If you cast your mind back to 2008, you might remember crashing markets, soaring inflation rates, and oil hitting an all-time high of $147 a barrel, the financial crisis of 2008 was terrifically captured in the 2015 film The Big Short. The movie was based on real-life events and a book called The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine by Michael Lewis. It followed the actions of numerous financial-industry professionals, starring the likes of Steve Carell, Christian Bale, and Ryan Gosling.
As you might imagine, any film based in or around Wall Street or wealthy bankers will be the prime spot to see some beautiful timepieces. It’s not surprising that many of these characters wore high horology, however, what is surprising is that the prop department may have used the wrong reference Submariner for the time period.
Which Watch Does Steve Carrell Wear?
Steve Carrell portrays the role of Mark Baum, which was based on real-life businessman and investor Steven Eisman. In the film, Baum is a direct, snappy, and blunt businessman that does not like taking no for an answer. Dedicated to his work as a hedge fund manager, he is a man who knows what he wants and is not afraid to take it.
Unlike most of the other money-hungry characters, he is perhaps one of the only ones that are not overly fond of the idea to make money from the American taxpayer while the banks would just get a bailout from Uncle Sam.
Perhaps fittingly, this hard-as-nail man with a heart that actuallycares needs a watch to fit this misconception. Something unassuming, stealth wealth if you were.
Figure 1: Steve Carell wears the Rolex Submariner Date Ref. 116610LN while portraying Mark Baum (Source: @MrKukayev on Twitter)
The Rolex Submariner Ref. 116610LN is a staple in the Rolex catalog, and as any watch enthusiast would tell you, the Submariner is the most well-known watch on the planet.
The Ref. 116610LN (Lunet Noir = Bezel, Black) is the first of the ‘super’ case Submariners, and features a diameter of 40mm. It is also equipped with the ceramic bezel (Rolex’s Cerachrom) and Glidelock extension system on the clasp.
Figure 2: The Ref. 116610LN was introduced in 2010 and discontinued in 2021(Source: eBay)
The more eagle-eyed amongst you might have noticed a bit of a problem. With the story of The Big Short set in 2008, how would Mark Baum be wearing a watch that was only introduced in 2010? Perhaps, the millions that Baum and his associates made bought him a watch that was only to be released years later…
What’s more likely is that director Adam McKay and set decorator Mychael Bates made a small error. While most people would not even notice this, those of us that know, know.
Which Watch Does Ryan Gosling Wear?
Or should I say which watches… Ryan portrays Jared Vennett, a salesman from Deutsche Bank who sells credit default swaps to Mark Baum. Jared is a typical salesman, smooth, charismatic, and a tad cocky.
Figure 3: Jared Vennett, unfortunately, never gives the viewer a clear image of his watch, but it seems like he is wearing the IWC Portugieser Chronograph (Source: Creditfasr504.weebly.com)
The IWC Portugieser Chronograph would fit his character, as the dress watch demands respect with a 41mm size that seems even larger due to a thin bezel. IWC did also have a fitting motto for the early 2000s, ‘Engineered For Men’, which also fits Jared’s personality.
What does not fit his personality is the humble G-Shock. Ask any watch enthusiast which watch they have as a beater, the answer remains the same: G-Shock. No matter if your collection is based on mechanical Perpetual calendars or a myriad of Seiko divers, everyone should have a G-Shock – it’s god tier after all, thank you, Nico Leonard.
Figure 4: Perhaps not the most expensive watch worn in The Big Short, the Casio G-shock G-2900 is still a cult classic (Source: Casiofanmag.com)
In the gym scene, Jared gets a phone call from Baum’s associate, Vinny Daniel, to confirm the sale of $50 million Garibaldi BBB mortgage bonds. In this scene, you can see Jared wearing the G-shock G-2900. Unlike the cockiness of Jared, the G-2900 is humble, quiet, and at ease with being itself.
Other Watches Worn in the Big Short
While not every character might get the limelight in each film, we can still appreciate the thought and effort that goes into their watches.
Vinny Daniel’s Rolex Oysterquartz
The Oysterquartz is perhaps one of the most curious watches in the Rolex history books. Introduced in 1977, the Oysterquartz was released in the famous ‘Quartz Crisis era’ that butchered the Swiss watch industry.
Figure 5: Vinny can be seen wearing a Datejust Oysterquartz at numerous points throughout the film. The Oysterquartz is a personal favorite if I’m honest, and it certainly makes the quarrelsome Vinny seem more likable (Source: Jonathanrozek.com)
Anthony Bourdain’s Rolex Datejust
One quirky feature of The Big Short is the short snippets of famous individuals (who have nothing to do with finance) explaining what exactly is happening in the movie. Let’s be honest, do you know what ‘subprime home loans are in danger of defaulting’ means? I certainly don’t.
Figure 6: One of these individuals is the warm-hearted chef Anthony Bourdain. Anthony is known to be a man of taste, and fittingly he wears (his own) classic blue-dialed Rolex Datejust (Source: Reddit)
Featured image courtesy of Hodinkee.
Hunting for a robust and rigid outdoor watch? Make sure to read our review of the G-Shock Rangeman.
by Daniel Louwrens
Mar 12, 2023
Watches Worn in Tulsa King
In the fictional series, ‘The Sopranos’, the antihero Anthony John Soprano (or just Tony Soprano) wears what can be described as the gangster watch. Gold bracelet, gold bezel, and even a gold dial, the 18k Rolex Day-Date Ref. 118238. Personally, a gangster should always wear a gold watch, but what about the new kid on the block? What about Tulsa King?
Tulsa King is a new series that debuted in November 2022, starring horology-lover Sylvester Stallone. Sly Stallon stars as Dwight “The General” Manfredi, a 75-year-old gangster who has just been released from a 25-year prison sentence. After being betrayed by the mafia gang to which he has been loyal all these years, Dwight is sent to Tulsa to try to build the mob’s authority.
Figure 1: Sylvester ‘Sly’ Stallone looking dashing as he portrays the role of Swight Manfredi in Tulsa King (Source: CNN)
But what is the gold watch he is wearing?
The Piaget Polo
Initially, Piaget started out as a manufacturer of watch movements when they began operations back in 1874. Georges-Édouard Piaget started by setting up shop on his parent’s farm to work on these tiny pieces of technological art. Oh! He was only 19 years old at the time.
Piaget finally released their first watches somewhere in the 1920s with a clear focus on dress watches. They also kept to their roots of creating phenomenal watch movements, like the 9P caliber, the first ultra-thin (2 mm), hand-wound mechanical movement.
Figure 2: The 9P caliber, a revolutionary ultra-thin movement produced in 1957 (Source: Piaget)
It became clear that Piaget was synonymous with luxury and elegance. Many of Piaget’s watches often looked like jewelry at first glance, and the same could almost be said about the Piaget Polo, released in 1979.
Figure 3: The Piaget Polo, first released in 1979 (Source: Piaget)
If you weren’t around during the 70s, integrated bracelet-style sports watches were quite the hit. With Gerald Genta designing two of the most popular watches (ever), the Royal Oak and the Nautilus, it’s often said this style helped save the Swiss watch industry from the quartz crisis of the 70s.
Figure 4: Sly rocking the Piaget Polo in full 18k gold on the set of Tulsa King (Source: TVLine)
The Polo features an integrated bracelet, but in true Piaget fashion, it’s just a bit more chic. The 18k gold bracelet and case feature distinctive gadroons which you don’t really see anywhere else. Sized at 36mm, it really was a product of its time, and Piaget’s first sports watch was a success.
Why the Obsession with Gold?
