Miranda
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Baselworld 2013: Rolex and Tudor Report, Part 1 Rolex
Anticipation was rife this year of a new Daytona, especially as 2013 marked the 50th anniversary of this iconic model. But before we head for the race track, this year also marked a transformation of Baselworld. Following a multimillion makeover, hall 1 has been give a new lease of life. So has the Rolex stand. Stand of course is very subjective, its probably fair to say its Rolex's fourth most important building after Geneve, Bienne and "Plan les watches".
So for those who have never been to fortress Rolex, here is a flavour
So onto the watches, and ofcourse we start with one of the most desired chronographs of the last 30 years. Ever since the launch of the automatic Daytona in 1988 with the ref 16520, there has been a waiting list for the steel model. Even today, whilst easierto obtain, it's still not found openly in shop windows.
The legend of the Daytona was perpetuated in the late 1980's and early 1990's by crazy Italians who particularly desired a rare multicoloured dial. Thisofcourse is today the legendary "Paul Newman". So called after the famous actor wore one. Infact Newman was a major fan of the Daytona, owning the 6239,6265, 16520 and the latest 116520. He was well known for waering his chrono's with the screw buttons unwound. He was ofcourse a keen racing driver.
The name Daytona was taken from the famous race track in Daytona beach, Florida. And even though Rolex maybe more reknowned for its legendary divers watches, its association with racing has been possibly just as strong. An association that goes back to Malcolm Campbell, who in the 1930's was hitting 301mph, wearing a Rolex Oyster naturally.
Some of the legendary Daytona from yesteryear:
The rumours were rife, a new ceramic bezel in blue, no green! nocrown guards...no, it will be platinum!
Platinum it was indeed, but Rolex three a curve ball. No one could have expected a brown ceramic bezel with ice blue dial and brown sub counters!
I have to confess, my initial reaction, the knee jerk if you like, was OH MY GOD-WHAT HAVE THEY DONE! I was sceptical untill this Monday gone, then I had it in my hand. And guess what, it was OH MY GOD time again, this time though, my jaw dropped, I looked at my wife , she looked at me, and we both knew. WE LOVED IT. I mean I really loved it. This thing is unique, its heavy- it weighs a tonne. The colours in real are fanatstic, they blend beautifully. I would say this Dayto has only one problem- its not photogenic.
Is it going to be hit? My friend at one of the largest watch retailers in the UK has alraedy 11 confirmed orders.....at £50,050 a pop.
Truth is, if money was no object, he would have 12. This watch amazing will go with a nice suit, jeans and brown leather jacket, it could be the only Rolex you ever need...(I use my iphone for the date, before you say it.. 
)
So please enjoy with me:
Next, the watch that teased us. The GMT Master, was it going to be Pepsi or Coke? neither, it was Batman ( I much prefer to "bruiser" and goes nicely with Hulk, )
This is a technological milestone. For the first time a single ceramic bezel is presented in two colours. A Rolex patent.
It is done by adding metallic salts to half the bezel before heating. Now for those wanting a Pepsi, here in my opinion is the problem: both red and blue are primary colours. So if you start with a blue bezel, its easy to add salt to make it go black, but would you do make it go red?
You could have a coke soon, Rolex as we know now have a patent for a ruby red ceramic, and making half black as we have seen is achievable. If Rolex can defy the laws of physics we may have a pepsi. I will wait to see the coke.
The blue is much nicer in reality, very rich deep blue.
Next, a watch I never thought I would see. The Yachtmaster 2 , the most complicated watch Rolex makes. My initial thoughts in 2007, were thi would remain precious metal, but they have done it! Perhaps the demand from those that actually race yachts was sufficient.
Once again it is a piece which is much nicer in reality than pictures. Am I tempted, ofcourse, but so many watches!
The Yachtmaster gives hope that we may see bimetal versions of the Sky Dweller one day, just a matter of time. Can you imagine a steel version with WG fluted bezel and black dial Sky Dweller!
Then we have possibly the most unexpected but potentially one of the most important new watch. A Day Date on a leather strap with new coloured dials. An interesting fact mentioned, in the UK, 70% of all new Day date 36mm now bought by woman! (fact: in the plane to Basel there were two lovely ladies sat in front of me, both wearing gold Zenith Daytona's).
What I really liked was the comfort link style deployant clasp. Fantastic idea, and something other manufacturers should learn from.
Finally some jewellery watches. My wife fell in love these, I have since booked her for pyschotherapy...
But even she agreed £50k, was best spent on platinum 
an interesting point, none of the representatives knew of any case change to the 116520 steel Daytona. I am at this stage assuming it was a "CGI error". But lets wait and see the new models from August onwards.
Also 1965 was the year of the launch of the 6241 and screwbutton 6240, so the steel Daytona ceramic bezel could well be 2015... watch this space.
I hope you enjoyed this resume.
Daytona.....feel the neeeeed for speeeeeed!!
Best
Imran
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To leave comments, please go to Imran's original report in Rolex forum, rolex.watchprosite.com
