Rolex are undeniably one of the most recognized luxury watch makers on the face of planet earth, boasting incredible heritage and innovation, through the likes of the Submariner, Datejust, Daytona and many others have become icons all around. However, Rolex produces many other watches outside of some of the more well-known ones, such as the Rolex Air-King. The Air-King is often a forgotten watch from Rolex, yet offers an incredible amount of watches with some great distinctive and unique features. From a small 34 mm case with a simplistic dial to a 40mm case with a busy dial, this watch has one of the most drastic evolutions out of all of Rolex’s models ever made. Today we are going to cover everything you need to know about the Rolex Air-King.
The Rolex Air-King has been a model within their line-up that has sometimes been ignored and forgotten about however it has just as much rich heritage as any other model Rolex has to offer. Being the only pilot's watch created by Rolex, this piece has really stood out from all the other models and with its evolution of refinement over time, it really has become an incredible timepiece today. However, it took Rolex many decades to get it right and through improved features it has definitely become a watch to look at and consider for anyone wanting a do-it-all watch. Understanding where this watch came from and how it became what it is today is crucial to really appreciate it and see how it really is an icon of a watch in its own way.
The Rolex Air-King made its debut in the early 1940s, originally designed as a tribute to the pilots of the British Royal Air Force who fought in the Battle of Britain during World War II. Being designed for pilots to wear makes this more of an aviation/pilots watch in design however compared to other pilots watches it was slightly less obvious. The Air-King featured the same oyster case Rolex has become so famous for making which gave the watch 100 metres of water resistance. Its robust construction and precise timekeeping quickly earned it a reputation for reliability and became a favourite among aviators. Over the decades, the Air-King has undergone several transformations, incorporating advancements in technology and design while retaining its signature aesthetic.
Source : Rescapement
The first Rolex Air-King had a 34 mm case, which by today's standard may be small, at the time in 1945 was the classic case size for men and women to wear. The first model had the reference 4925 and came on a leather strap, you can easily have mistaken the model for a Datejust as the dial and case shape were incredibly similar. The key difference was that the Air-King did not feature a date and had classic Arabic numerals for each hour on the dial. This was because whilst roman numerals or your classic baton stick hour markers are legible, Arabic numerals make it much easier to quickly read the time on your wrist. Given that it was targeted for pilots or those needing to easily and quickly read the time, the dial design made sense.
It was not until 1957 that Rolex then created the Air-King model reference 5500, which was when you could see the Air-King we know today slowly take shape. Still featuring a 34mm steel case, the Air-King now had the classic three-link all brushed oyster bracelet giving it more of a rugged tool watch look and feel to it. However, the major change now was seen on the dial, gone were the highly legible Arabic numerals and in with the stick batons. The Air-King slowly became more integrated with the other models Rolex offered and you really would have found it hard to tell it apart from an oyster perpetual.
Source : Rescapement
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Over the next 25 years Rolex would play around with the Air-King quite some bit, releasing some interesting bezels and dials experimenting which signs would stick best for the watch. Instead of just coming in a cream white dial colour, blue and black were introduced along with a variation of a fluted bezel to give the watch that extra bit of Rolex flare. In the late 1980s Rolex Air-King had a collaboration with Domino's Pizza, probably the most surprising collaboration you’d expect from Rolex. You could tell Rolex used this line to experiment around with new styles and quickie collaborations. That said, they still ensure the watch was a good fit within the Rolex
In 2007 the Rolex really began to take shape and now featured a balanced dial between stick hours markers and Arabic numerals at the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock position. Perhaps the most surprising thing about the newer Air-King is that the case size still has not changed at all, making it one of Rolex’s longest running models without a case size increase or decrease. The 34mm size was still in use and gave the watch an excellent balanced proportion look. However, soon enough Rolex would give the Air-King some major updates and change most features of it but still preserve certain elements of the original design and look. That said, whilst you can look back over time and see the original Air-King's DNA in the modern-day models, it has changed far more dramatically than any other Rolex watches evolution.
Source : Xupes
In 2014 the Air-King was discounted but brought back to life again in a new form in 2016 with the model reference number 116900. The 34mm case is long gone by now and the newer more modern proportioned 40mm case size was introduced to the line. This case incident was the exact same as the Milgauss’s case, giving it that tool watch yet dressy look at the same time. Featuring the modern Rolex oyster link bracelet all-brushed and with a 5mm easy-link extension too. The Air-King was now becoming more practical and having the modern day Rolex upgrades allowed people to now start wearing it everywhere and anywhere including swimming. The immaculate black glossy dial with bold Arabic numerals for every hour played tribute to its first iteration. The added touch of green for the seconds hand and dial print with the yellow Rolex crown gave the Air-King a bit more personality.
Additionally, 2014 through to 2016 was the year that Rolex briefly pushed the Air-King further by creating a version designed to be installed as an instrument on the dashboard of racing cars. Given the newer and highly legible dial, the Air-King was tailor made for both the aviation and motorsport industry and Rolex was not going to hang around, they were going to prove its tool watch worthiness! Rolex created a variation of the Air-King that would end up being fitted to a car trying to break the record for being the fastest land speed vehicle ever made. The car in question was the Bloodhound SSC which was built to go to a speed of near 1600 km/h, a speed that almost seemed impossible to achieve but the Bloodhound did. This gave the Air-King a good bit of visibility and proof of its ability to be a tool watch, being on the dashboard of a rocket ship car setting an impressive speed record is never a bad thing to claim!
Source : Time and Tide Watches
Then in 2022, with all the rumours about the Air-King being discontinued were all soon revealed, Rolex did what they do best, continuous improvement. The Newer Air-King reference 126900 was released and at a quick first glance not much had changed. However, the second you stopped to spend any time with the watch you would quickly realise that the newer model had some major updates. From an external perspective, the added addition of crown guards made the watch have slightly more wrist presence and gave it that classic Rolex sports watch look. The added ‘0’ before the 5 brought the perfect symmetry to the dual and the major upgrade was the bracelet. The bracelet was the same however the clasp now featured the Rolex sports oyster flip-lock clasp with the 5 mm easy-link extension. The new Air-King suddenly had much more wrist presence, sporty look and feel with a more elegant slimmer case compared to the previous generation (1.7mm thinner).
The upgraded new calibre 3230 now lay at the heart of the Air-King giving the watch a generous 70 hours of power reserve. A movement proven to be unbelievably reliable and durable so you know no matter what scenario you ding yourself in, the Air-King can easily handle anything you throw its way. With a precision of -2 / +2 seconds per day, exceeding the standards set by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), accuracy has never been higher. It also features Rolex's patented Parachrom hairspring, which offers greater resistance to shocks and temperature variations, ensuring optimal reliability and accuracy in any situation. With a recommended service interval of 10 years, the Rolex Air-King is going to be a watch you can rely on whether or not you wear it as an occasion piece or a daily. However, with its work horse of a movement inside, 40mm slime case and all brushed finishing the Air-King was perfectly designed to be worn all day every day.
Source : Time and Tide Watches
The Air-King for the longest time has been known as the ‘ugly duckling’ or the ‘weird’ looking Rolex model but the more you spend time looking at it, the more you start to appreciate just how much of an incredible watch it is. Especially the newer 126900, it’s a watch perfect for wearing with a shirt thanks to its slimmer case design but also great for wearing during sports or swimming. Thanks to the new addition of the Rolex oyster flip-lock clasp you can even take this watch diving to 100 metres if you really like! The Air-King has often been overshadowed by all the other models, with the release of the spirit and new Daytona at the same time as the 126900, the Air-King went unnoticed. But if you are looking for a do-it-all watch that offers impressive features and that modern-day Rolex sports watch feel that this model really is worth a look at.
In summary, the Rolex Air-King has been their pilot swatch offering for the longest time and whilst it may have been similar to a Datejust or Oyster Perpetual, the newer version of the Air-King really is its own unique watch. With an impressive heritage to both aviation and land speed-setting vehicles, the Air-King is definitely an impressive watch. The more sporty case shape and upgraded claps makes the watch a perfect balance between an elegant dress watch and a sporty do-anything tool watch. The versatility of the Air-King is what’s most impressive and with the pop of green, yellow and black gives you the ability to play around with a bit of colour when it comes to strap options. ZEALANDE offers the perfect watch strap for you 116900 Air-King with a choice of over 8 colours to play around with and a high-quality tang buckle or OEM Rolex deployment clasp compatibility option available to you. The newer 126900 has slightly wider lugs by 0.5mm but the universal ZEALANDE strap can be fitted onto the model.
There are not many brands that have had a rollercoaster of support quite like the way TagHeuer have, from loved to unloved TagHeuer’s rich history has seen much change and development and many love it but some refuse to ever purchase one. Whilst today the brand is a fantastic watch maker that offers incredible timepieces for various occasions, it was not always the case during their more troubled mass production of cheaper watches. Some people never forget but for the most part people admire what the brand has done today and especially given where they came from. However, there is definitely no design. It is an excellent watchmaker with a vast amount of knowledge, experience and craftsmanship behind them. Today we are going over everything you need to know about TagHeuer so you can better understand their history and appreciate some of their icons.
Tag Heuer first started off as Heuer in St-Imier in Switzerland in 1860, another area of Switzerland home to other well-known watchmakers like Omega. Heuer went on to create some of the world's most iconic watches such as the famous Carrera, with its strong and sharp angles, the association with motorsport is where Heuer took the brand. Starting out with pocket watches in the earlier days, Heuer soon moved onto chronograph pocket watches as motorsport grew in popularity, the sport indeed more accurate chronographs and that’s where Heuer’s vision began. It was in 1887 that the first breakthrough for Heuer occurred when he developed the oscillating pinion which allowed the chronograph to start and stop instantly with the use of a push-button. This was the found Heuer described as the perfect chronograph as you could very easily time a lap and quickly reset it for timing the second lap.
With Heuer heading into the 20th Century with a plethora of knowledge in chronograph making, they were ready for a new era of aviation and motorsport, and athletic sports across the board. With greater technological advancement came the need for a more practical use of clocks, and timing methods, so in 1911 Heuer began installing his chronograph pocket watches on the dashboards of both planes and cars. Pilots could now time their flights thanks to the new Heuer 'Time of Trip’ chronographs installed on their dashboards.
Drivers, both for leisure or competitive racing, could also now easily time either a journey or their lap times with just a quick glance at the dashboard. Previously they would have to pull into the pit stop to receive their timings from someone else timing them but now they could see for themselves.
Just a few short years later in 1914, the era of pocket watches was slowly fading and more people began to wear wrist watches, so Heuer naturally grew and evolved with the times and produced his own wrist watch chronograph. Heuer’s watches were known for their accuracy and durability and were soon teh go-to-watch for the Olympics, Formula 1 and the Indianapolis 500 and many other sporting events around the world.
Source : Vintage Heuer
Source : Hodinkee
Fast forward to 1935 and Heuer created an aviators watch, the ‘Flieger’, which was a pilots watch and the band saw more growth as a result, then in 1949 the ‘Solunar’ came along. The Solunar could track the moon, the tide and speed over a distance which became an excellent tool watch for sailors, fishermen and travellers around the world. Heuer continued to push the limits of their designs and innovation capabilities and in 1962, Heuer became the first Swiss watch brand to travel to space. Strapped on the wrist of American astronaut John Glenn was the Heuer stopwatch which timed his 4 hour and 56-minute flight. Then soon after came the updated pilots watch, the Autavia, however what really stole the show for Heuer is what would go on to be one the most iconic watches ever built, the Carrera.
