has been given to the clasp that is smugly fixed to the body of the watch that
has an impressive rotating bezel. The materials used externally are capable of
withstanding the rough jolts and knocks that is part of the sea-faring life of
men who are obsessed with the sea. The sea-man grapples with seas that are
violent and turbulent depending on the vagaries of the weather. Whatever be the
trying situations in the high seas, the watch can withstand them. The man and
his watch are here in perfection unison to combat the sudden convulsions of the
seas.
Rolex Submariner
Rolex Submariner is classic watch for all times. This watch
line is crafted for diving and is famous the world over for their water
resistant qualities. The world saw the first Submariner in 1954. Ever since, it
is the most imitated of watches. It is a classic watch which the world
recognizes as the ultimate luxury. The watch has bee in the forefront of
various expeditions. In the fabled Moana expedition it has withstood over
thousand dives. In the Antarctic it has withstood temperatures below 45
degrees. These were amazing tests of endurance which has enhanced the glory of
the watch.
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Rolex Submariner |
Rolex Submariner makes us ruminate the daring feet of men
and women go went into the sea and mountain in search of adventure. It is
closely related to the great Norwegian anthropologist, Thor Heyerdahl, an
explorer with scientific background, who sailed 4300 miles in a raft from South
America to the Tuamotu Islands. During his expeditions he
measured time using his Rolex Submariner. Apart from these it has an amazing
number of celluloid appearances. Rolex Submariner has appeared in eleven James
Bond movies. This is impressive achievement for a watch and the reason for the
abiding popularity of the model.
There are very many salient features which make the model the
darling of sport lovers. It is waterproof at 300 meters. It has a Triplock
system that gives additional protection to the watch. The gold and the other
alloys that Rolex made are in house products that ensure quality. Though there
are many divers watch in the market, seasoned divers accept only Rolex
Submariner when it comes to professionalism. These qualities have made the
watch a portable symbol of class that the world recognizes as the last word on
luxury.
There is nothing that can be compared to a
Rolex. A Rolex can be compared only with another Rolex. Generally speaking the
fashion circles consider Rolex as the king among watches. Among Rolex models,
Rolex Submariner has an enviable position.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Deepsea
The world over Rolex stands for excellence, accuracy, fashion,
sophistication and venture. Many of the Rolex models have seen the highest
imaginable adventure in sea, land and sky. Rolex
Oyster Perpetual Date Deepsea is
the ultimate diver’s watch that loves the deepest recesses of the sea. It has
seen the most trying conditions of the ocean bed. The fame and glory of the
watch has made it the favored possession among many watch lovers.
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The Trieste. |
There are various reasons for the abiding popularity of the model.
The greatness of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Deepsea can be traced back to
the unique strength, ruggedness and resilience of one of the toughest watches
that the world has ever seen. A smattering of history will reveal the massive
appeal and popularity of this amazing watch that has stood in the forefront of
fame in the toughest market competition. In the 1950’s Rolex performed a series
of tough tests on the prototype of a watch. The watch is Christened Deep Sea Special. In
the first of the test the watch plunged a whopping 1,080 meters and in the second
test it plummeted 3,150 meters. This was in the year 1953 and the tests showed
that they were water resistant when taken out. The knowledge gained by the test
goaded Rolex to take the watch to the bottom of the Mariana Trench a region
10,916 meters below the sea-level. This was the ultimate challenge and the
watch came out unscathed.
How can account for the great name the model has the world over?
The fame of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Deepsea is connected with romantic
history of the original which went down with US Navy’s experimental
bathyscaphe, the Trieste to explore the Mariana Trench, the
deepest known depression on the earth’s surface. When the bathyscaphe went down
a Rolex Deepsea prototype was strapped on the bathyscaphe and when the experiment
was conducted both the vessel and the watch was found intact. This enhanced
fame made the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Deepsea associated with the great
adventure.
The fame of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual
Date Deepsea is due to the technical excellence of the original. The complex
three layer case of the watch is called the Ringlock
System. The watch is made of
nitrogen-alloyed stainless steel. The watch is an impenetrable fortress that
can withstand the pressures which would crumble a normal submarine. With so
much of romantic history behind the watch is a great buy among the high-end
users.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Milgauss
Rolex products have conquered the world by their technical focus
without compromising the stylistic aspects of the watches as a fashion wear.
While the technical perfection of the watch to meet the industry needs give the
watches a rare reliability and endurance the stress on the fashionable aspects
of the watch as an embellishment give it great beauty and value as a style
appendage.
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Rolex Milgauss |
Rolex certainly is worth the investment as it is accepted the
world over as a great watch. It is an arena where beauty and quality met
marvelously. So, Rolex watches are suited to fulfill a special role in the air,
sea, and work field or sports arena. Rolex Oyster Perpetual Milgauss is
meant for the person serving in the power generation or who work in areas where
magnetic field will interfere with the working of the watch. The name Milgauss comes from the Latin prefix mil which denotes one thousand and gauss which stands for magnetic field. The
model is so named because it can withstand magnetic flux of 1,000 gauss.
The attractiveness of the Rolex Milgauss is due to the great
status the watch enjoys among the collectors of ancient watches. The model found
the light of the day in 1956. When the watch was designed the functional aspect
of the watch was very dominant. It is an antimagnetic watch for those who
worked in power plants, medical labs, research centers where the
electromagnetic fields can create havoc. Thus, there is an amazing stress on
the technical perfection. However, this was done without sacrificing the beauty
aspect of watch. So, this two directional approach of the watch made the watch
a darling even among people who do not know anything about the technical side
of the watch. Today, there are a host of lovers of Rolex Milgauss watches.
