Yes, it is true. The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, wears a Rolex watch, and he has worn a Rolex ever since he was a boy. The challenging question to answer is what kind of Rolex watch the Dalai Lama has worn and maintained for so many years. In the pictures of the Dalai Lama wearing the Rolex watch, only the back of the bracelet is evident.
According to the accepted tale, the American President Franklin Roosevelt gave the Rolex watch to the Dalai Lama. It is a known fact that Franklin Roosevelt wore a Rolex Day-Date. At the time, the Rolex Day-Date was not known as the Rolex Day-Date Presidential. The latter designation was assumed only after Rolex gave a Day-Date to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Before the Day-Date officially became presidential, Franklin Roosevelt wore the Rolex watch in the White House. Putting two and two together, it makes sense that the President would give the young Dalai Lama a Rolex Day-Date. Since Roosevelt died in 1945 and the Dalai Lama was born in 1935, the Rolex watch was given to a mere boy. The Dalai Lama has maintained the Rolex watch in excellent condition for over half a century. How has he been able to perform such a remarkable feat?
As historian Ron Gluckman writes: “Since childhood, the Dalai Lama has been an incorrigible tinkerer. He still has a Rolex watch given to him by U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt — a credit to his do-it-yourself skills.” Being a lover of fine machinery, the Dalai Lama naturally fell in love with his Rolex watch. Since the beginning, Rolex has been at the forefront of watchmaking in terms of artistry and precision. Rolex founder, Hans Wilsdorf recognized two major requirements for watches: 1) To keep accurate time, and 2) To be reliable for which Rolex has been recognized for almost as long as watches have been worn. Such quality clearly was recognized by the Dalai Lama at a young age when he already showed signs of the spiritual leader he would become.
In 1990, Teresa Watanabe observed in the Los Angeles Times, “The Dalai Lama is motivated by kindness and love, and his broad appeal hardly seems more complex than that. He seems caring, people say. He seems genuine. He lives simply, wearing a maroon and saffron robe every day. His one apparent luxury, a Rolex watch, was a gift from Franklin Roosevelt. He actually seems to practice what he preaches, the rare leader who has managed to stay untarnished by any hint of personal scandal.” Like how the Rolex watches, which he loves, have come to represent the very best in luxury watches, the Dalai Lama has come to represent the very best in humanity. In a strange way, it makes perfect sense that such a man would choose to wear a Rolex watch. Still, we wish to know without any question or doubt, what model of Rolex is on the wrist of the Dalai Lama? Is his watch a Rolex Day-Date, or is it another one of the stunning Rolex watch models?
Realizing the unique connection between Rolex and Royalty, Zara Phillips, the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II of England, has signed a contract to be the new face of Rolex watches. The Rolex watch chosen for Zara Phillips to endorse is the classic Rolex Oyster Perpetual Lady-Datejust. An elite equestrian who attained the title of Eventing World Champion in 2006, Phillips will receive £100,000 pounds and three free watches to appear in advertising for the Swiss watchmakers. The first Rolex advertisement-featuring Phillips appeared in Vanity Fair, which is a further display of the great value placed by Rolex in the acquisition of such a high profile representative in the United Kingdom and beyond. The advertisement shows Zara Phillips with her horse Toytown who carried her to victory in the Eventing World Championships.
In order to illuminate the Rolex watches that Phillips has been chosen to endorse, here is a more in-depth examination. A description of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Lady-Datejust is as follows: Stainless steel case and bracelet. White dial. Date displays at 3 o’clock position. 18kt white gold bezel. Synthetic sapphire crystal. Hidden deployment clasp. Case diameter 26mm. 31-jewel chronometer automatic movement. Water resistant at 30 meters (100 feet). A description of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Lady Datejust Pearlmaster is as follows: Stainless steel case. 18kt yellow gold and stainless steel bracelet. Gold dial. Date displays at 3 o’clock position. 18kt yellow gold bezel. Synthetic sapphire crystal. Hidden deployment clasp. 31 jewel chronometer automatic movement.
