Another true fact about Rolex. Hans Wilsdorff married his wife in a small church in Genève. After a happy life together his wife died. The service for his wife was held in the same church as where they got married. After the service a church member went to Mr Wilsdorff and asked if he could help out with the clock that is on the church. Mr Wilsdorff kindley answered that as long as the Rolex company would existed Rolex will look after the clock. Till this day one of the people of the headoffice from Rolex Genève takes a ride to the church and looks after the clock once a week, winds it up and checks it completly. No bills, no contracts, just a hand shake and a greatfull Mr Wilsdorff and a greatfull company trying to do the best it can. Mr Wilsdorff was a gentleman till the end.
@@johnnymonkey66 ive seen them on other people and reactions of collectors. While I don't think it's worth the price, I definitely see it as more quality than something like DW or MVMT
More fun facts: Steel sports models are so rare in even the most obscure of ADs, proving difficult for scientists to examine their mating behaviour. Until today, nobody understands how the steel sports models reproduce, making it one of the most understudied and endangered species of horology.
TSD TSD its something you buy as a trophy, milestone, something you look up to its subjective its not overpriced in any way or over rated for that matter
The Rolex Daytona Movement cal.4130 is the only chronograph movement where the the start/stop pusher requires the same force as the reset pusher. In all others the reset pusher you need to push harder. Also the pushers are set exactly ninety degrees on the case to avoid wear and malfunction. Small known fact, but this is another little secret of the crown.
You can buy oyster perpetuals, datejusts, and day dates at every AD. You just can't find the popular sport models especially the steel ones at an AD unless your on the "waiting list" lol.
@@pasquale78 I'm not sure I quite get it and I don't have time to rewatch the video right now, but based on my understanding - Why not put the endlinks on the strap instead of the watch? That way you can have your cake and eat it too.
It's done because Rolex intends their watches to be used as built, no changes to the bracelet or the strap. If you want a Daytona on a gold bracelet, you'll have to buy a separate one.
@@gyang333 I knew all of it as well, and even the mistake they made... @2.44 "it's exclusive to the President Bracelet". It is not anymore, although it was launched on that bracelet/model.
Andrew Lim and calling your company a ‘watch maker’ when you purchase the company and suppliers that built your watches from the beginning of your existence doesn’t all of a sudden make you a watch maker. That’s why again you won’t see a Rolex with a display back, there’s nothing there to show off. You can fool yourself and think you’ll on the same level of JLC, Patek and AP but you’re not, far from it. Very far from it but I can toss some white gold on my dial and not worry about the decoration of the movement, people can’t see it anyway, that’s the Rolex way. Squeezing sentimental dollars repeatedly for the most over priced and can’t see the movement is a Rolex.
Andrew Lim easy, Jaeger LaCoultre. That’s why they are called the watchmakers watch. Everything and everything under one roof. From the stem to the mainspring. Now name me one watchmaker that brought up its suppliers and now claims to be a watch maker.
Register your interest at an AD. It's not so bad if you pick up a sub for 7k... You might have to wait 18 months XD But JLC 10x better value in the preowned market!!!
@@arbiterofreason2068 Oh man. The very fact that you have to register your interest is tragic. It's as if the AD and Rolex want to make you feel so special and lucky to even be given the opportunity to own a Sub. That is, only after you've picked up a few of their Datejusts of course.
@@NickTaylor383 nah, think how many Rolex boutiques there are. They only make 800,000 pieces a year and don't forget that they're the biggest watch brand that people buy. I think they own over 50% of the market in revenue and pieces or something crazy like that! They sell out every time they restock.
@@arbiterofreason2068 Sure, I understand that. 50% is a bit much, I think it's more like 20-25% though. Yes, they do sell-out when stock comes in, but only to those on the exclusive list and with an AD relationship (read: has bought datejusts from us before), which again - is bonkers to me. I guess the point i'm trying to get at is that yes, Rolex make an oustanding watch, but my God are there better options out there aren't explored nearly enough by those who aren't into watches. And that's totally fine, i get it, Rolex is a massive status watch - everyone knows what a Rolex is. Which actually, detracts me from wearing my Rolex very often - too many comments about it and too many people asking "is it real?" haha
No, it's not just you. I own 4 Rolex watches and none have diamonds on the face. TBH, I wouldn't trust any man that wore a watch with visible diamonds. Just tacky.
