Rolex Datejust 16013
Nov 15
SPECIFICATIONS: Model: Datejust Reference: 16013 Series: 890xxxx (pre-letter serial number circa 1984) Movement: Rolex Caliber 3035 Water Resistance: 330 ft./100 m. Case: Two-tone, 904L grade Stainless steel with solid 18k gold bezel, and 18k gold crown Crystal: Acrylic (plastic) Notes: I acquired my 16103 Datejust in April of 2006 as a birthday present from my wife, who had wanted me to have...
Rolex Lady Datejust 69173
Nov 15
SPECIFICATIONS: Model: Lady 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...
Rolex Yacht-Master 16622
Nov 15
SPECIFICATIONS: Model: Yacht-Master Reference: 16622 Series: F Movement: Rolex Caliber 3135 Water Resistance: 330 ft./100 m. Case: Stainless steel w/platinum bezel Crystal: Sapphire Notes: The Yacht-Master has the notable distinction of being the first Rolex to receive the new “Maxi Dial” – enlarged markers and a fatter minute hand. The embossed bezel and the dial are made...
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116520
Nov 15
SPECIFICATIONS: Model: Cosmograph Daytona Reference: 116520 Series: F Movement: Rolex Caliber 4130 Water Resistance: 330 ft./100 m. Case: Stainless steel Crystal: Sapphire Notes: The Cosmograph Daytona is the trophy piece of my collection, as it is the rarest and most sought after watch in the world. Each authorized Rolex dealer is allocated only one, or perhaps two of the coveted stainless...
Rolex GMT Master II 16710
Nov 15
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 ...
Rolex Explorer II 16570
Nov 15
SPECIFICATIONS: Model: Explorer II Reference: 16570 Series: Y Movement: Rolex Caliber 3185 Water Resistance: 330 ft./100 m. Case: 903L grade Stainless steel Crystal: Synthetic sapphire Notes: The Explorer II is one of Rolex’s newer models, having been introduced in 1971 as a supplement to the original Rolex Explorer, and with the current model 16570 having been introduced in 1989. The ...
Submariner 16610 LV- 50th Anniversary Edition
Nov 15
SPECIFICATIONS: Model: Submariner – 50th Anniversary Edition Reference: 16610 LV (Lunette Verde) Series: D Movement: Rolex Caliber 3135 Water Resistance: 1000 ft./300 m. Case: 904L grade Stainless steel. Crystal: Synthetic sapphire Notes: The Submariner 16610 LV, or “Lunette Verde” was issued in 2004 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Rolex Submariner, arguably the...
Rolex “Red” Submariner 1680
Nov 15
SPECIFICATIONS: Model: Submariner Reference: 1680 – rare variant model with the word “Submariner” written in red. Series: Late 2 million serial from 1970 Movement: Rolex Caliber 1570 Water Resistance: 660ft./200 m. Case: Stainless steel. Crystal: Plexiglas (acrylic plastic) Notes: The Model 1680 model was launched in 1966 – the first Submariner to receive the date...
COMPARATIVE REVIEW: The Rolex Submariner 16613 vs. the Rolex Submariner 116613
Nov 15
COMPARATIVE REVIEW: The Rolex Submariner 16613 vs. the Rolex Submariner 116613 By: John B. Holbrook, II January 4th, 2010 Last month, I had the opportunity to review the new Rolex Submariner 116613-the replacement for Rolex Submariner 16613 which has been in production since approximately 1988. Rolex’s first two-tone Submariner model actually debuted in four years prior in 1984 as the...
Review of the Rolex Submariner 116613
Nov 15
Review of the Rolex Submariner 116613 By: John B. Holbrook, II December 20th, 2009 Earlier this year, I reviewed the Rolex Submariner 116619 – the world’s first taste of what a re-designed Submariner with the new maxi-dial, “super case” design would be like. Baselworld 2009 happened, as it does every year in April, and Rolex introduced the next step in the Submariner...