Rolex has supported excellence in human endeavors for over eighty years, and many of their spokespeople have been champions in their respective sports. Zara Phillips provides a unique combination of Royal blood and athletic excellence to the Rolex stable. Zara was voted 2006 BBC Sports Personality of the Year by the British viewing public. What is truly fascinating in the story line is that Zara’s mother, Princess Anne, was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1971. Clearly, like the lineage of one great Rolex watch design to the next, Zara Phillips follows in her mother’s footsteps of athletic excellence. Zara was made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2007 New Years Honours List for her services to equestrianism. Married to England rugby player Mike Tindall, Phillips has expanded her commercial activity since becoming a professional eventer to help meet the £500,000-a-year cost of maintaining seven horses. She receives no money from the civil list, but her mother, Princess Anne, gives her free accommodation. Imagine how proud the Queen must be to have her Granddaughter chosen to be the new face of Rolex watches.
Rolex is the new champion in the auction house, certifying the watch company’s legendary position as the creator of the highest quality wristwatches. On April 23, 2008, an ultra-rare 1971 “Albino” Rolex Daytona, formerly owned by rock n’ roll legend Eric Clapton, sold at Sotheby’s “Important Watches Auction” for $505,000 including buyer’s premium. Although it was expected to fetch $100,000-$150,000 by watch experts, the Rolex Daytona broke all records when it sold for over half a million dollars once the dust had settled.
Created by Rolex in 1971, the watch is nicknamed the “Albino” Daytona because the background and subsidiary dials are a monochrome silver color, in stark contrast to the normally contrasting dials of more common Rolex Daytonas. . It was a design that was not too popular, as the contrasting outlined sub-dials make for better visibility. If you look at the Rolex Daytona models today, they have no “Albino’s”. Basically, the watch was an unpopular variant of a popular model. Before the auction, the Rolex Daytona was not even expected to be in the top three of most expensive watches sold on that day. At this auction, the 6th most expensive watch sold was a “James Bond” Rolex Submariner from 1959, which brought in $211,000. The 2nd through 5th most expensive watches sold at this auction belonged to Pate Philippe and ranged from $217,000 to $445,000. At the Antiquorum’s recent $8.5 million Rolex auction, the top-priced timepiece sold for $248,000.
For years, Eric Clapton has been recognized as a major Rolex watch collector. The guitar legend’s personal collection is quite extensive, and Clapton even named his record collection of greatest hits, Timepieces. Still, nothing in Clapton’s collection compares in price to the 1971 Rolex “Albino” Daytona, which will now go down in history as the Rolex that shocked the refined world of high-priced auctions.
After a frightening suicide attempt in 2007, Rolex watches and benefits appeared to play an essential role in actor Owen Wilson’s recovery. On August 29, 2007, Time magazine reported: “speculation about his drug use, depression over his May break-up from Hudson and a recent fight with a friend have peppered the coverage of Wilson’s hospitalization. A People magazine cover story out Friday quotes a friend as saying: “Owen was very despondent. He slit his wrists. He almost did not make it.” It was a dark period in Wilson life, and Rolex played a key role in helping Owen regain his bearings and his success.
Although Owen Wilson has worn a Rolex GMT Master in the popular films Wedding Crashers and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, he chooses to wear a Rolex Submariner in his everyday life. It is not surprising that he would make such a choice. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner originally was designed for diving and known for their resistance to water. The first Submariner was introduced to the public in 1954 at the Swiss Watch Fair. Copied by other watchmakers, the Rolex Submariner is recognized as a classic, and one of the most widely recognized luxury products in the world. The Rolex Submariner is part of Rolex’s Oyster Perpetual Professional line. After returning home from the hospital, Owen was captured by a photographer walking on the beach, wearing his Rolex Submariner. Later, he was seen riding his mountain bike in Santa Monica with the Rolex Submariner on his wrist. Obviously, the quality of a Rolex watch helped Owen realize and appreciate the quality of his own life.
A celebrity is expected to show up at a multitude of events, and Owen used the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative Benefit in New York City to make his entrance back on the social scene after his crisis. As Liz Smith wrote in The New York Post on November 11, 2007: “THE APPEALING Owen Wilson is easing his way back into public life after hospitalization and a rumored suicide attempt. He appeared - looking good - at the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative gala in Lincoln Center this week.” In contrast, the National Post of Canada was not so kind when they wrote: “And who was that I saw swooping in, last-minute, into a swirl . . . Well, that was the bad-day-having-of-late clown Owen Wilson, who just that week was also staring out from People magazine with a cover that read: “Picking up the Pieces.”
