Rolex Watches now given to College Football Players

Rolex: The BCS College football rankings are quickly gaining mainstream media attention, so much so that the NCAA now allows Rolex watches to be given to Heisman Trophy contenders such as Tim Tebow of the University of Florida, Chase Daniel at the University of Missouri, and Dennis Dixon at the University of Oregon.

The prestigious Davey O’Brien award, named after the famed TCU (Texas Christian University) football player, includes a $10,000 tuition scholarship and a Rolex watch. Tim Tebow was the winner in 2007 and former winners include Troy Smith of Ohio State University, Vince Young of the University of Texas, and Jason White of Oklahoma University. This year’s contenders will likely include Graham Harrell of undefeated Texas Tech University (TTU), Colt McCoy of the University of Texas (UT), and Mark Sanchez of the University of Southern California (USC) .

The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback award, in its own words, “recognizes champions on the field..and encourages promising athletes’ academic and career success through scholarships and support.” So what exactly is this “support”? In Tim Tebow’s case the scholarship was $10,000 and the “support” was an engraved trophy and a Rolex watch! In a time where both Reggie Bush and O.J. Mayo were accused of accepting gifts while playing college sports should we really be giving college football players Rolex watches?

The NCAA and BCS have been under a lot of heat for using the BCS bowl series (Rose Bowl, Holiday Bowl, Sugar Bowl, etc.) as a way to generate more tv advertising revenue and ticket sales versus using a traditional playoff system like in the NFL. Pete Carroll, head coach of USC, is furious about this as his USC Trojans went undefeated several years back, only to not make it to the BCS Championship college football game. Joe Paterno, head coach of Penn State University, and Charlie Weis, head coach of Notre Dame University have also spoken out about this. So does giving out Rolex watches as gifts to players only fuel the fire?

Ultimately, it may just be that a Rolex watch, in particular, is really the only appropriate gift in this instance. The Davey O’brien award, for example, is designed to commend a player for his leadership, accuracy, and enduring character. No other watch brand but Rolex is so devoted towards it accuracy and quality of its product. In fact, almost all other watch brands have resorted to using generic watch movements, over the years, whereas Rolex still uses hand-made movements after nearly 100 years of manufacturing. Rolex even donated a significant amount of money to Oklahoma State University, another BCS Championship contender, to help develop out a watch-making school at OSU and Rolex is the only watch brand that gives away 100% of its annual profits to charity every year, essentially operating the company like a non-profit. These ideals fit hand in hand with those of the BCS and NCAA and the Davey O’Brien award.

After all, can we really be that upset with Tim Tebow receiving a Rolex? Tim Tebow could have joined the NFL last year but stayed with the Florida Gators to try and take them to a SEC and BCS championship. In addition, he has made missionary trips to the Philippines, visiting schools, churches, and hospitals to help the poor and disabled find hope in their lives. Religious beliefs aside, it seems like he is indeed a selfless person and, if anyone deserves a Rolex because of his character, it is none other than Tim Tebow of the BCS Championship-contending University of Florida Gators.

- Rolex Luxury Watch Blog

Rolex Watch Blog: Rolex Diamond

Diamonds have always been recognized as the ultimate gift for your love. Their sparkle and beauty can impress anyone. If you are looking for one of the most adored gifts for the most important man in your life, nothing can be better than a diamond watch. It will not only help him to keep his time commitments, but will also enhance his personality. Of numerous watch brands offering diamond watches, the one brand that stands out is Rolex.

Rolex wrist watches are the most popular diamond watches for their timeless beauty and reliability and perfection as a time-keeping device. Over the years, Rolex has innovated a number of wristwatches for men, each with a unique appeal. Giving one to the man in your life will define your love for him. Some of the most popular Rolex men’s diamond watches that you can choose from are the following:

* Men’s Champagne Diamond Dial 3ct Beadset Rolex Day Date Super Presidential: Its ultimate feature is Italian made 18k yellow gold Presidential bracelet, beautifully crafted with 312 finest quality diamonds. The custom champagne diamond dial with 8 round and 2 baguette cut diamonds set in 18k yellow gold offers a stylish look which every man desires for. You can also go for other popular dial colors such as silver, blue and mother of pearl.

