Rolex has recently discontinued the manufacturing of a classic model, the Sea-Dweller, in favor of a new classic, the Sea-Dweller Deep Sea. The Deep Sea boasts a breath-taking water tight seal right down to 3,900 meters (12,800 feet)! Even more amazing is the fact that Rolex tests all of its watches 25% past the marked depth. That means the Deep Sea has been tested at over 4,900 meters (16,000 feet)! The beauty and elegance of the Deep Sea sets it apart from any other watch of its kind. The Deep Sea also comes equipped with a new adjustable double system clasp perfect for everyday use.  This easy-to-use clasp allows for quick band adjustment.

Additional features include the new Submariner, Oyster Perpetual Day-Date II and Oyster Cosmograph Daytona done in Everose gold. All of these watches are further proof of Rolex’s continuous pursuit of excellence!

The name “Rolex” is a century old this year and to celebrate, the auction house Antiquorum is hosting an auction event entitled “Revolution: The evolution of the Rolex Sport Watch”. This event will honor Rolex’s storied sport watch history, including its development of the worlds first impermeable watch case.

The auction will feature a prototype of the Sea-Dweller from 1967 and is expected to fetch upwards of $150,000, one of the highest pre-sale estimates of any Rolex sport watch. Among other watches featured will be a 1988 COMEX Submariner and a 1969 Cosmograph Daytona. More info here

As most watch fans are aware Rolex has introduced a completely new model, the Yacht-Master II. This is news because it is only the fourth genuinely new watch Rolex has introduced in the past 50 years. The Yacht-Master II is also the first and only mechanical watch with a pre-selectable countdown function.

As a lead sponsor of the worlds foremost regattas and yachting events, Rolex is very in tuned with the needs of competitive sailors. This watch is useful to yatchmen because of the fact that rules governing the start of regattas differ from one to another, so not only does this watch allow the wearer to program a regatta countdown, it also allows for synchronization of the countdown timer with an external time signal while the timer is running. The Yacht-Master II can also prove useful to other applications which require a chronograph for brief intervals, such as auto racing.

Something I noticed right away while trying this watch on was the weight, unquestionably heavy at over 250 grams, I feel is not a problem at all, as it serves as a reminder that you are wearing something of high quality and value. The production of these watches will remain limited indeed, so the prestige of this model will be high. No comparable watch has ever been produced so explicitly designed for use in regattas.

The Rolex GMT Master II is over 50 years old, so to celebrate the occasion, Rolex recently launched the anniversary edition of the timepiece. Their watchmakers have significantly improved the older version of the GMT and redesigned the watch.

The Rolex GMT Master II is highly prized by Rolex aficionados as one of their most loved timepieces. This watch wins numerous hearts due to its elegant design and durability, not to mention a perfect timekeeping device for frequent travelers. It displays the time in its owner’s home time zone as well as a second time zone. There is also a date window for the home time zone. With the GMT Master II it is really simple to change time for different time zones and switch the date. What major improvements are featured by the new Rolex GMT Master II? First of all, Rolex watchmakers updated the movement. The timepiece is powered by the new caliber 3186. If compared to caliber 3185, it makes the hour hand move much smoother. It has also become possible to set the hour hand more precisely. The case of the timepiece has been made a little taller to provide enough space for the new movement. The dial design of the Rolex watch has also been changed - now it features the so-called ‘maxi-dial’, implying larger hour markers and wider minute and hour hands. The 24-hour hand of the stainless steel GMT Master II is distinctively green. The case of the timepiece is equipped with a ceramic bezel. Ceramic makes the bezel more durable and resistant to abrasions and color-fading. The inner part of the bezel reveals the word ‘ROLEX’ engravings all around its length. For the GMT Master II, Rolex watchmakers applied the Triplock crown system that has already been used for other Rolex watches, including the Sea-Dweller, Submariner and Yacht-Master. The watch’s crown is larger and heavier which means it is more comfortable to grasp. As for the timepiece’s Oyster bracelet, it catches the eye due to nicely polished links in the center. All in all it is simply a great looking and extremely well made watch.

In the free world one can love or hate anyone or anything they choose. The point I would like to make is that knowing the facts can make even the most ardent critic change their mind. Specifically I would like to show why its okay to love Rolex or the people that wear them. So lets look at the facts and I will leave it up to you to decide.

1. Rolex invented the wristwatch as we know it. Rolex was the first company to put real effort into marketing and producing them in 1905. Other companies could see no reason to stray from producing pocket watches.

2. Rolex invented the waterproof wristwatch. Their invention of the screw down crown was a classically simple concept, similar to a submarine hatch.

3. Ditto for self winding mechanisms. The company saw the way the watch market was headed and also saw the mistakes other companies made. Today, a vast majority of the automatic watches produced use a version of the Rolex Auto Rotor system.

4. One of the most important advances made by Rolex was their decision to gain chronometer certification. Before they instituted the program other companies just talked about how accurate their watches were; but Rolex was the first company to have the accuracy proven by an independent agency.

5. Today many companies have “Professional” watches designed for a specific job, such as diving, sailing or pilots. Rolex just so happened to invent this concept as well. The Submariner is one such example.

6. As you can see thus far Rolex is the most innovative watch company to date, with over a thousand patents in 100 years.

7. Today they are the most self-sufficient watch company in existence because they produce all their own movements, cases ,bracelets, and crystals.

8. Many a customer has come in and wondered just why the cost of a new Rolex is so high, well, there are two main reasons. First they sell every watch they make. Second, no one in history has ever been forced to buy a Rolex, it is up to ones free will. Like everything else that is for sale, the free market system rules.

9. It is hard to speak about Rolex without touching on resale value. In the most simple terms Rolex (both new and pre-owned) retain a higher percentage of their cost than any other Swiss production watch.

10. My favorite reason to buy a Rolex is one that people rarely think of. Most of the company profits go to good causes. The company is owned by two family trusts, the larger of which gives a majority to charitable causes , including education and an orphanage.