Since both Tony and Dwight wear gold timepieces, you might be seeing a trend. That idea would be solidified when you learn that Charlie Hunnam wears a gold Rolex in ‘The Gentlemen’. Or that Al Pacino wears a gold Omega La Magique in ‘Scarface’.
Why this obsession with Gold?
The fact is that humans have worn gold for a very long time. Ancient meso-America, Egypt, India, Greece, Rome, Mesopotamia, China – they all wore gold. Well, the noble and the rich did. The first evidence of humans wearing gold can be traced to 6000 years ago.
Fast forward to modern times and contemporary tastes still love gold. Perhaps gold has fallen behind stainless steel watches in the current market, but there is something about a person who can rock a full gold watch.
Wearing a timepiece made entirely of gold just exudes that you know yourself, that you’re willing to bet on yourself, but that you also don’t really care what others think. A gold watch is a symbol to the world that you have wealth.
Bold, affluent, and not afraid to get in your face? Sounds like a gangster if you ask me.
Featured image courtesy of Wristcheck.com.
Interested to know which watch Bill Gates has worn throughout the years? Spare time to read our article about Bill Gates Watches.
by Daniel Louwrens
Mar 9, 2023
The Rolex ‘Kermit’: A Complete Guide on Rolex’ 50th Anniversary Watch
Dubbed the Rolex “Kermit,” the Rolex Submariner Ref. 16610LV was officially unveiled to the world in 2003. Since then, the popularity of the timepiece has gone up and down, just like its market price. But why the nickname? Why do some collectors scoff at the idea of a colorful Sub, and what is in store for the future?
The Original Rolex ‘Kermit’ – 50th Anniversary
Rolex started its operations as ‘Wilsdorf & Davis’ in 1905. The company changed its name to ‘Rolex’ in 1908 when it moved operations from England to Switzerland. Soon, Rolex rose to be one of the best watchmakers on the horology industry, but perhaps their biggest ‘hit’ only came around 50 years later.
In the post-war economic boom, Rolex was free to innovate and drive both design and technological prowess. Rolex decided to focus on a type of watch called a ‘sports watch’ as we know it today, but back in the 50s these watches were more commonly used as tools.
The first of these was the Explorer Ref. 6610, released in early 1953, a 36mm stainless steel watch with a water resistance rating of 50 meters. A few months later, Rolex would release perhaps the most recognizable diver watch on the planet, the Submariner.
Figure 1: The first Submariner, the Ref. 6204, was introduced in 1953 (Source: Phillips.com)
Technically, the first models only appeared a year later at Baselworld 1954, but even Rolex confirms that 1953 is the birth year of the Sub’. The Ref. 6204 features a 37mm stainless steel case, a black dial with legibility in mind, and a whopping 100 meters waterproof rating.
Right after its release, this model line has been one of the cornerstones in the Rolex catalog. In fact, in the year 2003, Rolex decided to celebrate its 50th anniversary in a remarkable fashion, launching the Ref. 16610LV.
Figure 2: To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Rolex Submariner, the 16610LV ‘Kermit” was released in 2003 (Source: eBay)
The most defining feature of this Submariner model was its bright green aluminum bezel, which paired with the black dial conjured up the nickname ‘Kermit’ by enthusiasts. In case your parents didn’t allow cartoons, Kermit is the lovable frog character from The Mupper Show. Kermit (the character) is green and has black eyes, so, you can see how the name came to be.
The “LV” in the reference number is French for “lunette verte”. Lunette refers to the bezel and verte means green in French. You’ll find similar nomenclature used on other Submariner models, like the contemporary Ref. 126610LN – Lunette Noir (a black bezel Submariner).
The leafy tinted bezel wasn’t the only change introduced in 2003, as Rolex also unveiled the ‘Maxi dial’. This featured enlarged hour markers and hands, doubling down on the legibility focus dive watches are known for. The case size remained 40mm, however.
Internally, the Ref. 11660LV was still powered by the tried and tested caliber 3135, an in-house self-winding mechanical movement and a certified Swiss chronometer.
The Kermit (the watch, not the character) soon became a crowd favorite with its combination of a traditional case shape and a modern dial layout.
The Ref. 16610LV stayed in production until 2010 when it was replaced by an even greener Rolex. The Ref. 116610LV ‘Hulk’ featured not only a green bezel but also a green dial. Again, the nickname isn’t strictly the naming convention used by Rolex but rather a name given by enthusiasts.
Different Versions of the ‘Kermit’
As you might expect with any Rolex, there have been numerous iterations and changes to the base model as ‘the Crown’ tries to nail down the perfect blend of design, utility, and technology. The first for the Kermit is the Flat 4 bezel version.
As you can see in figure 2 the ‘4’ in ‘40’ on the bezel has a flat top, compared to the newer Pointed 4 versions seen in figure 3.
Figure 3: The ‘Pointed 4′ Rolex Submariner ”Kermit’ does not fetch the same valueon the market as the ‘Flat 4’(Source: Chrono24)
The Flat 4 is not only massively in demand but increasing in value almost daily. Not only was the watch (obviously) produced a certain amount of times, but it is not uncommon to see Submariners undergoing service and having their bezels replaced.
The Pointed 4 is still a sought-after Rolex, but not nearly as much as the Flat 4. There are, however, a lot of other factors you need to pay attention to, including:
The spacing of ‘Oyster Perpetual Date’ has changed over time, from being quite wide and then narrowing down in later models.
The shape of the ‘O’ in ‘Rolex’ has changed from an oval shape to a round shape.
The position of the ‘R’ in ‘Oyster’ has also changed because of spacing (see point 1). Sometimes it falls within the legs of the ‘R’ in ‘Rolex’, and sometimes it doesn’t.
The ‘Swiss Made’ spacing has changed, which influences how many minute markers are shortened.
Figure 4: Notice the ‘Swiss Made’ written at the bottom shortens three minute markers. In Figure 2 you’ll notice it shortens five minute markers
Another version is called ‘the Bertolli’, referring to a range of olive oils and pasta sauces from Italy. The Bertolli has a lighter olive green colored bezel along with pronounced serifs.
The Rolex ‘Kermit II’… or ‘Cermit’… or ‘Starbucks’
As mentioned, the Ref. 116610LV ‘Hulk’ was released in 2010 and remained in production until 2020 when big changes awaited both the green-colored Submariners and the entire model lineup with the Ref. 126610LV.
Figure 5: The newly introduced Ref. 126610LV had a larger case and replaces the green dial seen on the Hulk for a black dial (Source: eBay)
Firstly, the shape grew an extra 1mm, now measuring 41mm in total. As always this was a hot topic of conversation for most – personally, I don’t mind the bigger size. Luckily the bracelet was smaller, decreasing from 21mm to 20mm.
The biggest aesthetic change, however, was the introduction of a new bezel and dial. The dial was now black again, but the bezel remained green. However, it was now made from ‘Cerachrom’ or ceramic. This offers the wearer increased resistance to scratches and is also featured in some other Rolex models.
The movement within was also updated, and the new 41mm Sub’ is now powered by the caliber 3235 featuring Chronergy escapement, which improved efficiency by 15%, and a 70-hour power reserve. Held together by 31 jewels, the movement is now more accurate, being rated at -2 / +2 seconds per day.
As the heading hinted, there isn’t really a set ‘nickname’ for the Ref. 126610LV. Some call it the ‘Kermit II’, others refer to it as the ‘Starbucks’, the popular coffee shop. Some (including myself) call it ‘the Cermit’ but the ‘C’ is pronounced ‘sh’. This is to denote it has a ceramic bezel, unlike the Kermit.
What Is Next for the Green Submariner?
The year is 2023 and for those of you that aren’t gifted with quick maths, that means the Submariner is celebrating its 70th Anniversary. Obviously, this has spared rumors and theories from every corner of the globe.