* Men’s Two Tone Black Dial Fluted Bezel Rolex Datejust: This model looks trendy with its stainless steel case having 18k yellow gold crown. It features an attractive black diamond dial with 10 round cut diamonds set in 18k yellow gold and Italian made 18k yellow gold and stainless steel jubilee bracelet which look very fascinating.

* Men’s Stainless Steel Silver Dial 3ct Channel Set Diamond Bezel Rolex Datejust: This is another very popular Rolex wristwatch for men that looks both modern and classic. It features a custom silver diamond dial with 10 round cut diamonds set in 18k white gold and a channel set diamond bezel with 40 round cut diamonds.

If you are concerned about the high prices that every Rolex watch commands, you can always go for pre-owned Rolex diamond watch for the man in your life. This is because, preowned Rolex are available at affordable prices without any compromise on quality.

- Rolex Luxury Watch Blog

Roger Federer Rolex Watch

Roger Federer, the famous tennis-star, chooses to wear a Rolex Oyster Day-Date Watch. This is also the watch favored by many movie-stars, CEO’s and American presidents, including Eisenhower, Kennedy, Nixon and Ford.

This Rolex watch is known in America as the ‘Rolex Day Date President’. The chairman of Rolex presented President Eisenhower with an 18 kt Datejust, one of the company’s exclusive watches, in 1948 to celebrate the Allied victory over the Nazis in World War II. In 1956 Eisenhower’s watch needed a new bracelet. The new bracelet with concealed clasps was nicknamed the ‘President’s bracelet’, but soon the Day-Date watch was also nicknamed the ‘President’.

This may have been because the Day-Date watch was introduced by Rolex in the same year – 1956. Highly praised for its innovation, Rolex’s new watch was the first to show the date of the week spelled out in full and the second model was the first to be called ‘Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified’ because its accuracy was within three plus seconds per day.

Rolex soon introduced other innovations to the watch. The addition of the ‘Hack feature’ in 1972 allowed the second hand to be stopped so that the owner could set the time. The ‘Quick Set Feature’ enabled the owner to set the time by pulling the button on top of the watch and twisting it around to move the hands, instead of laboriously turning the crown of the watch around.

The new sapphire crystal feature ensured that the watch was more scratch-resistant and durable. The new watches were also slimmer and smoother than the early Day-Dates, which were heavy and bulky.

Rolex introduced a new version of the Day-Date this year. The new Day-Date watch, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date II, features a Parachrom-blu hair-spring and Paraflex shock-absorber which makes it more resistant to shock and magnetism.

Prestigious and classy, the Rolex Day-Date is available in white-gold, yellow-gold, rose-gold and platinum. Considered a man’s dress watch, this luxury watch is priced at above $20,000.00. The extremely elegant style of this watch and Rolex’s new innovations will continue to ensure that it remains a fashion icon.

Roger Federer, perhaps the greatest tennis player of all time, cannot run for President of the United States because he is a Swiss Citizen. Most likely, he would never want to be President of the United States, having vaulted to the status of a legend in his own profession. With a Rolex Day-Date President watch on his wrist, however, Roger can feel like the President of the world with a smile and with true class.

- Rolex Luxury Watch Blog

Lindsay Lohan Rolex Watches

A question that must be asked is whether the famous and infamous Hollywood star Lindsay Lohan has more Rolex watches or more love affairs with both men and women? There is little question amid the multitude of voices in today’s popular culture that Lindsay Lohan is a talented performer. Recently, however, Lohan’s most dramatic and eye-catching performances have taken place in her so-called private life. Her supposed committed gay relationship with Samantha Ronson went nuclear in the Miami airport over the New Year holiday with the two young women viciously screaming at each other. The Los Angeles Times reported hysterics and drama to the point where a flight attendant on American Airlines asked if they would like to disembark. Later, after they arrived and returned to their home in the Hollywood Hills, neighbors reported more screaming and glasses shattering. It is lucky Lindsay was not wearing her Rolex Daytona because the luxury watch would make quite a projectile weapon if thrown and not worn.

