Rolex is itself a classic, an icon and for some even a brand that encompasses history and change. Celebrated the world over for its rich lineage Rolex often associates itself with events that showcase icons that have broken the barriers of preconceived notions and have gone to redefine an entire generation. The Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races is one such event that forms a platform for classic cars from a bygone era. This event also known as the Monterey Historics is a one of its kind event that draws a large number of spectators who come to see the wonders of classical design and the strong aesthetics of these incredibly fabricated marvels. The Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races is held annually at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca at Monterey in California. In its 36th year now the Monterey Historics is primarily concerned with providing an arena for classic cars to compete against each other. This takes place over a weekend in mid August.

The Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races was originally established and started by Steve Earle in the year 1974. The core idea behind this was to organize a common place for all his friends to race their cars against each other at the Laguna Seca. This event over the years has snowballed into a mega spectacle that sees thousands of car enthusiasts come to witness this spectacular display of classic cars. Every year a car with some history is chosen as a marque or a mascot of some sort to kick off and commemorate the Monterey Historics. This event has seen many sponsors over the years but the after 1991 Rolex has been actively supporting the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races and encouraging people to join this one of its kind event. This is more of an exhibition type racing event that merely wants to create awareness among the public about the rich heritage of the automobile industry. Due to the fact that the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races is an amateur racing event all spectators who come to see the spectacle are allowed to come to the paddock area and see these historical wonders up close. Though most of the races of the Monterey Historic have been divided on the basis of the displacement of the car e.g. 2-2.5 liter in one category and below this in another, some races however feature all competitors with cars of a similar make e.g. all Bugatti or all Ferrari race. The organizing committee levies a very strict set of rules and guidelines to ensure that these high value cars don’t get damaged in any manner. Most of the races that are conducted at the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races have a maximum distance of 10 laps.

This year the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races is set to be held from the 14th to 16th of August and the marque for the event is a Porsche. The Monterey Historics sponsored by Rolex is affiliated with other similar festivals like the Wine Country Classic and the Rolex Lime Rock Vintage festival.

Rolex aims to promote the idea behind these classic cars and the aesthetics of the make, as these icons have all played a significant role in the history of automobile development as well as the history of man. An event like this ensures that such classics are not ravaged by time or by human ignorance and left to be forgotten among the dusty decay of an old ramshackle and almost non-existent garage.
Keywords: Rolex, Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races, Monterey Historics.

Rolex the premium watch manufacturer has forever identified with a resilient drive to overcome any odds and not only perform but also set a new benchmark in the pages of human achievement for quality. It has continually striven for and promoted excellence. In the decades that Rolex has been in existence it has always attempted to give a new lease of life to some significant movements in history and guide it to reach its zenith. In tune with this principal Rolex endorses a number of events around the world that not only include sports but creative arts as well. However the primary aim has always been to encourage the human spirit towards excellence and showcase this remarkable talent for the world to see. After the failure of the United States Road Racing Championship a new version of the earlier model came into existence in the year 1999 under the title of Grand American Road Racing Championship.

Amongst all the Grand-Am series the most significant is the Rolex Sports Car Series. Originally begun in the year 2000 the Grand American Road Racing was soon sponsored by Rolex. Right from the year 2002 Rolex has been an active member and the title sponsor for this road racing series. The Rolex Sports Car Series combines different types of car classes in one competitive event. Sports Racing type as well as the Grand Touring type of production based cars are allowed to compete in the series. The focus however is centered on the 24 hours of Daytona, which is a premier racing event. From 2003 onwards the sports racing prototypes have been phased out to make way for the newly developed Daytona prototype, christened after the premier racing event the Rolex 24 at Daytona. These new cars have been custom built exclusively for the Rolex Sports Car Series and are more cost effective than the previous models. The most significant aspect of theses newly developed cars is that they offer a more economical racing environment and the technology onboard is controlled to allow a relative equivalence between the various chassis and engines. Over the years the GT rules have been simplified to accommodate other car manufacturers in the races like the Japanese, European and the American companies. A new set of rules have also been implemented that allow car manufacturers to employ a tube frame chassis that cuts down production costs. The Rolex Sports Car Series use two different car types the GP and the DT. However because of the high count of cars usually most races are conducted on different days e.g. GP cars on Saturday and DT on Sunday. This new split format ensures that drivers can compete in both the events that are held on separate days. If in any case both the classes are racing together then they employ what is known as motorcycle style racing ‘wave start’ based on the concept of Roger Edmonson a former motorcycle racer.

