-
Rolex - Oyster Perpetual Datejust Lady 31 & Lady-Datejust
This new 18 ct yellow gold version is beautifully enhanced by a dazzling bezel set with 48 brilliant-cut diamonds. Its new champagne colour dial is adorned with eight diamonds and, at 6 and 9 o'clock, 18 ct yellow gold Arabic numerals are each set with 16 rubies. The deliciously whimsical personality of this DATEJUST LADY 31 with all its allure of fine jewellery is paired with the technical qualities proper to every OYSTER.
Distinguished and highly elegant, the Oyster Perpetual LADY-DATEJUST unveils a new facet of its enticing femininity. The 18 ct yellow gold case of this gem for all occasions is exalted by a new champagne colour dial on which a large VI set with 11 rubies delicately and discreetly underlines the precious character of the model. The fluted bezel, a Rolex signature aesthetic feature, reasserts the watch's place in the lineage of the DATEJUST, an emblematic Rolex model which became renowned for its style and horological performance from the moment of its launch in 1945.
Rolex yellow gold
The 18 ct yellow gold of the case and bracelet of these two models is alloyed by Rolex in its own foundry before being shaped in the brand's workshops. Its unique lustre is the result of the extreme care with which it is shaped, machined and finally polished.
The OYSTER case, symbol of waterproofness
The OYSTER case of these two models (31 and 26 mm respectively), guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet), is a paragon of proportion and elegance. The characteristically shaped middle case is crafted from a solid block of 18 ct gold. The fluted case back is hermetically screwed down with a special tool exclusive to Rolex watchmakers. The winding crown, fitted with the patented TWINLOCK double waterproofness system, screws down securely against the case. The crystal, with a CYCLOPS lens at 3 o'clock for easy reading of the date, is made of virtually scratchproof synthetic sapphire. The waterproof OYSTER case allies refinement with efficiency in protecting the high-precision movement.
Calibre 2235, a superlative chronometer
The DATEJUST LADY 31 and the LADY-DATEJUST are equipped with calibre 2235, a self-winding mechanical movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. Like all PERPETUAL movements, the 2235 is a certified Swiss chronometer, a designation reserved for high-precision watches that have successfully passed the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) tests. Its architecture, like that of all Oyster watch movements, makes it singularly precise and reliable.
Comfort, elegance and prestige of the OYSTER and PRESIDENT bracelets
The DATEJUST LADY 31 is fitted with an 18 ct yellow gold OYSTER bracelet with a concealed folding CROWNCLASP. Developed and patented by Rolex, this elegant solid-link bracelet offers remarkable comfort and ease of use. The LADY-DATEJUST model is fitted with an 18 ct yellow gold PRESIDENT bracelet with a concealed folding CROWNCLASP. This prestigious and elegant bracelet with solid semi-circular links is uniquely comfortable to wear and contributes fully to the aesthetics of the watch.
-
Veloptuous Times - Glorious Cows and Firs
WORLDTEMPUS - 22 June 2011
Veloptuous Times demanded the best that its protagonists could produce: endurance, resistance to cold and rain, the ability to focus attention after strenuous physical activity for interviews, and stopping as frequently as necessary to take a good photo. There was continuous mental and physical activity at the same time. Between bursts of pedaling, sun and wind, we also needed to find the time to care for our electronic equipment in order to write and publish. This is the reason why this last trip summary is only being published today, three working days after Veloptuous Times officially ended with a successful cocktail party in Neuchâtel.
PHOTO GALLERY
From La Chaux-de-Fonds, during the first hours of Monday, Veloptuous Times soared through the Franches-Montagnes region, along the Jurassic mountain chain. The rock relief practically anticipated our arrival, and our wheels spun quickly across the long country routes. The region has a number of interesting technical elements to offer and we pass many windmills and the central electricity production from the solar panels of Mont-Soleil. Our surroundings are nothing but prairie, forest zone, and fir trees reigning supreme against the backdrop of the permanent music of cowbells.
The wind increased, and we had to fight to arrive in one piece at Georges Cattin's workshop in Le Noirmont. A case manufacturer, organist for 30 years, and collector of electric motors, his workshop is populated solely by mechanical machines, with the most recent dating from 1980. While numerically controlled tools have become the norm among suppliers, Cattin perpetuates a vintage and artisanal way of manufacturing. Son and grandson of a case maker, he is specialized in manufacturing cases decorated - among other things - with fluting and perlage. His services are particularly useful for brands specialized in small series and other operations where CNC is not the best choice or plain incapable.
