C.R. Spillmann - The Making of the Rolex Oyster & Beyond
The case maker C.R. Spillmann is the masterful artisan that brought us the very first Oyster cases in 1926 and was ultimately swallowed up by Rolex in the 1980s. However,...
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Rolex
The Deceptive Oyster - Meet The Rolex "Empire"
Let's recap the last time I felt like a naive idiot with a laptop rather than a watch "expert". It's been auction season in Geneva these last couple of days...
Why Gold and Steel Rolex Oyster Cases Are Shaped Differently
Did you ever notice that little extra chamfer between the lugs of vintage Datejust and Day-Date models? Did you also notice that you won't find this on steel versions of...
An Historical "Tribune de Genève" Rolex Ref. 4467 - The Datejust Of The Year
While we're looking out for the big lots Christie's Geneva almost silently listed one of the historically most important Rolex Datejust examples of the recent history. It's a yellow gold ref. 4467 with...
Experimental Rolex Chronographs - The 1937 "Non-Oyster" Reference Guide
I love auction catalogues because you can find pieces that surprise you, that you haven't seen before or that are completely flying under the radar. One lot in the upcoming Phillips...
Watch Movement Evolution - The Bumper Automatic
The Bumper movement is foremost a real haptic experience! If you ever get the chance take that "hammer" automatic to your wrist and make the weight "bump" into the case....
More than just an Oyster - 5 Unusual Rolex References
We believe collecting vintage Rolex is exciting. But are puzzle pieces, red bezel details and Submariners with more rocks than Alcatraz the new generation of Rolex collectibles? Who knows. The...
Rolex that Tick-Tock - A Quantitative Datejust Oysterquartz Guide
You either love or hate the Rolex Oysterquartz. It's one of the most un-Rolex Rolex - it's a Quartz watch and the design is close to unique - but it's...
A Swiss-Mexican Collaboration - "Joske's" Rolex Jubilee Bracelets
Have you ever heard of Mexican-Made Rolex bracelets? Or made in the US, UK, Argentina, Venezuela or Japan? Yet they do exist! In the world of vintage watches you're always...
Historic Rolex Production Numbers - From 1932 to 1989
These days we know Rolex as THE most popular watchmaker, the Genevan powerhouse reigning them all in terms of visibility, broad appeal and revenue. Last year alone Rolex produced about...
A Beginner's Guide to the early Rolex Daytona (1963-88)
We all know the Daytona... But let's talk experimentation! Rolex's goal throughout the 1960s and 70s was not to conceive a legend but to purely survive and establish itself within...
A Beginner's Guide to the Rolex Pre-Daytona (1950-69)
We're in this twilight period of Rolex's history. The Pre-Daytona era. It's the time when classic Postwar ideas and designs are put to rest to make place for a new...
A Beginner's Guide to Vintage Rolex Chronographs (1935-52)
Vintage Rolex is so different from the big machinery we see today. During the 1930s to the 1950s in particular Rolex created wonderful chronograph pieces with an ooze of old-world...
The Historic Value of Rolex Watches
Secretly we all thought at some point: "If I'd have a time-machine, I'd go back and buy the complete Rolex stock". Because things used to be cheaper in the good...
Revival of the Dress Chronograph
The chronograph... the complication dreams are made of and is every so often in the focus of attention when it comes to earth-shattering auction results. Over 92% of chronograph pieces...
Stella(r) Success at the Monaco Legend Group Auction
On April 23 and 24 the Monaco Legend Group offered a total of 273 lots at the pristine Hotel Meridien in Monaco. It's been a major success as the Group sold over 90% of...