Agreed - with one exception. The PT Daytona 116506-002. This variant loses the brown rings around the outer edges of the 3 subdials and gains simple stick diamond baguette hour markers that looks like PT. Stealthy use of diamonds
@Alex Thomas what videos have you watched where they talked about things like this? ive never heard any other channel talk about the origin of the fluted bezel.
Nick Scapellato yes that’s sad but true. Especially something like a deep sea. Every one I’ve seen has case sides badly scratched as it’s so deep. Not sure why they polish such heavy duty tool watches so much all over.
Great vid as per usual! That green sunburst is beautiful! Also 904L actually has a reduced hardness compared to 316L however it has increased corrosion resistance probably due to the pitting that occurs on vintage examples especially around the o-seal recess of the case back
I understand why people consider Rolex to be a marketing mastermind, which it always has been doing so well. However, for real watch enthusiasts Rolex also represents heritage and the highest quality of products and technology. To me it is nice to know that a Rolex watch can handle so much more than what a typical owner will ever put it through. It is that feeling of indestructible robustness that attracts me to Rolex watches
No. I’m a watch enthousiast, but to me Rolex is still an overpriced fashion accessorie. The days of heritage and rolex invention are over, these days you pay 10k for a steel Submariner while the chinese clone it to 99% perfection. These days I put Rolex together with Gucci and Louis Vuitton, overpriced items worn by drug dealers in loud cars that want so desperately to show everyone the amount of money they spend on their outfit. They are still mechanical watches and there are dozens of stories of people who’s Rolex went to losing 30 minutes a day after a mountainbike trip or after other sport activities. They are not supernatural watches, they still have gears that run into each other and lose accuracy with bumps. In terms of horology Rolex has been dethroned by so many brands. In terms of branding? Not so much, hence the Louis Vuitton comparison earier..
DutchClawz why don’t you try taking your Chinese fake swimming and see what happens. No one said anything about liking their marketing/sales practices, I hate the idea of waiting lists as much as the next guy. But, don’t act like if you had the opportunity to buy a steel Daytona at retail today you wouldn’t do it in a heartbeat. Just like with any luxury brand (incl. the likes of Patek), Rolex has different types of clientele. Not everyone who buys a Rolex is a “drug dealer”, unless you’re speaking about yourself
Audemars Piguet I do, all the time. Showers/beaches and pools. Work like a charm. I would buy a daytona and flip it, ofcourse. Altough I pity the person that pays secondary or even retail to keep the watch, way better options out there. In my eyes, I have yet to meet a Rolex owner who is not obnoxious in some way. The “you just cant afford it” argument is always around the corner, ready to judge anyone by how much money they think the person has😅
Just to clarify, I dont accept replica’s in general. But when a brand basically doesnt give a shit about customers and sells items at insanely inflated prices like Rolex I enjoy having them around just to prove how crazy a brand is. I would never get a replica of something that is available to buy at a dealer any day.
Even though it’s already being done, they will claim to have thought it up first. Ever wonder why to this day they have never put a display back on their watches? With all the $$$$ you drop on one you won’t see the craftsmanship and beauty you see in a JLC or its rival Omega. Guess they don’t won’t you seeing what you’ll actually paying for. Oh that’s right they market a name.
Can people please stop saying Rolex steel is harder than 316. Its NOT!! Basically 904L has the same hardness as 18ct gold Its more dificult to work with because soft steel deforms easily by the heat generated under machining so high tollerances are hard to make. It polishes better because its softer and can resist salt corrotion better because it has less iron
I'm also confused. I've heard both "harder" and "softer" opinions, but whenever I tried to check out some technical information it is stated that they are of the same hardness, but 904L is more corrosion-resistant and much more expensive.
Hi guys, lm sorry for being confusing. Its difficult to compare hardness of different metals for comparison because they often use different scale that you need to convert. Gold is a lot softer than regular steel. There is a reason why you cant get 24ct pure gold chains. They would snap in a week. 904 is about as soft as 18ct gold. It depends on what other metals they mixed with the gold 18xt is 75% pure gold mixed with harder metals so you can use it. The propertys of a metal change when you heat it up especially when cutting at high speed.. Firstly the soft metal will become even softer and harder to shape. Think of a soft knife edge. Poinyless! Depending on how its heated or cooled ot could become hard and brittle So if they didn't control the temperature properly your Rolex could shatter into lots of peiced if you dropped it. . 904 steel is not a precious or nobal metal but it sure looks and acts that way. If they wanted to use a super hard steel that doesn't corrode there are many types used in the oil industry that are alot better. But they wouldn't look so nice after being polished. So the only difference between a gold and steel sub is the price. Their both as impractical as a sports dive watch.