This year the Rolex Sports Car Series begins with the Rolex 24 at Daytona and ends at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Rolex has been able to give this event a new lease of life through its active participation and unhindered sponsorship. It is easy to associate yourself with something that is already successful without fully realizing the hardships that have to be encountered to get to the pinnacle. However Rolex is a company that stands for true labor and dedication coupled with patience and it completely realizes the fact that great strength, effort and endurance is what allows you attain absolute success.

Associated with over 150 significant motor sports events and supporting and promoting human excellence, Rolex, the world renowned watch manufacturing company is constantly trying to encourage endeavor towards perfection. Over the many decades Rolex has been around it has become a brand name and with the ongoing innovation in the masterworks it produces and its association with world class competitive events it won’t be long before Rolex finds itself placed in the dictionary alongside perfection. Along with the range of world class sporting events that Rolex sponsors is the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

This grueling race tests endurance, the focus to continue performing and the strength to drive capably on every bend and hair-pin turn. The Rolex 24 at Daytona is also referred to as the 24 hours of Daytona. This annual event is held at the Daytona International Speedway located atthe Daytona Beach in Florida. The Rolex 24 at Daytona fuses the NASCAR tri-oval as well as the infield course to culminate in form of a 3.56 mile course. Usually held in the last week of January or in the first week of February the Rolex 24 is considered as one of the most significant motorsports event that kick starts the racing season in the United States. Rolex, a celebrated name amongst the top companies of the world started sponsoring the event in 1991. Clearly, Rolex understands the extent of constant precision and the importance of continuous performance which is necessary to win this incredibly difficult race. The 24 hours of Daytona has evolved over many years to become what it is today. Way back in 1962- few years after the construction of the track this was a 3 hour race whose points were counted for the World Sportscar Championships. In 1964 the overall distance was increased to 1220 miles which was about double the distance at Spa, Monza and Nurburgring. From 1966 onwards the race was expanded further to become a 24 hour event similar to Le Mans.

The primary purpose of the Rolex 24 at Daytona is to determine which team of sports car drivers can cover the maximum distance in a specific time. The difference between Le Mans event and the Daytona is that Le Mans utilizes public roads for the event unlike Daytona where the entire race is conducted in a closed circuit. This arduous race is held during winter when the nights are long. The lights that play a vital role in this race are installed in a manner that does not provide adequate lighting while the stadium lights are also reduced to 20 percent of their capacity. The rules of the race state that any car competing has to finish the race by its own engine power and cannot utilize the incline of the road or manually push it to cross the finish line. A total of four or five drivers represent one team at the Rolex 24. Over the years many star drivers with incredible feats to their name have competed in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. This year an incredible distance of 4211 kilometers was covered by the competing drivers. David Donohue, Antonio Garcia, Darren law and Buddy Rice were part of the winning team and took home the title for the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

The test of incredible endurance and performing under any circumstance is what forms the spirit of Rolex and abiding by this fundamental it supports events that test the endeavor towards excellence.

Right from its inception the world class Swiss watch manufacturer,Rolex has been pursuing perfection and incorporates incredibly amazing and revolutionary ideas into its design. These groundbreaking designs set a world standard and take most people by surprise due to their ingenuity and remarkable performance. Rolex does not lay stake to these claims merely on the basis of clever marketing ploys but supports its inventiveness by actually performing flawlessly in a range of extreme conditions that most other watches could never dare. After meticulous engineering and remarkable craftsmanship Rolex launched the Rolex Submariner at a Swiss watch fair in the year 1954.