In1963 Heuer created the first Carrera with its sharp angles and association with motorsport. Heuer really romanticised the idea of Horology and motorsport together and you can see that throughout their history with Heuer becoming the first non-automotive logo to appear on a Formula One car. Little fun fact, the famous Ferrari driver Niki Lauda wore his Heuer 18 karat chronograph gifted to him by Heuer himself! Then a watch in 2023 that impressed the world from TagHeuer, the Skipper chronograph, was first released by Heuer in 1968. Designed for timing sailing boat races, it had a stunning unique colourful dial and benign a 39 mm size chronograph meant it could be worn on most people's wrist extremely comfortably.
Probably the watch everyone thinks of when they hear TagHeuer, in 1969 Heuer was still on a roll and released the iconic Monaco with its very distinctive square case.
The watch became even more famous by the famous Hollywood star Steve McQueen. However, Heuer was soon to move away from their innovative automatic watches and pursue the new horological craze of the early 1970’s, quartz watches.
By 1979 Heuer had released its classic iconic dive watch range which would later be the foundations of the now known Aquaracer. Heuer played around a lot with colour and style with different bracelet materials, sizes and bezels, the collection grew quickly into their number one selling watch at the time.
Source : Monochrome Watches
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It was in 1985 that Heuer was merged and became the brand we know today, TagHeuer. TAG being an acronym for Technique d’Avant Garde, brought in huge financial resources and marketing and very soon put their skill set to use. You could go as far as saying that was the end of Heuer as everyone knew however, despite the watches to come from TagHeuer, 2020 saw the rebirth of going back to their origins and re-releasing some of those much loved Heuer pieces.
In 1985 the ‘Series 2000’ was launched, essentially a 200m divers watch that now started to take more the shape of an Aquaracer from today's designs. Just one very short year later, the ‘Formula One’ was launched, a series known to be of an entry watch into the brand. It featured a plastic case, rotating diver’s bezel and rubber watch strap making them very light and easy to wear, and because they were so cheap people could make a small collection of them in different colours, much like Omega MoonSwatch.
TagHeuer did not stop there, another year later in 1987, the TagHeuer link was introduced as their more upmarket watch, designed to be worn with a wetsuit and enjoy sporting activities but then be worn with your dinner jacket as you sat enjoying a fancy meal overlooking the Monaco harbour after the Grand Prix. TagHeuer never lost sight of their interests in Formula One and being one of the few brands at the time to be heavily involved with motorsport, TagHeuer continued to incorporate forms of motorsport functionality and designs into their watches.
The TagHeuer Link could be found as the daily watch for the legendary driver Ayrton Senna wore an S/el, a model that became the base for the Link range, with its gold accents on the bezel and dial, chronograph design and quartz movement meant the watch was mega accurate and lightweight. Something any racing driver practically only cared about! TagHeuer continued to produce more and more watches and before long they were one of the most profitable watch brands out there so naturally attracted the attention of a few investors.
Source : Time and Tide Watches
1999 was the year the enormous LVMH group bought TagHeuer, the brand had colossal financial and marketing powers all over the world and they would use that to their advantage to sell even more TagHeuer’s to the public worldwide. There is of course no right or wrong moments for brands, merely history, however you can begin to see how the brand started off as just a pure Swiss boutique brand head-over-heels in love with producing fantastic watches and motorsport to a watch brand controlled by a giant luxury goods firm.
Source : Time and Tide Watches
However, despite the new owners, some models were pushed as a way to make more money for the brand but Heuer watch engineers were still on the scene and helped get the TagHeuer Monaco V4 in 2004 to the market. A special Monaco edition designed to look like a race car's engine was definitely a bold design for its time and kept the original vision alive from the Heuer family. 2004 also saw the birth of the well-known Aquaracer line with its classic diver’s case, rotating bezel and polished centre link bracelet making it a very versatile watch to wear.
In 2010, TagHeuer created and released their first in-house chronograph movement since being bought by LVMH, the Calibre 1887. What was so special and fantastic about the Calibre 1887 is that it featured a column wheel and the same style of oscillating pinion that Heuer had patented in 1887. The Calibre 1887 would be the movement that powered a new generation of TagHeuer Carrera chronographs and served as their base movement; they would design many of their other chronograph movements later.
TagHeuer also started to introduce more of their Carrera watches on rubber straps to give them a sportier look and feel, but above all TagHeuer still wanted their watches to be worn by racing drivers and therefore put that at the centre of most of their designs and concepts when creating watches. You can see this today in 2024 with the Red Bull Formula One team crew and drivers alike wearing many of TagHeuer’s watches, but given they sponsor the team, you would also expect to see their watches on the team's wrist too!
2015 onwards became the new era for Tagheuer, they started to realise that whilst they did offer some excellent watches, there was an increasing demand for more original and traditional designs. TagHeuer were known for making watches around the 43mm size and whilst it was in demand in the early 2000’s, the watch world slowly started shifting to more sensible sized watches around the classic 36mm to a nice 41mm case size as opposed to huge and thick watch cases.
TagHeuer had the perfect history of smaller designed chronographs, watches like the Carrera and Skipper to launch again paying closer tribute to their roots. From 2015 through to today in 2024, Tageheuer have re-launched several of their vintage style chronographs with modern technology and durability, giving their customers the best of both worlds. The likes of the Carrera, Aqauracer, Skipper, Glassbox chronograph and for those who love the extra tech, the TagHeuer connected offers you an alternative to the Apple watch from a brand with its history rooted deep in Swiss watchmaking.
Source : Hodinkee
And there you have it, a glimpse into the history of TagHeuer and as you can now see the brand has experienced much change and different phases within its life but it still retains the classic roots of motorsports and chronographs in its DNA thanks to the watchmaker Heuer. The watches they offer today really are going back to the original designs that made the brand watch it is today and that’s not only nice to see but also greatly appreciated by many watch enthusiasts around the globe, to see the brand finally going back to the watch they did best. With TagHeuer being a brand known for its connection to sports, ZEALANDE can help you to get that perfect sporty watch look, you can now buy your TagHeuer on the bracelet and not worry about missing out on a high-quality rubber strap. ZEALANDE have designed the perfect strap for your TagHeuer and you can now play around with colour, fit and style to ensure you get your own unique deserted feel of your TagHeuer on your wrist.
The Rolex GMT-Master II is one of Rolex’s most classic and iconic watches, made famous in the late 1950’s by pilots and people working in different time zones, the original blue and red bezel combination has become a highly desirable piece. Rolex did not stop there, they have since released many colour variations including red and black, blue and black, all black, dark and light brown and more recently a black and dark grey and black and green colour combination.
Whether you choose to have it on the sporty looking oyster bracelet or the elegant classic jubilee, the Rolex GMT Master II is an excellent watch, however setting the time for multiple time zones can be difficult. No doubt there are many GMT Master II owners who do not know themselves how to set it properly, so today we are going to explain how to set the Rolex GMT Master II.
Before diving into the setting process, it's crucial to familiarise yourself with the various features of the Rolex GMT-Master II to understand what you are trying to do. This watch boasts several functions, including the ability to display three time zones simultaneously, thanks to its distinctive 24-hour rotatable bezel and additional hand. The first step, maybe an obvious one, in setting your Rolex GMT-Master II is to unscrew the crown.
The crown is located on the right side, unless you have the newer left-handed GMT Master II, of the watch case and is typically screwed tightly to ensure 100 metres of water resistance. Gently unscrew the crown by turning it counterclockwise until it springs out, this is position 1, in this position you can wind the watch up if you need to.
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If you want to track a third time zone, you simply rotate the bezel one click forward or backwards for every hour you are either ahead or behind from your current local time. Whilst you can track three time zones, it can take a minute to read the time off your watch so tracking just two time zones is usually good enough and makes your life easier. It is nice to know that you can track a third one but it does complicate things. The Rolex GMT Master II is easily one of the best travel watches out there and is an excellent watch to use either for working in different time zones or travelling on holiday and checking you are not about to accidentally call your family at 2am in the morning when it’s midday where you are!
Mastering the art of setting a Rolex GMT-Master II is a rewarding experience that enhances your ownership of this exceptional timepiece. By following these step-by-step instructions and familiarising yourself with the watch's features, you can ensure that your Rolex GMT Master II will always display your desired time. Whether you're a frequent traveller or simply appreciate the craftsmanship of fine watchmaking, the Rolex GMT-Master II is a timeless watch that feels great on the wrist, on either the jubilee or oyster
Source : Tiger River
If you happen to be looking for a more comfortable option and perhaps a sportier look, or even a less conspicuous look, ZEALANDE offers the perfect high-quality rubber strap for your GMT Master II. Either with a classic tang buckle or the choice to use your Rolex’s deployment clasp, you can play around with a few colours to get your perfect look and fit for your GMT Master II.
In 2024 Tag Heuer have created and produced some new and incredible pieces, adding to their extensive line up of watches from sports the way to dress pieces. Every Tag Heuer has its own unique functions, designs and style so it’s therefore only natural that Tag Heuer creates the perfect strap for each of their watches. Each strap is different, whether that is because of the materials used like leather or metal, or design functions such as glidelock or micro pin, however, all Tag Heuer watches can have their strap changed. Some Tag Heuer models come with a few straps to give you the flexibility and choice to swap them out depending on what you are doing or what look you would like your Tag Heuer to have.
With there being so many different independent strap manufacturing companies, it can now be very tempting to change your current Tag Heuer strap for a new one to change up the look of your watch. Despite many people just sticking with the original strap, we thought it would still be really useful to know how to change your Tag Heuer’s watch strap so you can choose to switch up the look should you ever want to.
Probably the most common strap Tag Heuer makes, their metal bracelets are known for the unique designs, functional features and comfort. Whenever you head into a Tag Heuer boutique or visit their online page you can quickly tell it’s the strap option they offer the most compared to leather, rubber or nylon. Tag Heuer makes quite a few of them and they come in a variety of different metals though, steel is probably the most common but then you can have a two tone gold (rose, yellow and white) and titanium. Of course, each of those metals will not only look different but feel different, especially in terms of weight, however Tag Heuer rarely uses solid gold on their bracelets, instead they make solid gold cases or bezels! Metal bracelets are often seen as the easier option when putting a watch on your wrist compared to other strap options.
Source : Time and Tide Watches
Source : Time and Tide Watches
Once you have sized your Tag Heuer bracelet to your wrist, it’s just a case of sliding the watch on and closing the clasp and as quick as that you’re ready to go. However that can also be a downside, you need to have links taken in and out which can take time and require skill, and even once it’s sized you may need to change it depending on the temperature as your wrist heats and cools causing it to expand or shrink. Certain Tag Heuer bracelets have clasps that allow you to make these adjustments quickly like the Tag Heuer Aquaracer with its diver’s extension link, however most of their models do not share this feature. So, changing your Tag Heuer bracelet for a rubber, leather or nato strap can be quite attractive especially in Summer time when your wrist contracts in a cool air conditioned building and then expands when you walk out into warmer weather.
Tag Heuer uses metal bracelets to give both a formal and casual look, not to mention it’s quite durable. Of course, being durable will also depend on the type of metal, for example yellow gold will scratch a lot easier than steel, especially when it is plated gold so when you change your strap you will want to take extra care. If you want to change your current strap out for another strap like leather or rubber for example, you first need to remove the steel bracelet from the watch. The first thing to do is turn the watch over and set it down on a soft material on top of a table so you don’t scratch the crystal. Then, use electrical tape to cover up the lugs so that when the spring bars come out, they don’t scratch the lugs. You don’t need to do this if scratching your watch doesn't bother you, but if you like to keep your watch in the best condition you can, then we recommend doing this to avoid accidental scratches.