If Lindsay Lohan actually used her Rolex Daytona as a weapon, it most likely would have survived the impact. Rolex professional watches are known for their strength and endurance, even a gold and jeweled watch like Lindsay’s Daytona. Still, if Lindsay Lohan managed to actually damage her Rolex Daytona, she would have several more Rolex watches to choose from in her own personal collection. Lindsay Lohan tends to prefer wearing oversized Men’s Rolexes in both stainless steel and yellow gold. Yes, Lindsay is known for going through relationships these days faster than she checks in and out of rehabs. Beginning with Ronson, these relationships now include both women and men, which should continue in the future. Since Lindsay has been photographed in the past wearing more than one Rolex at a time and as many as three, there is no question that she loves the fashion and power that a Rolex watch represents in the popular culture. So does she have more Rolex watches than relationships, and is she willing to sacrifice her Rolex watches as projectile weapons whenever she breaks up with a lover?



Okay, more than a touch of irony is expressed in that last question. Hopefully, Lindsay will see the quality and precision reflected in each Rolex watch, and then attempt to mirror that quality and precision in her own life. In 2009, it is time for the talented performer to shift her performances away from her private life and return the drama and talent to her professional career. Lindsay Lohan’s love of Rolex watches reveals her inherent taste and respect for true quality. Now Lindsay has to learn to respect and love herself.

- Rolex Luxury Watch Blog

John Mayer gave a Rolex Watch to Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Aniston

A known Rolex collector and a generous boyfriend, John Mayer gave Rolex watches to both Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Aniston when he respectively was dating them. In contrast, he did not give a Rolex watch to Cameron Diaz during their time together. John Mayer gave Jessica Simpson a Rolex Datejust Jubilee Men’s Watch with an Oyster Bracelet. She is wearing the watch in the paparazzi photograph. Later, when it came time to give a Rolex to Jennifer Aniston, Mayer gave the star a Ladies Oyster Datejust with black face and pink hour markers. When he dated Cameron Diaz before the Simpson and Aniston relationships, they reportedly had a passionate affair. However, she departed without a Rolex. Diaz has the right to be angry because Mayer even gave a Rolex Presidential to his well-known male trainer, Harley Pasternak.



John Mayer’s lapse in not giving a Rolex to Cameron Diaz may explain why Diaz was so angry with Jennifer Aniston, his latest on-and-off fling. On a slew of celebrity sites, the war between Diaz and Aniston is being updated on a regular basis. The feud began in April when Aniston started dating Mayer. It is possible that when Diaz saw that Mayer had bought Jennifer Aniston a Rolex Oyster Dayjust, she just could not take it anymore. Cameron Diaz must have thought to herself: “John Mayer gave Jessica Simpson a Rolex, and he gave Jennifer Aniston a Rolex, and all I got was a broken heart. After all, if even his trainer gets a Rolex, why wasn’t I given an expensive watch as well?” Luckily, Diaz makes enough money from her movies to buy herself an entire collection of Rolex watches.



When he is not buying Rolex watches for his celebrity girlfriends, John Mayer buys Rolex wristwatches for himself. In the picture, John Mayer wears his favorite Rolex from his extensive collection which is pictured below and the specific description is as follows: Rolex Daytona Stainless Steel, White dial with luminous hour markers, 44 jewels, and a Stainless steel Oyster bracelet with flip-lock clasp. Strangely enough, when O.J. Simpson was ordered to turn over his Rolex Submariner to the Goldman family, all John Mayer wanted to talk about when he was leaving his 30th birthday party was Simpson’s Rolex. Clearly, Mayer loves Rolex watches, but he does not know them well enough to realize that Simpson’s watch was a $125 fake.



Ultimately, John Mayer should stick to his merry-go-round of celebrity girlfriends and continue to give them Rolex watches. The gift of a Rolex temporarily made both Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Aniston happy. In fact, John Mayer should resolve a past mistake and give Cameron Diaz a Rolex as well. Diaz clearly deserves to wear a Rolex and maybe the gesture would help to heal her broken heart.

- Rolex Luxury Watch Blog

DJ AM Returns With A Rolex

While spinning records in the hottest clubs and venues in the world, DJ AM (Adam Goldstein) remains loyal to the wristwatch the stars. After DJ AM put up a picture of his burned vintage Rolex watch after the plane crash he miraculously survived with Travis Barker of Blink 182, the rumor on the web was that he was disillusioned with Rolex. This rumor has been shown to be false from two key perspectives: first, DJ AM simply wanted to show how bad the fiery crash had been by showing the damage to the Rolex he was wearing. Second, in his comeback performance with Jay-Z, DJ AM was seen wearing a Rolex Datejust.