An instant classic the Rolex Submariner was probably one of the first waterproof watches that functioned flawlessly underwater. Due to the outstanding use of top quality materials and very scrupulous construction the Rolex Submariner became an overnight success and created a sensation in the watch markets around the world. The Rolex Submariner was a part of both the Moana Expedition under sea and the Antarctic Expedition. At the Moana mission this watch was able to function perfectly even after a thousand dives in the water while at the Antarctic Expedition it functioned flawlessly even at 45 degrees below zero.

The Rolex Submariner was introduced to the American public through a newspaper advertisement in 1955 that featured the qualities of this amazing watch. More than relying on any clever ploy to market the watch Rolex utilized its actual performance, statistical data and the opinion of experts. It quotes the actual opinion of the vice president of the Institute of Submarine Research in Cannes and Captain T.A.Hampton from the British Underwater Research who used the Rolex Submariner in their routine dives and experiments underwater. The advertisement further talks about the features of the watch like the fact that it is waterproof up to 660 feet and all its dials along with its three hands are extra luminous that allow the diver to keep a track of time even in extremely low light conditions. It further states that the watch features a revolutionary new time recorder incorporated in the rim which allows the diver to turn the dial to the precise minute of the dive and using this dial the diver is able to calibrate the total time spent underwater. This rotating rim is an essential for recording the decompression stages, which in turn provide the diver with accurate information about the resurfacing time. The advertisement goes on to talk about the path breaking qualities of the watch that makes it ideal for everyday wear as well e.g. the perpetual self winding rotor mechanism and the high level of protection provided by the special oyster case.

What Rolex chose to do was to market the Rolex Submariner watch by simply stating its features, ability and perfect performance even under enormous pressure at 660 feet. A culmination of fantastic features this exceptional watch is able to deliver and perform under extreme conditions providing superb functionality while maintaining its aesthetic design.

Sports is an integral part of any culture. Be it any country, sports always manage to find a special place in the history of its culture. This is probably, the reason why most sports championships, conducted on international level find a large audience all over the world. Giant consumer brands and iconic luxury brands also perceive international sports events as an ideal opportunity to promote their brands by sponsoring them. In lieu of sponsoring varied sports events, these brands get to publicize and promote themselves both to the audience in the stadium and the ones watching the events at their homes on TV.

Recently, world’s premium watch brand, Rolex also jumped into the bandwagon in a bid to make their brand more popular. Rolex is an exclusive brand which caters to only the super rich and the famous celebrities all over the world. Rolex recently associated itself with the FEI event held in Las Vegas. FEI or Federation Equestrian International is a famous sports event which focuses exclusively on Jumping sports.

FEI was first held in 1978. Since then, the sports event is conducted annually. Federation Equestrian International originally focused only on Jumping. However, with the passage of time, it also incorporated several other sport forms in order to increase the fan following, make it more popular and allow more players to participate in it. In 1985, another significant feature was added to the FEI. The sports event has also included Dressage since then. In 2001, driving was included as a sport, followed by Eventing in 2003.

FEI has come a long way since it was first started in 1978. FEI or Federation Equestrian International, today, is quite active on the global level. FEI managed to make its presence felt globally through a system of continental leagues. FEI is a month long series which aims to assess the skills and determination of some of the finest riders in the world. The series is marked by a number of events where the participants compete with each other in order to win the series. The finale of the series is marked by the qualifying contestants trying to win the prestigious title of ‘the best rider in the world’. The title is a much sought after one, especially by horse riders from all over the world who have dedicated their entire lives trying to master this art.

FEI’s association with Rolex watches was particularly felt at the 2009 FEI event which was held in Las Vegas. Rolex watches are known for their outstanding performance,durability and superb appearance. Similarly, FEI is an event where the onus is on to select a winner who displays outstanding performance in his sport. The event is synonymous with lots of passion, anticipation and suspense regarding the winner. By opting to sponsor the event, Rolex managed to win brownie points with the organizers of the event and drew attention from a large number of people all over the world.