Perhaps a Submariner on the Oysterflex?
A babyblue Submariner reminisant of the Platona?
The new Titanium Rolex used for the Challenge could appear in the Submariner line?
Whatever ends up showing up this year, enthusiasts are sure to love it, collectors are sure to be skeptical, and I am sure to only see in its “Exhibit Only” glory.
The Rolex Pepsi – The full intriguing 70 year history
The functionality of the GMT function (Greenwich Mean Time) on a wristwatch is likely the most useful complication in the modern day and age. When I think of the GMT, my mind immediately goes to the place it all started. The year is 1954, and Rolex has been approached by Pan American World Airways, PANAM for short, to design a watch their pilots could use to track two timezones on one watch. This, is the origin of the Rolex ‘Pepsi’ GMT.
Table of Contents
The First Rolex Pepsi – Reference 6542
After WWII, international flight travel began to pick up thanks to the post-war economic boom, and while pilot watches were a thing, they were merely big, robust, and focused on legibility – imagine an IWC Big Pilot. PANAM wanted a tool to allow their crew members to see two time zones and approached Rolex to design a pilot’s watch capable of doing exactly that.
The meet the need of the Pan Am commercial pilots, in 1954, Rolex released the first GMT Master, ref. 6542. The very first dual time zone watch.
Fig 1: The Rolex GMT Master with the Pepsi dial, reference number 6542 (Source: Chrono24)
However, this timepiece was not designed from the ground up. No, the ‘Pepsi’ drew design features from other popular Rolex models like the Submariner and Turn-O-Graph. These models had time-lapse bezels to be used by the wearer to time events without the use of a chronograph function.
A not-so-subtle change to this design cue includes converting the hour illustrations on the bezel from a 12-hour to a 24-hour variation. These bezels were also constructed from bakelite and the aforementioned hour markers were constructed of a luminous material, Radium. Unfortunately, both of these factors proved to be quite an issue for the Crown.
The bakelite was found to be extremely fragile and prone to fracturing and cleaving. The Radium, while great for legibility, was highly radioactive, and emitted all three types of radioactivity – Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. Rolex recalled this specific reference and exchanged the bezels with anodized metal ones, making Bakelite versions quite rare.
Figure 2: To avoid cancer and other health concerns, Rolex had to exchange the bakelite bezels with anodized metal bezels (Source: gmtmaster1675.com)
While many of the 6542s had their bezels completely replaced, it is known that some Rolex service centers merely removed the Radium from the bezel and replaced it with Tritium – or, left it completely empty! As you can see in Figure 2, Rolex made swift work to avoid any legal implications.
Ticking away within the 38mm stainless steel case was the caliber 1036 (and later on the 1065 and 1066), featuring a bi-directional perpetual rotor. Revolutionary for its time, 1036 still did not allow for the wearer to set the second timezone hand separately from the hour hand. Thus, unlike contemporary GMTs, you’d have to use the rotating bezel to track the second timezone.
Other noticeable characteristics about the ref. 6542 is the use of small lume plots on the dial, which was replaced with larger ones in Q3 of 1958. It was also the first time Rolex made use of the ‘cyclops’ lens over the date aperture. Some of the earliest models also had “GMT-Master” written in pink on the dial. These models, as you might expect are scarce.
Do you feel like you might want a vintage GMT Master with a glorious patina? Up until now, I was more of a Deepsea guy myself, but now I’m beginning to doubt…
Reference 1675
The reference 1675 was in production for 21 years, from 1959 to 1980; one of the longest production Rolex’s ever. Because the production of the ref. 1675 was so extensive, there were quite a few variations.
There were, however, changes from the ref. 6542 that was apparent in all the ref 1675s, such as the introduction of Crown Guards. Apart from the 1675s with the cal. 1535 which had the “OCC” (Officially Certified Chronometer), all the dials were specified “SCOC” ones (Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified) and with different calibers.
Before we get to the many variations and subtle changes amongst them, we need to discuss the calibers used. All the ref. 1675s were powered by the microstella cal. 1565 until 1964, after which they were powered by the cal. 1575. Hacking was introduced in 1970.
Figure 3: A later version of the 1675 with the “T<25” on at the 6 o’clock position that featured hacking, allowing you to set the watch’s second hand together with its hour and minute hands (Source: sothebys.com)
All the dials produced up until 1967 were known as Gilt dials, and these versions featured numerous subtle changes from year to year.
Variation 1: The “Exclamation Mark”
From the years 1962 – 1963 the ref. 1675 was produced with an interesting feature known among vintage watch enthusiasts as the Exclamation Mark version. This nomenclature is referring to the use of extra lume within the chapter ring, creating something that looks like an exclamation mark.
Figure 4: Note the extra lume below the 6 o’clock marker creating the visual representation for the namesake of this variation (Source: ssongwatches.com)
This was to denote the use of less Radium in the GMT Master, seeing as the bakelite version from years passed caused some concern. The extra lume was indicative of the use of Tritium in the watch before Rolex used the ‘T’ identification method on their dials. Sprinkle a bit of math on this timepiece and you find it was produced with two lumes, making it highly sought-after.
Variation 2: Double Swiss
For many, the term “Swiss Made” evokes a feeling of trust, quality, and luxury, but what if you had twice the amount of ‘Swiss’? In 1963 Rolex not only removed the chapter ring circular connection creating an open chapter ring but also included the word ‘Swiss’ twice on the dial at the 6 o’clock position.
You can also easily spot this version by looking for the “underline” under the “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” text. The watch also featured slightly different crown guards, known as “broad-pointed” guards. As you might imagine, these are as scarce as a hen’s teeth.
Figure 5: A ref. 1675 will all the aforementioned features (Underline, Double Swiss, Missing Chapter Ring, and board-pointed guards) (Source: gmtmaster1675.com)
Variation 3: The “T” Model
Compared to the previous variation, there isn’t a lot that has changed. The one change that was represented in models made from 1963 – 1964 is the use of the ‘T’ nomenclature on the dial.
Figure 6: The ‘T’ Model had the ‘’T < 25” on the dial representing the fact that the Tritium emits less than 25 Millicurie (Source: gmtmaster1675.com)
These watches featured the “T < 25” next to the upper Swiss writing at the 6 o’clock position. This was to denote the use of Tritium which emits less than 925 MBq or 25 mCi.
Variation 4: Golden Hands
The term ‘golden hand’ might apply here since the craftsmanship of these timepieces is spectacular. This particular version had golden hour and minute hands, as well as rounded crown guards. While the changes are small, this rendition remains quite sought-after.
Figure 7: Changes for this version and the next were not as great, as a new dial style was at the forefront (Source: timeandtidewatches.com)
The last ‘version’ was barely a version, and simply had the omission of the golden hands and had slightly smaller lume plots. A rather anti-climatic finish to the Gilt dial 1675s, but the newer Matte dials were ready to pick up the GMT pieces from 1975 onwards.
Variation 5: Mark 0 (Transition)
Produced from 1966 to 1967 these were not even known for a very long time. The only real characteristics of these were, of course, the newer Matte dials, but unlike every Matte dial 1675 that followed, this still had the cal. 1565 within.
Figure 8: With such subtle changes when compared to the Gilt dial 1675, the Mark 0 (or Mark 0.5) is hard to identify (Source: hqmilton.com)
It also still featured the smaller GMT hand, which compared to the larger one looks a bit better in my opinion. The Mark 0 also featured a slightly thinner case at only 12.7 mm thick.
Variation 6: Mark 1 (Long E)
If you thought we were looking at these vintage timepieces with a brutish eye, we’re getting really close up now. The Mark 1 or Long E as it is commonly known features, as the name suggests, a longer middle line of the ‘E’ in the Rolex script on the dial.
