Replica world and no replicas world

Basel world exhibition of 1954 is a memorable moment to Rolex and the watch world. In this year, Rolex presented Explorer especially for explorers, Submariner especially for divers and Turn-0-Graph for common consumers, transferred the concept of utility watch into specific image, acting a leading role in the watch world. It was certainly the working effort of all the Rolex staff, but the public relationship manager of Rolex Rene-Paul Jeanneret, who was a sports lover, also made great contributions to putting the concept into reality. It was just because of Rolex’s leading role in the watch design and production, so it attracted Pan-Am, the biggest airline company in the world, who hoped to own a practical watch specially designed for their pilots to fly among different time zone. After the negotiation between Pan-Am and Rene-Paul Jeanneret, who were both leading enterprises in their respective market, then a famous GMT-Master came out.

Turn-0-Graph

Pan-Am assigned a famous pilot leader Frederick Libby, who was an air war hero in the Second World War to offer technology consultation, and Jeanneret wanted to add a rotary 24-hour watch bezel, and had a conception of adding another hand on the dial to show a second time zone. In technology, Rolex took 6202 to match the Turn-O-Graph of movement 1030 as the basis of assembling, plus a 24-hour gear shape display and new date dial, and then a new 1065 came out. Apart from the double colors rotary second time zone outside bezel with a 24-hour mark, the first generation of GMT-master of 6542 is quite similar with Turn-O-Graph and Submariner from semblance, also without crown protecting shoulders. However, what needs to pay attention is” the first generation GMT-Master of 6542 is the first Rolex with date Cyclops. In 1956, the second time zone plastic outside bezel of GMT-Master was replaced by steel which had been used in the future days. GMT-Master became the officially certified chronograph for Pan-Am, and the company distributed one GMT-Master to each official, pilot and navigator.

GMT-Master Ref.6542

From 1960, GMT-Master was changed into Ref.1675, and started to match crown protecting shoulders, and GMT hands on the dial also became quite big, and were very similar with the editions nowadays. The mark of Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified used by present editions was also carved on the dial of Ref.1675. But different from officially certified chronometer of Ref.6542, It mainly used Caliber 1565, which had Micro Stella free sprung balance and became more accurate. Ref.1675 is not only popular with Pan-Am but also other pilots from Civil Aircrafts and it is also welcome by common consumers. It was sold pretty well nearly 20 years, which is one of the best sell watches in Rolex.

GMT-Master Ref.1675

GMT-Master is not only loved by civil aviations, but also gains high evaluation from military and many combat pilots wore it in succession. In 1940’s and 1950’s, NASA started a series of tests and challenges to flying speed and height, eventually the trial aircraft North American X15 made a record of 4,534 mph (7,269 kph), which has not been broken so far. What the pilot of X15 wore was GMT Master, and he so admired the accuracy of GMT Master even it was at a height of 45,000 feet and endured furious operation and Centrifugal Force of more than 3.5G. We could still find the reason why Pete Knight chose to wear GMT Master: there had been always heroes in Edward Air Force Base where Pete Knight belonged to, what Chuck Yeager wore when drove Bell X-1 to conquer the sound barrier was Rolex Oyster which had companied him for many years in the Second World War.

GMT-Master II Ref.16710

In 1976, GMT had an improvement again, and launched an improved edition owning the function of second stopping; in 1980, GMT Master was changed into Ref. 16750, increasing its quick date adjustment function. Later, GMT-Master was again changed into Ref. 16700, and the watch mirror evolved into sapphire crystal glass. In 1983, Rolex presented GMT-Master II, which was Ref.16710, matching the Calibre 3085 together with GMT hands. Since the 24-hour watch bezel and GMT hands can rotate in two directions, making GMT Mater own a function of three time zones display. From the persistent in typical design of GMT M aster and continuous improvement which keeps pace with the time, it is not hard to conclude that it is such watch making culture that makes Rolex a rising brand and a permanent love by consumers.

GMT-Master II Ref.16710

There were still a sea of faces in Rolex exhibition hall this year, but there were no innovative or tremendously changed editions as well. Patek Philippe and Breguet who work on silicon research together both launched new editions to match silicon balance wheel, but only Rolex did not show anything new. But Rolex is always famous for conservation and planning well before doing something. So it will take some time to do test again and again by the Rolex producer before new edition can be launched. I believe that watch lovers still need to wait patiently.

Summarily, there are four special things for Rolex new editions this year, which are green, colorful, jewelry and GMT. As for the editions, Rolex mainly launched Oyster Perpetual Day Just, GMT-Master II and Oyster Day-Date 50th anniversary, which are all with a few of changes.

Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 50th Anniverary 118348

Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 50th anniversary 118348

In 1956, Rolex presented Oyster Perpetual Day-Date gathering water resistant, date display and self winding. After experiencing a long time of test, Oyster Day-Date is still the most popular edition globally. The Day display even can be shown with 26 languages; which is why it is so popular. To commemorate its 50th anniversary, Rolex specially launched a 50th anniversary (model number: 118348) edition for Oyster Day-Date which is well known as “President Style” in Taiwan. The watch case is made of 18K gold, with green dial, green markers and the watch bezel is full of round diamond, it is indeed elegant and noble.

Oyster GMT Master II 116713 LN

GMT Master II 116713 LN

After the Submariner 16610 LV which attracted the worldwide attention, Rolex again chose GMT-Master II to play a green game, and launched GMT Master II 116713 LN with green hands and can show dual time. 116713 LN uses stainless steel watch case, matching 18K golden and black ceramic watch bezel, the 24 hours markers also use golden numbers, which are very attractive. If you do not think 116713 LN is enough for you to show off, then another three editions of GMT-Master II 116758: ruby and golden watch case, Sapphire and golden watch case, diamond and golden watch case which launched by Rolex this year would definitely satisfy your desire of luxury.

GMT-Master II 116758

Oyster Date Just 116200 and 178240

Datejust 116200

Datejust 178240

Rolex created its first waterproof Oyster in 1926, and launched its first self-winding watch in 1931. From then on, Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Just has been the most popular Oyster watch which has most editions. The Oyster Day-Date 116200 Rolex launched this year was designed again, and the blue dial is carved by changed font of ROLEX, matching the stainless steel Rome number markers, which adds some young elements. Meanwhile, 178240 for ladies was launched, matching pink watch dial.

Chopard, the renowned Swiss jeweller and watchmaker, is proud to be a part of history, by participating in the most important official event of the inaugural Formula One night race in Singapore, as the main collaborator with the Formula One team to host the President’s Challenge F1 Charity Luncheon on the lawns of the Istana on 26th September 2008.

 For this important and only official event for the race, Chopard will be presenting something equally exclusive – the world premiere of the L.U.C Tourbillon Tech Twist with the innovative silicium escapement . This much-awaited technical marvel has been generating much industry interest since Chopard’s announcement of the exclusive movement during the 2008 Basel Watch Fair in April.

The piece-unique, together with another specially-created watch - the iconic and playful Happy Sport with a moving race car encased – will be up for a silent auction during the luncheon. All proceeds will be donated to the Challenge for the President’s appointed charities, which organizer, Singapore GP hopes to raise more than SGD 1 million.

  Chopard, a strong supporter for good causes, is proud to be part of this historical moment for Formula One and for Singapore.