On September 19, 2008, after having performed a college event with frequent collaborator Travis Barker of Blink 182, DJ AM and Barker were seriously injured when their Learjet crashed on takeoff in Columbia, South Carolina. The two crewmembers and the two other passengers were killed in the fiery crash. Miraculously, DJ AM and Barker both survived with bad burns. Since the accident, their recovery has been inspiring.



Later, DJ AM posted a picture of his burned vintage Rolex on his Facebook page to let the fans see for themselves how intense the crash had been. There was a rumor that he was making a negative statement about his watch. In truth, DJ AM was showing that if even a quality Rolex was so badly damaged, it was a miracle that he and Barker were able to survive the crash. Once engaged to Nicole Ritchie, DJ AM has renewed his romantic connection to actor Mandy Moore after the crash. Although they recently had broken up, Mandy Moore rushed to DJ AM’s side. Known as an avid sneakerhead with a Nike named after him, DJ AM also collects Rolex watches. It has been rumored that Moore gave DJ AM a Rolex Datejust to replace the vintage Rolex destroyed in the plane crash.

On October 16, 2008, DJ AM played with Jay-Z at the Hollywood Palladium. Incredibly, less than a month after the crash, DJ AM overcame his visible scars and rocked out at the show. At his turntables, DJ AM was said to be wearing a new Rolex Datejust while spinning for Jay-Z. Like his Rolex watch, DJ AM is a performer of quality and precision, durability and strength. Today, DJ AM chooses to continue to celebrate life and roll with his Rolex Datejust.

Brad Pitt And Rolex Watches

There is no question that superstar actor Brad Pitt loves Rolex watches. He wears them in his movies, like the Ocean Trilogy and Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and he wears Rolex watches in his private life. Brad Pitt, however, has a sexy secret, and it has nothing to do with Angelina Jolie or Jennifer Aniston. For several years, Brad Pitt appeared in Rolex Advertisements in Japan for the luxury goods company, Evance. These print and video spots, splashed across billboards and constantly running on television in the Japanese market, are nothing like his American and European fans have ever seen before. Showing Brad Pitt lying in bed half-naked, gazing at his Rolex Explorer like a satisfied lover, the Rolex advertisements quite simply would blow his adoring female fans away. In the print ads, Pitt looks like a rugged playboy as he lies in bed, wearing only his Rolex Daytona. With the opening of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button on Christmas day and his nomination for several top acting awards (still waiting on the Oscar nods in January), Pitt wants nothing more than to be taken seriously as an actor. And Brad Pitt is a serious actor, but his advertising work for Rolex reveals the inherent sex symbol lingering within.

Brad Pitt and Rolex watches intimately have been connected with each other for many years. The actor particularly has been known to be close, on both a professional and private level, with the Rolex Daytona. Commenting on the rarity of these ultra-popular Rolex watches, a South African newspaper pointed out: “Annual production of Rolexes is limited to an estimated 750,000 watches. The waiting list for the stainless steel Daytona runs up to five years. Demand for the prestigious Swiss timepieces - with the crown imprimatur - always exceeded the supply. Rolex cachet is such that during World War II, a German mountaineer pursued by British soldiers in India partially financed his escape by selling his watch to a remote Himalayan villager. That story is told in the Sony Pictures movie “Seven Years in Tibet,” starring Brad Pitt.”



Beyond this professional connection, Brad Pitt has been seen wearing a Rolex Daytona in his private life and recently he sold one of his Daytona’s online. On a major online auction site, the following posting ran with an embedded link in the article that revealed a picture of Brad Pitt: “The steel Daytona needs no introduction, if you are viewing this piece you know what you are looking for. This 2004-2005 piece is in pristine condition, featuring the white dial. We purchased this timepiece from a large Hollywood dealer who supplies watches to the top movie stars. While confidential in nature, it does come with the Rolex paperwork indicating the identity of such owner. These stars trade their watches in often for brand new models (why put it in your closet when you can just get a new one, right?)”