Figure 9: The Mark 1 features the biggest departure from the norm up until now in the Pepsi story (Source: gmtmaster1675.com)
Another much larger feature is the rather robust GMT hand which dwarfs that of the predecessors. You can also look at the tines of the Coronet, which are much thinner than previous variations.
Within the Mark 1 variation, you will also find a personal favorite of mine, the ‘Pink Panther’. Known for its fuchsia color, this Pepsi has lost its bold red color and formed a purple-like color. This is partly due to the fact that these bezels had anodized Aluminum bezel inserts, but partly due to chance. Just like you and me, they develop into something beautiful based on their environment.
The only difference is I’m probably not as collectible as the ‘Pink Panther’; well, unless you were to ask my mum. Although…
Variation 7: Mark 2
Unfortunately, Mark 2 doesn’t have an attention-grabbing name and featured much more precise changes than the modifications seen in Mark 1. The font was slightly bolder and the “L” and “E” were slightly closer together. Overall, the font can be described as a wee bit more stocky, creating a broader look.
Figure 10: The ref. 1675 Mark 2 had a slightly chunkier ‘Rolex’ on the dial (Source: rolexforums.com)
Variation 8: Mark 3 (Radial Dial)
The ‘Radial Dial’ was in production from 1975 – 1978 with small changes from its predecessor. Chief amongst which being smaller lume plots that also sit closer toward the center of the dial. The baton hour markers at 6 and 9 o’clock are also considerably larger but further away from the chapter markers.
Figure 11: The ‘Radial’ Mark 3 Dial offers a more compact look with larger lume plots (Source: Chrono24)
Variation 9: Mark 4
Whereas the changes for Mark 3 were easy to spot, the changes visible on the Mark 4 are barely visible. If you’re a proper anorak as the British would say, you’ll notice that the top of the coronet is shaped somewhat like a chevron, and the serifs on the ‘Oyster Perpetual’ wording is completely gone.
Another key characteristic is that the right line of the ‘M’ in ‘Master’ sits on top of the ‘C’ in ‘Chronometer’. This may seem like the smallest detail, but when you’re buying a vintage piece, details matter…
Figure 12: It’s worth noting that the case and movement have not changed between all these Marks and that the changes are merely cosmetic (Source: gmtmaster1675.com)
Variation 10: Mark 5
We come to the final version of the ref. 1675 with the ‘Maxi Mark 5’ produced from 1978 to 1980. Nicknamed so due to the larger and wider-set lume plots compared to the Mark 4. Another factor to look out for is that the ‘M’ in ‘Master’ now cuts between the “CH” in “Chronometer”.
Figures 13 and 14: Mark 4 (left) and Mark 5 (right). Put side to side, those subtle differences reveal themselves quite easily (Sources: gmtmaster1675.com and Chrono.24)
Reference 16750
At the end of the long production of the 1675, Rolex introduced the ref. 16750 in 1980. And with the new model came numerous mechanical, aesthetic, and cultural changes.
Figures 15 and 16: The biggest aesthetic change to the Pepsi was the finish on the dial itself. The earlier ref. 16750 (upper) still had a Matte finish on the dial whereas the ref. 16750 (lower) was one of the later models and had a glossy lacquer finish with corresponding white gold surrounds on the indexes (Source: theoandharris.com and smoothseconds.com)
Internally the GMT Master was now powered by the cal. 3075 which featured new innovations for the GMT line such as a quick set date, and the case provided double the water resistance of its predecessor – 100m.
The ref. 16750 is often called the ‘Transitional Model’ and was worn by Tom Selleck as he portrayed Thomas Magnum in the 80s hit show Magnum PI.
Reference 16700
Rolex updated the GMT Master again in 1988, releasing the ref. 16700. This model remained in production until 1999. Small changes were present such as the movement within being the cal. 3175 (the last fixed GMT movement).
Figure 17: The only other change was the lume. Until 1997 it was Tritium (T < 25) and from 1997 onwards it was Super-LumiNova. This model has Tritium granting the lume. (Source: Chrono24)
Reference 16760: The First GMT Master II
Then, in 1982 (the times are confusing, I know), Rolex released the new and first GMT Master II. Theory has it that the 16700 remained in production during this time as a cost-effective alternative. Unlike the long production of the 16700, the 16760 only lasted until 1988.
Figure 18: The first GMT Master II was introduced in 1982, and the model line still features in the contemporary Rolex catalog(Source: Chrono24)
The new watch came with a new movement, the cal. 3085. This caliber had decoupled 12 and 24-hour hands, which was a welcome feature. Unfortunately, this gave the movement (and case) quite a bit of thickness earning the reference 16760 the nickname “Fat Lady”.
Reference 16710
The second GMT Master II came in 1989 and remained in production until 2007. Quite a long time, and so, as you probably know by now Rolex made numerous changes to the dial and case during this time period.
Lume was a factor that saw many changes. Until 1997 the lume was Tritium (T < 25), until 1999 it was LumiNova, and in 2007 it was replaced with SuperLumiNova.
The only other changes of note were the slimmer caliber 3185, which was replaced by the caliber 3186 later on in the ref. 16710 life. From 2000 to 2003 the case had solid end links, and in 2007 Rolex took away any exterior holes.
After this, the Pepsi disappeared from the Rolex catalog, and enthusiasts were left with empty hands until the ref. 116719BLRO was introduced.
Figure 19: All the small changes were present in a model that was in production for 18 years (Source: windvintage.com)
Reference 116719BLRO
This is where ‘modern’ Pepsi’s come out to play, reference number 116719BLRO (Bleu/Rouge). Produced from 2014 until 2018, this Pepsi had something rather special about it. It was finished in 18K white gold! This pilot and tool watch has suddenly gathered a bit of style, a bit of finesse – but it is rumored that there was a good reason for this.
See, “apparently” it was quite hard for Rolex to produce the Pepsi bezel at this point in time, and so to keep the production volume down, you simply change the case material from steel to white gold. This was obviously never confirmed by Rolex, but it does make sense in a way.
Figure 20: While many prefer the GMT Master II in steel, I must admit, the white gold looks good (Source: ssongwatches.com)
As you can see in figure 20, this model still had the black dial. Later on, Rolex offered the white gold with a blue dial only (ref. 126719BLRO) but was kind enough to offer black dial owners the opportunity to switch dials. Or, if you really like spending money, you could have a dial from outer space – literally.
Figure 21: The meteorite dial Pepsi is something all love, some will see, and even fewer will own. Second-hand market prices soar sky-high and for good reason. The dial, featuring the Widmanstätten pattern, comes from a meteorite located in the town of Gibeon, Namibia(Source: Rolex)
Reference 126710BLRO: The current GMT Master II
And finally, we get to the contemporary GMT Master II (Pepsi) ref. Number 126710BLRO. After the white gold Pepsi has been making the rounds for some time, Rolex releases a steel version in 2018 with the cal. 3285 within.
Figure 22: The modern Pepsi is offered on the stylish Jubilee bracelet (Source: Rolex)
Cultural Role of the Rolex Pepsi
As mentioned, the Pepsi has been worn by a few actors and important people throughout history, so, let’s look at a list of other characters and real-life people who this bi-color timepiece:
Figures 23: Tom Selleck wore a GMT Master in Magnum PI when he portrayed Thomas Magnum
Figure 24: James Spader wore a GMT Master II when he portrayed Raymond “Red” Reddington in the Blacklist
For those that might not know, Sylvester ‘Sly’ Stallone is one hell of a watch guy. Sly’s collection has generated numerous articles and videos, and unsurprisingly he has a Pepsi – or rather a few Pepsi’s.
