Oyster Story - The Film

 

"Rolex presents Oyster Story. An icon celebrates its 100 years". This ad taken from a Swiss magazine invites readers to watch the 23-minute official film about the story of the brand's most famous timepiece. A pleasant sight for any watch enthusiast ... and a familiar topic for those who have Rolex 1905-1960 and Rolex 1961-2025 in their private library 😉

New releases – M.A.D.2 REDemption

Designed by Eric Giroud and inspired by the ’90s club scene, with its smooth pebble-like case, spinning vinyl-like dial and jumping hours, this edition is reserved for fans of the brand who have participated in at least four M.A.D. Editions raffles but never won. The 42 mm stainless steel case houses a base movement by La Joux-Perret, fitted with the bi-directional jumping hour and trailing minutes module developed by MB&F. The turntable-like winding rotor on the back carries an engraving saluting the perseverance of those fans who didn’t give up: “They say I’m stubborn, I’d say persistent.”

 

The statue and the watch

Among the passengers waiting for the tram at a stop in downtown Geneva, there's this elegant and silent gentleman, who patiently tolerates any delays and the outrage of vandals who stain the collar of his jacket. He has nerves of steel, or rather, bronze, like everything else: the hat, the glasses, the jacket, the tie, the trousers, the shoes… 

 

... and the watch. I thought it was something generic as I got closer to take a better look. However, I had underestimated the sculptor and his attention to detail. The watch is the unmistakable Royal Oak by Audemars Piguet. Unbelievable: a creation from the Vallée de Joux celebrated in the home of Patek Philippe, Rolex, and Vacheron Constantin!
Jokes aside, the statue—one of three displayed at the Plainpalais stop, all created by Gérald Ducimitière and inaugurated in 1982—depicts a real person, just like the watch he evidently loved to wear: André L'Huillier, a prominent Geneva collector and patron of artists, who passed away in 1998.

New releases – Greubel Forsey 24 Secondes Architecture

The design of the watch, first presented in 2022 and now launched in its final edition of 11 pieces, is the movement itself, displayed and visible from all angles. The conical-frustum titanium case integrates sapphire crystal around the full periphery. At the heart of the calibre lies the tourbillon, positioned at 6 o’clock and rotating once every 24 seconds at a 25° inclination. The movement comprises 354 components, including an 86-part tourbillon cage weighing only 0.38 grams. In this final version the contrasts between surfaces are slightly reinforced, enhancing legibility and depth. 

 

Watches at auction

Here are a few highlights from the upcoming auctions held by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo in Hong Kong (30-31 May) and New York (13-14 June).

 

The Patek Philippe Ref. 3448 was the world’s first self‑winding perpetual calendar wristwatch. This white gold example from 1972 features, pearly minute divisions, rare “reversed” date numerals, an unusual Patek Philippe signature placement, and a dial double‑signed by Beyer Chronometrie, the historic Zurich store recently acquired by Patek Philippe. Hong Kong, estimate: $ 765,000-1,500.000

 

This pink gold Patek Philippe timepiece is the only known Ref. 2499 First Series in pink gold stamped with British hallmarks. Manufactured in 1951, imported to London in 1955, and sold in 1956, the case back bears both a British import mark and a Swiss hallmark. Hong Kong, estimate: $ 3,000,000-6,000.000

 

This oversized yellow gold rectangular wristwatch with engraved caseband and Breguet numerals was made by Patek Philippe in 1929 and retailed by Tiffany & Co. Its original owner was Paul Starrett, builder of Iconic New York Landmarks, including the Empire State Building, Flatiron Building, and The Plaza Hotel. New York, estimate: $ 15,000-30,000

 

Fresh to the auction market, this Ref. 1518 from 1948 is one of only around 58 to be have been cased in pink gold. This version of the world’s first serially produced perpetual calendar cronograph wristwatch festures Portuguese calendar discs. New York, estimate: $ 1,200,000-2,400,000

 

Made around 1967, this yellow gold Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6239 is one among only a handful known with a creamy champagne “Paul Newman” dial. This is its second appearance after it was offered at Phillips New York by the family of the original owner in 2020. New York, Estimate: $ 600,000-1,200,000

 

New releases – David Candaux DC6 Night Forest

 

 

Produced in a limited edition of eight pieces, the lightest watch in the independent watchmaker’s collection (45 grams on the wrist) features a 45 mm case in UD carbon and natural titanium with a smoky topaz green dial, and the retractable “Magic Crown” at 6 o’clock. UD stands for unidirectional, which means that the sheets of continuous fiber run through the entire thickness of the material. The in-house Caliber H74 features a flying tourbillon inclined at 30°, completing a revolution in 60 seconds, and a 55-hour power reserve. Price: CHF 248,000.

