Review of Three Rolex Submariners
by Jason Cormier on June 2, 2010
tagged as: reviews watches rolex
In today's review I'll be showcasing not one, not two, but three Rolex Submariner Dates that we have in stock. This hat trick is perfect because we have a cross section of the line - the stainless steel, the steel and gold (two tone), and the solid gold models. So enjoy my extended presentation of the Rolex Sub trio. - JC
It's rugged, it's elegant, it's one of the watch world's most successful models - it's the Rolex Submariner. Right now at Matt Baily we have a nice cross-section of the Submariner lineup in stock - the 16618 Submariner Date in solid yellow gold, the 16613 in gold and steel, and the stainless steel 16610.
The Submariner has become one of the most legendary Rolex models, and is only surpassed by the Sea Dweller (essentially a derivative of the Submariner to begin with) and the Daytona Cosmograph in terms of collectible value. The Sub came into being sometime in the early 1950s - dates are fuzzy, but it was unofficially revealed in a 1953 Jacques Cousteau film, and officially unveiled at the Basel show in 1954.
The Sub formula was simple - create a rugged, elegant sport watch that could withstand the pressures of diving, with a rotating bezel showing elapsed minutes to calculate dive and decompression times. The first models had a variety of different details - hands and dials varied, the size and design of the crown changed several times, and it wasn't until around 1959-1960 that the Sub as we know it emerged. The 5512-5513 models had the now-familiar details - the all-important black bezel carried from the original design, the easy-to-read luminescent dial, the luminescent "Mercedes" hands, and a large screw-down crown with protective shoulders protruding from the case. In 1965 the model 1680 became the first Submariner Date. The rest is history, and the Sub is still one of Rolex's top sellers and is probably the most recognizable (and copied) diving watch design.
The Sub has always been a watch for all occasions; rugged and muscular for sport (and of course, diving), but still elegant enough to wear with a suit. The introduction of two-tone and gold models gave the Sub a new lease on style - the stainless steel remains the "tool" watch of choice, but the other models serve as stylish timepieces for more elegant occasions. Particularly when they come in the striking blue bezel/blue dial combination seen on two of our three watches here - the two-tone blue example is one of the most popular Submariners on the market.
All these examples are now discontinued in favour of the ceramic dial, ceramic bezel, and maxi case models. As a result, there has been a spike in the market for these discontinued Subs - with prices going up and styles changing, collectors are keen to get their hands on the old models. Blue dial Subs have always been popular, even more so since the ceramic models came out - the new ones feature a blue ceramic monotone dial, whereas these discontinued models have a metal sunburst finish dial that really stands out.
For those not familiar with the ubiquitous Submariner Date, here are some impressions: These are rugged, solid watches that have a nice sense of heft and solidity. The bezels are tight and click solidly with almost no slop, ensuring perfect dive timing. The automatic mechanical movements are dead silent and very reliable, all chronometer certified, and wind smoothly without any noticeable rotor weight swinging around inside. Like all Rolex movements, in other words. The large Triplock crown is just the right size, big enough to easily manipulate and wind, with a smooth and tight action like a well oiled rifle.
The details overall are much like any Rolex sport model - simple in design but very precise in execution. The hands are gold (white or yellow) to ensure that they never corrode, ditto for the luminescent dot surrounds on the dial. The dials are finished flawlessly and are very easy to read, and of course the date is always perfectly legible under the trademark Cyclops lens. The bracelets are simple and rugged, all Oyster links with a "flip lock" clasp that has an extension link for strapping over a dive suit.
Submariners used to be considered enormous watches, sized at a full 40mm; nowadays in the era of 55mm watches they are a perfect size for casual use by anyone, including many women who have begun wearing Subs as their daily watches. They wear comfortably, even on a small wrist like mine (see photos). The versatility of a Sub is what makes it so popular - aside from the history and the design, it's the ease with which you can wear a Sub with anything. It looks perfect with jeans, with a suit, or strapped to a wetsuit.
All three of these watches are classics, and they will never go out of style - the Sub in all its variations has been a colossal success for over 50 years, so it's not exactly a passing fad. Every self-respecting watch lover should own a Sub at some point - it has become a rite of passage. And all three of our examples are perfect choices, whether it's your first or your 30th Sub.
If you'd like any more information about our Sub collection, please give me a call at 514 845 8878 or visit our store on Crescent Street in Downtown Montreal. View our contact page for more ways to find us.
Marco is in Switzerland
by Marco Gagliano on July 20, 2009
tagged as: watches graff omega rolex patek geneva switzerland
My First visit to Geneva
Geneva is not a a very big city, but is packed with things to see. If you are a watch enthusiast, then the points of interest are endless. Since I am neither a good organizer nor an early riser, I did not plan any specific route. We parked the car and walked around for the entire day stopping in a few places for lunch, coffee, and drinks.
The first thing that struck me when entering the centre of Geneva was the famous view. Many important brand names have signs over the buildings that border the Lac Genève (as people from Geneva call it) or Lac Léman (as everyone else calls it). I always thought that these signs were fitted atop the manufacturers' offices or stores, but I found out that this is not necessarily true. Only a few buildings are used by the brands whose names adorn them. Most signs are just fixed atop residential buildings while the actual factories and offices of the brands reside elsewhere in the canton.
The shops in Geneva are numerous. High-profile stores such as Les Ambassadeurs carry all the brands, while the single brand stores try to wow you with exquisite architecture, interior design and impressive collections. Two stores impressed me the most. The Graff London store as always offers a glimpse at some magnificent - and giant - diamonds and emeralds. The second is the Patek Philippe Salon. It is situated in a 19th century historic building on rue du rhône. Once inside, the salon area is where all the collections are displayed in museum style. It is decorated with marble and a beautiful chandelier. Behind this room, the sales room is an impeccably restored showroom where you will be attended to at a private desk by a personal sales representative. The Patek site offers a presentation about their salon, which which will give you a better image then my description. Click here to see it.
