The Real History Of The Rolex SEA-DWELLER

2010 Story Preview

The Real History Of The Rolex SEA-DWELLER

U.S. Naval School Of DEEP-SEA Divers

2010 is going to be an amazing year for exploring Rolex history on Jake's Rolex Watch Blog. In just a few weeks we will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the U.S. Navy Bathyscaph Trieste which in 1960 went down 7 Miles into the Marianas Trench to set the all time depth record and it had a Rolex DEEP-SEA SPECIAL attached to its hull which took the ultimate licking and came up ticking.

History doesn't seem like history when you're living through it...

Where did the name "DEEP-SEA" Special come from? And for that matter where did the name "SEA-DWELLER" come from? I will give you a few hints. Let's start with the photo below of the U.S. Naval School Of DEEP-SEA Divers. The pioneering U.S. Navy Officer who developed the Rolex SEA-DWELLER with Rolex is in the photo below.

The Right Stuff

Conquering Outer & Inner Space

If you say you are not aware of this significant history, I would not be surprised. You won't find it in any Rolex history books. You might find a false attribution to COMEX in Rolex history books for co-developing the SEA-DWELLER, and we will learn the true history of COMEX from Henri-Germain Delauze who is the founder and CEO of COMEX to this day.

In this previously unpublished U.S. Navy photograph we see the first actual SEA-DWELLER's from operation SEALAB. When I share their story with you in early 2010 it will blow your mind and make you laugh and cry. It is a story of happenstance and destiny fulfilled. It is a story of amazing innovation and stunning achievement. It is the story of how technology developed to conquer inner-space allowed men to conquer outer-space.

The Rolex SEA-LAB Submariner

[Reference 5512]

In particular, we see U.S. Navy test pilot and NASA astronaut Scott Carpenter pictured above standing in the front row in the center wearing a suit. Scott was the first Astronaut/Aquanaut in history as he went from conquering outer-space as a member of the Original 7 Mercury NASA astronauts to conquering inner-space as a member of the U.S. Navy SEALAB program. Scott is pictured below during SEA-LAB II in 1965 wearing his Rolex SEA-LAB Submariner [Reference 5512].

The U.S. Navy SEA-LAB provided the ultimate proving-ground and test-bed for the Rolex Submariner tool watch. SEA-LAB pushed the Rolex Submariner watch models as they had never been pushed before into the deep, dark ocean.

SEA-LAB pushed far beyond the absolute DEEP-SEA edge of the Submariner depth envelope and ultimately to failure. SEA-LAB exploration took DEEP-SEA divers to previously unimagined and unprecedented depths and Rolex innovation responded voraciously by turning their ceiling into the new floor.

As we will learn in this upcoming story, the Rolex SEA-LAB Submariner is the real father of the Rolex SEA-DWELLER.

Werner's Double Red SEA-DWELLER On A Blue NATO Strap

Werner's Double Red SEA-DWELLER

On A Blue NATO Strap

Rolex Macro Shot Of The Day Bernhard's Rolex Reference 6263 Chronograph

Rolex Macro Shot Of The Day

Bernhard's Rolex Reference 6263 Chronograph

Rolex Coolness: Henri Delauze Founder & CEO Of COMEX

2010 Story Preview

Rolex Coolness: Henri-Germain Delauze

Founder & CEO Of COMEX

I though I would share some previews with you for amazing and exclusive Rolex History stories we have coming up for 2010 on Jake's Rolex Watch Blog!!! The photo below is from the upcoming exclusive COMEX story on Jake's Rolex Watch Blog.

Henri Delauze is not only a diving legend, but he is also the founder and CEO of the French diving company COMEX. I asked Henri if we could take some pictures for the upcoming COMEX story that showed him wearing his trademark ROLEX COMEX SEA-DWELLER and as you see, he graciously obliged.

I asked him if we could take some photos where you could see the COMEX designation on his SEA-DWELLER because I realized there previously were not any–at least that I have ever seen. I also completed an amazing podcast interview with Henri which will be part of his story and we will have a tremendous amount of exclusive COMEX history that has never been shared with the public.

The photo below of Henri Delauze was taken several months ago in Marseilles, France. Henri is 80 years young today and still not only runs COMEX, but he is in great shape and still dives regularly. His story will blow your mind!!!

Oh, by the way, in the COMEX story, we are going to separate the fact from the fiction once and for all on COMEX's role, or lack thereof, in the development of the SEA-DWELLER!!!