Vintage Rolex Library - Part 2: What is necessary to know (1982)

ENGLISH (il testo italiano è in fondo alla pagina)

This is instalment 2 of the mini-series dealing with publications I could not include in the Documents sections of Rolex 1961-2025 for lack of space. Instalment 1 was posted last month.

 

Dating back to 1982, this brochure in Italian is of particular interest because it is meant for the sales staff of Rolex agents rather than the public. As the title suggests, its 32 pages highlight “What is necessary to know” about a number of Rolex-related topics

 

The booklet opens with an introduction by Director General André Heiniger: “This brochure, dedicated to you, will give you an even better understanding of Rolex watches, and in particular the technical qualities that have made them so prestigious”

 

Several pages are devoted to the unique features of the Oyster case, its record-breaking performances, and the state-of-the-art technology that enables to achieve and test its waterproofness

 

The section about the Perpetual movement and accuracy explains the meaning of the Chronometer certification, underscored by the Red Seal that comes with each Rolex Superlative Chronometer

 

A few “tool” models are covered in detail, as their functions need some clarifications. The pages about the GMT-Master feature two examples of how to use it

 

The next pages point out that “Rolex watches also have their shop windows” and urge sales managers to ask for branded display stands

 

ITALIANO

Questa è la seconda parte della mini-serie dedicata alle pubblicazioni che non ho potuto inserire nelle sezioni Documenti di Rolex1961-2025 per mancanza di spazio. La prima puntata è stata pubblicata il mese scorso.

Questa brochure del 1982 questa brochure in Italiano ha un interesse particolare perché si dirige al personale di vendita degli agenti Rolex e non al pubblico. Come indica il titolo, le sue 32 pagine mettono in evidenza “Quello che è necessario sapere” su numerosi argomenti legati alla Casa

Il libretto si apre con un messaggio del Direttore Generale André Heiniger: “Questa brochure, che Le è dedicate, Le permetterà di conoscere ancora meglio gli orologi Rolex, e in particolare le qualità tecniche che li hanno resi prestigiosi”

Diverse pagine trattano le caratteristiche uniche della cassa Oyster, le sue imprese da record e la tecnologia all’avanguardia che permette di raggiungerne e testarne l’impermeabilità

La sezione sulla precisione e il movimento Perpetual spiega il significato della certificazione cronometrica, evidenziata dal Sigillo Rosso che accompagna ciascuno dei “Cronometri Superlativi” Rolex

Alcuni modelli professionali sono descritti in dettaglio poiché le loro funzioni richiedono dei chiarimenti. Le pagine sul GMT-Master contengono due esempi del suo uso.

Le pagine seguenti fanno notare che “Gli orologi Rolex hanno anche le loro vetrine” e incoraggiano i responsabili dei punti vendita a richiedere gli espositori ufficiali

New releases – Carl Suchy & Söhne Waltz N°1 Hoffmann

The dial is based on a geometric grid of concentric lines.The rotating Waltzing Disc at six o’clock completes the linear composition once every minute. The 41.5 mm stainless steel case houses the automatic Caliber CSS-A1, measuring 30 millimetres in diameter and 2.6 millimetres in height, realised in collaboration with Vaucher Fleurier Manufacture exclusively for the Viennese brand. Its skeletonised bridges are visible through the sapphire glass. Price: CHF 19,450 excl. VAT.

Watches at auction

Here are a few highlights of the upcoming auction held by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo on 9-10 May in Geneva.