We parted ways in the afternoon. Anders went toward Saignelegier to meet with a brewer of Franches-Montagnes beers and a cheese producer specialized in tête de moine, which is typical of the region. For my part, I capped my visit to the Bien region with a long, slow descent that gifted me with plenty of different altitudes before hitting the plateau of the countryside boasting three lakes. Arriving in Biel, however, was not so pleasant thanks to the region's heavy traffic, which is concentrated on one thruway connected by a series of tunnels. Side by side with trucks and cars at full speed, the bike - even this super bike - does not carry much weight. Arriving in the city, underneath a sunny sky, was like a release.
Without stopping in the city, which seems to have been built by the Swatch Group, but which is home to many other famous names as well — like Rolex — I headed toward Granges to visit BMC's bike factory. Flat and monotone, this particular stretch was not the most spirited as the savage nature of the Jura had given way to a universe that was agricultural and industrial at the same time.
BMC is specialized in the creation of bike frames and mainly has the other components produced by suppliers - with the exception of the Impec, a bike model presented in 2010 and realized entirely in carbon fiber and reinforced plastic. It is the first full in-house production by the brand. An obvious analogy with horology exists when one discovers the care and high degree of technology necessary to produce these frames.
I now needed to return to Biel to meet up with Anders. We were to establish our camp on a hill overlooking the city and affording a view of the Jura cliffs. This was the last evening spent with Veloptuous Times, and Anders cooked up some scallops and a vegetable curry over the camp fire. Dessert was mousse au chocolat and a celebratory bottle of champagne. Nature made a luxurious backdrop to this final party.
Tuesday began with a visit to Perrelet in Biel to meet up with Fausto Salvi, its CEO, and Karine Marie, in charge of communication. Veloptuous Times then left for the final stage of the ride to Neuchâtel. Along the way, a baker we met during a visit to a wine cellar offered us bread for the evening's cocktail. Having reached the lakes of Biel and Neuchâtel, we managed to enter the heart of the city, ready to prepare the event scheduled at the end of the day. The partners of Worldtempus and Plaza Watch had convened at the Interlope restaurant, which also has an old brewery, to partake in local wines, cheeses, and an excellent mood of all involved - happy to celebrate not only an end, but also a beginning: the beginning of summer.
-
Rolex - The Evolution of the Explorer II
WORLDTEMPUS - 2 May 2011
The Rolex Explorer II (reference 1655) - originally only offered with black dial - was produced to meet the needs of cave explorers operating in the dark and not able to tell whether it was day or night. This explains the distinct orange fourth sweep hand on the watch, which indicates AM or PM via the 24-hour bezel. This design was nick-named "freccione" in the 1990s by Italian collectors, which means "big arrow."
Admittedly, the target group for this watch is rather narrow. One would think that Rolex would at least have taken other groupings of professional explorers that might benefit from this feature into consideration when the Explorer II was originally presented in 1971.
Radical change
Since 1971 the Explorer II has only been updated three times, including this year's relaunch. In 1985, Rolex introduced Reference 16550, which for the first time offered the choice of white or black dial as well as a new movement allowing quick date change and the possibility to set the 24-hour hand to a different time zone. The 16550 also introduced sapphire crystal and an upgraded font engraving on the bezel, and the hands were of a different and subtler design matching other Rolex sport models. Reference 1655's hand design was entirely unique to this reference.
Subtle update
These updated details were repeated when Rolex introduced Reference 16570 in 1989; to a layman's eyes the difference between Reference 16550 with a black dial and Reference 16570 will probably not be visible. The difference between Reference 16550 with a white dial and Reference 16570 is, however, rather obvious. The 16550 white dial version turned creamy due to a fragile coating. Also, the white dial version now had black hands instead of light-colored, white gold hands that actually made it hard to see the time with a light-colored dial in the background.
Faulty frenzy
Faults like the white dial of Reference 16550 turning creamy is, however, something Rolex collectors will pay big bucks for. Rolex today is a watch brand that oozes perfection and conservatism, which is why mishaps like a fragile dial coating is interesting for collectors around the world.
40 becomes 42
References 1655, 16550 and 16570 were all housed in a 40-millimeter case diameter, just like the Rolex GMT-Master, Daytona, Submariner and Sea-Dweller. However the new Explorer II sports a buffed-up 42-millimeter case, making it the biggest of the aforementioned ticking siblings, and 2 millimeters smaller than the Yacht-Master II and DeepSea.