Source : Monochrome Watches
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Especially if your watch is made from precious metal like the Carrera glassbox in solid yellow gold! Once you've protected your watch lugs by covering them up you can now use one of two tools to remove the bracelet, the first is with a spring bar tool. This is probably the most popular and certainly cheaper way out of the two, you slide it in and use the fork end to push the spring bars inwards and then use your other finger to gently push up on the bracelet. Then swap over to do the same on the other side and voila! Repeat this process on the other side as well, regardless of whether your strap is metal, leather or rubber, this process is the same.
However, if using a spring bar tool is too difficult, and even those with years of experience can still find it hard to use, the second way is to use a tweezer style spring bar tool, whilst costing more, it avoids getting your watch scratched up because unlike the first tool, it pushes in both ends of the spring bar at once. All you have to do is simply line up both forks at each end of the spring bar, squeeze and pull up and that should remove your bracelet in one clean action. Not only is it quicker but you also have more control which helps avoid the spring bar accidentally springing across the room or scratching your Tag Heuer watch lugs. This process will be the same for rubber, leather and even nato straps as well. Once you have removed the bracelet, take out the spring bars from the end of the links and then you can put them through the holes in your rubber, leather or nato strap. However, if the spring bars that came with your bracket are too wide or thin, you may need to buy a new set of spring bars to make sure the new strap fits perfectly, don’t worry, they aren’t expensive or hard to find!
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Once you have got your spring bars fitted into your leather or rubber strap, you now reverse the process. It should go without saying but make sure your new strap width is the same as your Tag Heuer’s lug width, otherwise you’ll have a very hard time getting it to fit! With the spring bar tool, push one end in first and then compress the other end and gently push it in until you feel and hear a small click. That way you can be sure your new strap is securely attached to your watch.
Source : Monochrome Watches
With the tweezer style spring bar tool, simply compress both ends of the spring bar and carefully slop the strap in place, then move it around slowly until you hand and feel a click like with the spring bar tool. Once you have done this for both straps, you’re good to go! One quick tip, before putting your new strap on, make sure it is the right way around on the watch to avoid having to take it off and put it back on the right way round.
Source : Digital Trends
Another way to change your strap can be done with no tools at all. This is because the spring bar that holds the strap or bracelet to your watch case is fitted with a ‘quick release’ function. All you have to do is pull down on the small lever or push the button and the strap will come out. Tag Heuer uses this feature a lot on their connective watches so you can quickly change the colour of your rubber strap. Hopefully Tag Heuer will include this feature on some of their other models like the Carrera Skipper models because watches like the Tag Heuer Connected watches, the Skipper comes with a few strap options like nato and leather straps. Having a quick release system would be excellent to make Tag Heuer watch strap changes that bit quicker and easier for everyone.
There are many other brands who use this system on their bracelets and straps too so you can buy the quick release spring bars cheaply as well, however, with the small lever on it, you should first check whether your strap can accommodate it or not. Rubber and leather straps tend to fit these more commonly than metal straps due to the nature of the end link on a bracelet being made to fit a normal spring bar.
Rubber straps tend to have a shorter covering at the back to reveal more of the spring bar, this is because you can then use curved spring bars to help fit the strap even better. Hence it can often fit a quick release spring bar as well so the lever can be exposed.
One additional way to do this is to take your Tag Heuer watch to your AD or a local watchmaker/ shop and get them to change it for you, this is great if you really don’t trust yourself to do it or have the tools (yet). You don’t need to worry what type of strap you're changing to and from as the watchmakers at AD and even assistants are usually all quite experienced at both adjusting and changing straps.
However, they may charge you to do it and it is quicker to change it from your home since you won’t need to travel to a watchmaker every time you want to change your strap.
Source : Clothbase
The easiest of all straps to change on your Tag Heuer is from one nato strap to another. Nato straps are probably one of the most secure and easy straps to use as each spring bar is connected to a separate loop going around your wrist. Hence if one spring bar breaks, whilst your Tag Heuer will be flapping around, it will still be connected by the other spring bar unlike a normal strap or bracelet. Once you have got your Tag Heuer with just the spring bars attached, all you have to do is simply slide the strap over the top of one spring bar, pass it underneath the case and over the top of the other spring bar. It’s that simple. To change them, reverse the process and then do it again to attach the new one.
And there you have it, if you’re looking to change out your Tag Heuer watch strap from one style to another, you can use a simple spring bar tool, a tweezer style spring bar tool or even no tool if it has a quick release function! Of course some specific watches can only take nato straps so no issue there and if you’re not feeling up for the task or simply don’t want to do it yourself, just head out to your AD or local watchmaker and they should be able to help you out. Now that you know the different methods to change your Tag Heuer watch strap, you may be more tempted to. If you like the lightweight yet durable sporty look and feel of rubber then you’re in the right place! Here at ZEALANDE we can offer you a variety of different swiss style rubber straps designed for your Tag Heuer. From the popular Aquaracer to the Monaco and the Carrera, you can select different colours for different looks and once fitted you can size it perfectly to your wrist.
And there you have it, if you’re looking to change out your Tag Heuer watch strap from one style to another, you can use a simple spring bar tool, a tweezer style spring bar tool or even no tool if it has a quick release function! Of course some specific watches can only take nato straps so no issue there and if you’re not feeling up for the task or simply don’t want to do it yourself, just head out to your AD or local watchmaker and they should be able to help you out. Now that you know the different methods to change your Tag Heuer watch strap, you may be more tempted to. If you like the lightweight yet durable sporty look and feel of rubber then you’re in the right place! Here at ZEALANDE we can offer you a variety of different swiss style rubber straps designed for your Tag Heuer. From the popular Aquaracer to the Monaco and the Carrera, you can select different colours for different looks and once fitted you can size it perfectly to your wrist.
Tudor was previously known as a poor man’s Rolex and you would only choose Tudor because you couldn’t afford other watches from different brands. However, in recent items, this could not be further from the truth. Tudor have grown and become very successful with each of their launches for new and improved models, but it can be a bit confusing to know which watches belong to which family. The first thing to understand is that the Tudor Black Bay range actually first came to life in 2012 and it has massively grown since then, but despite all the many different models, they all have 200m of water resistance. Today we are going to take a closer look at Tudors most popular and successful watch line, the Black Bay range.
With regards to which models from Tudor sit under the Black Bay range, they have a total of 9 different models, however you could argue it is slightly less than that because some of them are the same model just made from a different material. The first model you’ll see on their website is the Black Bay, the classic 41mm diver watch that started the line off all together. The all new red bezel BB 41 with a jubilee bracelet has really caught the attention of the watch press and its new glidelock clasp has massively improved its wearability. The second one is the famous BB54, a watch that has now offered people with smaller wrists a chance to comfortably wear an excellent divers watch with all the features you’d want in a neat package.
Source : Monochrome
In sixth and seventh, the next line up is the very famous BB58 and 58 Bronze, interesting to see how Tudor created a whole separate line for the Bronze BB58, but then again it is the only BB58 model that features Tudors glidelock clasp. First launched back in 2018, the BB58 is Tudors dive watch offering, it still has the same 200m of water resistance as all the others in the Black Bay line up, however it has an aluminium diver’s bezel that can be used to safely time your dives.
Source : TeddyBaldassarre
Featuring the classic three link bracelet with faux rivets along the side, the BB58 is an extremely wearable dive watch at 39mm. This range is also the range with by far the most variation in terms of material choice, you can choose between steel, yellow gold, silver, and even bronze!
Source : Worn & Wound
Next up in eighth in Tudors Black Bay range is the Tudor Black Bay Pro, many people wonder what the difference between this model is and the BB GMT, but there are a few. The first is the BB Pro can only track two time zones, as it does not have a rotating bezel like the GMT model does. For those with smaller wrists seeking a dual time zone watch from Tudor, this could be the one for you as the lug-to-lug measurement is 3 mm shorter compared to the BB GMT. However, the biggest difference is the clasp, the BB Pro has the Tudor glidelock clasp allowing for 5 mm of quick adjustment without any tools making it an excellent all-round watch to wear for everyday and sporting activities.
Finally, in ninth, the last model in the entire range is the P01, a watch from Tudor not often seen but it still remains an alternative style divers watch. The most interesting thing about this model is that it only comes on a leather strap which is typically not an ideal strap choice if you want to go swimming with it! The 42mm divers watch has a more rustic design with the crown down at the 4 0’clock position, the P01 is a great watch to set you apart from everyone else.
Source : Hodinkee
And there you have, all 9 different models within the Black Bay range at Tudor currently offered in 2024. Despite all of them having their own differences the BB case guarantees you the same 200m of water resistance so you can wear your watch in confidence dressed up for a meal or in swim shorts about to five in the pool! However, for an even more comfortable fit and sporty look, ZEALANDE offers perfectly made rubber straps designed for your Tudor, something no other brands do!
The Rolex Daytona is one of the most iconic and sought-after watches in the world. Named after the Daytona International Speedway in Florida, this luxury timepiece is made with high performance, precision, and style. Whether you're an avid watch collector or new to the world of luxury watches, understanding the history, design, and features of the Rolex Daytona can deepen your appreciation for this remarkable timepiece. To many, this is the most complete and aesthetically pleasing watch made in the rolex lineup, and a watch any collector desires to have. However, this watch is more than just a very good looking, well-made iconic timepiece, it is a watch that many collectors love because of its rich history embedded in motorsport. Today, we are going to delve into the history of the Rolex Daytona so you can fully appreciate this incredible timepiece.
The Rolex Daytona was introduced in 1963, designed specifically to meet the needs of professional race car drivers. Paul Newman, a renowned actor and avid race car driver, was frequently seen wearing his Rolex Daytona, a gift from his wife, Joanne Woodward. His particular model, characterised by a unique Art Deco-style font on the sub-dials and a contrasting colour scheme, came to be known as the "Paul Newman" Daytona. The main purpose of the watch was to accurately measure each lap time and calculate average speed with precise measurement with speeds upwards of 200 mph, which is essential in the world of motor racing. This distinctive design, featuring a black or white dial with subsidiary dials in a contrasting colour, is highly sought after by collectors.
The Daytona International Speedway, constructed in 1959, quickly gained a reputation as one of the world's most prestigious racing circuits. Rolex saw an opportunity to capitalise on this growing popularity by making a strong relationship with the racetrack, thus the name. Rolex has always had the incredible ability to know when to get involved and use marketing in the perfect way to create something iconic instead of over-marketed. With horology slowly growing in popularity, Rolex knew that this would be the perfect opportunity to create a purpose-built elegant sportwatch associated with motosport. Bear in mind back in the early 1960’s people didn’t have the ability to post pictures of their timepiece on Instagram of themselves wrist-rolling theri timepiece with an F1 race track in the background like today. So, Rolex would then go on to slowly and carefully build the Daytona around motorsport creating its association within the world of racing so strongly it would leave a forever mark in the industry, as evidenced today.
Source : Rolex Magazine
Source : Bob’s Watches
The Rolex Daytona typically comes in a 40mm Oyster case, known for its durability, water resistance and striking look. The watch features a tachymetric scale on the bezel for measuring speed, a crucial function for the purpose of the watch; racing. The dial is clean and legible, with three sub-dials that track hours, minutes, and seconds for the chronograph function. The Daytona is the first watch anyone would think of after hearing the word chronograph, as it is such an iconic feature and design on the Rolex Daytona, serving a specific purpose for race drivers.
