Vintage Rolex

'A gorgeously indulgent new coffee-table heavyweight.' - Esquire magazine 'An ode, a love letter, and a paean to family tradition while also being a celebration of the longevity of the Rolex brand, this tome is encyclopedic and monumental in its scope.' - New York Journal of Books For more than a century, Rolex has stood apart as the most legendary brand of watch in the world. Ever the record setter--the Daytona, belonging to actor Paul Newman, was auctioned by Phillips in New York in October 2017 for $17.8 million--it comes as no surprise that Rolex is the most collected watch label in the world. Published to celebrate The Vintage Watch Company's 25th anniversary in 2020, the book contains a unique pictorial collection of vintage Rolex watches that have passed through the shop during the past 25 years. From early Rolex pocket watches to the world's first wristwatches, elegant in their simplicity yet revolutionary in their impact, to the very first Submariners, iconic Daytonas, and jewel-encrusted Crown collections, the mesmerizing archive of vintage timepieces charts the extraordinary rise of an extraordinary brand.

Finding a vintage Rolex is easy. Finding one that’s worth its price... that’s the challenge. Fakes are getting harder to spot, and a poor restoration could end up costing you more than its price in repairs. That’s a painful mistake you could avoid with the right information. Written by a seasoned collector, this guide will teach you the complex nuances of vintage Rolex watches, saving you from financial catastrophe and turning you into a savvy collector. 1,483 references are covered in extraordinary detail, from antique and vintage dress watches to contemporary professional watches. Bezel sizes, dial markings, case engraving, hands, movements and much more, all documented so you know exactly what you’re paying for. The guide will lead you from potential pitfall to glorious barn-find, with all the treacherous twists and turns along the way. There are plenty of pictures to inspire, inform and enlighten you as you learn to zero-in on your dream watch. The world of vintage Rolex watches is complex and nuanced, making it especially daunting for the first-time buyer. But armed with the facts, you will make informed choices that put you back in the driver’s seat.

PRESENTATION: ROLEX DAY-DATE, THE “PRESIDENT’S WATCH” The Rolex Day-Date is the first wristwatch which indicates the date and the day of the week. In 1956 Rolex presents one of its most successful and most popular watches ever: the Day-Date,. This model is one of the world’s most famous Rolex watches; classic, beautiful, functional, useful and elegant. In 2008 a new chapter of this watch, the Day-date II (ø 41 mm) and in 2015 the new Day-Date 40. Known as “President’s Watch”, this Rolex Day-Date has characterized and influenced the history of horology with developments and innovations during the years.With high definition unreleased images, technical details, dials variants, history and updated price of every model, this book analyses every reference from 1956 until today. TOPICS In this book the authors examine calibers, dials, cases, bracelets and many more components of every model. You’ll find all dials with their variants of color (Stella dial) and material(lapis lazuli, root wood, meteorite, etc). Furthermore: the first Rolex Day-Date, 1800 series, “pie-pan” dials, 18000 series, personalized dials, special series, vintage advertisements, box, papers, Oysterquartz Day-Date, 18200 and 18300 series,Day-Date II, Day-Date 40 and much more. We can read from an official Rolex document: « THE BIRTH OF THE “DATEJUST” AND THE “DAY-DATE” Not satisfied with having realized a selfwinding waterproof watch, we decided to dedicate ourselves to studying the calendar watch. This is how the “Datejust”, which clearly indicates the date on the dial in a small aperture with a Cyclops lens which enlarges it so as tomake it easier to read, was born. The next stage was the launch of the “Day-Date”, a perfected model which also indicates, with letters, the days of the week. The day and the date automatically change every evening at midnight. » These are the words of Roger Federer, a living tennis legend, about his Day-Date II: “The reason I like my Day-Date so much is because it is a legendary watch, elegant but with a certain spirit, with a touch ofmodernity added to its stylish black dial”.