Whatever the hawks of the media choose to write, it is clear that Rolex played a major role in Owen Wilson’s recovery. Back in good form, the actor is nothing less than a comic genius in a time when comedy is a necessity. Wearing a Rolex Submariner and attending Rolex Benefits helped Owen Wilson realize his life was valuable and worth living. Once again, the precision and quality of a Rolex proves to be a lifesaver in more ways than one.
Before being deposed by American forces and executed by his people, Iraqi Dictator Saddam Hussein was known for his love of luxury, clearly represented by his custom-made, diamond-studded gold Rolex watch. Unlike the majority of Hussein’s loot, the Rolex watch did not end up in the hands of the American military. Instead, Saddam’s right-hand man Haitham Wahaib is putting the Rolex up for auction, along with other valuables, in order to raise $4500,000 for Iraqi schools. But how did Wahaib end up with the Rolex in the first place? Although his tale appears incredulous on the surface, it is worth repeating. As reported by Mark Nicol in The Daily Mail, the story is as follows:
It was the most lucrative day’s work that Haitham Wihaib will ever do. His boss Saddam Hussein had just spent hours in a Baghdad palace with one of his many mistresses. As the Iraqi dictator emerged and headed towards his chauffeur-driven Mercedes, it was Wihaib’s job - as his head of protocol - to check that he had not left anything behind. “To my surprise I saw his £100,000 gold Rolex sitting on a bedside table,” recalled Wihaib. “I ran after Saddam and stopped him just before he got in the car. I said, ‘Your Excellency, your Excellency, you left your gold Rolex behind.’ When he turned to me, I had never seen such a satisfied look on his face. He had clearly had a very pleasurable afternoon. He smiled and told me to keep it.”
The custom-made Rolex has dozens of diamonds laid into the watch face and the bracelet. At the very pinnacle of luxury, the watch represents the incredible quality and precision of the Rolex watchmakers. The Daily Mail confirmed that the watch is genuine and the valuation is accurate. Long before the Iraq war that led to Saddam’s fall, Haitham Wihaib had a bad falling out with his master and was imprisoned. After being released, he managed to smuggle his collection of Saddam’s valuables out of Iraq and defect to Great Britain in 1994. Although he worked for the dictator for over twenty years and was his chief of protocol, Wihaib has never worn the gold Rolex given to him by the Iraqi dictator. In regards to his hiding of the watch, Wihaib said: “All Saddam’s bodyguards were very jealous so I never wore the Rolex in Iraq. They would have chopped my arm off for such a watch.”
In closing, it is fascinating to note that Saddam’s regime often altered expensive Rolex watches with faceplates depicting the leader. Amazing as it sounds, these symbols of Western power and affluence were greatly admired by members of the anti-Western Ba’ath party or so the story goes. Although Saddam Hussein would deface a Rolex watch given to his supporters, the authenticity of his own custom-made Rolex was kept and maintained. It will be intriguing for Rolex enthusiasts to see how high the price goes for Saddam’s jewel-encrusted Rolex watch.
It has not been a good year for former American football star O.J. Simpson, and his difficulties went well beyond having to turn over his Rolex Submariner to the Goldman family. After being convicted of armed robbery following a botched attempt to recover memorabilia in Las Vegas last year, O.J. Simpson was sentenced to a long term in state prison, and he will not be eligible for parole until 2017. In 1995, O.J. lost a civil settlement to the family of Ron Goldman and he still owes them over $33 million. When he was ordered by a judge to turn over his Rolex Submariner to the Goldman’s, it turned out that the $22,000 gold watch was actually a $125 Chinese fake. Did O.J. actually turn over the real watch, or was the knock-off one more example of the star conning the public in order to protect his fleeting wealth?
In pictures taken of O. J. Simpson recently wearing the Rolex Submariner, it is clear upon close examination to any true Rolex collector that the watch is a fake. The real Rolex Submariner, featuring a uni-directional elapse time bezel, has been known for its great performance and supreme endurance at extreme temperatures and even in the ocean depths. It falls under the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Professional Line. Introduced officially at the Basel Spring Watch Fair in 1954, it has thrived in the market for over 50 years. However, O. J. Simpson always has been known as a lover of luxury, and he owned several Rolexes in his glory days when he was still married to Nicole Brown. In the above picture taken of O.J. and Nicole, it appears that the Juice is wearing a gold Rolex Submariner. Is this the same cheap Rolex replica he turned over to Fred Goldman? Or did O.J. Simpson simply buy a cheap knock-off to give to the Goldman family and place his real Rolex Submariner in a safety deposit box? When the pieces of this new puzzle are put together, the possibility that O.J. Simpson still has his real Rolex Submariner in hiding becomes increasingly likely. Since he has convinced himself that he did no wrong, why would O.J. Simpson turn over a vintage Rolex Submariner with a value of over $22,000 to Fred Goldman?
