The "brand with the crown" is recognized worldwide as an invaluable sports implement and luxury product. This book traces the manufacturer's development from the 1920s, when it began its steady rise to unprecedented international appeal, to the present. Explore the ingenious innovations in technology and marketing behind the prestigious company's swift success. Browse the images and devour the historical and technical details of some of Rolex's most reliable models: the Submariner, on which divers depend to get them safely back to the surface; the Cosmograph and Yachtmaster that auto-racers and boat captains trust for their precision and durability. Get the latest reports and performance tests results on Rolex items: rugged or elegant; classic or contemporary. From the beginning, the sponsorship of statesmen, movie stars, and athletes has driven its success, but Rolex has since expanded to include more than just the rich and famous.

The history of Rolex is inextricably linked to its founder Hans Wilsdorf, who took the first steps in the world of Swiss watchmaking as he dreamed about a timepiece that could be worn around the wrist. This experimental research led Rolex to achieve its highest goals in both technological innovation and in the use of the finest materials alone. Its models have been photographed on the wrists of political leaders, sports champions, and film and fashion celebrities, transforming each Rolex into a fully-fledged status symbol, a synonym of elegance and precision. Including essays with a historical and technical slant, in-depth descriptions of the most representative pieces and a brief glossary, the pages in this book sparkle with golden hands, diamond-studded dials and patent-leather watchbands, illustrated in period photographs and macro-detail. The volume ends with a chapter dedicated to the most amazing auctions that saw the sale of the Geneva-based company's vintage watches. AUTHOR: Mara Cappelletti, journalist and consultant for many publications by antiquarians and jewellery historians, she is also a professor of the history of jewellery at the Istituto Superiore di Arte Orafa Galdus. In collaboration with Osvaldo Patrizzi, watch collector and world-class watch expert. SELLING POINTS: * The history, icons, and the record-breaking models of the Geneva-based Rolex watch company * A lavishly illustrated book for the lovers of watches, elegance and precision 150 colour illustrations

- An exhaustive appraisal of the Rolex watch, including studies of vintage models, current designs and special editions- Learn how to spot fakes using the same clues as the experts- Invaluable to any watch-lover, especially aspiring Rolex collectorsHorological trends flit by faster than ever in today's fast-paced society. But Rolex does not rely on gimmicks; theirs is a more perennial allure, with a reputation built on traditions and hard-earned skill. A company that innovates while paying homage to their roots, every Rolex is the cumulation of centuries of watchmaking expertise. Within this book you will find explanations of the making process, descriptions of the materials involved and expert commentary on what makes each Rolex wristwatch unique. The Book of Rolex demonstrates how each model fits its social milieu, present and past. It also addresses the multitude of fakes on the market, including the so-called 'Frankensteins' - watches made from a mixture of real parts and forgeries, which are notoriously hard to spot - imparting all the skills needed to pick counterfeits out of a line-up. A holistic view of Rolex watches, this book promises to be as timeless as the brand itself. Should you be considering a Rolex, this book will convince you of its worth as an investment.

Informative text and hundreds of photos are a fitting testament to the world-renowned Rolex brand. Respected wristwatch expert and historian Gisbert L. Brunner shares his extensive subject knowledge once more. A must-have for watch collectors, enthusiasts, and anyone wishing to become one.

PRESENTATION: LEARN EVERYTHING ABOUT MODERN AND VINTAGE ROLEX DAYTONA ROLEX DAYTONA STORY describes every single Daytona reference, from its origin until today providing all the essential details for collectors, enthusiasts and dealers. All references are presented with the dates of the beginning and of the end of production; each model is illustrated with all those characteristics that determine the value and the rarity of the watch. All the illustrations in this volume are exactly what collectors have always dreamt of: large, beautiful and depicting every little detail of all the watches. Are you a watch collector and want to know every little detail about Rolex Daytona? Have you only recently approached the world of Rolex watches and are you looking for reliable answers to your doubts? Are you a watch dealer and want to know exactly what you buy or sell? Do you want to know the real value of your Daytona watches? Do you want to know the real value of your Daytona chronographs? For all this and much more, this book is perfect for you Attached are the updated estimates of all published watches. TOPICS The important dates of the Daytona, the chronological production table, the “Paul Newman” dials, the Daytona dial makers, the Greek letter “sigma”, the customized dials, the faded dials, the calibers used and their differences, the aftermarket dials, the push-buttons, the bezels, thewinding crowns, the “underline” dials, the “Tropical Dials”, the bracelets, the gold hallmarks, the enamel dials, regular 6 and inverted 6, the updated estimates of all published watches. All models are accompanied by the descriptions of all those characteristics that determine the value and the rarity of the watch, such as: Bezels – Bracelets – Buttons – Calibers – Case back – Cases -Dials – Dials with changing color – Diameter – Hallmarks – Hands – Indexes – Inverted 6 – Lugs – Movements – Papers – References with their period of production – Sigma – Spare parts – Winding Crown.

“I’ve paged through stacks of books on the history of watches. . . . But I hadn’t come across a book that actually moved me until I picked up A Man and His Watch. The volume is filled with heartfelt stories.” —T: The New York Times Style Magazine "There are a bunch of beautifully illustrated watch books out there, but A Man & His Watch by Matt Hranek is more than that. It speaks to the nature of watches as deeply personal items." —Gear Patrol, Coffee Table Books Our Staff Can’t Live Without Paul Newman wore his Rolex Daytona every single day for 35 years until his death in 2008. The iconic timepiece, probably the single most sought-after watch in the world, is now in the possession of his daughter Clea, who wears it every day in his memory. Franklin Roosevelt wore an elegant gold Tiffany watch, gifted to him by a friend on his birthday, to the famous Yalta Conference where he shook the hands of Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill. JFK’s Omega worn to his presidential inauguration, Ralph Lauren’s watch purchased from Andy Warhol’s personal collection, Sir Edmund Hillary’s Rolex worn during the first-ever summit of Mt. Everest . . . these and many more compose the stories of the world’s most coveted watches captured in A Man and His Watch. Matthew Hranek, a watch collector and NYC men’s style fixture, has traveled the world conducting firsthand interviews and diving into exclusive collections to gather the never-before-told stories of 76 watches, completed with stunning original photography of every single piece. Through these intimate accounts and Hranek’s storytelling, the watches become more than just timepieces and status symbols; they represent historical moments, pioneering achievements, heirlooms, family mementos, gifts of affection, and lifelong friendships.

The name Rolex is recognized around the world. As an icon of beauty, quality, accuracy, style, and taste. While there are other fine manufacturers of timepieces, none has reached this pinnacle of public respect and acclaim. The watches produced by Rolex over the last 90 years are celebrated in this lavishly illustrated classic, now in an expanded second edition. Dowling and Hess, both acknowledged Rolex authorities, have captured the watches' beauty in color photography and present the most thorough and extensive history written of the company. Information for collectors and newly revised market values of the watches make this a truly useful volume, one that will be cherished by watch lovers around the world.