Figure 25: Here Sylvester is wearing the sought-after white gold Pepsi with the meteorite dial, ref. 126719BLRO
Figure 26: Sylvester rocking his new Pepsi ref. 126710BLROnext to fellow actor Brad Pitt
Figures 27: While not technically a Pepsi, this Rolex GMT-Master II 126755SARU (or SARU for short) does look somewhat like a Pepsi, so, at the risk of upsetting purists, it’s going on the list. Here is Sylvester next to fellow action star Dolph Lundgren wearing a Bronze Luminor Panerai
It’s not just action stars wearing the Pepsi. The versatility of the GMT function and the pop of color from the bezel makes for the perfect all-around watch.
Figure 28: Talk show host and famed watch collector Ellen DeGeneres wearing a new 126710BLRO
Figure 29: Perhaps one of the most famous modern collectors, John Mayer, wearing his white gold Pepsi ref. 116719BLRO
Which Rolex ‘Pepsi’ is right for me?
By now you’re probably asking yourself why you haven’t invested in such a timeless watch, and to be honest, so am I. With the usability of the GMT function, a wearable case, and matched with the Jubilee bracelet, this watch is really one of a kind.
Choosing which would suit your life best is a tricky question, so, there are a few things you need to take into account. When looking for a vintage piece, you’re always going to run into issues of authenticity. Perhaps this is why articles like these exist, for you to use as guidance on the minute changes between models and dials.
Buy the seller, not the watch.
Older timepieces are also known to be more fragile. If you need a sports watch to do what a modern sports watch is capable of doing, perhaps the contemporary version might be best.
Cost will also play a huge role. While some of the newer Pepsi’s might be easy to find close to retail, older versions such as ‘the Pink Panther’ will fetch a pretty penny. Remember, buy the watch you can afford, and it’s probably not a good idea going into debt for a watch.
And lastly, buy the watch you want. If you want to feel like Magnum PI then buy his Pepsi! If you want a GMT to complete your modern collection and you have no real affinity to any of the vintage offerings, a modern one will do you just fine.
by Neil Atkinson
Sep 23, 2021
Warren Buffett’s Watches
Watch connoisseurs love exploring what timepieces their favorite celebrities have in their collections. More often than not, the watches celebs wear reflect their personality and style. For example, Tom Hanks wears watches that reflect his quiet elegance while Elton John prefers wrist candy that is as flashy and flamboyant as himself.
So what would one expect to find in the watch collection of Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors of all time? Once again, personality and style rule. The “Saga of Omaha” and Berkshire Hathaway CEO is notoriously frugal. He lives in the same home he purchased in 1958 for $31,500, dines at McDonald’s, and only recently upgraded his Nokia flip phone to an iPhone.He’s also worn the same watch, A Rolex Day-Date, for decades. And he has no watch collection.
Warren Buffett attributes his success by limiting his investments in companies he really likes and believes will have ongoing success. He is very fond of Rolex, and even once attempted to buy the company. Rolex declined because it’s controlled by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation.
Like his stock, Warren has hung on to his Rolex which, according to photos, is either a yellow-gold ref 18038 or ref 18238. Nicknamed “The President,” it’s the preferred watch for US presidents starting with Lyndon B. Johnson The watches have only been made of gold or platinum, so was a splurge for the parsimonious multi-billionaire.
Let’s explore the watch collection that is worthy of presidents and successful investors like Warren Buffett.
First released in 1984-1985, the Rolex President 18038 in 18K yellow gold features a 36mm case with a fluted bezel. The champagne-colored dial features 10 brilliant full baguette diamonds for hour markers, and the hands are titanium. The dial cover is a sapphire crystal. A date window is at 3 o’clock and the Rolex crown and day display is at 12 o’clock. The days of the week have full spellings. It’s powered by the brand’s automatic 3055 movement. It comes with an 18K gold President bracelet with an oyster clasp. This reference has long been discontinued but is available on the secondary market.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Automatic President Watch 228238BKDP
The Rolex President Day-Date 228238BKDP variation has a 40mm 18K gold case with a fluted fixed bezel, screw-down crown, and concealed crown clasp. It’s complemented by a gold-plated Presidents band. The black dial is enhanced by gold-tone hands and indices. A date window is at 3 o’clock and a day display with full spellings is at 12. It’s powered by Rolex’s automatic movement.
The Rolex Men’s Day-Date 36 variation has a yellow gold 36mm case and gold-tone President bracelet. The champagne dial features black hands and stick indices with black Roman numerals around the outer ring. It has the date display at 3 o’clock and the full-spelling day display at 12. The fixed bezel is fluted. It’s powered by Swiss automatic movement.
The Rolex President Watch 228239 celebrates the brand’s 60th anniversary with an iconic olive green dial. The 40mm case is white gold with a screw-down back and crown with a turn-lock double waterproofing system. The dial features white gold beveled deconstructed Roman numerals, a date window at 3 o’clock, and a day display with full spellings at 12. It’s surrounded by a fluted bezel. The three-piece solid link President bracelet has a polished center link and satin-finished outer links with ceramic inserts and a concealed folding buckle. It’s powered by self-winding 3255 automatic movement and has a power reserve of 70 hours.
The Rolex President 118238 Watch has a 36mm yellow gold case and yellow gold President bracelet with a concealed crown clasp. The antique silver dial features a full set of black Roman numerals edged in gold and Rolex’s signature day-date display. It is powered by automatic 3155 perpetual movement with a self-winding double quickset function.
Credit to Wikimedia for the image used in the header.
by Neil Atkinson
Sep 21, 2021
Watches Jason Statham Wears
Sometimes, in the history of Hollywood, the planets have aligned just right for a star to be born. The legendary Lana Turner was discovered while buying a soda at a malt shop. Marylin Monroe was cast into stardom after a photographer spotted her working in a factory during World War II. In much the same way, British actor Jason Statham became a star by being in the right place at the right time.
Jason was a sportive youth and practiced martial arts, football, and diving. After competing for England’s dive team in the Commonwealth Games, he landed a few modeling jobs for the clothing brand French Connection. He supplemented his income working as a black market salesman.
Instead of Lana and Marilyn’s stunning beauty, Jason was built like a rock. The French Connection, who had invested in the making of a new movie, “Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels” (1998) introduced him to British film director Guy Ritchie. Guy gave Jason a chance for a leading role by challenging him to pretend to be an illegal street vendor and purchase fake merchandise. Clearly, Ritchie was impressed. Jason made his debut role in the movie as Bacon.
Jason is also a watch aficionado and prefers “extreme” watches like the following that are as tough as him and the characters he plays.
In the 2018 thriller “The Meg,” Jason plays Jonas Taylor, an expert diver, and Naval captain. While on a mission, he encounters an unknown danger while exploring the waters off the Philippines. He aborts the mission and abandons half his crew. His incredulous claim that he had fought off an extinct 70-foot sea creature costs him both his career and his marriage. Jonas works hard and is furious to redeem himself.
Jason is an expert diver in real life, so it’s safe to assume that he owns the ICW Aquatimer he wears as Jonah. The Aquatimer has a 44mm stainless steel case with a solid case back coated in rubber. The dark gray dial features luminous hour markers and hands, a date window at 3 o’clock, and two subdials. The rotating inner and outer bezel are unidirectional. It’s powered by automatic mechanical movement and has a 68-hour power reserve.
The follow-up to the Expandables has Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) and his band of mercenaries coming back to take on the mission of clearing Ross’ record. The team must acquire a black box from a downed plane. The hunt and kill begin when another mercenary ambushes the team.