Patek Philippe also has their watch museum that I will have to visit on an other day. I am sure that there will be some impressive pieces in there. Not to be outdone, the Swatch Group also opened their own attraction called the Cité du Temps. It offers special expositions pertaining to their watch brands in a historic building built on the water.
Rolex, Breitling et la Crise Economique
by Pascal Landreville on March 5, 2009
tagged as: style photo watches rolex
Je m'étais bien promis de réécrire sur ce blog dès que mon emploi du temps le permettrait. Ces derniers mois, j'ai peu rédigé mais beaucoup lu. J'ai lu entre autre que l'horlogerie Suisse subi déjà les affres de la crise économique; que la contrefaçon se porte très bien merci, que Breitling qui célèbre ses 125 ans cette année lance le calibre B01, un mouvement chrono maison, que partout les horlogers se font vieux, mais il y a de la relève dans les écoles. J'ai aussi lu que si à cinquante ans on n'a pas une Rolex, on n'a raté sa vie! C'est du moins ce que prétend le publicitaire français Jacques Séguéla. Il répondait ainsi à une question concernant l'attrait pour les belles montres du président de la France Nicolas Sarkosy. Rappelons-nous que lors de la dernière campagne électorale, Monsieur Sarkosy portait une Daytona en or gris. Le cosmographe a pu être identifié tant sur les photos des quotidiens et des magazines qu'à la télé lors des bulletins de nouvelles. Le publicitaire Séguéla qui ne semble pas un homme de demi-mesure n'a toutefois pas précisé si les quinquagénaires propriétaires de Tudor avait à moitié ratée leur vie... Et quant à moi je poursuis mes lectures.
Paul Newman 1925-2008
by Dino Standjofski on October 1, 2008
tagged as: sports pre-owned rolex watches cars celebrities
Paul Newman, known for his piercing blue eyes, boyish good looks and stellar performances in scores of hit Hollywood movies, has died. He was 83.
Newman, who had been battling cancer, passed away on Friday, Newman's Own Foundation said in a statement from Westport, Connecticut.
'Paul Newman's craft was acting. His passion was racing. His love was his family and friends. And his heart and soul were dedicated to helping make the world a better place for all,' Foundation Vice-Chairman Robert Forrester said.
Newman played youthful rebels, charming rogues, golden-hearted drunks and amoral opportunists in a career that encompassed more than 50 movies. He was one of the most popular and consistently bankable Hollywood stars in the second half of the 20th century.
The link between Paul Newman and the watch world is through Rolex. His huge enthusiasm for car racing is the probable cause for connection between the Rolex Daytona and his name.
The Rolex Cosmograph was so useful in calculating the average lap speed, that Rolex nicknamed it 'Daytona' after the infamous motor sport capital Daytona Beach in Florida. A few models of the Daytona were available with 'exotic' dials. One of these exotic dials, is believed to be worn by Paul Newman in the movie 'Winning.' Although Mr. Newman claimed that his first Daytona was given to him by his wife in 1972 and did not have an 'exotic' dial, the most coveted and collectible Rolex watch in history still carries his name.
But Paul Newman was a great ambassador for Rolex even if one disregards that particular model. He is often pictured wearing a Daytona and will always be remembered by race fans for his feats in the motoring world including being the oldest driver ever to compete in the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Nicolas G. Hayek, the man who saved the Swiss Watch Industry
by Marco Gagliano on September 18, 2008
tagged as: rolex pre-owned celebrities watches
During the 1970s the watch industry was turned on its head with the advent of inexpensive, production line, watch manufacturing that mainly took place in Japan. Swiss watchmakers were affected strongly by the new Japanese market and a crisis ensued. While old independent companies like Rolex and Patek Philippe where not in direct competition with the Japanese giants, two of the world's major watch manufacturers, USUAG and SSIH could not cope with the competition. In 1982, the two companies' creditors hired Hayek Engineering in an attempt to save the giants from bankruptcy. The work that Nicolas Hayek did during this time secured him his spot in watch making history and has often been credited with saving the entire Swiss watch industry.
The ensuing Hayek Study, as it came to be known, recommended two major changes. The first was to merge ASUAG and SSIH. The two previous competitors joining forces was crucial in Hayek's next step. Backed by a team of investors, Nicolas Hayek bought the controlling shares of resulting SMH and implemented the second phase of his plan. This was to create a new kind of low-cost watch aimed at the mass market. So came about the 'launching of a low-cost, high-tech, artistic and emotional 'second watch' - the Swatch.' (http://swatchgroup.com/en/group_profile/history/yesterday) The incredible success of Swatch soon launched SMH back into the black and to the top of worldwide watch sales. The infrastructure created by the SMH, now the Swatch Group, has benefited the Swiss watch industry as a whole ever since its inception.
Nicolas Hayek has been credited many times with saving the Swiss watch industry. His face and name are ubiquitous with Swatch and he is probably the most notable personality in the watch industry. His self proclaimed love for attention and his gregarious character surely have something to do with it. Accounts by colleagues and trade-show goers also paint Hayek as an extremely hard-working puppeteer; getting directly involved in every facet of the Swatch Group businesses no matter how small.
A great article on how the Swatch Group came about is available at the following address: http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/8/The-Swatch-Group-SA.html. Also we must not forget that one of Hayek's greatest talents is to surround himself with a great team. Any one that wants to know the full Swatch story also has to look up Dr. Ernst Thomke, who engineered the idea of low-cost mass production of Swiss watches when Hayek began Swatch.