The French COMEX/Cousteau Connection

Update: just to give you a frame of reference I included this profound photo of Hernri-Germani Dealuze that was taken in Southern France in Fontaine de Vaucluse in 1955 and it shows a young Jacques-Yves Cousteau at 45 years of age standing in front of a much younger Henri-Germain Delauze–at age 26–who would go on to found the revolutionary French diving company, COMEX. At the time Dalauze was a Cousteau team diver.

This image is so profound I decided to crop and zoom it in for you. What makes this image so profound? It is an image of two French revolutionaries. Two men who would forever change the world of diving. Jaques-Yves Cousteau co-invented the Aqua-lung which brought SCUBA Diving to life and Henri-Germain Delauze ended up being perhaps the greatest beneficiary of this technology. It is so profound to consider the man on the right in the picture below taken 55 years ago is the same man pictured at the top of this story. That is some profound math. A photo taken 55 years ago in 1955!!!

French Diving Pioneers Jacques-Yves Cousteau & COMEX founder Henri-Germain Delauze in 1955

Ryan's ROLEX COMEX Submariner...

Ryan's ROLEX COMEX Submariner

Since we were just checking out Henri Delauze, I figured we would check out a really rare Rolex COMEX Submariner. Very cool.

Cure Acoustic Greatness....

Cure Acoustic GreatnessLove Cats + Close To Me
I don't know if you have noticed all the cool music videos lately on Jake's Rolex Watch Blog, but I have really been enjoying all the great music. I grew up on The Cure and it is so great to check out this recent acoustic set from the Cure sining two of their best and most classic songs. If you like The Cure, you are going to love this. If not check it out anyway. Enjoy!!!

Rolex Watchcase Shot of the Day: Roger's Single Red Big Crown

Roger's Single Red Big Crown

Rolex Macro & Studio Shot Of The Day: John Eaton's LV Submariner...

John Eaton's Macro Magic

Up-Close With The LV Submariner

Desktop Wallpaper: Hubble R136

Hubble Space Desktop Wallpaper

On Jake's Rolex Watch Blog we spend much time exploring outer and inner space. I love checking out high-resolution NASA images from the unbelievable Hubble telescope so I decided to ad a new feature where we will explore incredible NASA images which I optimize for use as desktop wallpaper.

This stunning NASA Hubble was taken by the Wide Field Camera 3 aboard NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and it reveals a massive star cluster nestled in the largest known stellar nursery in our local galactic neighborhood. This massive stellar grouping is named R136 and is only a few million years old and resides within the 30 Doradus Nebula, which is a turbulent star-birth region in the Large Magallanic Cloud (LMC) which is a satellite galaxy of our Milky Way Galaxy.

If you click on the first image below it will give you an image that is 1600 x 900 pixels. For those of you who have the amazing new Apple 27inch iMac I prepared a higher resolution version which is 2560 x 1440.

The image below is 1600 x 900 pixels so I am showing it zoomed in 100%, just so you can see all of the stunning detail. If you want to see even more beautiful detail, click on the green link above the first image that says 2560 x 1440 pixels.

1926 Rolex Oyster Advertisement...

1926 Rolex Oyster Advertisement

Rolex invented and patented the first waterproof watch in 1926 and Hans Wilsdorf named it the Rolex Oyster. Today we take waterproof watches for granted, but in 1926 it was a completely revolutionary invention.

The objective with creating a waterproof watch originally was not to make a watch you could swim or take a shower or bath with, but a watch that was completely impervious to all elements. You see, prior to the invention of the Rolex Oyster, watches used to literally rot from the inside out. This would occur because things like humidity, perspiration, grease, dust, dirt, water and oil would get into the watch case and gunk it up.

Also, by allowing air molecules to easily get inside the case, it would dry out the lubrication oil much faster. In the 1920s and 1930s, Rolex would showcase their watches in Authorized Rolex Dealer's windows, but putting the watches on display in fishtanks with real fish to show-off the waterproofness.

The Following Rolex illustration is from 1926:

White Gold Rolex Submariner from Rolex.com

White Gold Dream

This shot is from Rolex.com of the beautiful all-new Supercase white gold Submariner. You have got to love those Maxi-Makers and fat hands.

Take A Wonderful Tour Inside The Christmas White House...

Christmas Splendor From The White House
This is an amazing HD video of the Christmas White House. As soon as I complete the current series I am working on I intend to resume the Presidential Watch Sunday Series on Jake's Rolex Watch Blog, but in the meantime, please enjoy this video on The People's House.

Looks like the Republicans and Democrats might just pass health reform.

