Baselworld 2008: ROLEX - mob.watchprosite.com

Baselworld 2008: ROLEX
Apr 21 2008,12:09 PM

Once upon a time, a young boy looked at an advertisement on the back cover of Time and Newsweek magazines every week. He was intrigued by the full colour spreads in the Readers' Digest extolling the virtues of the iconic Rolex Day Date fluted bezel on President bracelet.

Later, it came to past that everyone that the, now grown, young man saw with one of those watches was not an ideal role model.......The excesses of the 1980s, YUPpies and DINKies made the newly qualified doctor vow never to have a Rolex even if he could afford one or three of them. This had no regard for the mechanical heart of the beast or the quality of the chronometry. This was a raw emotional reflex from the bowels.

Eventually, the now middle aged and somewhat successful 'salaryman', was deep into a fascinating hobby. Watches...nay....timepieces were acquired at regular intervals and shared with his sweet baboo - the good lady also immersed in the same passion. Every watch was pre-approved by this Quality Controller (QC) and all was well in the Collection.

One day, the older, said entrepreneur had the temerity to ask if he would be allowed to acquire just one Rolex...nothing too fancy..just a Day Date smooth bezel on President bracelet in Rose Gold.....discrete gemstone hour markers notwithstanding, the request was turned down by said QC.....repeatedly, many variations were suggested and still rebuked....sigh .

Too much like a pimp or drug dealer, apparently.

It was not to be.............

Roll forward to Baselworld 2008; is there New Hope?

DAY-DATE II

The Day-Date II stands out. In 18 ct yellow, white or Everose gold, and also in platinum, this is a watch for the man who appreciates classical elegance and the strength of innovation. The Day-Date II is the quintessence of Rolex’s savoir-faire. This majestic watch has a 41 mm case and a movement with a PARACHROM hairspring, highly resistant to shocks and magnetic fields. It is equipped with new PARAFLEX shock absorbers. Both features contribute to the watch’s chronometric precision and remarkable reliability.

To further enhance the strong identity of the Day-Date II, a new range of dials has been introduced with a combination of contemporary and traditional designs. The Super-President bracelet with a Crownclasp adds the final touch and offers the level of comfort expected in such a watch. The Day-Date II therefore continues the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date’s very long heritage and exemplifies perfect mastery of the art of watchmaking. When it appeared in 1956, the Day-Date was a ground-breaking innovation, as it was the first watch to display the day of the week spelt out in full. It immediately met with great acclaim becoming recognised around the world as the watch of decision makers and influential personalities. Today, the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date II opens a new chapter in a history ever dedicated to excellence and prestige.

TECHNICAL FEATURES

CASE
The Day-Date II case is crafted from a block of 18 ct yellow, white or Everose gold, or platinum. With a diameter of 41 mm, it is comfortable to wear and aesthetically
pleasing. Fitted with a fluted or polished bezel, it is waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet).

MOVEMENT
The Day-Date II is equipped with the new calibre 3156, designed and manufactured entirely by Rolex. It is fitted with new PARAFLEX shock absorbers as well as a
PARACHROM hairspring, extremely resistant to shocks and magnetic fields. Certified as a chronometer by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), it has a power reserve of 48 hours.

DIAL
The Day-Date II features new dials, available with either traditional or more contemporary designs.

BRACELET
For optimal comfort, the Day-Date II is equipped with a new Super-President bracelet and a Crownclasp, the Rolex patented invisible clasp.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MODELS

REFERENCE: 218206 – 83216
Platinum case; Polished bezel
Matt black dial with black Arabic numerals OR Ice-blue dial with Roman numerals

REFERENCE: 218238 – 83218
18 ct yellow gold case; Fluted bezel
Ivory dial with Arabic numbers

REFERENCE: 218235 – 83215
18 ct Everose gold case; Fluted bezel
Pink dial with Roman numerals

REFERENCE: 218239 – 83219
18 ct white gold case; Fluted bezel
Ivory dial with Roman numerals

##########################################################################################

SEA - DWELLER D E E P S E A

Often the setting of myths and legends, the oceans have sparked imagination since the beginning of time. They kindle in man an irrepressible desire for adventure, challenge and ever greater achievement, a drive throughout the ages to seek new heights and explore the deep. The new Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA is a product of man’s inherent desire to push the boundaries of his dreams and his potential. Waterproof to an extreme depth of 3,900 metres (12,800 feet), this new-generation diver’s watch confirms the supremacy of Rolex in the mastery of waterproofness and demonstrates an ever-present pursuit of excellence.

Entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex, the Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA is a totally new watch that benefits from important technical innovations. It is equipped with a
RINGLOCK SYSTEM, a new case architecture patented by Rolex, which allows the watch to resist the colossal pressure exerted by water at great depths. It is the first
watch to feature a bracelet with a double extension system making it easily adaptable for greater comfort in wear over a diving suit.

The Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA responds to the most exacting demands of professional divers in terms of robustness, precision and reliability. With its intrinsic capabilities, the Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA takes a rightful place in the prestigious Oyster family. It illustrates the pioneering spirit that led Rolex to develop, as early as the 1950s, divers’ watches like the Submariner and the Sea-Dweller. Its name pays tribute to the Deep Sea Special, the experimental prototype that in 1960 plunged to a depth of 10,916 metres in the Mariana Trench.

TECHNICAL FEATURES

CASE ARCHITECTURE AND WATERPROOFNESS
A watch developed for extreme depths, guaranteed waterproof to 3,900 metres (12,800 feet), the Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA required the design of a case with a unique architecture, the RINGLOCK SYSTEM. This innovation patented by Rolex consists of a combination of three distinctive features:

• The high-performance ring
Set inside the middle case of the watch between the crystal and the case back, the high-performance nitrogen-alloyed stainless steel ring withstands the pressure exerted by water on the crystal and the case back. The middle case is made from 904L steel.

• The sapphire crystal
To resist pressure, the synthetic sapphire crystal is slightly domed and substantially thicker than the crystals of other Oyster models.

• The case back
The case back is made of a titanium alloy, an extremely resistant stainless material. It is held in place against the high-performance ring by means of a 904L-steel ring.
The helium valve is made of high-performance stainless steel. Its size is adapted to the dimensions of the case to achieve optimal waterproofness. The helium valve is a safety feature which, during the decompression phase, releases the gases that infiltrate into the watch during caisson dives.

Indeed, between dives at great depths, professional divers use pressurised caissons in which they breathe high-pressure gas mixtures, notably containing helium, a very volatile gas that penetrates into the watch. As the diver resurfaces, the helium valve prevents damage to the watch. The Triplock winding crown, equipped with three seals and screwed onto the case, completes this ingenious waterproof system.

FUNCTIONING

THE UNIDIRECTIONAL ROTATABLE BEZEL
The Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA allows a diver to safely track his dive time thanks to the unidirectional graduated bezel featured on the watch.

At the beginning of a dive
Once in the water, before beginning his descent, the diver turns the bezel to align the triangle on the graduated bezel to the minute hand, thus indicating the start time of his dive.

During the dive
The dive time can be read against the graduated bezel. Since the DEEPSEA bezel turns only counterclockwise, any accidental rotation can only have the effect of shortening the dive time.

THE GLIDELOCK CLASP
The new GLIDELOCK clasp allows for fine adjustments to the bracelet length, up to 18 mm by increments of 1.8 mm, without removing the watch.
1) Pull up the clasp’s safety catch.
2) Pull up the centre panel of the clasp cover. The teeth located underneath it become visible.
3) Pull gently on the 12-o’clock side of the bracelet to lengthen it, or slide it into the clasp to shorten it. Adjustments can be made in 1.8 mm increments, up to a total of 18 mm.
4) Once the bracelet has been adjusted to the desired length, close the centre panel.
5) Close the safety catch.

New Hope? Only Time will tell.............................