 

The Audemars Piguet Ref. 5503 triple-calendar chronograph with moon-phase was produced between 1941 and 1943 in only five examples. The present watch features a two-tone case combining stainless steel with 14k pink gold for the bezel, crown, and pushers. Estimate: CHF 400,000 – 800,000

 

Made in 1953, this Patek Philippe Ref. 2523 two-crown world time wristwatch is one of only two examples known to exist in 18k yellow gold with a polychrome cloisonné enamel dial depicting a map of South America. It has been nearly four decades since one has been seen at public auction. Estimate: CHF 5,000,000 – 10,000,000

 

This 18k yellow gold Rolex Ref. 6085 features a cloisonné enamel dial depicting a dragon – one of only five known examples of the motif across all Rolex references. The dial was created by the enameller Nelly Richard, working with the famed Geneva dialmaker Stern Frères. Estimate: CHF 500,000 – 1,000,000

 

Introduced at the Basel fair in 1950, the Rolex Ref. 6062 was the brand’s first automatic wristwatch to combine a triple calendar with moon-phase within a waterproof Oyster case. The present example is in stainless steel. Estimate: CHF 500,000 – 1,000,000

 

Nicknamed “Cioccolatone” by collectors, the Vacheron Constantin oversized square wristwatch hit the market in the early 1950s. This 18k pink gold Ref. 4764 represents the model in its most prestigious configuration, featuring a triple calendar with moon-phase. Estimate: CHF 250,000 – 500,000

 

New releases – Maghnam Mohareb

 

The new generation Mohareb collection is available in two colorways – Argent Crimson and Deep Blue – and three aesthetic configurations: the Blades, Halo and Wings versions offer distinct visual identities around a shared central case in L904 stainless steel thanks to interchangeable modules that instantly transform the watch’s silhouette. The bi-retrograde display is driven by the MCR01-B module, based on the Swiss SW210 hand-wound movement and enhanced with a proprietary retrograde module developed by the brand’s founder Sohaib Maghnam. Price: CHF 7,200 VAT excl. 

Vintage ads - Gay Frères (1982)

ENGLISH (il testo italiano è sotto l'immagine)

‘The first stainless steel watchband in the world’. I suspect most readers will be able to recognize one of the bracelets shown in this ad by the renowned Geneva maker that Rolex would take over in 1998 …

Do you like vintage watch ads? Visit the page about Watch Ads, the one and only two-volume pictorial history of communication and design in 20th Century watchmaking. Do you wish to know more? Watch the video clip about the publication and download the preview of Volume 1. 

The vintage ads presented in this website are not featured in the Watch Ads books.

 

 

ITALIANO

"Il primo bracciale in acciaio per orologi da polso al mondo". Ho il sospetto che la maggior parte dei lettori saprà riconoscere uno dei bracciali ritratti in questo annuncio del celebre fabbricante ginevrino che Rolex assorbirà nel 1998 …  

Ti piacciono le pubblicità d'epoca? Visita la pagina su Watch Ads, l'unica storia illustrata in due volumi della comunicazione e del design nell'orologeria del Novecento. Vuoi saperne di più? Guarda il video sull'opera e scarica l'anteprima del Volume 1.

Gli annunci vintage presentati in questo sito non appaiono nei due volumi Watch Ads.

 

 

New releases - Dominique Renaud Pulse60

 

The name of the first model launched by the brand from Tolochenaz evokes 60 beats or oscillations per minute and an innovative approach to low frequency, aimed at reducing the shocks in the escapement. The large 20 mm balance wheel with high inertia, revealed through the opening on the dial side, features an amplitude greater than 360° and improves static rate stability. Prices : CHF 49,000 + taxes in titanium and CHF 59,000 + taxes in pink gold and titanium.

 

Vintage Rolex Library - Part 1: Fifty years of the Oyster (1976)

ENGLISH (il testo italiano è in fondo alla pagina)

First of all, I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to the many watch enthusiasts who purchased Rolex 1961-2025 and were kind enough to write to this website about how much they liked the book.

The only regret I have about my latest publishing effort is that there was simply not enough space to include all the information I gathered. That is why I am starting a mini-series of three posts meant to complete the section Documents of Chapters 2 and 3. The first one features the brochure published in 1976 to celebrate fifty years of the Rolex Oyster. Which looks like an appropriate choice, as 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the brand’s most iconic timepiece. Enjoy!

Marco Strazzi

 

“In 1926, a man called Hans Wilsdorf introduced the Rolex Oyster Case”. So begins the text of “Fifty years of the Rolex Oyster”, the 16-page brochure tracing the history of the model that paved the way to the brand’s worldwide fame.