Rolex Oyster Date With Applied Rolex Dial Logo

Martin's Rolex OYSTERDATE

With Applied Rolex Dial Logo

I always really liked the Rolex vintage watches with the applied Rolex logo on the dial. An applied Rolex logo on the dial differs from all Rolex watches today which have the ROLEX logo or name printed on the dial.

The reason it is named "Applied" is because each letter has feet under it that slot into tiny holes on the dial to secure them to the dial. I prefer Applied because the gold letters are much more dimensional and not only add more visual interest, but also glow or shimmer under different lighting conditions.

I also dig the red date on the date wheel, which gives the watch moxie!!!!

Random Video of the Day: Nancy & Frank Sinatra Jr. Singing Something Stupid

Nancy & Frank Sinatra Jr.Singing Something StupidOn The Smother's Brother's Show 1967
Today's Random Retro Video of the Day, is about as good as it gets. My friend Jessica turned me onto this and it is CLASSIC!!!! Enjoy!!!!
You've gotta dig the red 3-button sport coats with the skinny black tie and french-cuff look the Smother's Brothers are sporting!!! Frank Sinatra Jr., and his sister both had amazing voices and style and charismatic presence as well...

An Amazing Christmas Wish & Stunning Time Quote!!!!

An Amazing Christmas Wish

& Stunning Time Quote!!!!

Hi Everybody!!!

Gerard (G.J.) is from the Netherlands and he is not only a fan of Jake's Rolex Watch Blog, but just a great guy with an awesome appreciation for Rolex. He just sent in this very, very, very, very nice Merry Christmas wish and I have to share it with you:

Hey Jake & Leo,

Just wanted to wish you both, your families and loved ones a Merry Christmas

and a happy, successful but most of all healthy New Year.

And a big fat thanks to the both of you for your wonderful Rolex blog.

It's a pleasure to read it and look at the wonderful pictures, excellent

work guys..!!!

I found a nice signature on a Dutch forum.

It was the signature of member Marc-B1:

Time is free, but it's priceless.

You can't own it, but you can use it.

You can't keep it, but you can spend it.

Once you've lost it you can never get it back

All the best guys, keep blogging..!!

Kind regards from the Netherlands,

Gerard

Gerard, You are the best!!!!! and from my family to yours, I wish you a very merry Christmas and nothing but the absolute best in the new year!!!!

Your pal,

Jake

Have Yourself A Very Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Hi Everybody!!!!

A Very Merry Christmas to everybody and if you don't celebrate Christmas, I wish you a very Happy Holiday season. Dan Pierce took this stunning Christmas shot of his Rolex GMT Master which I am convinced is a Swiss Army Knife in disguise.

San Francisco Rolex Christmas GTG

San Francisco Rolex Christmas GTG

What Fun We Had!!!

We had an impromptu San Francisco Rolex GTG at Perry's on Union Street in San Francisco the night before last and it was really, really fun. Union Street is always beautifully lit up during the holiday season which gives it a great winter-wonderland vibe. Perry's is totally classic and as I have said before, it Rolex were a restaurant it would be Perry's on Union Street in San Francisco. Perry's has great food, great service, great ambiance and it is very reasonably priced.

We will have the formal SF GTG probably in about 3 months, but Seth just threw this one together at the last minute.

Pictured below from left to right is Braden, Seth, Scott, Joe, Lisa, Jacek and I am not in the photo since I took it.

There were some amazing vintage Rolex watches that were pretty mind-boggling. Jacek showed up with all kinds of incredible vintage Rolex watches including a Single Red Submariner, Double-Red SEA-DWELLER and a white porcelain dial stainless Daytona.

Seth was funny, because he showed up with different Rolex watches on each wrist. Braden showed up with his 1953 White Dial Rolex Explorer which was really something else.

In the photo below I am sporting Joe's off-the-hook, over-the-top vintage 1954 Rolex Submariner with the Black Explorer dial and he is wearing it on a Corvus Real James Bond NATO. You can learn all about the Corvus Real James Bond strap by clicking here or you can go straight to purchase one by clicking here. I actually took this wrist shot just for Cam (James) at Corvus, since I know he loves the the 3,6,9 Submariner on his Real Bond Nato.

This next shot is great to me because Joe is a real vintage Rolex fanatic of the highest order!!! He just looked so interesting with his really cool loupe with a build in high-powered LED light and sitting next to Joe is his gorgeous wife Lisa. Lisa is not only beautiful, smart and very nice with a great sense of style, but she also loves Rolex and she always kind of shocks me at Rolex GTGs when she starts speaking passionately about minute Rolex details that most advanced Rolex fanatics would not even know about.