A premium world class Swiss watch manufacturer Rolex has a proud history and tradition of being involved with sponsoring and promoting events that nourish and propagate exceptional talent. Rolex promotes and sponsors many world class sporting events around the world that involve the crème de la crème of that sport. These events have grown exponentially and are now regarded by the athletes as an ideal place to propagate remarkable talent. The Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship is a part of the world class events that are supported by Rolex. Begun way back in 1985 by Rolex in close association with US Sailing, the Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship is now regarded as a the premier event for world class women sailors. A part of the championships calendar of US Sailing the Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship is held biennially and provides the women keelboat and offshore sailors an excellent platform to showcase their talent and compete against many renowned national and international women sailors.

This world class and highly competitive regatta is preceded by the ‘Next Step to Rolex’ program. This program seeks to train and develop the skills of girls aged between 13 and 17 in keelboat handling. The primary aim of this program is to hone the talent of these young girls and promote the sport of keelboat racing. The training and developmental program will be followed by two days of registering and measuring the various boats that will be competing in the regatta. The Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship is set to take place on Lake Ontario from the 7 to 10 October. After the completion of each racing day the Rochester Yacht Club (RYC) will host a social gathering near the dockside where all the competitors will be able to relax and deliberate. Parties will be held every evening after the regatta is over. After the Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship is over a traditional gala will be held where the winners will be awarded a Rolex watch.

Founded in 1877 the Rochester Yacht Club has been associated with racing events for a really long time. The RYC held its first regatta in the same year as its inception and saw a total of 8 boats compete in the event. Cory Sterl represented US Sailing at the International Federation of Sailing (ISAF) meeting and also served on the ISAF council. Winner of the inaugural Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship in 1985 and 2001 as crew and skipper respectively Cory Sterl an Olympian and a highly qualified sailor presented the bid for RYC to host the Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship for 2009. She will be part of the organizing committee and will also lead the ‘Next Step to Rolex’ program. J/22 World Championships held in the year 2002 was the most recent large scale competitive event that was held at the Rochester Yacht Club and saw a total of 102 boats competing in this event.

Honoring its proud tradition of promoting remarkable talent and excellence Rolex actively supports the Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship that has grown over the years as the foremost competitive event for women sailors worldwide.

Rolex is a legend in itself. It’s a brand, which seems to have instant appeal with the rich and the luxurious all over the world. Several movie stars, celebrities and rich people all over the world can be seen flaunting Rolex watches as a status symbol. There are individuals who are genuinely in awe of this fine Swiss watch. On the other hand, there is also a group of loyal fans who simply can’t get enough of its superb looks and fine appearance.

This probably explains the reason why a lot of magazines and books are exclusively dedicated to Rolex watches. Rolex watch connoisseurs, all over the world, have spent their lives trying to come up with books exclusively on premium Rolex watches. Along with the watches, these books, too, seem to have caught the fancy of Rolex fans. These books are a must-have for any Rolex fan or Rolex collector.

Over the years, several books have been written on Rolex watches. However, the first book to be made available on  Rolex watches was “Rolex - Hans Wilsdorf and the Evolution of Time 1905 – Presentâ€�. The book was penned by George Gordon. Although the book was a successful one considering the monopolistic status it enjoyed, yet the information contained in the book is   almost zero. It can at best be described as a collection of pictures of Rolex advertisements and watches. The book was launched as the first part of the series named “Timeless Elegance Seriesâ€�. This book was soon followed by “Twentieth Century Wristwatches”. This book was relatively well received as it boasted of more information spread out over six easy-to-read chapters.

Another important book which was exclusively written on Rolex watches is “The Best of Time - Rolex Wristwatches - An Unauthorized History�. Often called  the bible of Rolex watches, this is a must-have  for any individual who loves Rolex watches or wishes to gain some meaningful information about its history, models launched till date and other related information. The book was written by James M. Dowling.

