FRIDAY WEAR...3.23.2012

A very perfect Rolex 5513 Meters First with a stunning original ghost bezel. This is one of my favorite pieces since it is so versatile and comfortable to wear!

NEW!! Rolex Deepsea Challenge!! Not practical but yet so functional!!

So here we have it ladies and gentlemen....the Rolex Deepsea Challenge! This is what dreams are made of in Rolex world. A 51.4mm hunk of machinery with capabilities people never knew was possible. The watch can withstand extreme pressures of water, being able to dive to depths of 12,000 meters (ALMOST 7.5 miles!!!) Just thought of it is insane. Although no single person would ever be able to dive that deep....just humanly not possible.....it is good to know that your watch will always keep running if you ever do end up at the bottom of the ocean. 

This piece is produced due to the Deepest Challenge, the 2nd dive down to the Mariana Trench and the single deepest part of the world's ocean. Mariana Trench is located in mid-Pacific between Japan and Philippines. Rolex has partnered up with National Geographic and James Cameron to attempt the second dive with all 3D ready file gear ready to capture every moment. It will be a sight to see the unknown! They will go down in a single capsule submariner meant to dive vertically downwards with 2 of these Rolex Deepsea Challenge strapped on! 

Although Rolex has stated that this is an experimental watch, meaning only a couple are produced for the feature, many sources have stated that this may turn into a production piece. We can't rule this out and is very possible since Rolex has devoted much marketing into this piece, it would not make sense to capitalize on the opportunity. And believe me, even though this is not a practical everyday piece, collectors all around the world will pick one up...or TRY to pick one up. Who knows how many will be made. There can't be many as this will be a very funny piece sitting in a jeweler's case next to more practical pieces. And one thing we know for sure is Rolex is a business bottom line and they will always produce plenty of pieces that will sell and not so much of pieces that won't. I see this piece made in very few numbers if it does come into production and sold either by specialty order, boutiques, or only select AD's will get them, similar to the SS Daytona several years ago. It would not make sense to make this into full production as many people except collectors would never buy it. I have also heard prices will be around 20k-25k EUR. But as a collector this is a piece I would try to obtain for sure if it does make it out as the historical significance and rarity of it is just so great! Visit Rolex.com to obtain more info on this VERY special piece:

Check out some direct links to Rolex themselves: 

http://deepseachallenge.com/the-expedition/rolex-deepsea-history/

http://www.rolex.com/en#/world-of-rolex/sports-and-culture/exploration/the-rolex-deepsea-challenge


Check out some fantastic videos on the current Rolex Deepsea Challenge and the history of the 1st attempt with the Trieste Deepest Dive documentary. 

A lume shot comparison:

Very unique Rolex 6265 up for auction at Sotheby's May 15th, 2012 Geneva

Let's start out with this very cool and unique looking Rolex Ref. 6265 4,1M series that is being auctioned off by Sotheby's on May 15th in Geneva. These pictures was taken by the one and only famed Rolex collector Philipp Stahl who recently met up with the auctioneers to get a preview of the samples being auctioned in the coming months. This particular piece is a never seen before unique dial configuration of a stainless steel piece with what appears to be a black with gold subdials and the word "Daytona" printed in red on it. In addition, it seems to have gold hour markers which is very unique and never seen on a SS Daytona before. Usually they are in silver. But as Geoffroy Ader, Director at Sotheby's, claimed this piece came from the original owner.

I guess it is unknown whether this dial is original to this particular watch or at the same time, it could have been a special order. I guess we will never know and the speculation will continue. But nevertheless, it is very unique example as this dial configuration of black with gold subdials and red "Daytona" has never been seen before. 

As mentioned, this piece along with several other rare pieces will be auctioned off at Sotheby's May 15th, 2012 in Geneva. Interested parties can contact:  

Geoffroy Ader

Director 

European Head of Watches

Geneva Watches, Tel: +41 22 908 4702

Email: geoffroy.ader@Sothebys.com

(All photo credits to Philipp Stahl on VRF).

(All photo credits to Philipp Stahl on VRF)

  

Rolex Seadweller "Triple 6" Matte w/ Mk1 Caseback

This is a very early Rolex 16660 Seadweller Matte Dial in superb condition. The dial on this piece is in perfect condition and 100% matching and original untouched condition. What makes this particular piece so special, is its caseback. As part of the very early batches of Triple 6's, this example is one of the few that has the Mk1 caseback. It was at a period where Rolex was transitioning from the 1665 plexi crystal to a sapphire crystal 16660 shown here. Thus, this caseback is viewed a transitioning to the newer type casebacks where it features a single coronet (Rolex crown) instead of a double coronet apparent on later series Triple 6's. 

Most of these Seadwellers were used as true tool watches in its every sense and very few survived scarless through time. Fortunately, this particular example was an original South African piece sourced from its original owner who was a watchmaker there. This watch was found in the owner's drawers untouched as it came. I was told it was a gift from his wife and that the watch was worn a couple of times but because he did not like the weight of it, it sat for the next couple decades before being sold to a collector in Germany. Fortunately, the watch was survived with all its paperwork and trinkets. 

As people begin exploring vintage watches they will be told the same advice by veteran collectors that condition is always key. And condition can be determined differently by each collector and to me and most, it's always condition as it should have looked when the watch came off the line at Rolex when it was first produced. Also retaining complete and utter originality is very key. You can always make a look shiny but you can never bring back it's originality to its forms once overly polished. Here are some shots of the true condition of this piece. 

Welcome to HENNABAV ~ It's your lifestyle Blog

From a very early age, I had an admiration for Rolex timepieces. At that time, it was the Rolex Yachtmaster 16622 that caught my eye. The subtleness combined with it's elegance of a platinum bezel and a stainless steel band became a dream in my mind. I would say to myself one day, I'll get one of those. Well that day has come. Today, my watch collection consists mainly of rare and collectible Rolexes, including both modern and vintage.

During this blog, we will report on news from different watchmakers and pieces available for sale as pieces come and go from my collection. If anyone is ever looking for that special piece whether as a gift for yourself, family or friend, let me know and I will be more than happy to help source the perfect piece for you. For references, I am an active member on a number of forums under the same handle "hennabav". 

In addition to selling, we also buy 100% authentic timepieces. If you get sick of your piece and want to sell it in, let us know what you have!  ~ JY