Initially, the Daytona used manual-winding movements, but in 1988, Rolex introduced automatic movements in collaboration with Zenith. In 2000, Rolex unveiled its own in-house automatic movement, the Calibre 4130, which is known for its reliability and precision. After having added their own in-house movement to their watch, the desire to have the Rolex Daytona exceeded expectations as it was now a fully in house made Rolex watch, marking a changing point in the history of the Daytona.
The Rolex Daytona's versatility and appeal have significantly increased by its availability in a variety of materials, catering to a wide range of tastes and preferences. The classic stainless steel models are highly prized for their resilience and understated elegance, making them a popular choice for both casual and formal occasions. For those who want a touch of opulence, the Daytona is also offered in luxurious gold variants, including yellow, white, and the distinctive Everose gold, a unique alloy developed by Rolex.
The gold models have a sense of prestige and are often complemented with diamonds or other precious stones for added allure. For the pinnacle of luxury and rarity, the Daytona in platinum stands out with its substantial feel and distinct aesthetic, often featuring ice blue dials exclusive to Rolex’s platinum models, that only Rolex's best customers have the opportunity to acquire directly from them.
Source : Swiss Watch Expo
Source : Watch Collecting
John Mayor, an extremely renowned singer-songwriter and guitarist, is a passionate watch collector and a notable fan of the Rolex Daytona. His love for this particular model has led to the creation of a special edition known as the "John Mayer Daytona." This custom Rolex Daytona features a unique dial design, which combines elements from various vintage Daytona models, showcasing Mayer's appreciation for the watch's history and aesthetics.
Furthermore, beyond the choice of metals, the Daytona's allure is moreover amplified by its diverse range of dial colours and designs. Rolex continuously innovates with new dial options, offering everything from classic black or white to vibrant and expressive colour tones that cater to individual tastes and trends. You can also find variety in the bracelet where most Daytona’s are available with the Oyster bracelet, but there are variations, like the leather strap found on some earlier and special models and also rubber straps that are usually found on the gold case variation. Rolex occasionally releases special or limited edition Daytona’s, often characterised by unique design elements or commemorating significant events or anniversaries. These are typically produced in limited numbers and are highly sought after by collectors. For example, one of the iconic updates is the platinum Daytona to commemorate the model's 60th anniversary. At first glance, it may appear as a little update, but there's more than meets the eye. Flip over the exclusively platinum timepiece to uncover its hidden gem: the brand-new Calibre 4131, proudly displayed beneath a see-through case back, ready for admiration. A new history of the Rolex Daytona was made with this update.
Source : Monochrome Watches
Proper maintenance and care are essential for preserving the functionality and aesthetic of the Rolex Daytona, ensuring it remains a treasured piece for generations. Regular servicing, which has been recommended every 10 years, is crucial for mechanical precision and longevity. During servicing, the watch is disassembled, cleaned, and any worn components are replaced. The case and bracelet are also carefully polished to restore their original gleam.
Owners should avoid exposing the watch to extreme temperatures, chemicals, and magnetic fields, which can affect its performance. For daily care, it's advisable to gently wipe the watch with a soft cloth to remove dust and fingerprints. The Daytona's water resistance should be checked periodically, especially if the watch is frequently used in water, although it has got a 100 metre water resistance. Storing the watch in a dry, temperate environment when not in use is also important to prevent damage. This is advised if keeping your Rolex Daytona as an investment and in a safe in order to keep the longevity of the watch to a maximum.
Source : Chrono Hunter
The Rolex Daytona has gone beyond its initial purpose as a tool watch for racing, becoming a cultural icon in its own right. Its association with high-profile personalities, especially Paul Newman, has embedded it deeply in the world of motorsport culture. The Daytona is often seen as a symbol of success and a statement of refined taste, frequently appearing in films, television shows, and on the wrists of celebrities beyond the racing world. This cultural importance has played a significant role in shaping its identity as more than just a timepiece, but a representation of luxury, achievement, and a certain lifestyle aspiration.
The watch's design, which balances elegance with functionality, has also influenced fashion and design, becoming a benchmark for luxury sports watches. Collectors and enthusiasts often share stories about their Daytona’s, whether it's how they came to acquire one or the personal significance it holds, further contributing to its status. The Daytona’s impact on watchmaking in the culture of watches has positioned it as an iconic timepiece that other brands look up to and aspire to be able to craft.
The heart of the Rolex Daytona's exceptional performance lies in its movement. Initially, the Daytona was equipped with manual-winding movements, which required daily winding by the wearer. In 1988, a significant evolution occurred when Rolex introduced the Zenith El Primero-based automatic movement, marking the transition to self-winding mechanisms. This change in movement significantly enhanced the watch's precision and life span of the mechanism. However, the pinnacle of Daytona's technical achievement was achieved in 2000 with the debut of Rolex's in-house automatic movement, the Calibre 4130.
This movement was a breakthrough in watchmaking, making the timepieace a more efficient design with fewer components than standard chronographs, further enhancing the reliability of the watch . The Calibre 4130 also featured a longer power reserve and a Parachrom hairspring, which provided greater resistance to shocks and temperature variations. This innovation that Rolex made became the pinnacle of horological engineering, embodying Rolex's commitment to precision, durability, and innovation.
Source : Mamic
The Rolex Daytona is more than just a watch that tells the time, it's a symbol of luxury, performance, with a rich history intertwined with the world of motorsport. Whether for its functionality, design, or as a collector's item, the Daytona continues to captivate watch enthusiasts and collectors around the world. It remains to this day 60 years after its release, a remarkable and desired watch by every watch collector. This is something that takes brands decades to create, and yet Rolex somehow seems to make it look so easy as they continue to refine the watches elegance, much like Porsche 911. You can still clearly see its original design but with the modern day features this watch can be worn everyday in almost any occasion you want it to. Just make sure to be mindful of those highly polished centre links, they do scratch!
Source : WatchesbySJX
Looking ahead, the future of the Rolex Daytona holds great promise, both in terms of its continued evolution and its legacy in the world of luxury timepieces. As watchmaking technology advances, there is anticipation for potential new features, materials, and design innovations that Rolex might introduce to the Daytona line. However, the brand is known for its careful and respectful approach to change, suggesting that any future developments will likely build upon the Daytona’s classic aesthetic and proven mechanical principles, rather than undertaking radical alterations, helping to keep its reputation of the Rolex Daytona. The Rolex Daytona is assured to remain a symbol of excellence in craftsmanship, a benchmark in the chronograph category, and a cherished heritage for generations to come.
And there you have, the history of the Rolex Daytona and where it gets its strong rooted motorsport heritage from. Being a sports watch, ZEALANDE have created the perfect high-quality rubber strap to take your wearing experience to the next level. The soft, yet very durable, rubber strap offers you the chance to not worry about the polished centre links and wear your Daytona in a more sporting environment, like racing. The new ZEALANDE rubber straps also offers you the choice between the classic tang buckle if you want that extra soft rubber touch all the way around your watch, or to use your OEM clasp for a more refined elegant look. Using your OEM Rolex clasp still gives you the 5mm easy link extension and it creates a look that’s designed to be as if Rolex themselves made this strap option themselves!
Tudor Black Bay Chronograph.The Tudor Black Bay Chronograph stands as a testament to the brand's rich heritage and commitment to precision craftsmanship. Tudor has had quite a bit of success in recent years with their dive watches but more recently in 2021 their chronograph really gained popularity, and for good reason too! As Tudor is so well known for doing, it seamlessly combines vintage aesthetics with modern functionality, making it a favourite among watch enthusiasts. In this article, we will delve into the key features, design elements, and the history behind the Tudor Black Bay Chronograph.
Tudor, a sister brand of Rolex, has its watch making roots dating back to 1926. Renowned for producing reliable and robust timepieces, Tudor has consistently delivered watches that embody both style and performance. The Black Bay Chronograph is no exception, carrying forward the brand's dedication to quality watchmaking. The Tudor Chronograph draws inspiration from Tudor's diving watches of the 1970s; its design pays homage to the brand's maritime heritage, featuring a robust stainless-steel case with a 41mm diameter
The watch exudes a vintage charm, with its signature snowflake hands, prominent hour markers, and an oversized winding crown. The dial is a classic chronograph layout designed for legibility, characterised by its two sub-dials at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock, indicating the chronograph functions.
A date window at 6 o'clock adds that extra piece of day-to-day practicality to the watch. The choice of colour combinations for the dial includes black and white with either a steel or aluminium bezel, with an option for a two-tone yellow gold model as well. Despite being all the same model, the four different options all give off a very different look and style which allows you to have the choice to select your perfect style. Tudor really designed the Chronograph as not just being a chronograph watch in your collection but to be worn as used as a potential one-watch collection.
Source : Time & TIde
Inside, at the heart of the Tudor Black Bay Chronograph beats the calibre MT5813, a self-winding mechanical movement developed in collaboration with Breitling. This movement ensures accurate timekeeping and features a power reserve of approximately 70 hours, offering an impressive level of features.
The movement is more than designed to cope with any sporting activities you may find yourself doing, benign a tool watch Tudor ensured it could be worn like one. Whether you’re skiing on the slopes, diving into a pool or about to get suited-and-booted, this watch really works so well in all scenarios making such a versatile piece.
Additionally, if you can’t decide between some of Tudor’s famous dive watches or a more sporty and substantial case, the Chronograph is the perfect do-it-all timepiece from Tudor. Thanks to its polished case and link sides, it gives it that subtle touch of formality making it dressier than a classic dive watch.
The chronograph function, a crucial aspect of this timepiece, allows for precise measurement of elapsed time which is usually seen in the world of motorsport. The two sub-dials serve as 45-minute and small seconds counters, making race lap timings that bit easier. The smooth operation of the pushers and the precision of the movement make the world a perfect blend between a daily sports watch and a practical tool watch for motorsport enthusiasts. Being a Tudor Black Bay, it has remained true to its diving heritage, the Tudor Black Bay Chronograph boasts a water resistance of 200 metres (660 feet) thanks to its screw down crown and case.
This makes the watch not only great to wear and look at but also used as a tool watch without needing to worry about it breaking. The robust construction and use of high-quality materials ensure the watch can withstand the rigours of everyday wear as well as more demanding environments. So don’t be afraid to wear your watch, and thanks to the all brushed bracelet, it really helps to minimise those hairline scratches from showing up.
Source : Quadran
Tudor understands that personalization is key when it comes to watches, especially in today's times in 2024. The Black Bay Chronograph offers a range of strap options, including steel, leather, and fabric straps. This allows wearers to tailor the watch to their individual preferences, whether they seek a sporty, elegant, or casual look.
The Chronograph is a surprisingly versatile watch to wear and looks great on many different strap options and it’s nice to see Tudor slowly increasing the amount of strap choices for their customers. It also allows you to pair the watch nicely for specific events like leather for more formal and nato for more of a casual Summer day look.
That said, Tudor’s bracelets are incredibly well made and solid and it does offer micro adjustment but you would need a tool to make those adjustments. Unless of course you were to install a ZEALANDE rubber strap designed for your Tudor Chronograph to increase comfort and wearability…!
To summarise, the Tudor Black Bay Chronograph is a captivating blend of heritage, precision, and style that you can wear anywhere anytime. Whether you are a seasoned collector or a first-time watch buyer, this timepiece offers a timeless appeal that transcends trends. With its impeccable design, reliable movement, and homage to Tudor's history, the Black Bay Chronograph is an excellent timepiece. Whilst it doesn’t come with any rubber strap options, ZEALANDE offers the highest quality rubber straps designed to fit your Tudor Chronograph perfectly. With the new ZEALANDE 2.0 designs, the strap really reflects the same attention to detail and design your watch does. Whether you want to complement or contrast your watch dial, playing around with a ZEALANDE strap gives your watch a fantastic new look.