Restoration of a Rolex “Double Red” Sea-Dweller 1665
Nov 15
Restoration of a Rolex “Double Red” Sea-Dweller 1665 By: John B. Holbrook, II August 10, 2009 Over the past few years, I’ve gained an appreciation for vintage Rolex sport watches, and have enjoy finding and restoring several reference 1680 “Red” Submariners. Even more rare and valuable than the Rolex Red Submariner 1680 is the “Double Red” Sea-Dweller...
Who Makes a Better Movement – Rolex or Omega?
Nov 14
Who Makes a Better Movement – Rolex or Omega? By: John B. Holbrook, II March 1st, 2009 For years, rabid enthusiasts in both the Rolex and Omega camps have hotly debated which of the two companies makes a better movement. In fact, it was one such debate topic posted in the Omega Forum of WATCH TALK FORUMS which prompted me to write this article. It would be arrogant of me to assume that...
Review of the Rolex Submariner 116619
Nov 13
Review of the Rolex Submariner 116619 By: John B. Holbrook, II January 1st, 2009 Basel 2008 generated much excitement in the watch world, and particularly in the Rolex community. Besides being the 100 Year anniversary of the company, (a fact which went largely unacknowledged by Rolex, but that’s another topic…) Rolex also made some fairly significant announcements. Rolex...
Rolex Collectible Merchandise: An Overview
Nov 13
ROLEX COLLECTIBLE MERCHANDISE Collecting Rolex watches has spawned yet another sub hobby for me -collecting Rolex related merchandise and “collectibles.” Books, signs, pens, shirts, key chains – you name it. The interesting thing is that many of these items are harder to find and acquire than Rolex watches themselves. Many Rolex logo items are supposed to be supplied directly...
Sending Your Rolex For Factory Service Redux: A Warranty Service Testimonial
Nov 13
Sending Your Rolex For Factory Service Redux: A Warranty Service Testimonial By: John B. Holbrook, II July 8th, 2009 Back in 2005, I had occasion to send my Sea-Dweller to Rolex USA in NYC for some warranty service work. I did a small article and testimonial about the experience which you can read about by click here. Fast forward to June 2009, and I once again had need of some warranty service...
Modifying and Upgrading Your Rolex
Nov 12
Modifying and Upgrading Your Rolex By: John B. Holbrook, II September 29th, 2008 In many cases, when people buy products (cars and computers immediately come to mind), they like to made modifications to those products. In some cases, people want to personalize their possessions, making them unique to themselves. In other cases, they wish to upgrade certain components of a product to enhance...
Completing The Package: Accessories For a Vintage 1680 Submariner
Nov 11
Completing The Package: Accessories For a Vintage 1680 Submariner By: John B. Holbrook, II May 5th, 2008 While I consider myself to be a collector of modern Rolex pieces, the lure and appeal of some vintage models is hard to ignore. Now, locating an example of the vintage Rolex model you’re interested in at an affordable price point is challenge enough. But it’s truly rare to...
An In-Depth Examination Of My 1970 Rolex Red Submariner 1680
Nov 11
An In-Depth Examination of My 1970 Rolex Red Submariner 1680 By: John B. Holbrook, II November 21st, 2007 Followers of the ROLEX REFERENCE PAGE will recall that back in February of 2007, I purchased a model 1680 Red Submariner (vintage 1972) that was in poor condition, and I completely refurbished and restored it. It was a fascinating process, and I did a two part article about it (click for...
The Restoration of a Rolex “Red” Submariner 1680 – Part II
Nov 11
The Restoration of a Rolex “Red” Submariner 1680 – Part II By: John B. Holbrook, II February 16, 2007 When we last left off, in Part I of my little restoration project, I had dropped off my 1680 to my local watch service shop for a polishing of the case and bracelet, replacement of the acrylic crystal, and a complete service on the movement. I had also ordered a new bezel insert...
The Restoration of a Rolex “Red” Submariner 1680 – Part I
Nov 11
The Restoration of a Rolex “Red” Submariner 1680 – Part I By: John B. Holbrook, II February 6, 2007 This week I had the fortuitous opportunity, quite unforeseen, to buy a vintage Rolex Submariner, model number 1680. The particular 1680 Submariner is a very rare “Red Submariner” – so named due to the red writing on dial. Relatively few were made between about...
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