Undoubtedly, many Rolex fans will appreciate the new, larger case, but I wonder if Rolex added the extra 2 millimeters to simply draw attention to the Explorer II, which has been overshadowed for decades by its best-selling siblings in the sports lines.
Of course, we will never know this as Rolex representatives are as tight about the company's watch production as the Oyster cases are about water.
-
Rolex - Awards for Entreprise, New Young Laureates Programme
Revue FH - February 26 2009 - N# 4
Rolex has announced a new initiative to expand its international philanthropic programme to fund young pioneers and their groundbreaking projects around the world. In early 2010, the company will name the first five recipients of the Rolex Awards for Enterprise: Young Laureates Programme, honouring men and women between the ages of 18 and 30 with inventive ideas to solve tomorrow's challenges in science and health, applied technology, exploration, the environment and cultural preservation. Award recipients will each receive a US$50,000 cash prize to enable them to pursue an original project. Equally important, they will join the network of Rolex specialists and innovators who can offer invaluable expertise and guidance.
The Young Laureates Programme is an expansion of the Rolex Awards for Enterprise, which were established in 1976. The inaugural Rolex Awards commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Oyster chronometer, the world's first waterproof watch, and were created to encourage individuals ready to take on major challenges to benefit humankind and the environment. Since 1976, 110 Rolex Awards for Enterprise have been presented to Laureates and Associate Laureates from 40 countries, implementing projects in more than 60 countries. Recent winners include a social activist who has developed an affordable strategy to build housing for the rural poor using recycled materials in her native Paraguay (Elsa Zaldivar); a Scottish physicist who created a breakthrough method to predict volcanic eruptions via an unmanned helicopter (Andrew McGonigle); and a Jordanian chemist working to save the ancient archaeological site of Petra (Talal Akasheh).
«Rolex has a history of supporting individual excellence and achievement,» said Rebecca Irvin, director of the Rolex Awards for Enterprise. «By providing project support at a critical juncture in the careers of young people, the Young Laureates Programme will reward bright new ideas and encourage the next generation to meet the challenges of the future.» Like the original Rolex Awards, the Young Laureates Programme will act as a springboard for men and women who use their creativity to improve life on the planet.
«As our world becomes more interdependent and grows more complex, young people must bring new perspectives and fresh approaches to tackling our greatest challenges,» said Gilbert Grosvenor, Chairman of the National Geographic Society and a past jury member for the Rolex Awards for Enterprise. «Particularly in this era of global change and uncertainty, the Young Laureates Programme represents a vital investment in the brightest thinkers of tomorrow.»
To find young people around the world determined to carry out projects with a significant impact, a range of institutions, organizations and individuals will be invited to nominate potential candidates. Those who accept the nomination will complete an application form that explains the scope, goals and feasibility of their projects. An independent jury will select five individuals with b potential to advance human knowledge and well-being.
Each winner will receive the $50,000 prize over the course of two years. Funding of $25,000 each in the first year will give the Young Laureates the time to bring greater focus to their projects; the second instalment of $25,000 will propel the projects forward. Rolex may also provide additional support to the Young Laureates to pursue a related activity that will add further value to their work.
The Young Laureates Programme complements the original Rolex Awards for Enterprise, it does not replace it. In 2010, five Young Laureates will be selected; in 2012, five Laureates and five Associate Laureates will again be chosen. The two variations of the programme will thus alternate every two years.
Rolex's other global philanthropic programme, the Rolex Mentor and Protege Arts Initiative, also reflects an ongoing commitment to promoting excellence in the next generation. The Arts Initiative brings together emerging artists with re-cognized masters for a year of one-to-one collaboration in music, dance, literature, theatre, film and the visual arts.
Both the Arts Initiative and the Young Laureates Programme provide the gift of time to exceptional young people at a key moment in their professional lives. Through Rolex's support, these promising individuals are able to take their work to a new level and contribute to their surrounding communities and the wider world.
[Rating: 5 / 5 stars]
Sale Price:US$239.00
Sale Price:US$288.00
Sale Price:US$259.00
Sale Price:US$258.00
Sale Price:US$238.00
Sale Price:US$288.00
Sale Price:US$248.00
Sale Price:US$238.00
Sale Price:US$288.00
Sale Price:US$258.00
Sale Price:US$299.00
Sale Price:US$288.00
Sale Price:US$238.00
Sale Price:US$269.00
Sale Price:US$249.00
Sale Price:US$279.00