We’re now sailing through the early days of 2024 and if you are in the market for a watch, especially some form of a luxury watch then you will likely be overwhelmed by choice. There are so many excellent watchmakers and brands with rich heritage and iconic timepieces. However, one brand that really hits the nail on the head when it comes to build quality, history, design and value, Tudor is a brand to be looked at. There are plenty of other brands that make impeccable watches with iconic designs but there is something special about Tudor. No one would ever call you snobby or think you were trying to show off wearing a Tudor but rather smile as they know you have an incredible eye for a brand that knows how to craft a perfect watch to last the test of time.
Tudor was established by Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex, in 1926 and has a strong reputation in the watchmaking industry for making pure tool watches with the seamless ability to be worn as a daily watch as well. With Tudor being a sister company to Rolex, a watch brand that everyone knows and many lust after, gives a certain trust instantly to Tudor. Rolex never makes poorly made or not well thought of designs and if Tudor is its sister company, well then it must be good as Rolex would never allow anything to tarnish its reputation.
Older Tudor models pre-2000 used a fair few parts from Rolex, which is no bad thing and goes to show how closely linked the two brands are. Not that it is required by any means but if you want a watch with a brand that designs and supplies watches to groups that use them in the most testing of scenarios, Tudor supplies them to a few elite military groups around the world.
Source : Watch Palace
Source : Bob’s Watches
Tudor watches are crafted with precision and nothing but high-quality materials to ensure a watch that will last the test of time and can be passed down for generations. The brand is committed to producing durable timepieces that meet stringent Swiss watchmaking standards and with many Tudor models featuring robust cases, reliable movements, and excellent finishing, Tudor does just that.
Whether you want a stainless steel, gold, bronze, or titanium watch Tudor can produce them to the highest quality and their durability is what makes them so special. Not only is Tudor’s quality excellent but as are their designs, with icons such as the Black Bay 58, the Pelagos and chronograph, Tudor has really become the subject of talk within the watch world for all the right reasons. They often combine modern aesthetics with vintage-inspired elements, appealing to individuals who appreciate a blend of classic and contemporary styles.
While Tudor watches are considered luxury timepieces, they are generally more affordable than Rolex, Omega and Cartier watches to name but a few brands. This makes Tudor an attractive option for those seeking a high-quality Swiss watch without the premium price tag associated with some other luxury brands. Additionally, in a world where certain brands are in such demand availability is limited, for those wanting to decide on your perfect watch and head out to a couple of AD’s to get it then Tudor can tick that box.
Source : Real Men Real Style
Whilst selling a watch you love is never a nice thought, should an unfortunate time of financial difficulty find its way to you, your Tudor can be sold for almost its retail price. This is great because if you want to save a couple hundred dollars you can buy pre-owned and if you want the full AD luxury experience you can and you’re not going to walk out the door with a watch that instantly loses value.
Source : ZEALANDE
Tudor offers a diverse range of watches, catering to various tastes and preferences. Whether you're interested in diving watches, chronographs, or more classic timepieces, Tudor has a broad collection to choose from. Individuality has never been more prominent than it has over the last few years and it’s nice to see Tudor integrating that perfectly whilst simultaneously preserving its classic designs. Being able to express yourself more freely in your own style is easily possible as Tudor offer almost always the same model in multiple colours and materials.
With Tudor offering so many diverse styles it is more than possible to find a watch at Tudor that suits you. With classic models with a jubilee bracelet, dressy occasions are covered as much as casual pens with a BB58 or 54 on your wrist as you jump into the pool. Into motorsport? The Tudor chronograph is the one for you, a watch that when Tudor released was near impossible to get as Tudor couldn’t make enough of them!
Ultimately, choosing a Tudor watch is a personal decision based on all the above-mentioned factors such as design preferences, brand heritage, quality, and the specific features offered by each model. Tudor is a brand that you can’t help but like, it’s not trying to be pretentious in any way, it’s not designed to be worn as a status symbol, only an impeccable watch that you can wear anywhere anytime. The other excellent reason for Tudor is the Black Bay heritage, Pelagos, Chronograph and vintage submariners can fit a ZEALANDE rubber strap, and if you’ve got one of their dive watches taking tis sportiness level to the next one is easily done with a high-quality ZEALANDE rubber strap for your Tudor's Watches. Not only does it look fantastic it also helps preserve your Tudor’s bracelet and thanks to the 316L pin buckle, the strap sits nice and close to your wrist giving your watch a sporty sleek look and feel.
In the ever-evolving world of horology, where precision and innovation reign supreme, Rolex has consistently stood out as a pioneer in the art of watchmaking. Among its iconic line-up, the Rolex Milgauss holds a unique position, with such a specific purpose in mind it is quite different from any of the other sport watches from Rolex. Rolex does not create watches just for themselves, they look around the world and seek to make a watch designed for a specific purpose and the most famous ones are their watches related to diving, racing and exploring but the field of science was something Rolex realised no one had paid attention to. That was when the concept of the Milgauss was first born.
The Milgauss was first introduced in the 1950s, an era marked by scientific and technological advancements. In this context, the watch was designed to meet the needs of professionals working in environments with strong magnetic fields, such as scientists and engineers. The name "Milgauss" itself is a portmanteau of "mille" (French for a thousand) and "gauss" (a unit of magnetic induction), emphasising its resistance to magnetic fields up to 1,000 gausses. The reason its name is derived from a French word is because Rolex is made in Switzerland and French is one of the official languages of Switzerland. Hence the choice of language by Rolex for naming this model.
The inaugural Milgauss model, reference 6541, made its debut in 1956. Sporting a distinctive lightning bolt-shaped seconds hand, the watch was an instant standout and very different compared to anything Rolex had previously made. The aesthetics of the Milgauss were far from conventional, and its orange-coloured lightning bolt hand became an iconic feature that would later define the model.
The initial Milgauss models were powered by the calibre 1080 movement, which featured a Faraday cage to protect the delicate internal components from magnetic interference. The Faraday cage, named after the renowned scientist Michael Faraday, is a shielding mechanism that redirects electromagnetic fields away from the movement.
Source : Amsterdam Vintage Watches
Source : Watch Vault
Back then the Milgauss still resembled the shape of a Datejust case-shape wise but with certain features and design from the early submariners. The Milgauss 6541 had a aluminium bezel with a red triangle to mark the twelve o’clock position and a screw down crown making it water resistant to 50 metres. The bracelet also looked quite submariner-esque with the classic three-link oyster bracelet but with an all-brushed finishing to it, very different to the polished centre link bracelet on the newer Milgauss models.
But before the models we might recognise today, the Milgauss started off with a very tool-watch look to it. With its water resistant, brushed finished case it made for quite a sporty watch despite its intention to be used within the safety of a scientific lab. But if you were wearing this whisky adjusting any machinery, you would not need to worry about scratching your Milgauss as the brushed surfaces help reduce scratches but also any scratches build a wonderful character to the watch.
In 1965, Rolex introduced the reference 1019 Milgauss, which marked a departure from the bold design choices of its predecessor. The lightning bolt seconds hand was replaced with a more subdued straight seconds hand, and the overall aesthetic became more understated. The reference 1019 Milgauss remained in production until 1988, establishing itself as a symbol of durability and functionality in the scientific community.
The Milgauss did struggle to gain popularity as it was such a unique look, you either loved it and wanted it on your wrist, or you would take a glance and never look at it again. Despite the differences in strong opinions the Milgauss, like all Rolexes, served a purpose and was addressed to that audience and it eventually caught on.
Source : Bob’s Watches
Source : Hodinkee
In its physical appearance, you could have easily mistaken it for an explorer or oyster perpetual. The Rolex Milgauss 1019 had lost the aluminium bezel and now had a polished steel bezel, like on a smooth bezel Datejust or Explorer. The straight seconds-hand gave the Milgauss the iconic ‘Rolex’ look, no fuss on the dial, excellent case with the three-link oyster bracelet still in an all-brushed finding.
The only noticeable difference to the eye was the small red arrow at the end of the second hand, the red dial printing of the word ‘Milgauss’ and the unusual vertical brushed dial finishing in a cream colour. However, if you had the black dial variation of the Milgauss you could easily think it was a Datejust as the differences were less pronounced but the subtle detail on the dial and seconds hands was still there.
Another interesting detail featured on the 1019 Rolex Milgauss was the beginning of the double hour markers. Two thin hour markers next to each other with a rectangular block of lume between them giving the double hour markers their distinctive look. Besides looks it was also for functionality, because Rolex always has a crown at the twelve o’clock position there is not enough room to put a double hour marker at the top. So, the double hour markers are situated at the three, six and nine o’clock positions. This means even in the dark you can tell which way round the watch is, a useful feature for working in labs late at night!
After a long and slow run with the Milgauss, Rolex knew they had to do something substantial with the line if there was any chance of them selling another Milgauss in a world of modern watches. Rolex revived the Milgauss in 2007 with the release of the reference 116400. This modern iteration retained the antimagnetic properties of its predecessors while incorporating contemporary design elements.
The lightning bolt seconds hand made a triumphant return, this time in an orange hue reminiscent of the original model. The watch featured a 40mm stainless steel case, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, and the calibre 3131 movement with improved resistance to magnetic fields. A dictionary definition of a night-and-day transformation, and in a world with millions of Datejusts on people's wrist, benign unique with a Milgauss grew massively.
Source : Xupes
Throughout its history, the Rolex Milgauss has maintained its reputation as a charming unique watch that you can’t help but smile when you see one and appreciate its quirky looks. Its ability to withstand magnetic forces of up to 1000 gauss sets it apart in the horological world, appealing to those who demand precision in challenging environments. Despite Rolex’s selling point for the Milgauss is its 1000 gauss resistance, all of Omega’ co-axial movements are resistant to 15,000 Gauss! The distinctive design elements, such as the lightning bolt seconds hand, pay homage to the Milgauss's rich heritage while adding a touch of flair to an otherwise functional timepiece.
Source : Hodinkee
In order to increase the number of options to four, Rolex released two more models of the new Milgauss in 2014 in addition to the two that were presented in 2007. The first two models, with the references 116400, came with an orange lightning bolt in either a black or white dial with orange hour dots surrounding the markers. It is difficult to confuse Milgauss with anything else because it is written in bold orange on the dial, which is a good thing. With the Milgauss originally looking very much like the Rolex submariner and then more like a Datejust, it’s nice to see some distinctive features. They still featured a screw down crown and were water resistant to 100m which realistically is more than most need. So wearing the Milgauss in the pool, hit or beach would be no issue in terms of any water leakages. With a power reserve of 48 hours it was more than sufficient to take your Milgauss off for a couple of days and then pick it up again, still ticking. Despite its unique design purpose, it was also designed to be able to be worn every day.
Source : Orologium
It's more than likely that when people think of the Rolex Milgauss, they all see the Z-blue dial variant. This Milgauss variation is much easier to identify thanks to the distinctive green tint that encircles the sapphire crystal. This model is truly unique because of the beautiful sunburst blue and teal dial, a hue that Rolex has only ever produced for the Milgauss. The Milgauss features a 40mm case size, making it slightly more compact than the popular Datejust 41mm, but it still has a very comparable look overall.