We all had such a great time!!!

Funny Side Story

I remember when I first ran into RolexForums.com. I was doing research on the LV Submariner and I kept running into the pages on RolexForums.com.

It is really funny because Leo (The Idle Swede) and I were talking yesterday about the San Francisco GTG and I reminded him about how when I first met him, I was asking him about what a GTG was and he was telling me how fun and heartwarming they were. I remember thinking when I saw Milos write-ups about the NY GTG how I though everybody looked crazy!!!

I was laughing with Leo about how when I originally ran into the RolexForums.com how I thought all the people were completely bananas. I though, what a bunch of weirdos!!! I specifically remember seeing J.J. Irani on almost every page on RolexForums.com and he had somewhere around 45,000 posts!!! I thought to myself that these guy were all nuts with way too much time on their hands.

In retrospect, boy or boy was I wrong about online Rolex forums and GTG's. I have met so many great friend and interesting people. To me, the online Rolex community seems like a huge extended family.

Happy Holidays Everybody!!!!!

Jake

Have A Groovy COMEX Christmas...

Have A Groovy COMEX Christmas

And A Very Happy New Year

Bernhard put up this vintage 1979 COMEX Christmas card set on his superb 100PercentRolexBlog which you can see by clicking here.

Rolex Studio Shot of the Day: Raydin's Stainless Steel Rolex Submariner

The Power Of Simplicity

Raydin's Stainless Steel Rolex Submariner

Quote of the Day: Plautus On Real Friends...

"Nothing but heaven itself is better than a friend who is really a friend." –Plautus

Beautiful Christmas In Prauge Video...

Beautiful Christmas In Prauge

Shot With A Canon 1DMKIV in HD

What a beautiful holiday treat!!! This amazing video was shot with the all-new Canon 1DMKIV Digital SLR by Philip Bloom. It is just amazing how well this camera can capture scenes in the dark with its amazing censor. I can imagine what Ansel Adams could have done with this camera!!! I recommend watching it full screen!!!

Merry Christmas from Stefano Mazzariol

Merry Christmas from

Stefano Mazzariol

Rolex Outdoor Shot of the Day: A Swedish SEA-DWELLER by The Sea Shore

A Swedish SEA-DWELLER by The Sea Shore

Tony Axelzon from Sweden took this great shot of his Rolex SEA-DWELLER in a mysterious place.

Rolex Coolness: Dabney Colman

Rolex Coolness: Dabney Colman

From Mary Hartman to Buffalo Bill

Dabney Coleman has had an amazing career as an actor in movies and TV spanning over 40 years. His Film career has spanned many decades and began his film career in an Elvis Presley movie named The Trouble With Girls.

Dabney went on to star in mega-hits like The Towering Inferno, Nine To Five, Tootsie, War Games, On Golden Pond, Dragnet and the Beverly Hillbillies.

In Television, he played many different roles, including being on The Outer Limits, Barnaby Jones, Columbo, Mary Hartman-Mary Hartman, and Fernwood Tonight. He starred in two hit TV series, Buffalo Bill and The Slap Maxwell Story.

On of Dabney Coleman's most memorable roles came in Nine To Fine and he is seen below with his costars from Nine To Fine, Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda.

Wrist Shot Of The Day: Manta's Submariner

Wrist Shot Of The Day

Flying The Friendly Skies of Vintage Rolex

[Manta's Submariner: Reference 1680]

Vintage Christmas 1930 Ladies Rolex Ad

Rolex Hotness: Art Deco Divinity

Christmas 1930 Ladies Rolex Ad

So I realize this image is not very legible, but it is from 79 Rolex Christmases ago and Hans Wilsdorf was in his prime when this ad went to print. He had recently launched his Rolex Oyster which was the worlds first real waterproof watch and he was just preparing to launch his next huge innovation just a year later in 1931, which was the Rolex Perpetual–the first self-winding watch in the world!!!!

Christmas 1930 was a great Christmas for Rolex and Hans Wilsdorf!!!

I LOVE the style of this ad. It is hyper-elegant, stylish, pretty, feminine and très chic...

Wrist Shot Of The Day: Blacked Out Milgauss

Wrist Shot Of The Day

Blacked Out Milgauss

On A Blacked Out NATO

Rolex Studio Shot of the Day: Bodacious Big Crown Subs...

Dr. Strong

Quantities Of Quality

Bodacious Big Crown Subs

Jeff, a.k.a., Dr. Strong took this stunning photo of his vintage big crown Submariner Rolex watches with no crown guards. If only you spoke hovitos Dr. Jones!?!