Regards,

MTF

This message has been edited by MTF on 2008-04-22 10:28:23



By: MTF (registered) PM Posts: 3697	Baselworld 2008: ROLEX Apr 21 2008,12:09 PM Once upon a time, a young boy looked at an advertisement on the back cover of Time and Newsweek magazines every week. He was intrigued by the full colour spreads in the Readers' Digest extolling the virtues of the iconic Rolex Day Date fluted bezel on President bracelet. Later, it came to past that everyone that the, now grown, young man saw with one of those watches was not an ideal role model.......The excesses of the 1980s, YUPpies and DINKies made the newly qualified doctor vow never to have a Rolex even if he could afford one or three of them. This had no regard for the mechanical heart of the beast or the quality of the chronometry. This was a raw emotional reflex from the bowels. Eventually, the now middle aged and somewhat successful 'salaryman', was deep into a fascinating hobby. Watches...nay....timepieces were acquired at regular intervals and shared with his sweet baboo - the good lady also immersed in the same passion. Every watch was pre-approved by this Quality Controller (QC) and all was well in the Collection. One day, the older, said entrepreneur had the temerity to ask if he would be allowed to acquire just one Rolex...nothing too fancy..just a Day Date smooth bezel on President bracelet in Rose Gold.....discrete gemstone hour markers notwithstanding, the request was turned down by said QC.....repeatedly, many variations were suggested and still rebuked....sigh . Too much like a pimp or drug dealer, apparently. It was not to be............. Roll forward to Baselworld 2008; is there New Hope? DAY-DATE II The Day-Date II stands out. In 18 ct yellow, white or Everose gold, and also in platinum, this is a watch for the man who appreciates classical elegance and the strength of innovation. The Day-Date II is the quintessence of Rolex’s savoir-faire. This majestic watch has a 41 mm case and a movement with a PARACHROM hairspring, highly resistant to shocks and magnetic fields. It is equipped with new PARAFLEX shock absorbers. Both features contribute to the watch’s chronometric precision and remarkable reliability. To further enhance the strong identity of the Day-Date II, a new range of dials has been introduced with a combination of contemporary and traditional designs. The Super-President bracelet with a Crownclasp adds the final touch and offers the level of comfort expected in such a watch. The Day-Date II therefore continues the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date’s very long heritage and exemplifies perfect mastery of the art of watchmaking. When it appeared in 1956, the Day-Date was a ground-breaking innovation, as it was the first watch to display the day of the week spelt out in full. It immediately met with great acclaim becoming recognised around the world as the watch of decision makers and influential personalities. Today, the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date II opens a new chapter in a history ever dedicated to excellence and prestige. TECHNICAL FEATURES CASE The Day-Date II case is crafted from a block of 18 ct yellow, white or Everose gold, or platinum. With a diameter of 41 mm, it is comfortable to wear and aesthetically pleasing. Fitted with a fluted or polished bezel, it is waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet). MOVEMENT The Day-Date II is equipped with the new calibre 3156, designed and manufactured entirely by Rolex. It is fitted with new PARAFLEX shock absorbers as well as a PARACHROM hairspring, extremely resistant to shocks and magnetic fields. Certified as a chronometer by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), it has a power reserve of 48 hours. DIAL The Day-Date II features new dials, available with either traditional or more contemporary designs. BRACELET For optimal comfort, the Day-Date II is equipped with a new Super-President bracelet and a Crownclasp, the Rolex patented invisible clasp. DESCRIPTION OF THE MODELS REFERENCE: 218206 – 83216 Platinum case; Polished bezel Matt black dial with black Arabic numerals OR Ice-blue dial with Roman numerals REFERENCE: 218238 – 83218 18 ct yellow gold case; Fluted bezel Ivory dial with Arabic numbers REFERENCE: 218235 – 83215 18 ct Everose gold case; Fluted bezel Pink dial with Roman numerals REFERENCE: 218239 – 83219 18 ct white gold case; Fluted bezel Ivory dial with Roman numerals ########################################################################################## SEA - DWELLER D E E P S E A Often the setting of myths and legends, the oceans have sparked imagination since the beginning of time. They kindle in man an irrepressible desire for adventure, challenge and ever greater achievement, a drive throughout the ages to seek new heights and explore the deep. The new Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA is a product of man’s inherent desire to push the boundaries of his dreams and his potential. Waterproof to an extreme depth of 3,900 metres (12,800 feet), this new-generation diver’s watch confirms the supremacy of Rolex in the mastery of waterproofness and demonstrates an ever-present pursuit of excellence. Entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex, the Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA is a totally new watch that benefits from important technical innovations. It is equipped with a RINGLOCK SYSTEM, a new case architecture patented by Rolex, which allows the watch to resist the colossal pressure exerted by water at great depths. It is the first watch to feature a bracelet with a double extension system making it easily adaptable for greater comfort in wear over a diving suit. The Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA responds to the most exacting demands of professional divers in terms of robustness, precision and reliability. With its intrinsic capabilities, the Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA takes a rightful place in the prestigious Oyster family. It illustrates the pioneering spirit that led Rolex to develop, as early as the 1950s, divers’ watches like the Submariner and the Sea-Dweller. Its name pays tribute to the Deep Sea Special, the experimental prototype that in 1960 plunged to a depth of 10,916 metres in the Mariana Trench. TECHNICAL FEATURES CASE ARCHITECTURE AND WATERPROOFNESS A watch developed for extreme depths, guaranteed waterproof to 3,900 metres (12,800 feet), the Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA required the design of a case with a unique architecture, the RINGLOCK SYSTEM. This innovation patented by Rolex consists of a combination of three distinctive features: • The high-performance ring Set inside the middle case of the watch between the crystal and the case back, the high-performance nitrogen-alloyed stainless steel ring withstands the pressure exerted by water on the crystal and the case back. The middle case is made from 904L steel. • The sapphire crystal To resist pressure, the synthetic sapphire crystal is slightly domed and substantially thicker than the crystals of other Oyster models. • The case back The case back is made of a titanium alloy, an extremely resistant stainless material. It is held in place against the high-performance ring by means of a 904L-steel ring. The helium valve is made of high-performance stainless steel. Its size is adapted to the dimensions of the case to achieve optimal waterproofness. The helium valve is a safety feature which, during the decompression phase, releases the gases that infiltrate into the watch during caisson dives. Indeed, between dives at great depths, professional divers use pressurised caissons in which they breathe high-pressure gas mixtures, notably containing helium, a very volatile gas that penetrates into the watch. As the diver resurfaces, the helium valve prevents damage to the watch. The Triplock winding crown, equipped with three seals and screwed onto the case, completes this ingenious waterproof system. FUNCTIONING THE UNIDIRECTIONAL ROTATABLE BEZEL The Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller DEEPSEA allows a diver to safely track his dive time thanks to the unidirectional graduated bezel featured on the watch. At the beginning of a dive Once in the water, before beginning his descent, the diver turns the bezel to align the triangle on the graduated bezel to the minute hand, thus indicating the start time of his dive. During the dive The dive time can be read against the graduated bezel. Since the DEEPSEA bezel turns only counterclockwise, any accidental rotation can only have the effect of shortening the dive time. THE GLIDELOCK CLASP The new GLIDELOCK clasp allows for fine adjustments to the bracelet length, up to 18 mm by increments of 1.8 mm, without removing the watch. 1) Pull up the clasp’s safety catch. 2) Pull up the centre panel of the clasp cover. The teeth located underneath it become visible. 3) Pull gently on the 12-o’clock side of the bracelet to lengthen it, or slide it into the clasp to shorten it. Adjustments can be made in 1.8 mm increments, up to a total of 18 mm. 4) Once the bracelet has been adjusted to the desired length, close the centre panel. 5) Close the safety catch. New Hope? Only Time will tell............................. Regards, MTF This message has been edited by MTF on 2008-04-22 10:28:23 Respond to this post \|