Brad Pitt is a huge movie star and a talented actor with a private life plagued by the paparazzi, particularly given his marriage to fellow superstar Angelina Jolie. Nothing is bigger in the Western popular culture bubble than Brangelina. Beyond this given reality, Brad Pitt is not only a major Rolex watch owner, but he sold the watches as a pitchman in Japan. And those advertisements reveal a truly sexy secret: the dashing and rugged Brad Pitt that every woman in this country has been longing to see.

Marilyn Monroe Rolex Watch

Marilyn Monroe Rolex Watch

Wow! I couldn't even suppose the Rolex watch could bring so much money...I have some friends who admire Rolex. They sent me interesting news about it. It concerns one of the greatest and legendary women Marilyn Monroe.

I'm eager to tell you the details. So, she presented Kennedy with two gifts: the first gift was seen by everybody. I mean the world-known song she performed: "Happy Birthday, mr. President". I am 100 per cent sure you know what I'm talking about...But till the present moment almost nobody knew about her second gift.

It turns out that the great actress presented him a Rolex watch with the inscription "Jack, with love as always from Marilyn May 29th 1962."

The watch was packed in a golden watchcase with the following poem: "Let lovers breathe their sighs/ And roses bloom and music sound/ Let passion burn on lips and eyes/ And pleasures merry world go round/ Let golden sunshine flood the sky/ And let me love/ Or let me die!"

But because of a small nuance that Kennedy was married, he ordered to save him from that gift.

It's funny but the person empowered kept the watch that's why it was recently sold by auction.

Have you already managed to imagine the price? Approximately at least? So, it is $ 120, 000! Not bad, how do you think?

From the beginning auctioneers valued it at $ 40-60 000. But the estimation was wrong, as we can see.

It's also known that an American and a European collector were the main opponents. Finally a person from the USA won.

I guess the collector who purchased this watch was really more in love with the fabulous actress than with the watch itself! Maybe, I should gift my own Rolex to a celebrity to become a celebrity some time as well? Must think about it!

Rolex GMT Master II

Rolex GMT Master II – Newly Improved 2007 Version

The year 2006 marked the 50th anniversary of the Rolex GMT Master II. To celebrate the occasion, Rolex launched the anniversary edition of the timepiece. The brand's watchmakers have significantly improved the older version of the GMT Master II. They developed the model with two-tone case - 18k gold and stainless steel. In 2007, at BaselWorld 2007 Watch and Jewelry show, Rolex presented a stainless steel model of the watch.

The Rolex GMT Master II is highly appreciated by Rolex fans as the most practical watch. The timepiece wins numerous hearts due to its elegant design and durability - a perfect timekeeping device for frequent travelers. It displays the time in its owner's home time zone as well as a second time zone. There is also a date window for the home time zone. With the GMT Master II it is really easy to change time for different time zones and switch the date.

What major improvements are featured by the Rolex GMT Master II? First of all, Rolex watchmakers updated the movement. The timepiece is powered by the new caliber 3186. If compared to caliber 3185, it makes the hour hand move much smoother. It has also become possible to set the hour hand more precisely. The watchmakers replaced the main spring with a more temperature resistant one. The case of the timepiece has been made a little taller to provide enough space for the new movement.

The dial design of the Rolex watch has also been changed - now it features the so-called 'maxi-dial', implying larger hour markers and wider Minute and Hour hands. The 24-hour hand of the stainless steel GMT Master II is distinctively green. The case of the timepiece is equipped with a ceramic bezel. Ceramic makes the bezel more durable and resistant to abrasions and color-fading. The inner part of the bezel reveals the word 'ROLEX' engravings all around its length.

For the GMT Master II, Rolex watchmakers applied the Triplock crown system that has already been used for other Rolex watches, including the Sea-Dweller, Submariner and Yacht-Master. The watch's crown is larger and heavier that means it is more comfortable to grasp. As for the timepiece's Oyster bracelet, it catches the eye due to nicely polished links in the center.

Drop a look at the picture of the watch to make sure the new Rolex GMT Master II is not only technically advanced but also a really beautiful timepiece.

Rolex GMT Master II

Rolex GMT Master II – Newly Improved 2007 Version

The year 2006 marked the 50th anniversary of the Rolex GMT Master II. To celebrate the occasion, Rolex launched the anniversary edition of the timepiece. The brand's watchmakers have significantly improved the older version of the GMT Master II. They developed the model with two-tone case - 18k gold and stainless steel. In 2007, at BaselWorld 2007 Watch and Jewelry show, Rolex presented a stainless steel model of the watch.