 

 

 

 

The booklet focuses on six memorable events, all of which are mentioned in detail by Rolex 1905-1960 and Rolex 1961-2025: the model’s birth and launch (1926), Mercedes Gleitze’s swim across the English channel (1927, see also this video clip from the 10e10.ch by Marco Strazzi YouTube channel), Malcom Campbell’s land speed record (1935), the successful Everest expedition led by Edmund Hillary (1953), Bathyscaph Trieste’s record dive (1960), Tom Sheppard’s Sahara expedition (1973), the world record depth reached by Comex divers (1975).

 

Titled after the anniversary year, the final pages feature “the Rolex Hall of Fame”, that is the “unique and private corridor” located outside the office of Rolex’s Managing Director, which is “lined with signed portraits of many of the most important Heads of State, decision-makers, scientists and artists the world has seen in the last 50 years. Whatever their nationality or ideology, thay have one thing in common: a Rolex Oyster Chronometer”.

 

ITALIANO 

Prima di tutto, tengo a ringraziare di cuore i molti appassionati che hanno acquistato Rolex 1961-2025 e hanno avuto la cortesia di scrivere a questo sito per testimoniare il loro apprezzamento per il libro.

A proposito di quest'ultima fatica editoriale, il mio unico rimpianto è non avere avuto abbastanza spazio a disposizione per tutte le informazioni raccolte. Ho quindi deciso di pubblicare una mini-serie di tre post destinata a completare la sezione Documents dei Capitoli 2 e 3. Il primo è dedicato alla brochure pubblicata nel 1976 per celebrare i 50 anni dell'Oyster. Una scelta che trovo appropriata, visto che in questo 2026 si festeggia il 100esimo anniversario dell'icona Rolex per eccellenza. Buona lettura!

Marco Strazzi

 

"Nel 1926, un uomo di nome Hans Wilsdorf presentò la cassa Rolex Oyster". Comincia così il testo di "Cinquant'anni del Rolex Oyster", la pubblicazione di 16 pagine che ripercorre la storia dell'orologio che ha gettato le basi per la fama mondiale della marca.

Il libretto si concentra su sei eventi memorabili, tutti riportati in dettaglio da Rolex 1905 e Rolex 1961-2025: la nascita e il lancio del modello (2026), l'attraversamento della Manica a nuoto da parte di Mercedes Gleitze (1927, vedi anche questo video tratto dal canale YouTube 10e10.ch by Marco Strazzi), il record di velocità terrestre stabilito da Malcom Campbell (1935), la vittoriosa spedizione sull'Everest guidata da Edmund Hillary (1953), l'immersione record del Batiscafo Trieste, 1960), la spedizione sahariana di Tom Sheppard (1973), l'immersione da record dei subacquei Comex (1975).

Le pagine conclusive sono dedicata alla “Hall of Fame” Rolex, vale a dire il "corridoio unico e privato" che si trova accanto all'ufficio del Direttore Operativo, sui muri del quale sono appesi i "ritratti autografati di molti tra i più importanti Capi di Stato, decisori, scienziati e artisti che il mondo ha visto negli ultimi 50 anni. Qualunque sia la loro nazionalità o ideologia, hanno tutti qualcosa in comune: un Cronometro Rolex Oyster".

 

New releases - Gérald Genta Geneva Collection

The new time-only pieces feature rose or white gold 38 mm cushion cases crafted in-house at La Fabrique des Boîtiers. A two-segment minute track characterizes the brass dials: the outer one follows the case’s shape, while the inner one is perfectly circular. The Zenith Elite GG-005P automatic movement has a revisited in-house oscillating mass for enhanced aesthetics, offering a 50-hour power reserve and a 4Hz frequency. 

 

Geneva Watch Week

The Geneva Watch Week will once again host the main events of the watchmaking world. 

Watches and Wonders (Palexpo and venues throughout the city, 14-20 April) promises an immersion into the innovation and craftsmanship of leading watch brands. 

 

Time to Watches (14-19 April)) returns for its fifth edition at Villa Sarasin, a one-minute walk from Palexpo. Beyond the Villa, the experience unfolds across a network of living spaces - Lodge, Annex, Cellar,Garden and Brand Pavilions. The event welcomes mainly international trade visitors, but also the general public. This edition brings together over 85 brands. 

 

Chronopolis (Les Halles de l’Île, 14-18April) is a brand new fair offering free access to all, a time window for media and retailers (8 to 10AM), and daily happy hours (5 to 7PM) for visitors, brands and partners. 20 independent brands will showcase their products.