By: raphmeister (registered) PM Posts: 152	hope is a good thing : ) Apr 21 2008,15:21 PM Nice story MTF I remember rummaging through my fathers stuff as a little boy and finding these fantastic wooden watch boxes with a seahorse and the word 'oyster' on it and thinking that they were real nice. And the ads on the back pages of too many magazines that i don't remember, and then there was Bond. Sean and Roger both wore a most impressive watch and so it had to be that my first 'real' watch was a no-date submariner... if it was good enough for commander bond then it should hold up pretty well in a typical office environment sans shark infested pools and such I never got into the Day Dates preferring the Sub and Daytona lines. I may have to get some chunky gold chains, purple suit, pimp hat with plume feather and zebra band to complete my old style pimp look though I hope you find a piece that sings to you and that QC will let that one Rolex pass through cheers raph Respond to this post \|



By: SJX (registered) PM Posts: 3511	Funnily enough Apr 21 2008,20:09 PM I have always wanted a platinum Day-Date with baguette diamond hour markers. For some reason I think it is an attractive watch, but it is not a watch I'd ever wear. - SJX Respond to this post \|



By: nothing but time (registered) PM Posts: 152	Your watch therapist writes: Jun 14 2008,20:12 PM You've got to firmly and deliberately remove your balls from your QC's handbag... (tongue in cheek of course) I found this post-thread when Googling the new Daytona in Everose and think that although the thread is dated, it needs to be revived. If I were you I'd stop denying the Yuppie Pimp within. Embrace your alter-ego and back-up the convertible bimmer (or Eldorado Biaritz) for the biggest spanking mac-daddy Yuppie pimp watch your sensible side can stomach. Actually scratch that -- Punish your sensible side.. Make it hurt! Life is short. Stop denying yourself. You might just find that the Pimp watch brings out a new more open minded experimental side in your QC.. Things might just get more interesting around the bedroom, the kitchen the laundryroom (during the spin-cycle). Daddy knows what He's got to do.. Its time to let your inner pimp shine I've posted some photos to inspire you Respond to this post \|

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