The Rolex GMT Master II is highly appreciated by Rolex fans as the most practical watch. The timepiece wins numerous hearts due to its elegant design and durability - a perfect timekeeping device for frequent travelers. It displays the time in its owner's home time zone as well as a second time zone. There is also a date window for the home time zone. With the GMT Master II it is really easy to change time for different time zones and switch the date.

What major improvements are featured by the Rolex GMT Master II? First of all, Rolex watchmakers updated the movement. The timepiece is powered by the new caliber 3186. If compared to caliber 3185, it makes the hour hand move much smoother. It has also become possible to set the hour hand more precisely. The watchmakers replaced the main spring with a more temperature resistant one. The case of the timepiece has been made a little taller to provide enough space for the new movement.

The dial design of the Rolex watch has also been changed - now it features the so-called 'maxi-dial', implying larger hour markers and wider Minute and Hour hands. The 24-hour hand of the stainless steel GMT Master II is distinctively green. The case of the timepiece is equipped with a ceramic bezel. Ceramic makes the bezel more durable and resistant to abrasions and color-fading. The inner part of the bezel reveals the word 'ROLEX' engravings all around its length.

For the GMT Master II, Rolex watchmakers applied the Triplock crown system that has already been used for other Rolex watches, including the Sea-Dweller, Submariner and Yacht-Master. The watch's crown is larger and heavier that means it is more comfortable to grasp. As for the timepiece's Oyster bracelet, it catches the eye due to nicely polished links in the center.

Drop a look at the picture of the watch to make sure the new Rolex GMT Master II is not only technically advanced but also a really beautiful timepiece.

Rolex Watch Model: Vintage Rolex Watches

Vintage Rolex watches

If you are an aficionado or a collector of vintage Rolex watches, you know how prized and rare those models are. Let's have a quick overview of some (but by no means all) of these coveted relics of the past.

Rolex watches of the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s

Straight away, we have the Cushion and Cushion Steel in Rolex's Oyster Line. Both were introduced in the 1920s, so they were among the early models Rolex produced. The "cushion" refers to the outer shape of the case, a slightly rounded square, which bears some similarity to the present-day Danaos in the Cellini line.

Then there's Viceroy Watch, launched in the 1930s. Its art-deco design has a round dial encrusted into a square case.

Another Rolex relic of that era is the Prince line of rectangular-shaped watches. Rolex advertising promoted the Prince as "the watch for men of distinction." The seconds subdial positioned below the hours-minutes dial amounted to separate faces, or a "dual" dial. Actually the Prince had nothing to do with royalty per se; it became known as a "Doctor's or Nurse's" watch because the relatively large subsidiary seconds dial was easily readable and useful for functions like pulse readings. As is the case with many vintage watches, it is not known when the Prince was discontinued; it was probably sometime in the 1940s, when this watch lost its sense of grace as tastes changed and Rolex continued to experiment with new designs. However, Rolex re-launched this model in 2005.

The 1950s bring more

In the early 1950's, along with other lines such as the Day-Date, Submariner, Explorer and GMT Master, Rolex also introduced the more forgettable 'Tru-beat' and 'Milgauss.' The Tru-beat functioned as a standard watch, but the second hand jumped from marker to marker instead of sweeping around the dial. Its mechanical movement, by the way, was designed to "tick" only once per second. This deadbeat (no pun intended, naturally) seconds feature wasn't very popular and the watch was discontinued shortly after it was introduced, in 1954. The Milgauss, as the name implies, was built to handle strong magnetic fields in certain industries such as power plants and research labs, but it too lost, erm, power (I know, I'm awful) after a while, and fizzled.
Also, in the mid-1950s, Rolex introduced the Thunderbird model of the Datejust. The only real difference between the Datejust of that era and the Thunderbird was in the bezel. The Thunderbird model contained the Rolex Turn-O-Graph bezel, but the name Thunderbird stuck when the Air Force started to award pilots of the Thunderbirds with this particular watch.