It truly has an attractive dress watch appearance. While the Datejust offers the most selection of colours for its dials, the Rolex Milgauss is the better alternative if you're searching for something uncommon to see on a wristwatch. With everyone wanting to stand out, the Milgauss is one of the best watches to accomplish that goal, but to take it one step further, ZEALANDE can make sure you get a truly unique timepiece.
The final model they produced was the model shown above. This model is very similar in crystal to Z-blue, with a black and greyish smoky dial and pale orange hour markers. This watch is a more refined version of Z-blue, but still being, just as unique and beautiful. This model is perfect if you are looking for a combination of bold colour and classic timeless style.
With its roots in science, the Milgauss is definitely a very versatile watch to wear regardless whether you work in the world of science or not. Each variation of the Milgauss is so different from each other making the choice a bit easier for which one will best suit you, and in a world of vast amounts of choice, it’s nice to have a few models offered so different from each other.
Source : Mamic
Despite the Rolex having successfully revived the Milgauss and made it a relatively desirable piece, it was finally discontinued back in mid 2023. Rolex never announces the exact reason for discontinuing their models but many speculate it has something to do with its purpose. Having a dive watch is useful as you can swim with it, having a chronograph is useful because you can time events but being resistant to magnetic fields is something unlikely to be really used. Whilst it is resistant to 1000 gauss, in the world of science it is not very much so you couldn’t really use it either. However, like any past Rolex model discontinued, there’s every chance the Milgauss will make a return, with much a much higher gauss resistance and maybe a whole new dial colour?!
Source : The Watch Muse
And there you have it, the background and history of one of Rolexes most unique watches, the Milgauss. With a very interesting purpose and abrupt discontinuation, it is definitely a model that is missed by many and who knows, maybe it will make a re-appearance within the Rolex catalogue again someday in the future. If a Rolex Datejust is tempting to you but you want that extra mile for distinct looks and colour combinations, then the Milgauss is the way to go. Even more than that, ZEALANDE can help you create a look very few individuals in the world will have. Putting a ZEALANDE rubber strap on your Milgauss will help put more focus on the case and beautiful dial itself whilst completing or contrasting any of the colours on your Milgauss. With the Milgauss featuring the dressy three-link oyster bracelet from Rolex with polished centre links, a ZEALANDE rubber strap will help preserve the shiny look of your bracelet whilst you still get to enjoy wearing your Milgauss.
With the famous watchmakers known for producing tools watches making watches forever dressier and styled for the modern day person in 2024, Tudor refuses to make watches that are not pure tool watches. The Tudor Black Bay range is arguably their most successful line and for good reason too. Very well built, rich in heritage and looks every bit the tool watch part it should.
However, despite Tudor making watches purely designed for being worn and used as such, they do listen to people and understand that there are certain needs that are best to adapt to. Tudor’s beloved BB58 and their recent BB54 have been ultra-successful since day one so we’re going to look at both of these watches so you can better understand their similarities and differences. Dicover the story of your Tudor's Watches.
The Tudor BB58 and 54 share a very similar design in that they are both functional dive watches with an equal water resistance of 200 metres. Whilst this is not necessarily the deepest water resistance it is more than enough for those who only go casually diving a few times a year on holiday and more than enough to sustain going into the pool, hot tub or sea. Staying with the aesthetics, the aluminium bezels gives both watches a more mat and sportier look and because both are made of Tudor's steel so have that gun metal grey colour to them. From the side of the watch you will also be able to notice the Faux rivets on their bracelet paying tribute to the original Tudor dive watches which used to feature rivets as the method for securing the links together on the original bracelet.
Source : Gear Patrol
Source : Fratello Watches
Visually, the both feature the gild dial from Tudor, a mat black dial with rose gold markings giving it the classic vintage inspired look with modern day performance. Additionally, from a side profile the thicknesses of both watches are very close, with the BB58 benign 11.9mm thick compared to the 11.24mm case thickness of the BB54. The bracelets one or one have the same three-link bracelet design with a prominent taper giving them a sporty yet elegant look. From the inside, the movements are not too dissimilar, they both have an impressive 70 hours of power reserve and are COSC certified. Thankfully, they also both share the same lug width of the perfect width at 20mm, this means if you have any nato straps or universal watch straps that are 20mm wide, you can use them interchangeably between the two models.
The first and most obvious difference to highlighting is the size which is given away by the names of them both. With the BB58 being a 39mm watch, the BB54 has a case diameter of 37mm. From a distance both watches look the same but, on the wrist and in your hand the 2mm difference is more noticeable. If you take a closer look at the dial you will notice one very subtle detail on the second hand. The BB58 features Tudor’s classic square towards the end of the seconds hand to pair nicely with the snowflake hour hand. However, on the Tudor BB54, it has a circular marker towards the end of the second hand, a small but subtle difference.
Source : MarcTissier
Another difference you can spot by carefully looking at the watch would be on the bezel itself. The BB58 has the world famous 15 seconds each grooved into the bezel and a red triangle at the twelve o’clock position, by comparison the BB54 doesn’t. This can almost make the BB54 appear less busy and more minimalist due to its simplicity in design. However, both do feature a divers rotating bezel so there would be no issues in terms of practical use between the two of them.
Source : Hodinkee
Perhaps the most noticeable difference, especially when wearing them on the wrist, is the clasp. The BB58 has the classic shield stamped clasp with a clam-style second locking mechanism for added security. The clasp also has 3 micro pin holes so you can make finer adjustments but you would have to do this using a watch tool. The BB54 features Tudor's much loved glidelock clasp, one that is very similar to its cousin, the Rolex Submariner glidelock. But that's no bad thing either, Tudor’s glidelock offers 7 mm of on-the-go adjustment and it gives the BB54 a slightly more refined look with the smooth polished flanks instead of a few micro adjustment holes.
Looking at the internals, whilst not visible to anyone holding the watch without removing their case backs, the BB54 has arguably the better movement. The BB54 shares the exact same movement as the Tudor Pelagos 39mm, the MT5400 which is Tudor’s extreme tool watch line, so the BB54 definitely has a movement that can cope with any sporting activity. That said, the difference between its movement and that of the movement in the BB58, the MT5402, is very similar and you will never notice the differences. Related to the movement, in a small way, the crown on the BB54 sits much closer to the case of the watch, making it less likely to dig into your wrist. This has almost never been reported as an issue for the BB58 but on the other hand, because it sits further out in the BB58, you can argue it is more practical as it is easier to use compared to the smaller and closer sitting crown on the BB54.
Just like before, be careful not to overwind your manual Omega because it is possible to overwind these models and this would actually break the spring which would mean your watch no longer has a power source. With manual Omega watches it’s just like putting fuel in your car at the gas station, you feel a click to let you know it’s full, the same goes for your Omega. You should be able to feel a small click as you’re winding it and this click lets you know the power reserve is full so you should stop winding.
The final difference is the amount of choice you have when looking at the model. The Tudor BB58 has quite a few options, you can have it in steel, bronze, silver and gold with black, blue and green dial available. The BB54 has only one option as of the beginning of 2024 but who knows what Tudor has got planned for that range over time. One thing is for sure though, you never have to worry about strap options when looking at the two ranges, because ZEALANDE offers their new 2.0 rubber strap for both the BB58 and 54. So, you can get the perfect sporty look and performance out of your Tudor with a high-quality rubber strap designed to fit your watch perfectly.
Omega watches in 2023 come in so many different styles, from elegant classy dress watches to be worn with a suit right the way across to sport watches designed to go exploring or diving. Every Omega has its own unique design, look and purpose so it’s therefore only natural that Omega creates the perfect strap for each of their watches. Each strap is different, and has different advantages and disadvantages, looks and feels to them, however, almost all Omega watches can have their strap changed. Some Omega’s even come with two or even three different straps with them to give you the flexibility and choice to swap them out depending on what you are doing or what look you would like your Omega to have.
With there being so many different independent strap manufacturing companies, it can now be very tempting to change your current Omega strap for a new one to change up the look of your watch. Most people will buy an Omega and keep it on the original strap or bracelet it came on but we want to make sure you know how to change your Omega strap so you can choose how you wear your watch. Today, we are going to look at the different ways you can change your Omega strap and the types of straps can you change them for.
Probably the most common strap Omega makes, their metal bracelets are known for the unique designs, functional features and comfort. Whenever you head into an Omega boutique or visit their online page you can quickly tell it’s the strap option they offer the most compared to leather, rubber or nylon. Omega makes quite a few of them and they come in a variety of different metals though, steel is probably the most common but then you can have gold (rose, yellow and white) and titanium. Of course each of those metals will not only look different but feel different, especially in terms of weight! Metal bracelets are often maligned putting a watch on your wrist more easily than other options. Once you have sized your Omega bracelet to your wrist, it’s just a case of sliding the watch on and closing the clasp and as quick as that you’re ready to go.
Omega metal bracelets can give a casual, sporty or even dressy look not to mention it’s quite durable. Of course being durable will also depend on the type of metal, for example yellow gold will scratch a lot easier than steel, so when you change your strap, if it’s a yellow gold bracelet you want to take extra care. If we take a look at the Omega solid gold Speedmaster Moonwatch, an iconic watch with Omega’ excellent mini glidelock clasp allowing for a few millimetres of extension.
The glidelock function is very useful on a gold piece as it reduces the amount of times you would otherwise need to use tools to make any adjustments. However, if you wanted to change it out for another strap like leather or rubber for example, you first need to remove the steel bracelet from the watch. The first thing to do is turn the watch over and set it down on a soft material on top of a table so you don’t scratch the crystal.
Then, use electrical tape to cover up the lugs so that when the spring bars come out, they don’t scratch the lugs. You don’t need to do this if scratching your watch doesn't bother you, but if you like to keep your watch in the best condition you can, then we recommend doing this to avoid accidental scratches, especially if your watch is made from precious metal! Once you've covered up your lugs you can now use one of two tools to remove the bracelet, the first is with a spring bar tool.
This is probably the most popular and certainly cheaper way out of the two, you slide it in and use the fork end to push the spring bars inwards and then use your other finger to gently push up on the bracelet. Then swap over to do the same on the other side and voila! Repeat this process on the other side as well, regardless of whether your strap is metal, leather or rubber, this process is the same.
Source : Xupes
The second way is to use a tweezer style spring bar tool, whilst costing more, it avoids getting your watch scratched up because unlike the first tool, it pushes in both ends of the spring bar at once. All you have to do is simply line up both forks at each end of the spring bar, squeeze and pull up and that should remove your bracelet in one clean action. Not only is it quicker but you also have more control which helps avoid the spring bar accidentally springing across the room or scratching your Omega watch lugs.
This process will be the same for rubber, leather and even nato straps as well. Once you have removed the bracelet, take out the spring bars from the end of the links and then you can put them through the holes in your rubber, leather or nato strap. However, if the spring bars that came with your bracket are too wide or thin, you may need to buy a new set of spring bars to make sure the new strap fits perfectly, don’t worry, they aren’t expensive or hard to find!
Once you have got your spring bars fitted into your leather or rubber strap, you now reverse the process. It should go without saying but make sure your new strap width is the same as your Omega’s lug width, otherwise you’ll have a very hard time getting it to fit! With the spring bar tool, push one end in first and then compress the other end and gently push it in until you feel and hear a small click.
That way you can be sure your new strap is securely attached to your watch. With the tweezer style spring bar tool, simply compress both ends of the spring bar and carefully slop the strap in place, then move it around slowly until you hand and feel a click like with the spring bar tool. Once you have done this for both straps, you’re good to go! One quick tip, before putting your new strap on, make sure it is the right way round on the watch to avoid having to take it off and put it back on the right way round.