In 2007, these watches were re-launched
after a few years of hiatus. Now there are three models available in the
market. They are available with a white dial and black dial with sapphire
crystal. There is the third version with a black dial and a green tinted
crystal. This model is called GV (Glace Verte) or the Anniversary model. The re-launch of Milgauss has
made the model more popular and more and more lovers seek Rolex Milgauss.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date II
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date II has captured the heart of magnificence. It
has been lauded by the great connoisseurs in the art and science of horology.
It has been called the ultimate choice of the elite the world over and the
leader’s watch. It is truly the very essence of the finest in style.
Rolex Day-Date was presented to the public in 2008. It is a
feather on the cap of Rolex and brightens the history of the original Day-Date.
The watch can boast as the first one to show day and date fully. The classic
today has evolved in size with a 41 mm case. The Rolex watches demonstrate the
evolutionary nature of the great company. While adhering to the classic element
of the original the watch is able to adopt itself to the demands of the new
generation of elite who are youthful, sportive, fun loving and would like to
show of their class by wearing around their wrist the insignia of wealth and
opulence in the form of a great Rolex. There is a close association with Rolex
and leadership. The watch has been associated with those who decided the
destiny of the world. This is particularly true in the case of Day-Date.
Whatever is the area of their work and achievements, the exceptional
individuals have loved the great watch.
Launched in 1956, this was the earliest
watch to show day and date fully spelled out. Now, Day-date is available in a
choice of languages. The watch is indeed the watch of the influential people.
The Day-Date with its 41 mm case inherits all the greatness of its illustrious
ancestor. For those who are original and love achievement the watch which is
available only in platinum and 18 ct gold is a wonderful choice. The watch
makes a powerful statement. The focus of the Rolex is not only on the watch but
also on the bracelet. The great president bracelet is one of the beauties of
the watch and it goes very well with Day-Date.
The problem faced by a luxury brand is the problem of satisfying
diverse needs and tastes. Rolex has a watch to suit every taste. The car lover
is happy, the deep diver is overjoyed and the pilot is thrilled with GMT-Master II. It is the
ultimate pilot’s watch.
Seeing the world of travel and their needs a brand has to add
functions to the watch. The Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II is the definitive
choice of the globe trotters that fly the world. The watch has an interesting
history. The GMT-Master, introduced in 1955 was made in co-operation with Pan
Am to cater to the requirements of the pilots who flew the international
flights. The jet age required time calculations which were not needed for the
people of the past. The rotatable 24 hour bezel of the watch allows the pilots
to measure three time zones at the same time. The GMT-Master is 40mm and
built-in with a scratch free black Cerachrom disc. The functional efficiency of
the watch captured the fancy of the elite and the watches reached the market
for them.
The GMT-Master is accepted in the minds of the people because of
the association of the watch with Chuck Yeager who stretched the possibilities
of man and science. In the year
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Chuck Yeager |
1947 he broke the sound barrier and reached
Mach 1. He has many pages in the aviation history and Rolex is closely
associated with him. When transcontinental flights became the part of life
behind the winning smiles of the pilots of Pan Am there was technology. Rolex
GMT-Master became the official watch of Pan Am pilots. There is not doubt that
the watch contributed to the winning smiles of the American Pilots.
The Rolex GMT-Master is certainly a supersonic luxury. The
original GMT-Master was part of the supersonic story. When Concorde made the
final tests in the 1960’s both the French and the British test Pilots Brian
Trubshaw and Andre Turcat wore GMT-Masters. In the era of supersonic flights
the time was measured by the Rolex GMT-Master.
It is good to take a sneak peak of the
factors that make GMT the ultimate pilots watch. It enables the pilots to know
the time in two zones is the adjustable 12 hour hand that allows the setting of
the time without stopping the watch. The time shown by the hour hand is read on
the dial while the time shown 24 hour hand is measured with the help of the
bezel. This is indeed ideal for the man that travels the world. GMT-Master is
the crowning glory of the Rolex as a contributor to the great moments in the
aviation history of man.
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona is truly the best
bet for a person with a passion for driving. The watch is a hot favorite of
those who go for races and those who love the sport. The original was
introduced in 1963 to meet the special demands of the professional race car
drives. Within a short time the model achieved recognition the world
over. The bezel with tachometric scale enables the drivers to calculate the
time in the humdrum activity of hectic driving where even a split of the second
would make colossal change.
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Rolex Cosmograph Daytona |
Rolex Daytona shares the credit of many historic moments in
the circuit. Rolex started crafting the first chronographs as early as 1930’s.
In 1935 the British daredevil driver Sir Malcolm Campbell set the world record
for speed by driving faster than 300 miles per hour in his famous automobile Bluebird. In that moment of glory he had a Rolex
on his wrist. The speed was a great achievement for the automobile in the
infancy of the car-technology.
The term Daytona is the international speedway with an extent of
500 miles. In that circuit a marathon driving 24 hours is a test of both the
man and the machine. At night the circuit is illuminated only partially. This
grueling feat calls for patience, tenacity and skill. Since 1962 people ask the
question which is harder to make around the circuit or make it around the
clock. These moments are recorded many a time by a Rolex and Rolex Daytona has
shared the moments of glory a couple of occasions. In the annals of F1 racing
the name of Sir Jackie Stewart is immortal and he is closely associated with Rolex
Daytona.
Rolex, generally considered as the king of watches is a make that
is under the hold of a permanent fascination with excellence. The tachymeter
that is on the bezel of the engraved Daytona helps the driver calculate the
time precisely in the trying conditions of racing. In fact Daytona is an
instrument for the driver and every letter on the watch is so clearly engraved
to enable hassle free reading of the time. The movement of the original Rolex
and the simplicity of its design is a perfect symphony.