Without question, after being sentenced to at least nine years in a Nevada prison, O.J. Simpson will have a lot of time to reconsider the impact of his actions. If he still has his real Rolex Submariner hidden away, perhaps he will come clean and face the proverbial music, giving the Goldman family what is rightfully owed according to American law and the spiritual principle of karma. After all, as we all have learned through experience, what comes around goes around, particularly when it involves a valuable Rolex.
Before their divorce in October, Guy Ritchie celebrated the 50th birthday of his wife Madonna by giving her a $100,00 vintage Rolex Masterpiece watch. At the huge party Guy Ritchie threw for Madonna in August, nobody knew the couple was on the verge of separating. In fact, they might not even have known that their marriage rapidly was coming to a close. As Central Park Gossip reported: “Superstar Madonna’s hubby Guy Ritchie has made sure his wife is on time for all her birthday appointments, he’s bought her a $100,000 Rolex watch to celebrate the day. The movie maker has reportedly bought the Material Girl an 18-karat gold and diamond-studded Rolex Masterpiece as a 50th birthday gift. A pal tells In Touch magazine, ‘She (Madonna) wanted it for a while, but she couldn’t bring herself to spend that much money on a watch.’ “
At the celebration, Guy Ritchie gushed about his wife in front of nearly a hundred well-wishers: “She looks better now that she ever had done. I’m so proud. I love her so much.” The party included cases of champagne and mounds of caviar with illusionist David Blaine performing card tricks for the guests. In Touch magazine had a different take on the party at the time, believing, “Guy picked up a $100,000 diamond-covered Rolex for Madonna, because nothing says “I love you” quite like marking a major age milestone with a device that measures the passage of time.”
Although the Rolex Masterpiece given to Madonna was not caught on camera, a similar piece pictured above recently was put up for sale at a major estate auction and described as follows: “The centerpiece item in the estate jewelry group is an original factory Rolex Masterpiece 18k white gold ladies’ watch, brand new in the box with papers, with factory diamond bracelet, factory diamond bezel and factory mother of pearl and diamond dial. It is the finest ladies’ watch Rolex makes. Very few are produced, and anyone lucky enough to find one would probably pay around $100,000.”
Madonna reportedly was thrilled by her beautiful Rolex Masterpiece, but the high of the party quickly sank into the depths of divorce. By the end of October 2008, the marriage of these two high profile celebrities was over and officially ended at a short proceeding in a London courtroom. Although Ritchie spent lavishly on his wife for her 50th birthday, including the $100,000 Rolex Masterpiece and a half million-dollar Bulgari necklace, he walked away from the marriage with a hefty seventy million dollar settlement. The remaining question is whether Madonna will wear her beautiful Rolex Masterpiece, or will she place it in a safe deposit box in order not to be reminded of her lost love?
Joining tennis icons Roger Federer and Andy Roddick, beautiful French Open Champion Ana Ivanovic signs a worldwide endorsement contract with Rolex, the leading Swiss watchmaker. As the only female tennis player chosen by the Geneva-based watchmaker, Rolex will employ Ana in their advertising and as an ambassador of their philanthropic and sporting ventures. Ranked #1 in the world by the WTA for nine consecutive weeks in 2008, Ana Ivanovic displayed her mettle as a top tennis player in 2008. Beyond tennis, Rolex respected Ana Ivanovic’s appointment by the United Nations as the Unicef National Ambassador for Serbia in September of 2007. Ivanović visited a primary school in Serbia during her inauguration and said: “I’m also looking forward to going into the classroom and meeting many kids.”