Source : Xupes
The easiest of all straps to change on your Omega is from one nato strap to another. Nato straps are probably one of the most secure and easy straps to use as each spring bar is connected to a separate loop going around your wrist. Hence if one spring bar breaks, whilst your Omega will be flapping around, it will still be connected by the other spring bar unlike a normal strap or bracelet. Once you have got your Omega with just the spring bars attached, all you have to do is simply slide the strap over the top of one spring bar, pass it underneath the case and over the top of the other spring bar. It’s that simple.
To change them, reverse the process and then do it again to attach the new one. In some cases, you may only be able to change out your nato strap for another because instead of spring bars, there are solid metal bars that are made into the case. Certain vintage Omega Speedmasters and Seamasters had solid bars to make it more durable. When it comes to changing your strap for this watch with the same design, it's easy, you just thread through the strap and that's all there is to it.
And there you have it, if you’re looking to change out your Omega watch strap from one style to another, you can use a simple spring bar tool, a tweezer style spring bar tool or even no tool if it has a quick release function! Of course some specific watches can only take nato straps so no issue there and if you’re not feeling up for the task or simply don’t want to do it yourself, just head out to your AD or local watchmaker and they should be able to help you out.
Now that you know the different methods to change your Omega watch strap, you may be more tempted to. If you like the lightweight yet durable sporty look and feel of rubber then you’re in the right place! Here at ZEALANDE we can offer you a variety of different swiss style rubber straps designed for your Omega. You can select different colours for different looks and once fitted you can size it perfectly to your wrist.
Probably one of Rolex’s quietest line of watches which, especially now it has been discontinued in 2023, the Rolex Milgauss is a unique piece with a specific function. At a first glance you may mistake it for a Rolex Datejust and no need to feel bad, they share the same oyster link bracelet and clasp, polished smooth bezel and a very similar case. The main design difference is in the movement, but unless you’re opening that up in a watch lab you won’t see it, and the dial of the milgauss as well.
The striking orange lightning bolt seconds hand with the famous greeny colour tint to the crystal are things that make this so unique. But why is it called the Rolex Milgauss and where does the name come from? Today we’re going to dive into a brief overview of the Milgauss and how it came to be what it is today.
Like many of Rolex’s pieces, they were not designed for a laugh or made on a whim sort of thing, each model was carefully thought of, designed and made for a specific purpose. That’s why Rolex are the go-to tool watch brand they are so well known for because of the in-depth research and design that goes behind each piece. Rolex already had conquered the world of dive and dress watches, with their watches coping easily at depths of over 600m below sea level and gold day-dates making an appearance on Presidents wrists, they wanted to add one more unique industry to their name.
Science. The world of science is such a broad industry, whether you work in chemical laboratories pioneering the future of healthcare or creating some of the worlds marvels of engineering, you’re likely going to be exposed to high amounts of magnetism. This is due to many of the machines used for testing elements and constructing particles or materials use powerful magnetic fields to operate them.
The enemy of a watch is a magnetic field and I'm sure you can all think why, given your Rolex watch’s movement is made out of metal, it can be magnetised which would cause it to massively lose time or even break!
So, with this in mind Rolex created a watch that would be resistant to 1000 Gauss, the measurement used for measuring the strength of a magnetic field (more specifically a unit of magnetic flux density). Given that the Rolex Milgauss is resistant to 1000 Gauss, the name ‘Milgauss’ is rather fitting as the English translation of this means ‘thousand Gauss’.
The Rolex Milgauss was introduced in the 1950s, a period marked by significant advancements in science and technology. During this era, scientists, engineers, and researchers found themselves working in environments with strong magnetic fields, which posed a considerable challenge for traditional mechanical watches.
Source : European Watch Company
Source : The Watch Box
Beyond its technical prowess, the Rolex Milgauss features a design that is both distinctive and timeless. With its clean lines, iconic lightning bolt seconds hand, and the signature orange hour markers, the Milgauss stands out in the Rolex lineup.
The watch seamlessly blends form and function, offering a perfect balance between style and utility like Rolex is known for doing. Since 2007, Rolex introduced two variations of the new Milgauss and then another two models in 2014 bringing the total to four choices.
The first two models released, reference 116400, featured either a black or white dial with orange hour dots around the markers and an orange lightning bolt. With Milgauss written in bold orange on the dial it is hard to mistake it for anything else.
The Z-blue dial Milgauss is arguably the model that everyone thinks of when they think of the Rolex Milgauss. This Milgauss variation is much more recognizable with its unique green hue colour running around the edge of the sapphire crystal. The striking sunburst blue and teal dial is a colour Rolex has only ever made for the Milgauss so this model definitely has something special about it.
Source : Monochrome
Source : Petite Genve Petrovic
With a very similar design case and bracelet wise to the much loved Datejust 41mm, the Milgauss has a 40mm case size so benign a tiny bit more compact, it really has that elegant dress watch appearance to it. Whilst the Datejust has the most colour options when it comes to the dials, if you are looking for something rarely produced and seen on wrists, the Rolex Milgauss is your choice.
The final model they made was the model seen above, very similar to the Z-blue in terms of the crystal, by the black and greyish smoked dial with pale orange hour markers, this watch is a more subtle version of the Z-blue model whilst still benign equally as unique and stunning. This particular model is ideal if you want a mix of bold colour and classical timeless looks, with its heritage deeply rooted in the world of science, this Milgauss is an incredibly versatile watch to wear.
The Rolex Milgauss is not just a timepiece; it is a testament to Rolex's commitment to meeting the specific needs of professionals working in challenging environments. Whilst it may only have four models to choose from within the Rolex Milgauss line up, each one of them has a special and unique dial to them. Dressing up or down, it doesn't matter as the elegant Datejust-esque case is perfect for being worn with a lab coat or suit. For a bit of fun, a ZEALANDE rubber strap not only makes your watch feel great on your wrist thanks to the durable yet subtle material, it can really bring out the fantastic colours of the Milgauss! Let yourself be tempted by one of our rubber straps for the Rolex Milgauss.
In the world of luxury watches, Rolex is a watch brand that almost certainly crops up. With their endless list of iconic and timeless pieces such as the Submariner, Daytona, Explorer and Datejusts, it’s easy for some of their other pieces to be missed and left in the shadows. The Rolex Yacht Master is a watch that perfectly blends the Datejusts and Submariner together, two well-loved pieces yet the combination of them to form the Yacht master seems not to be as loved. The Yacht master is nevertheless a fantastic watch but often gets overlooked, today we will explore the potential reasons behind this.
Within the realm of luxury watches at Rolex, one timepiece often stands out for its understated elegance and nautical allure—the Rolex Yacht-Master. The platinum precious metal bezel and polished centre links give it that shine that makes anyone doubt it’s a Rolex. Well-made, built to last the test of time and designed to be worn in both the pool or beach bar right up across the formality scale to a suited-and-booted type of event. However, despite its undeniable charm and impeccable craftsmanship, the Yacht-Master seems to linger in the shadows of its more popular Rolex siblings.
The Yacht-Master is a watch designed with a specific purpose in mind—to accompany sailors and yacht enthusiasts on their maritime adventures. While this association creates and adds to its allure for those who enjoy dive watches, it also limits its universal appeal. Unlike the versatile Submariner or the iconic Datejust, the Yacht-Master caters to a niche market, making it less likely to become a mainstream favourite.
Those who want more of a precious metal dress watch will more of6en than not opt for the classic Datejust as it wears that bit dressier than the sport watches offered by Rolex. The Submariner is not only perhaps one Rolex’s most iconic timepieces, but has more of a sporty look and can hide those scratches better.
Source : Watch Charts
Source : Hodinkee
You can almost think of the Yacht-master kind of like a sports SUV, it is not as fast as a sports car nor as comfortable as a traditional big luxury 4x4, but yet there is a market for them.
That’s exactly where the Yacht master sits. It cannot go diving to the same 300m as the Submariner nor can it be worn as well as a Datejust with a suit, but the YatchM-aster can still go diving to 100m and the polished centre links make it possible to wear with a suit no problem.
Yes, the Yacht Master is not sold in the same quantities as the Submariner which alone shows it may not be Rolex’s most loved timepiece by people, but that does not mean to say it is a bad watch by any stretch of the imagination.
Rolex is renowned for its timeless designs that seamlessly blend sophistication with functionality. This is where the Yacht-Master's aesthetics come out to shine, its elegance and sporty case give it a distinct unique look. Whilst not as loved as the Submariners, many people have one so having something more unique might be what you are looking for. Comparing it to the Submariner again, you have the choice between a blue, grey or matt black or chocolate dial with a touch or red or Miami blue respectively. Not only that, you get three size options to choose from, a 37mm, 40mm or 42mm which pretty much means anyone can get the perfect sized Yacht master for their wrist. Something that may not be a rare option on Rolex’s classic models like the Datejust, but the Submariner, well you’ve only got one choice and if it doesn’t fit…Too bad!!
Source : Monochrome
The solid gold Rolex Yacht-Master is something very special, and thanks to Roelx putting it on their rubber oysterflex bracelet, it doesn’t weigh a tonne either! With the rubber bracelet on it, it will make the watch more durable and hard wearing compared to a solid gold bracelet that would pick up scratches left right and centre. This watch was really designed for those who love the Submariner but want something slightly more dressy and classy than a Submariner. Prehaps instead of wearing your Submariner whilst you hop on a jet ski, you prefer to relax on the deck of a Yacht and enjoy the weather more. Either way, the Yacht-Master is more than at home in the water or on a dry deck. With the new 42mm birds’ eye blue titanium Yacht-Master, you can now do some serious water sports if that’s your thing, lighter and more scratch resistant than ever before this model is the one to choose if you love sports!
The Rolex Yacht-Master, despite its undeniable allure and exceptional craftsmanship, finds itself navigating the seas of relative obscurity within the world of luxury watches, especially from Rolex.
Its unique look and appeal, subdued aesthetics and internal competition all contribute to its status as a hidden gem in the Rolex collection. However, for those who appreciate its understated elegance and the connection to maritime adventures, the Yacht-Master remains a horological treasure.
Not only that but it is arguably more versatile than either a Submariner or Datejust so if having a watch that can do it all is what you’re after, then the Yacht Master should be a serious contender.
With the Yacht-Master looking so elegant, dressing it down with a ZEALANDE rubber strap can help you give the Yacht-Master a fantastic sporty look. Not to mention, there is something special about the combination of a high-quality rubber strap and precious metal watch that makes it look that bit more eye-catching. Plus, as an added bonus if you are worried about those centre polished links benign scratches to death, then a ZEALANDE rubber strap for Yacht-Master will easily give you some peace of mind!
Watch enthusiast or not, most people will have heard of the famous and iconic timepiece from Rolex, the Daytona. With decades of rich history and heritage, Rolex have made some of the most iconic and special timepieces ever. However, with all their different models have you ever wondered how to actually wind your Daytona watch? Amongst setting the time and re-setting the seconds and minute hands on the chronograph, winding up the power reserve and knowing which position to have the crown in can be confusing.
As you can imagine, Rolex does not randomly choose how one of their watches should be wound up but rather they select the most appropriate method based on what the specific model is designed to do, in this case the Daytona. It is really important you know how to wind your Rolex Daytona properly to ensure no damage occurs to your watch and to make the movement last as long as possible without needing a service.