“Orologi Da Polso – Rolex� also in the same league is very popular. The celebrated author, Osvaldo Patrizzi, who is also the brain behind the successful Antiquorum Auctioneers, has written this book. The book was published in both Italian and English in order to cater to both American and European markets for Rolex watches. Right from the price guide for all the Rolex watch models, exclusive pictures, chronology of Rolex advertisements and information about every model of Rolex watch ever produced the book has it all.

However considering the vast array of models that Rolex keeps introducing in the market, it is hard to circumscribe the world of Rolex watches in a single book. With the passage of time as Rolex kept introducing more models, the need to launch an updated version of Rolex books has always been felt. This is the reason why with the turn of every decade, one can witness the launch of new, updated books on Rolex. Considering the rising success of Rolex, we doubt that this tend would stop anytime soon.

Condoleezza Rice is a multifaceted powerhouse of energy who embodies the elegance, grace as well as the durability and reliability of the RolexCellini Cellissima a premium watch from the world-renowned luxury watch manufacturer Rolex. The Rolex Cellini Cellissima encapsulates strength and beauty and stands for class and sophistication. Much like the Rolex Cellini Cellissima, Condoleezza Rice is an exceptional and outstanding person that excels in every role and does that with the elegance that mesmerizes the world.

The Rolex Cellini Cellissima is a high-class luxury watch that spells charm and refinement. Rolex Cellini Cellissima draws its inspiration from the absolute ability and exceptional craftsmanship of Benvenuto Cellini. This watch has precise movement and features an anti-magnetic alloy also known as the Faraday Cage that is able to withstand magnetic forces and function accurately. The Faraday Cage featured in the watch shields it from static electrical fields and enables it to function perfectly. This extremely trendy and ‘Dressy’ 18 karat white gold ladies watch features a white face with roman numerals and a beautiful blue colored leather strap with a gold folding clasp. The Rolex Cellini Cellissima infuses a polished bezel set in brilliants in its extremely alluring yet charming design. The attractive blue strap is breathtakingly beautiful; this coupled with the overall incredible design has the power to captivate people. The Rolex Cellini Cellissima from Rolex is an embodiment of sheer magnificence and purity.

Condoleezza Rice has played many roles in her inspiring life right from being a professor, an author, a diplomat and a national security expert for the United States. What surprises most people is that this well educated person is an accomplished musician too who has been performing in public right from the age of fifteen. She has performed all her duties supported by her strength, steadfast belief and courage to face every circumstance no matter how daunting the task.

Condoleezza Rice’s actions and the manner of her approach to some of the most herculean tasks have always set a precedent for others. The most significant aspect of her personality is the fact that she is able to tackle every situation with exceptional ease and elegance. She completely demolished the myth about meek women by becoming the first woman from a colored race to serve as the Secretary of State under the Bush administration. She is an extremely educated person who is regarded as the pioneer of transformational diplomacy policy. One of her most astounding features is the ability to be exceptionally humble about her tremendous achievements. Performing every task with the same passion and exuberance Condoleezza Rice stands for the power of true courage and honesty towards her responsibilities and duties.

What binds Condoleezza Rice and the Rolex Cellini Cellissima is the fact that they both are surrounded by an aura of quiet dignity and gracious elegance. The Rolex Cellini Cellissima from Rolex represents quintessential strength and aesthetic grace. Such a watch or even a person has to be  crafted with true dedication and patience.

The Rolex event that spreads over four days, from Thursday to Sunday involves a Dressage competition on Thursday and Friday, a Cross Country event on Saturday and a Show Jumping competition on Sunday. This competition takes place in the last weekend of April just before the Kentucky Derby. The Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event is a part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. Any rider who wishes to win this esteemed prize must win three events in succession, i.e. the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event in April, the Badminton Horse Trial in May and the Burghley Horse Trials in September. The winner of all these three events is awarded a cash prize of 250000 dollars. The only person ever to win all the three events and consequently win the major prize was Pippa Funnell.