In the French Open shot, Ana Ivanovic is wearing a men’s Rolex Daytona, which is somewhat surprising. At this time, her endorsement deal barely was off the ground, and Rolex had not chosen her signature brand. What is remarkable is how well she wears the Paul Newman Rolex, and how the watch becomes both powerful and captivating. Later, Rolex decided Ana Ivanovic needed a watch to match her style and chose the gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Lady-Datejust as her signature model. In interviews, Ivanovic expressed her delighted surprise that such a reputable brand as Rolex would pick her for their team: “I’m very happy to be partnering with Rolex,” said Ana. “It’s one of the most prestigious companies in the world and it feels good that they have shown confidence in me by offering me this contract. I will enjoy wearing Rolex watches on and off the court.”
The official watch sponsor of the Australian Open and Wimbledon, Rolex was thrilled by Ana Ivanovic’s tremendous comeback in 2008’s Australian Open semifinal. Against Daniela Hantuchova, Ivanovic trailed 6-0, 2-0 in a match that quite simply appeared to be over. Appearances can be deceiving, and Ivanovic stormed back to win the match, 0-6, 6-3, 6-4. Even though she lost in the finals, her semifinal comeback was a career defining moment. Such a moment created the momentum that led to her exciting victory in the French Open final and her first grand slam title. Afterwards, she vaulted to the #1 ranking and remained at the top for nine consecutive weeks.
Here is an image from Ana’s visit to the Rolex display suite at the China Open in Beijing. During the visit, Ana met the regional director of Rolex in China and signed autographs for a throng of Chinese supporters. It is no wonder that Rolex would pick such a stylish and popular champion to join its team of champions. The leading name in luxury watches, Rolex has been the pre-eminent symbol of performance and prestige for over a century, and Rolex men’s and ladies’ watches combine elegance with precision.
Matt Damon believed in Rolex in the beginning, and such loyalty has remained even beyond the marketing deals of his successful film series. No matter what kind of watch the producers give Jason Bourne, Matt Damon wears a Rolex in his private life and gives Rolexes as incredibly generous gifts. But even Amazon.com knows Jason Bourne should be wearing a Rolex as expressed in a review of the last film on the Amazon site that, “with careful attention to detail and a plot that works like a Rolex, Ultimatum’s unrelenting pace never feels overblown.” The comparison makes perfect sense because no other luxury watch has both the dedication to quality and the record of accomplishment of a Rolex. When it comes time to surprise old friends, Matt Damon remembers this truth about the legendary wristwatch.
In 2002, the following story was reported in the London Sun: “Matt Damon went to a college reunion – and bought each of his 36 classmates a £2,200 Rolex watch.
The Hollywood heartthrob’s generous gesture cost him almost £80,000. A pal said: “He wasn’t showing off – he just wanted to let friends know he hadn’t forgotten about them. It was a shock when he turned up. Everyone thought he would be far too busy hob-nobbing with the rich and famous.” What kind of Rolex Matt gave his classmates remains a mystery, but his generosity remains admirable and impressive.
In his own life, Matt Damon wears a vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer 1016, perhaps the most collectible of the Rolex watches. In the shot at the poker table, Matt wears his Rolex Explorer. After reviving the poker movie genre and poker in general with Rounders, Matt became an avid player in his private life. He wears a Rolex at the tables because the watch reminds him of the precision and focus needed to win when playing against the very best.
Matt’s Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer 1016 has “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” written above the six o’clock marker. Fitted on a Rolex solid link oyster bracelet, the watch has a black matte dial and is powered by a Rolex caliber 1570 rotor automatic. In a recent photo shoot with GQ, Matt is wearing another Rolex, but the only identification the magazine supplies is, “Watch by Rolex.”
At the beginning of the 21st century, AskMen.com noted that, “Matt Damon is reportedly set to become the new face of Rolex watches. Sources claim the hunky actor is currently in talks with bosses about signing a lucrative deal to advertise the luxurious watches. A source said: “He’s hugely popular and would be brilliant as the face of Rolex.” Unfortunately, such a deal was never consummated, but Matt’s belief in and dedication to Rolex has never wavered, and the actor continues to wear and give the watches to this very day.
Genki Sudo, the Japanese K-1 Champion and Ninja Warrior Actor, was given a Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT Master for his 30th birthday by his father. In his Suki MMA online blog, Genki Sudo wrote: “The item I choose is a Rolex watch. I went to see my parents and told them about buying it. My dad said, you did great in your 20’s and I will pay for it.” Although MMA fighters are reputed to be as tough and brutish as their chosen sport, Sudo revealed true class in his choice of such a fine Rolex watch, living up to his nickname of the Neo-Samurai. Read the rest of this Rolex Watch Blog »