This 2012 release is practically an advert for the Panerai Luminor Submersible. It can be spotted on Jason’s wrist and several other actors including Sylvester Stallone, Terry Crews, and Randy Couture. The watch is specifically a 1950 3 Days Automatic Bronzo, model number PAM00382. It is a Luminor Special Edition and one of only 1,000 pieces.
This iconic dive watch has unique characteristics and technical features. The case and bezel are polished brass and the case back is titanium. The dark green analog dial features light green luminous skeleton hands and light green hour markers. A subdial is at 9 o’clock and the date window is at 3. Waterproof to 300 meters (1,000ft), it’s powered by automatic mechanical movement and 28 jewels. It has a power reserve of three days.
Almost like the opening of Transporter, this follow-up flick shows Jason Statham in a luxury car pulling into a parking garage. He hears an alarm and checks his watch. In both movies, it’s a Panerai. Jason plays Frank Martin, a mercenary “transporter” hired by an ex-Special Forces operative. Frank delivers. No questions asked.
The model Jason wears in Transporter 2 is a 44mm Luminor Chrono Daylight model number PAM 196. The case and bezel are brushed steel. The black analog dial has bright luminous hands and indices with an Arabic numeral at 12 o’clock and three subdials. It features multiple functions including a chronograph with two counters and a tachymeter scale. It’s complemented by a handsome alligator strap with a Panerai buckle. It’s powered by Panerai’s OP XII caliber automatic mechanical movement.
TAG Heuer Monaco Automatic Chronograph in The Bank Job
In the high-action film The Bank Job, Jason’s character is Terry Leather, a London car dealer whose business is slow. Terry finds himself caught up in a scheme with a former model to pull off a heist at a bank where the alarm has been cut off for two weeks. He doesn’t know that her real target is a safety deposit box hiding the secrets of a royal.
The audience gets a close-up look at the TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph watch Jason wears when his character Terry is checking the time at Paddington Station. The watch is a classic Swiss luxury timepiece with a square case and dial. The 39mm case is brushed stainless steel. The analog dial is light blue and features three subdials and a date window at 6 o’clock. The hour markers are non-numeric. The seconds hand and subdial hands are bright red. It’s powered by mechanical automatic movement and 55 jewels.
The movie “Parker” stars Jason in the title role. Parker is a thief with an unusual code. But he is a thief who is careful not to steal from the poor or hurt innocent people. He joins four other guys to pull off a job and it goes flawlessly. When Parker doesn’t get his share and is left for dead, he recovers and seeks revenge.
Jason’s character Parker wears a Richard Mille Felipe Massa. The RM 011 model is named after the F1 Driver and is as precise as the engineering in the eponymous race car. The white gold 50 x 40mm case has a tonneau shape and curved sides and bezel. The titanium bezel is encrusted with diamonds. The analog dial features Arabic numerals and three subdials with red and yellow accents. The transparent sapphire crystal dial shows off the RMAC1 caliber movement. Functions include an auto-calendar and a flyback chronograph. The strap is indestructible rubber.
Credit to Wikimedia for the image used in the header.
by Neil Atkinson
Sep 19, 2021
Elvis Presley’s Watch Collection (Rare & Everyday)
Elvis Presley is one of the most musical and cultural influencers of all time. Born in 1935 to a family of modest means in Tupelo, Mississippi, he knew music was his calling after receiving his first guitar on his 11th birthday. Using his early influence of Southern gospel music and African-American rhythm and blues, he helped define the genre of rock and roll. He cut his first demo record in 1953 and found almost instant success when the record label owners took him under their wing.
Elvis’s style of performing along with his good looks, pouty lips, and sultry gyrations caught on around the world while mothers covered their daughter’s eyes. After a career span of over 30 years, he sold over one billion records, starred in dozens of movies, and earned the title “King of Rock and Roll.”
Elvis loved expensive cars, flashy jewelry, and watches. He bought them for himself, his friends, and complete strangers. Sadly, the King died at the young age of 42. Over the years, the watches in Elvis Presley’s watch collection sold at auction have brought an untold amount of money. Here’s a look at some of the most famous watches Elvis Pressley wore and the roles they played in his life.
Elvis was drafted into the US Army in 1958. His producers at RCA Records prepared for his hiatus by stock-piling unreleased material, and Elvis did a few recordings on a two-week leave including the songs “It’s Now or Never” and “Are You Lonesome Tonight.” He was stationed in Germany alongside friend and musician Charlie Hodge.
An avid fan of Omega watches, Elvis had an Omega Constellation during the years he served in the military. Charlie often admired the watch, and Elvis eventually gave it to him as a gift. The watch went up for auction in 2012 and sold for $52,000.
Elvis Presley’s Omega features a pink gold stainless steel case with a gold decagonal crown. The black dial has pink gold dauphine hands and raised gold baton indices with luminous inlay. A pink gold-plated Constellation logo is above 6 o’clock and a gold Omega logo is under 12 o’clock. A cross-hair divides the dial and a date window is at 3 o’clock. It features Cal. 504 manual winding chronometer movement.
The Elvis Omega Constellation fetched $52,500 at auction in 2012. As for Charlie Hodge, Graceland was his residence for 16 years.
Elvis was honorably discharged from the army on March 2, 1960, with the rank of sergeant. The train that carried him back to Tennessee was mobbed all the way, and the King appeared at scheduled stops. Elvis had a natural talent for acting and never had any coaching. Later that year, he starred in the movie “G.I. Blues.” The soundtrack from the movie quickly reached Gold and Platinum status.
He took a break from recording and touring in 1961, but his records continued selling like hotcakes. When sales reached 75 million, RCA Records rewarded him with the gift of an Omega watch signed by Tiffany & Co. It has an 18K white gold 33mm case with a diamond bezel set with 44 round brilliant cut diamonds. The white dial is minimalist with white gold hands and stick indices. It’s powered by Omega’s manual caliber 510 movement.
Elvis’ Tiffany Omega was obtained by the nephew of the man who got it from Elvis himself. It went under the hammer at the Phillips Geneva Watch Auction in 2018. It’s slated to be on display at the Omega Museum in Bienne.
There’s a story behind the acquisition of Elvis’s Omega. The nephew of the man whose uncle got it from Elvis traded his Hamilton Ventura for the Omega on the spot after Elvis admired it. As much as Elvis loved his Omega, the unconventional case design appealed to his unconventional spirit. The timepiece became iconic after Elvis wore it in the 1961 movie “Blue Hawaii.” It became known as the “Elvis Watch.”
A newer version of Elvis’ Venture, the Ventura Elvis80 was released on what would have been the King’s 80th birthday. It has a power reserve of 80 hours in his honor. The triangular case features a black matte dial with polished silver dauphine hands. The hands and alternating indices have white luminous inlays. A minute tracker on the upper right side has bright orange markings matched by an orange seconds hand. It’s powered by quartz movement.
Rolex Submariner Big Crown and Girls, Girls, Girls
Elvis owned watches in all price ranges. One of the most expensive timepieces he owned was the Rolex Submariner 6538 Big Crown. It was named for its oversized winding crown and absence of crown guards. Elvis wore this watch proudly in the 1962 movie “Girls, Girls, Girls.” Coincidentally, Sean Connery wore the Submariner Big Crown in the first Bond movie, “Dr. No.” which premiered that same year.
No one knows what happened to Elvis’ Submariner. Certified Elvis ownership along with the value of the watch would certainly fetch a big price at an auction today. Several Submariners pay homage to this timepiece. Known as diver survival tools, they feature the same large crown and the Submariner’s Oyster case.
They are water-resistant to 300 meters (1,000ft), have high-precision movement, optimal protection from shock and pressure, and unidirectional rotating bezels. The dials are the brand’s classical style with geometric indices and Mercedes hands.