Where you can buy them now

The only viable option for the serious vintage Rolex collector is to buy from reputable dealers. Many of these are, surprisingly, found online, incredible online auction spaces such as eBay (which goes through great lengths to protect its own image by offering insurance and dispute resolution). Naturally, one must insist on getting an official certificate to ensure that one isn't throwing away money into the dustbin.

Rolex Watch Model: Day Date 118239

SPECIFICATIONS:

Model: Day-Date - aka The Presidential
Reference: 118239
Series: Z
Movement: Rolex Caliber 3155
Water Resistance: 330ft./100 m.
Case: white gold
Crystal: Sapphire
Notes: The Day-Date was launched in 1956 and has changed very little in the decades since, having becoming Rolex's flag ship model. A true luxury watch, the Day-Date is only offered in gold or platinum, and is considered a symbol of both achievement and status. The gold variations retail for approximately $25,000.00 (without diamons) with the all-platinum variant retailing for over $40,000.00. Because the watch has changed very little over the years, a large supply of pre-owned models exist on the secondary markets - it is not uncommon to find gold Day-Dates for approximately half the new retail price and in excellent condition.

Rolex Watch Model: Ladies Datejust 69173

SPECIFICATIONS:

Model: Ladies Datejust
Reference: 69173
Series: S (circa 1993)
Movement: Rolex Caliber 2135
Water Resistance: 330 ft./100 m.
Case: Two-tone, 904L grade Stainless steel with solid 18k gold bezel, and 18k gold crown
Crystal: Sapphire
Notes: This model 69173 was presented to my wife as a wedding gift last year, much to her delight and is now her "daily driver." Like the men's Datejust line, the ladies 69173 comes in a variety of dial choices, with the gold dial by far the most popular. After purchasing the watch, I had it serviced and it is running flawlessly.

Rolex Watch Model: GMT Master II 16710

SPECIFICATIONS:

Model: GMT Master II
Reference: 16710
Series: Y
Movement: Rolex Caliber 3185
Water Resistance: 330 ft./100 m.
Case: 903L grade Stainless steel
Crystal: Synthetic sapphire
Notes: The original GMT Master was created by Rolex back in the 1950's in conjunction with Pan Am airline as a tool to help their pilots who frequently crossed time zones. The Master II was introduced in the mid-1980's, and eventually replaced the original GMT Master (discontinued in 1999). Rolex purists have great affection for the GMT Master II as a tool watch with a great history and tradition among professional pilots.

Rolex Model: Rolex Submariner 16613

SPECIFICATIONS:

Model: Submariner
Reference: 16613
Series: F
Movement: Rolex Caliber 3135
Water Resistance: 1000 ft./300 m.
Case: Two-tone, 904L grade Stainless steel with solid 18k gold bezel, and 18k gold crown
Crystal: Synthetic sapphire
Notes: The Submariner 16613 is perhaps my favorite Rolex, and I consider it a privilege and blessing to own it. I purchased it new from an authorized dealer in May of 2004. It combines unmistakably Rolex defining beauty, which sport/diving watch functionality. Because I daily wear large, 40mm+ sport watches, I'm not fond of most small, thin dress watches. So my Submariner is most often worn for dress duty during the week, though most purists frown upon wearing a sport watch with a suit.

Rolex 24 at Daytona - The 'Unofficial' Start to the NASCAR Season

Can't wait. To me this has been the 'unofficial' kick-off to the NASCAR season since 2001 (Dale Earnhardt raced in that one) because of all of the NASCAR drivers, and now NASCAR team owners (i.e. RCR), that participate in the race.

Milgauss Two-Tone Lume: A Rolex Watch Model

Henk Hoving from Gronigen in Holland (Netherlands) took this superb lume shot of his white dialed Rolex Milgauss with two-tone lume.

Roger Penske Rolex Watch Review

"The thing I like about Rolex is that they don't compromise. If you're going to do something, you might as well be the best at it. That's why I've worn a Rolex for over two decades." –Roger Penske, Racing Legend. (1982) Roger still wears a Rolex so that means he is on his fifth decade wearing Rolex.

Arnold Palmer Rolex Watch Review

"Rolex has shared every second of my time for the last 47 years." –Arnold Palmer, Golf Legend (2008).

Arnold Palmer Rolex Watch Review

"Rolex has shared every second of my time for the last 47 years." –Arnold Palmer, Golf Legend (2008).