The first Kentucky Three Day Event was held in 1978 at the newly opened Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. The Equestrian Events Inc, (EEI) a non-profit organization was given the task of helping in planning the event and increasing public awareness. When the Kentucky Three Day Event first took place a total of 170000 spectators witnessed it.  It was broadcast nationally and internationally and generated revenue that totaled up to 4 million dollars. It originally included an advance level along with intermediate and preliminary levels of competition but now the classic format has been replaced by a shorter format that only includes the advanced level of competition. This CCI competition was originally suggested by Denny Emerson as he believed that United States had enough riders of an advanced level to compete in this event. After making all the arrangements in 1996, the country’s first four star event was held. Earlier most American riders used to go to Burghley in England to train for the world championships but with this four star event being held in their own backyard they will not need to go anywhere.

This event has now evolved over the years and grown to such a level that it is broadcast to millions of people worldwide in 18 different languages. The Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event is about the highest degrees of skill, performance, finesse and strength. These qualities are embodied within the Rolex brand and since it has always been known to value flawlessness over anything else this premium brand supports and sponsors such events.

The highly acclaimed Oscar winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr. mirrors and symbolizes all the qualities of the anniversary edition of Rolex Submariner that is known for its enduring strength. The flawless functionality of the Rolex Submariner can be easily determined by the fact that even though it has been more than 50 years since it was first launched it is still popular. The anniversary edition of the Rolex Submariner was launched by Rolex, a premium luxury brand of international repute, in the year 2001. Appropriately know as the Anniversary Submariner Date it radiates with an aura of class and perfection that is reminiscent of Cuba Gooding Jr. himself.

The Anniversary Submariner Date like all the other watches from the house of Rolex has been crafted to endure and perform excellently under a range of extreme conditions. Cuba Gooding Jr. has experienced  situations that might have broken the spirit of lesser men but like the Anniversary Submariner Date he chose to fight on and continued his quest to achieve perfection. The astounding number of characters he has portrayed so realistically on the screen in the last  two decades is no mean achievement. Silencing the harshest of critics Cuba Gooding Jr. like the Anniversary Submariner Date the latest version of the Rolex Submariner  relies solely on his incredible performance and matchless perseverance. Encompassed in a specially constructed 940L alloy of steel that is corrosion resistant the Anniversary Submariner Date is extremely durable and is fully capable of withstanding tremendous temperature conditions. The Anniversary Submariner Date from Rolex is an ideal watch for Cuba Gooding Jr. as it is infused with the same unrivalled resolution to perform under any circumstance.

Cuba Gooding Jr. a loyal family man and a prominent actor in Hollywood has been a part of immeasurably popular films like the critically acclaimed Boyz n the Hood, Radio, Pearl Harbor and Jerry Maguire. These films have not only been successful commercially but have also got him an Oscar as the unforgettable Rod Tidwell in Jerry Maguire. In the year 2002 he was given a star that was to be placed among the other legendary actors in the Hollywood walk of fame. All these amazing accomplishments have been possible only due to his firm resolve and utter dedication towards perfection. The Anniversary Submariner Date from Rolex also symbolizes strength, spirit, character and the determination to be absolutely perfect in every way. This high quality 300 meter water resistant watch incorporates a synthetic sapphire crystal that is completely scratch-proof and a unidirectional bezel that is built to move only clockwise ensuring that the bezel does not move in the opposite direction while diving. Rolex employs master craftsmen to hone its skill of producing watches that are not merely timepieces but a work of art. Cuba Gooding Jr. is known throughout the  Hollywood circuit for devoting immense  time and energy to perfecting the characters he plays which is achievable only through  honest dedication towards his craft. Similarly Rolex is able to achieve its world renowned status only through utmost devotion to manufacturing impeccable watches and each one rises beyond merely being a timepiece to becoming an impeccable piece of art.