Rolex King Midas
Another rare timepiece in Elvis’ watch collection was the Rolex King Midas. It was his limited-edition with only 1,000 pieces produced. He received the Rolex King Midas after his sold-out shows at the Houston Astrodome livestock show.
The King of Rock had a heart of gold…and an 18K solid gold Corum Buckingham. Once again, he gave it away to an employee and friend, Richard Davis. Elvis took the watch off one day and asked Richard to look at the back of it because something was wrong with it. Davis flipped the watch over to see the inscription: “To Richard from E.P.” Antiquorum sold the watch at auction in 2016 along with a letter from Davis and photos of Elvis wearing it for $22,000.
Elvis’ solid yellow gold Corum Buckingham had a square hobnail dial, a plain gold face, black hands, and a black leather strap.
Corum was founded by a Swiss watchmaker in 1955 in La Chaux de Fonds. The luxury brand has several collections with the same square hobnail dial designs in a variety of styles.
Credit to Wikimedia for the image used in the header.
by Neil Atkinson
Sep 17, 2021
Tom Hanks’ Watches
Tom Hanks is an all-American likable guy both on and off the screen. Hanks discovered his passion for acting while attending college in his home state of California. He later relocated to New York City where his career took off after landing a role in the hit movie “Splash,” thanks to his acquaintance with director Ron Howard. Over four decades he portrayed dozens of endearing and unforgettable characters such as “Forrest Gump,” Chuck Noland in “Castaway,” and Sam Baldwin in “Sleepless in Seattle.”
Tom Hanks Wears Rolex
Hanks has an affinity for the Swiss Luxury Brand Rolex perhaps because they reflect his quiet elegance. And with a massive list of box office hits grossing over $3.5 billion, he can afford to add them to his collection. Here are a few of Tom’s favorite Rolex timepieces.
Tom Hanks is a serious professional with a playful side. The Rolex Milgauss he owns was created for scientists with a soft-iron Faraday core giving this timepiece the ability to resist up to 1,000 gausses. It has classic styling with playful details.
The black analog dial underneath a green crystal features electric alternating green and orange baton indices, black hour and minute hands tinged with green, and an orange lightning bolt seconds hand. The 40 mm stainless steel case has a smooth bezel. Complemented by an oyster bracelet, this watch can be considered a tool watch and a dress watch.
Tom expresses his adventurous spirit by wearing the Rolex Explorer I. Rolex created this timepiece to survive the harsh elements of outdoor adventures. Like Tom, it is solid and dependable with precision, self-winding movement, and a chronograph. The black dial features white luminous inlay Mercedes hands, baton hour markers, and raised Arabic numerals at the quarter hours. It has a distinctive classic look that is a good match for Tom.
Tom’s travels to filming locations take him to faraway places. He’ll be ready for any extreme water adventures with his Rolex-Sea-Dweller. This timepiece has a water resistance of a whopping 4,000 ft. It features a 40mm stainless steel oyster case and self-winding movement with a chronograph.
The black dial has white luminous inlay hands and geometric hour markers. A date window is at 3 o’clock. The dial has a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and is encircled with a black ceramic unidirectional bezel with white markings.
Tom Hanks Movies and Watches
Tom Hanks loves to play diverse, often colorful characters, and the watches spotted in the movies he stars in show that. Unlike James Bond films, Rolex doesn’t fit all of his roles. Let’s take a look at some of the watches he wore in a few of his movies and the characters they reflect.
Omega Speedmaster in California Typewriter and Apollo 13
Tom wears an Omega Speedmaster Professional in the documentary “California Typewriter” and in the blockbuster hit “Apollo 13.” This timepiece became famous as the watch that many NASA astronauts wore. It’s often called an Astronaut’s Watch or Moon Watch.
The documentary film “California Typewriter” centers around characters who negotiate between technology and creativity. Tom portrays himself along with a host of other real-life characters in the documentary.
In the movie Apollo 13, Tom portrays astronaut Jim Lovell. The premise is based on the true story of the ill-fated Apollo 13 moon mission. Tom’s character dreams of setting foot on the moon after contemplating how close he came while orbiting it on Apollo 8. Jim Lovell has to make some difficult decisions when once in orbit the ship veers out of control and takes them on the dark side of the moon.
Tom’s line “Houston, we have a problem” becomes a household phrase. Mission Control gets the crew back to Earth safely in the hair-raising plot. Jim is disappointed that they didn’t make it to the moon but declares it a “successful failure” because they are alive.
The Omega Speedmaster Professional features a 42mm stainless steel case with a solid back. The iconic black dial has luminous hands and indices and three subdials. It’s surrounded by a stainless steel tachymeter bezel. With caliber 321 manual winding, functions include hours, minutes, seconds, and chronograph.
In the movie “Captain Phillips” Tom portrays Captain Richard Phillips. It’s based on the true story of the 2009 hijacking of the US container ship Maersk Alabama. The white-knuckled thriller explores the complex effects of globalization. Captain Phillips must bravely and strategically rescue his crew from Somalian pirates along with the Navy Seals.
The Casio G-Shock Tom (Captain Phillips) wears fits the dangerous rescue mission he must endure. G-Shock watches are affordable and known for their indestructible construction and shock and water resistance (200 meters.) The Casio G-Shock DW6900-1V features a digital dial with illumination with day, date, and time display. Functions include a countdown timer, 1/100 sec. stopwatch and auto-calendar. It has a strong black resin band.
Quemex Sport in Larry Crowne
The movie “Larry Crowne” is a comedy-drama romance story with the theme “it’s never too late to start living again.” Tom plays Larry Crowne, a likable middle-aged superstar team leader at the successful company where he works. After losing his job to downsizing, he falls behind on his mortgage and refinancing falls through.
He decides to reinvent his life by going back to college. He falls in love with Mercedes Tainot (Julia Roberts), a public speaking teacher who is as disillusioned with her job as she is her husband. Like most of Tom Hank’s romance flicks, this one has a “happily ever after” ending.
Tom Hanks on Larry Crowne
The vintage watch Tom wears in the movie is a vintage digital Quemex Sport Watch. The exact model or reference number is unknown but the style matches one from the 1980s. It is a digital LCD chronograph-alarm watch with a distinct techy look. Quemex is a Chinese manufacturer that exports watches and clocks.
Credit to Wikimedia for the image used in the header.
by Neil Atkinson
Sep 14, 2021
Dwayne Johnson Watches
Tinsel Town’s Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has a watch collection as impressive as the feats he performs to save the world in his action-packed movies. And as one of the world’s top 10 highest-paid celebrities, he can afford the best luxury timepieces.
Before becoming an actor, Johnson was a professional wrestler using the ring name The Rock. His eight-year wrestling career brought him fame as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. Johnson is also a producer and businessman.
Fashion critics had input from The Rock himself in an interview in which he described his preference for “tool” watches. These watches are designed for high octane situations from underwater to the cockpit of a plane. These chunky monsters have oversized dials, military functionality, and indestructible construction. They can be spotted on Dwayne’s muscular arm in movies from the “Fast & Furious” series to box office hits such as “Skyscraper” and “San Andreas.”
Quotes from Dwayne Johnson’s interview on watches show his preference for robust Swiss luxury brands from Paneri, IWC, and Breitling.
Dwayne Johnson Wears Panerai in Fast & Furious
” What I most look for in a watch is how it’s made, what goes into it, and of course the design.”
Dwayne Johnson wears a Panerai Luminor Submersible in Fast & Furious 5
Panerai, a brand that combines fine Italian style with famous Swiss watchmaking steals a few scenes in “Fast & Furious 5.” Dwayne also has a few of his own.