Rolex was using 316 stainless for many years, until they switched to 904L. If you examine many of the steel Rolexes from, say, the 50's, you will find that many of them have pitting issues. The switch was made to stop that issue, going forward. Great video, as usual!!
Did anyone notice that on the Rolex Submariner shown in the video the circular 7 hour marker and rectangular 9 hour marker are not centered to their respective second markers. All the other hour markers are fine.
Those were some handsome watches you were filming. I can see the allure. Everywhere I look, people are banging on about the Pepsi and I just don't see the attraction. But those ones you highlighted, they were on a different level. I expect they cost a lot more too. Anyway, another great vid.
From what I know, although the Ceramic Collar center link was launched in the Platinum Day Date II. It is not Exclusive to the President Bracelet anymore... From the current Rolex production, they can also be found in the Oyster Bracelet of the 126715CHNR, Rose Gold "Root Beer". And I suspect the 126719BLRO (White Gold/Blue Dial "Pepsi"), should have the same bracelet construction. Also I've heard that the Solid Gold Sky Dweller (Oyster Bracelet), has the Ceramic Collars. But haven't personally confirmed.
Fluting in steel is generally used as a weight saving feature. All of the strength, but lighten up to save weight. Think rifle barrels, or “the blood groove” on a Ka-Bar fixed blade.
Thank you, watchfinder. I'm a bit confused about the steel. I thought 904L was a standard material. If not, it's confusing that June 2020 Watchtime mag has a GP Laureato chrono and lists the material as 904L. Does Rolex make a "special" recipe of 904L? Great video, thanks again
Concerning the fluted bezel on the Date Just. It is aesthetic for the Date Just, but it is used for setting the Calendar function on the Sky Dweller. That being said, I think that could be a neat addition to the video. Loved the video!
The part about the steel is not really true. 904 steel is softer then the famous 316 steel. But due to the extra chromium it give a better shine. But also softer. My PLC's scratch when I only look at them..
I don't think 904L steel is more scratch resistant than 316L. IIRC, both steels have similar hardness. I think Rolex uses 904L because it looks like white gold when polished. Also, 904L resists pitting when exposed to salt water.
Only knew about the white gold markers/hands and the 904L steel. The other 3 was totally new. Now I know why there's a fluted bezel :) Thanks Watchfinder, very educational!
Didn't know about the Daytona bracelet links - but that's a good reason to buy a speedy pro... did know about the white gold hands and markers, didn't know there was ceramic in the bracelet, don't care about the crinkle bezel - have always thought it looks wrong; was aware that they use a bespoke type of stainless steel, but didn't know anything about it. But I did watch to the end so well done watchfinder...
I have a Rolex GMT Master 16700 black bezel which I love, the stainless steel bracelet is a classic, but sometimes it’s nice to have a change. A black Tejus lizard skin strap completely transforms this watch.
Rare fact of the Crown sits perfectly upright when its Screwed down fully . Its a Rolex Patent and only fitted to rare watches . Rumour has it that its fitted to only one watch per year . Making it a one in one million feature on a Rolex watch .
For a while I was buying super-cheap knock-off watches that had, from a distance, a superficial resemblance to the watches that are featured here. In some cases, I was able to buy quartz-powered watches that actually cost less than the replacement battery that would some day be necessary. Great fun, until smart watches showed up. Now we just simulate the fancy ones, totally unconvincingly. But we know when we're at sea level.
Well done, another good video. Be good for you to make a film about how you make the films and how you come up with your creative content and ideas etc.
You know, only since getting into photography in the past two months have I just now realized that I own that same 50mm f1.7 that you have on your Pentax there. Huh.
My Favorite Rolex I ever owned was a Mastermind Sub (Bamford I think) had to sell it years ago before my Skateshop Closed man I miss that one it was really special some people hated it because of the skull
Could you please do a feature on the Grand Seiko SBGH269 or any of the hi-beat automatics? They're gorgeous watches and I feel they're underrated in comparison to the spring drives.