Time Quote Of The Day: Bertrand Russell

Time Quote Of The Day

Even though time be real, to realize the unimportance of time is the gate of wisdom. –Bertrand Russell

Rolex Hotness: Jessica Simpson...

Rolex Hotness: Jessica Simpson

Upside Down Rolex President

Wrist Shot Of The Day: Dalip's Baby Grabbing for His Rolex LV

Wrist Shot Of The Day

Dalip's Baby Reaching for His Rolex LV

I always think it is really cute when people take photos of their kids with their Rolex and I imagine that is one of the things that makes Rolex special. You don't see people taking wrist shots with their kids while wearing a Timex or Patek–at least I haven't.

Roger's Albino Rail Grail Explorer

Roger's Albino Rail Grail Explorer

This is a very unusual early Rolex Explorer II with a white 24 hour hand. Of course the standard color for the 24 hour hand became orange.

Rolex Macro Wrist-Shot Of The Day...

Rolex Macro Wrist-Shot Of The Day

Bisquitlips Mother-Of-Pearl Yacht-Master

[Reference 16623]

Bisquitlips is the funniest avatar name in the online community. Every time I see it, it makes me giggle :-))))) Speaking of Bisquitlips, if you have never seen his avatar up front, you've gotta click here to check it out!!! How beautiful is that Tahitian pink and green backtoned Mother-Of-Pearl dial!?!?!!!!

I also love how on yellow gold Rolex Yacht-Master dials, how Rolex uses gold paint for the writing and minute marks. One of the other details I love on the Yachtmaster is the Maxi-Markers and Fat-Hands. This watch really is some kind of wonderful!!!

Rolex Coolness: Randy Nopasri

Rolex Coolness: Randy Nopasri

Rolex Submariner

Randy is a daily reader of Jake's Rolex Watch Blog and has been a great Pal. Most of you know Randy by his avatar handle, Steelinox which he is sporting on his Rolex Shirt by Leo.

I can't tell exactly but it appears Randy is sporting his LV Submariner with a customized black bezel insert. Merry Christmas Randy!!!!!

A Vintage Rolex From Beyer in Zürich, Switzerland...

A Vintage Rolex

From Beyer in Zürich, Switzerland

Beyer in Zürich, Switzerland is one oldest watch retailer in the world and they and they are about to celebrate their 250th Anniversary in 2010. This vintage Rolex Oyster appears to be from the late 1920's or early 1930's.

It's very interesting (T. Walker Lloydism) how this watch and the one in the post below it both have special Rolex AD reseller dial designations on them, yet one is from Switzerland and the other is from South America.

Merry Christmas From John Goldberger In Italy

Merry Rolex Christmas

From John Goldberger

In Italy

John Goldberger is the author of 100 Superlative Rolex Watches and he sent in these photos of a very rare vintage Rolex along with wishing everybody a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season.

This very rare vintage Rolex is a pink gold Triple-Date Dato-Compax [Reference 6036] that was made in 1953 and sold by Serpico y Laino is Caracas, Venezuaela. What a watch. Thanks for sharing John!!!

Tiger Woods Wife Elin Woods Prefers Rolex...

Rolex Hotness: Elin Woods

Tiger Woods Wife Prefers Rolex

Tiger Woods wife, Elin Nordegren-Woods was born in Stockholm, Sweden and she is pictured below wearing a Rolex Submariner.

I am not going to go into any detail about the challenges Tiger Woods is facing today. Tiger is an amazing golfer–perhaps the greatest that ever lived. It really kinda sucks to watch him fall so far so fast from grace.

The Tiger Tudor

Tiger Woods is pictured below with his father who was his trainer until he passed away. Tiger is pictured wearing his trademark Tiger Tudor made by Rolex. Tiger said his father Earl Woods was not only his best friend, but the best friend he could ever have in his life because they were so close.

Rolex signed a deal with Tiger Woods to make a Rolex Tudor Tiger model for years. I always thought Rolex was stupid for not making Tiger a Rolex Ambassador after his contract with Tudor expired. Boy was I wrong!!!! I'll bet Rolex is so happy that he is not a Rolex Ambassador today!!!!

Update: Tiger Wood's Time Is Up

As of December 18, 2009, Tag-Heuer dropped Tiger Woods from their United States advertising campaign. Tag-Heuer originally stood up for Tiger stating that his personal problems were not their business, but on December 18, Tag did an about face and dropped Tiger. This was after Accenture and Gillette pulled Tiger ads.