June 2023 By Sarra Essouayeni, In Paris
This year, Rolex will do what watchmakers love: celebrate the anniversary of some of their most legendary models.
Watches have something in common with wine: some years are more prestigious than others. At Rolex, 2023 is shaping up to be a big vintage and a tribute to a glorious past. Given that 1953 and 1963 were historic years for watchmaking.
For the famous brand with the green crown logo, 2023 is an opportunity to celebrate the anniversary of some timeless models like the legendary Submariner, the first consumer watch to be waterproof up to 100 meters. Still as popular after seven decades of reincarnations faithful to its original style, the Submariner met with considerable success at of its presentation at the Baselworld show in Basel, in the north-west of Switzerland.
In 1953, the famous Swiss house also unveiled the eternal Exploring, after the Everest ascent of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tensing Norgay, the first mountaineers to reach 8,848 meters above sea level, on May 29 1953. The two adventurers wore an Oyster Perpetual for their feat, featuring the distinctive black dial and the 3, 6 and 9 numeral dial icons with Chromalight display. The Explorer was born from Rolex’s close ties with the world of adventure.
Ten years later, in 1963, Rolex pulls out the iconic Cosmograph Daytona, a true car racing track reference watch, whose image is associated with motor racing enthusiast like Paul Newman and Jean-Paul Belmondo. Struck a mere 60 years ago, the Daytona is not yet thinking of retirement with a 4130 calibre, equipped with a 72 hour power reserve. We will also find the Cosmograph Daytona on the wrist of the winner of the Le Mans 24 Hour race on the occasion of the 100th edition of the event this summer(June 10-11, 2023).
The anniversaries of the Submariner, Explorer and Daytona offer a wonderful opportunity to discover the Rolex boutique located on Fashion Avenue at the Dubai Mall, the largest Rolex point of sale in the world – a 850 m2 space, designed in partnership with Ahmed Seddiqi.