The Luminor Submersible Chrono Pam187 appears on Dwayne’s arm in high-speed car chases and other dangerous stunts. While most of the action is on the land, this Panerai model can withstand water pressure at a depth of up to 1,000 meters. As strong as The Rock himself, the massive 47 mm case and bezel are made of 316L brushed steel. The black analog dial features luminous hour markers and an Arabic numeral at 12 o’clock, three chronograph subdials, and a date display between 4 and 5 o’clock. The bezel rotates anti-clockwise. It’s powered by an automatic mechanical Panerai OP XII caliber and 27 jewels.
Dwayne Johnson Wears Panerai in San Andreas
“I prefer materials that will stand the test of time and my lifestyle of course.”
The character Dwayne portrays in the disaster-action movie “San Andreas” has to survive earthquakes, avalanches, and harrowing helicopter rides. Made of indestructible titanium, the Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Titanio with its 72-hour power reserve fits the role perfectly. The 47 mm case is made of brushed titanium and the anti-clockwise bezel is brushed titanium with polished edges. It’s powered by the brand’s automatic P.9000 caliber movement and 28 jewels. The black dial has luminous Arabic numerals, the date at 3 o’clock, and seconds at 9 o’clock. It’s water-resistant to 300 meters.
Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Titanio
The Rock’s Personal Panerai Favorites
Luminor Marina PAM1312
“Whereas you change your clothes to suit the weather, or what you’re doing or where you’re going, I like a watch that I can wear for any occasion.”
When he isn’t fighting the forces of evil on the set, Dwayne’s Panerai go-to watches are the Luminor Acciaio and the Luminor Marina. The Acciaio PAM000090 has a simple dial despite featuring complications like a calendar and power reserve indicator. The 44 mm 316L stainless steel case has a polished steel crown protector. The black dial has luminous hour markers with Arabic numbers at 6 and 12 o’clock and a power reserve indicator at 5 o’clock. The automatic, self-winding timepiece is powered by Panerai OP IX caliber movement.
Dwayne’s Luminor Marina PAM1312 is one of the brand’s most iconic models. It’s a direct descendent of the one Sylvester Stallone wore in the movie “Rambo” in 2008.
Both of these Dwayne Johnson watches have classic black alligator straps.
IWC Big Pilot Heritage
IWC Big Pilot Heritage IW501004
“When I go to a movie premiere, I’m not thinking, ‘what kind of watch goes with this shirt or this jacket’?”
Dwayne is often seen sporting a spiffy yet practical IWC Big Pilot Heritage IW501004. The 46mm case is strong titanium and it features a black dial with Arabic numerals, the date at 6 o’clock, and a seconds subdial at 3 o’clock. The hands are accented with steel blue and the crystal is sapphire with an anti-reflective coating. Powered by automatic self-winding IWC 52110 caliber movement, this timepiece has a power reserve of up to 168 hours. It has 6 bar water resistance and a brown calfskin strap.
Breitling Transocean Chronograph Unitime
Breitling Transocean Chronograph Unitime
“For me, a watch is a tool. A good-looking tool, granted, but definitely not a piece of jewelry.”
The Breitling Transocean Chronograph Unitime is one of the most handsome and complicated watches in the Dwayne Johnson collection. The dial comes in black or white with a globe design in the center. Dwayne’s is white with a rose gold case and a brown leather strap. The outer rim lists 24 major cities from 24 different time zones. The 24-hour disk allows the wearer to read the time anywhere simultaneously with local time. It also features a daylight savings time indicator, chronograph subdials, and a date window between 4 and 5 o’clock.
Credit to Wikimedia for the image used in the header.
by Neil Atkinson
Sep 14, 2021
Best Watch Forums
Over the years, forums have provided an outlet for horology enthusiasts and watch collectors to discuss and share their passion for luxury watches. These discussion boards have flourished despite the upsurge in dynamic social media platforms. Perhaps unsurprisingly, these glorified chat rooms have given rise to lively trading communities. So in addition to sharing thoughts, information, and pictures, members of the forum can buy and sell among themselves.
Since watch collecting is an emotional and intellectual hobby, buying and selling on a watch forum makes the experience much more personable. Members share personalities and interests via their profiles. Buyers and sellers can also deal with more confidence and at less risk than on dedicated marketplaces.
Another win for forum trading is the ability to avoid seller fees. Platforms such as eBay may charge 10 percent of the selling price. Although the fee may be capped at a certain amount, the price point of luxury watches can mean a serious amount of money for every watch you sell. Additionally, eBay charges sales tax on sellers within the United States. Finally, other trading platforms add around 3 percent for processing fees through partners such as Paypal. And international payments will be subjected to currency conversion fees.
Most watch trading forums also have a space dedicated to sharing feedback for members they have interacted with. The feedback on forums is typically more astute and extensive than feedback on traditional trading platforms.
How Do Forums Work?
A watch forum may be owned by one enthusiast, a company specializing in large-scale online communities that attract brands to advertise and anything in the middle. Some one-man forums have actually grown into a platform owned by a professional organization. Regardless of the type, the forum’s survival depends on active members that are committed to interacting on a daily basis in an intelligent and mannerly way.
Most watch forums consist of categories. Some are brand-specific such as a Rolex forum or Seiko forum. Topics will relate to the specific brands. Other forums embrace brands into a specific category such as “Haute Horlogerie” with brands such as Patek Phillipe and Audemars Piguet.
Any new post on a forum creates a thread. When you click on a forum name, you will see an index with all threads inside the (sub) forum. A thread may consist of only one post or dozens and dozens of posts. Most software used includes the number of posts inside the thread and the date of the last post. To participate in most forums, you have to register. For security reasons, you can stay anonymous to the outside world by using a nickname.
Buying and selling luxury watches on forums is a compelling option. Even if you don’t end up trading, you’re sure to gain much knowledge. Help keep watch forums alive by participating. Here are some of the best watch forums to try.
Reddit WatchExchange
A relatively new watch trading company, Reddit WatchExchange is gaining popularity among watch collectors. The only requirement to sell is an account at least 30 days old and positive karma. Each new account gets one positive karma to start, and you can collect more with upvotes on posts and comments. Likewise, you will lose karma for downvotes.
As an advantage for buyers, every listing must include a photo with a handwritten note showing the date and the username of the seller. Reddit also has a mobile app that allows you to browse and reply to inquiries quickly.
Watchuseek has become the most popular dedicated watch forum in the world and gets the most trading activity. It began as a one-man show and grew to have over two million visits every month. Join discussions about watch collecting, watch winders, and more. All watch manufacturers from Casio to Rolex are welcome.
The watches are generally in the same price range or a bit higher as the ones on WatchExchange. To sell, accounts have to be registered for 90 days and have at least 100 posts. If you speed up posting, you will get banned. Watchuseek does this to discourage spamming to boost post count.
Watchuseek doesn’t have a dedicated mobile app but it is integrated with Tapatalk a forum-hosting mobile app available from Google Play and the App Store.
Rolex Forums functions much like Watchuseek by using vBulletin for an old-school-style forum and supporting mobile integration with Tapatalk. `The main difference is in the forum participants. That’s because the watches sold on Rolex Forums tend to be much more expensive. It will be harder to sell your more affordable timepieces, and the forum is biased towards Rolex.
To sell on this forum, you have to become a pledge member by making an annual donation of $30. This higher barrier is not a big deal to serious sellers who enjoy the forum. Lots of reputable sellers list frequently on RolexForums. Buyers will most likely find what they are looking for if it is a mainstream luxury brand.
The Omega Forum is less active than most other watch forums. Only around 10 watches are listed for sale each day. The forums are good for learning about Omega watches and other timepieces. And as the name implies, it’s a good place to find an Omega-specific watch. It is free to join, but you must have 200 posts before being eligible to sell. Join at https://omegaforums.net/.