This comprehensive and detailed reference guide to Rolexs sports model watches is an indispensable asset to watch collectors and dealers. The only work of its kind, it covers the history of the Submariner, Explorer, GMT-Master, Turn-O-Graph, Milgauss, and Cosmograph watches, from 1952 to 1990. The history of more than a hundred and forty vintage models is described in detail, with the watches shown in chronological order. Color photographs illustrate every watch model, with hundreds of diagrams providing clear and useful information. Twenty-two rare Rolex brochures from private collections are shown, in addition to numerous catalog photographs and the sale prices of sports models sold at Christies and Sothebys over the last four years. Also included is a current price guide for every model shown in the book. At a time when Rolex watches dominate the collecting market, this authoritative volume is an essential and timely addition to the library of the Rolex collector and dealer.

PRESENTATION: STAINLESS STEEL ROLEX This book is about all stainless steel Rolex watches, both modern and vintage models. The stainless steel is an alloy, mainly composed of iron and carbon, which is resistant, shiny, but above all… fashionable. A Rolex watch must work and perform even in the most hostile environment. With the passing of time, the techniques of stainless steel production have continuously evolved. Therefore there are different types of steel which have been used by Rolex (i.e. Rolesium: a Rolex patent from 21 May 1932 to arrive today to 904L steel). Technical details, historical profiles, characteristics of all Rolex watches in stainless steel will satisfy your professional needs and will also represent a useful guide to invest in these watches. TOPICS Between the topics of the book we can find: The whole Oyster line Push-Back case Rolex watches: those models with the snap on the case Chronographs: this chapter is divided in two parts – chronographs with push-back case and chronographs with Oyster case The “Masters”: the most complicated Rolex watches The military models: Rolex watches that were part of the equipment of different army soldiers. Between the models in this chapter: Submariners,Cosmographs, GMT-Master and Turn-O-Graphs. The Panerai Rolexes: those Panerai models with a Rolex movement. These watches achieved a very high value by Mario Paci. Comex: all Rolexes produced for Comex. Not only Submariner and Sea-Dweller but also Explorer and GMT-Master. Personalized dials: those Rolex watches with dials characterized by different logos, such as logos of companies, countries, ministers, Rolex retailers and much more. Faded dials: those examples with turning color dial. The most relevant colors are brown, light green and cream. Rare and particular dials: Rolex watches with pulsometer, underline, albino, black out, cern, 3-6-9 dials Bamford: Rolex watches personalized by Bamford Watch Department It is an updated and complete edition which provides technical details, history, scrutinized descriptions, high quality images and updated prices of Rolexes in stainless steel. The book comes with the updated price list of all published watches.

For more than a century, Rolex has stood apart as the most legendary brand of watch in the world. A Rolex conveys many things: a luxury timepiece, a tool of power for movers and shakers and the symbol of passage into adulthood.

- An exhaustive appraisal of the Rolex watch, including studies of vintage models, current designs and special editions- Learn how to spot fakes using the same clues as the experts- Invaluable to any watch-lover, especially aspiring Rolex collectorsHorological trends flit by faster than ever in today's fast-paced society. But Rolex does not rely on gimmicks; theirs is a more perennial allure, with a reputation built on traditions and hard-earned skill. A company that innovates while paying homage to their roots, every Rolex is the cumulation of centuries of watchmaking expertise. Within this book you will find explanations of the making process, descriptions of the materials involved and expert commentary on what makes each Rolex wristwatch unique. The Book of Rolex demonstrates how each model fits its social milieu, present and past. It also addresses the multitude of fakes on the market, including the so-called 'Frankensteins' - watches made from a mixture of real parts and forgeries, which are notoriously hard to spot - imparting all the skills needed to pick counterfeits out of a line-up. A holistic view of Rolex watches, this book promises to be as timeless as the brand itself. Should you be considering a Rolex, this book will convince you of its worth as an investment.

A comprehensive, data-driven desk reference guide, to the world's favorite vintage watches. A companion to the acclaimed Field Guide, this is an enhanced, revised and extended edition with richer content and more data.