To wind your Rolex Daytona watch up, the first thing you’re going to want to know is does it have a screw down crown or not? Now this may seem like a stupid question but when Rolex first released the Daytona back in 1963, the Daytona reference 6239 did not feature screw- down crowns on either the crown itself or the pushers. Soon after in 1965 Rolex made the move to switch the classic pump pushers in the Daytona for screw-down ones. So, if your model is more recent than from 1965 you will first need to unscrew the crown anti-clockwise before you can wind it. Once you’ve fully unscrewed the crown, the first and only position your crown will be in will be for winding.
Source : Time & TIde
Source : Calibre corner
Turn the crown clockwise and you will be able to wind your watch up and hear and feel the buttery smooth spring being wound up. The calibre 4130, the movement inside all Daytona’s from 2000 to 2023, or the calibre 4131, the newer version with a larger power reserve, both need around 25 rotations to be fully wound. Be careful not to overwind your watch, even though modern day Rolex watches have a clutch lock system to avoid the spring being wound so tightly it breaks. However older models don’t so as soon as you notice it getting harder to wind, you’ve probably got to the level of your full power reserve.
Once your watch is fully wound the next thing you’re going to want to know is, is it manual or automatic? With regards to the Rolex Daytona, it was only in 1988 when Rolex introduced the first automatic movement in the calibre 16520 so if you own one prior to 1988, it will feature a manual wind movement. Automatic Rolex watches feature a rotor in the movement which can freely move both left and right as you move your wrist around. This rotor is also attached to the spring that’s responsible for the power reserve of your watch.
Source : Bob's Watches
Automatic watches usually don’t need winding up as frequently so long since so long as you keep wearing it, the power reserve will be constantly wound up. The rotor moves both left and right whilst you wear your watch which keeps winding up the power reserve, but instead of actually manually winding it, the rotor winds it when you move your wrist. Thanks to gravity on earth, Rolex realised and were the first ones to use kinetic energy to power your watch so you only have to wind your watch up when you take your watch off for an extended period of time.
Source : Watches London
Since vintage Rolex Daytona’s didn’t have a screw down crown you do not need to unscrew the crown. From the first position, which is the position when the crown is pushed all the way in, you can simply start to wind your Daytona. Just like before, be careful not to overwind your manual Rolex Daytona because it is possible to overwind these models and this would actually break the spring which would mean your watch no longer has a power source. With manual Rolex watches it’s just like putting fuel in your car at the gas station, you feel a click to let you know it’s full, the same goes for your Rolex Daytona. You should be able to feel a small click as you’re winding it and this click lets you know the power reserve is full so you should stop winding.
And there you go, you now know how to safely wind your Rolex Daytona without risking an expensive service trip needed! It is very important to look after your precious Rolex Daytona’s movement to make sure it lasts the test of time, that’s why here at ZEALANDE we offer high-quality rubber straps to give your bracelet a break and keep it nice and shiny. Perhaps you may also just be looking to give your Daytona a new look, either way with ZEALANDE's options being as vast as they are, you can definitely find the perfect strap for you.
The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 43.5mm is a watch that oftentimes is overlooked within the Omega watch line-up but remains a staple timepiece from Omega. Behind the big bold looks of it, many hours have gone into making this watch a modern-day toll watch with exceptional performance. Not only is it a very functional watch, it has an extremely well-crafted and rigid case, while simultaneously being very elegant. Having the heritage of a brand such as Omega, it comes as no surprise that this watch is a serious dive watch with features and functionality unlike most dive watches. In this article, we shall go over all the essentials of what you need to know about the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 43.5mm.
Omega is a watch company that has been around since 1848, giving the brand nowadays a very rich history. With over 170 years’ experience in watchmaking, you can expect that they have learnt and mastered the art of watchmaking. Alongside the history of the company, they have been making and selling the Seamaster since 1948. In 2005, they released the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean, creating a new line of the model Seamaster. Eleven years later, in 2016, when the Planet Ocean was most recently updated, Omega announced that the Planet Ocean series would be the first Seamaster’s to be certified as Master Chronometers. This watch was made for collectors, avid timepiece lovers and adventurous individuals. Alongside the elegant style of this watch, the capabilities are what sets this model apart from the other Seamaster professional models such as the SMP 300 and the Aqua Terra.
When you think of an Omega watch, the first thing that you think of is the quality of the design and build. Omega is notoriously known for building some of the most durable watches on the market. If we look at the Seamaster Planet Ocean 43.5mm, we can see that the case is made from very high-quality stainless steel.
This has been done because this watch needs to be robust for the diving expeditions that this watch is designed for and even for day-to-day use. This ensures the buyer that no matter the test, the watch will be fine and can be worn with full confidence the Planet Oceans will last the test of time.
Looking at the size, 43.5mm is the perfect size for maximising the capacity of the watch. With a unidirectional rotating and a ceramic insert, this is not only helpful for those who go deep sea diving but also for those who want an eye-catching watch. The glossy shine and finish of the case and ceramic gives the watch that dressy look so you can easily dress it up for an occasion should you wish to do so.
Most may think that it would not suit their wrists at this size as other watches tend to be around the 40mm mark, however the clever Omega designers have made it wear more like a 42 or 41mm watch. Dive watches are known for usually being too bulky and big, however Omega have managed to create a timepiece which has the capabilities of being one of the best dive watches on the market, while also making a very elegant watch that can be used as a casual or dressed up watch.
When talking about the features of the watch, it is hard not to talk about the dial and the hands. The timepiece features a captivating dial that combines functionality with elegance. The bold and legible indexes and hands are coated with Super-Luminova, ensuring optimal visibility even in low-light conditions. The date window at 3 o'clock adds a practical element to the timepiece, enhancing its versatility for everyday wear. Seeing that this is a watch developed for deep sea diving, the water resistance of 600m is built for aquatic adventures at great depths of the oceans.
With a water resistance of up to 600 metres (2000 feet), this ensures that it can be put to any test and pass with flying colours. This timepiece is a trusted companion for professional divers and water enthusiasts who are willing to look amazing whilst wearing the Omega. The helium escape valve further underlines its suitability for deep-sea exploration. On top of this, the watch is this sub stable for showers and swimming pools as well, making it a watch that has no need to be kept away in a box.
At the heart of the Seamaster Planet Ocean 43.5mm beats Omega's Co-Axial Master Chronometer movement, a hallmark of precision and reliability. The Seamaster Planet Ocean is equipped with METAS-certified co-axial calibre 8900 that you can see through the sapphire case back.
The self-winding movement not only ensures accurate timekeeping but also has been certified by METAS, meeting the highest standards of accuracy, performance, and magnetic resistance. This again goes to show and prove time again that Omega is more than committed to producing watches that can cope in the most extreme conditions.
This gives you the confidence to wear your Planet Ocean whenever and wherever, and whilst most would say that these dive watches are never really going to be worn for their purpose, it is still nice to know it can do it. Not to mention, if you are into diving, even at shallow depths, it is never a bad thing to have a watch that is more than capable of handling the depth, so you’ll never have to worry about it. The movement's resistance to magnetism is especially handy in airports where your watch passes through security as it can sometimes happen that a watch starts to lose time due to its exposure to the magnetic field in the airport security section. However, this is of no concern to the Planet Ocean!
Beyond its classic design and impeccable craftsmanship, the Seamaster Planet Ocean 43.5mm is equipped with modern features that set it apart. The anti-magnetic properties, transparent case back made from sapphire glass, and precision engineering make this timepiece a perfect blend of tradition and innovation.
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But even more than that, you rarely find a capable dive watch with all these features, not even Rolex offer sapphire case backs on their dive watches! The watch comes with a variety of strap options, catering to different tastes and preferences. Whether it's the robust stainless-steel bracelet for a sporty look or the comfortable rubber strap for a more casual feel,
Omega provides choices that complement the wearer's style. Having a fitting width of 22mm, this ensures that the watch can be suited to anyone's taste in straps, whether it be in metal, leather or rubber. This also means that this watch can be dressed to suit a very diverse range of scenarios you may want to wear your Planet Ocean to.
Omega is also known for making various types of watches such as chronographs which are very useful and practical. The Seamaster Planet Ocean 43.5mm can be bought as a Chronograph, Chronometer, GMT, and World Timer, with over 10 different variations possible. This not only makes it perfect for someone to find their perfect watch, but also to be able to use a ZEALANDE watch strap with it.
Due to all the different variations Omega offers with their Seamaster Planet Ocean, most people will settle for the metal bracelet as it is much more expensive to buy it on a strap and then order an Omega bracelet later. Being an impressive dive watch it is only natural that ZEALANDE made an impressive rubber strap designed to perfectly fit your Planet Ocean.
The ZEALANDE straps for Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean come in a variety of colours to give you the options to be able to match or contrast with any colour that the watch comes in. It also seamlessly fits the watch thanks to the curved rubber which allows the ZEALANDE strap to hug the Planet Ocean’s watch case and give it an OEM look.
With the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean having a few similarities with its competitors, it means that if you are in the market for a serious dive watch with elegant features and designs, there really is nothing else like it. It goes without saying for a watch of this size and a retail cost of around 8,400 USD you should try it on. Whilst you are hanging the watch feel the smooth metal finishing on the case and the way the bracelet hugs your wrist.
You will likely be able to notice and feel that this watch can be worn comfortably day-to-day and dressed up with a shirt if you really wanted to! The brand heritage and history you buy into when you purchase the Planet Ocean is also something special, yes Omega milk the ‘James Bond’ aspect out of their brand but it also shows that this watch can really be worn in the most testing of environments.
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And there you have it, the history of the Omega Planet Ocean 43.5 and everything you need to know about it. From the different range of configurations of straps to the metals used, to the details of its impressive movement. Buying your Omega Planet Ocean on a bracelet will be your best bet because you can always purchase a few high-quality ZEALANDE rubber straps afterwards to get the extra sporty feel and look. Or maybe that’s irrelevant to you but you just fancy playing around with colours and making your Planet Ocean that bit more unique, the ZEALANDE strap is perfectly designed for you and your watch!
Seiko makes watches in so many different styles, from elegant dress watches to go with a suit to sport watches designed to go diving or accompany you on ski slopes. Every Seiko watch has its own unique design, look and purpose and therefore, Seiko attempts to create the perfect strap for their watches to fit that purpose. Each strap is different, and has different advantages and disadvantages, looks and feels to them, however, almost all Seiko watches can have their strap changed.
Some of their watches even come with two or even three different straps with them to give you the flexibility and choice to swap them out depending on what you are doing or what look you would like your watch to have. Most people will buy a Seiko and keep it on the original strap or bracelet it came on but we want to make sure you know how to change your Seiko strap so you can choose how you wear your watch. Today, we are going to look at the different ways you can change your Seiko strap and what types of straps you can change them for.
Metal straps are one of Seiko’s most common straps to find on their watches and typically they are the more expensive option. They can come in a variety of different metals though, steel is probably the most common but then you can have gold (rose, yellow and white). Of course, each of those metals will not only look different but feel different, especially in terms of weight! Metal bracelets are often the easiest to put on, once you have sized the bracelet to your wrist, it’s just a case of sliding your Seiko on and closing the clasp and as quick as that you’re ready to go.
However, that can also be a downside, you need to have links taken in and out which can take time and require skill, and even once it’s sized you may need to change it depending on the temperature as your wrist heats and cools causing it to expand or shrink. Certain Seiko bracelets have clasps that allow you to make these adjustments quickly but the vast majority of Seiko bracelets do not offer on-the-go quick adjustments! So, changing your bracelet for a rubber or leather strap can be quite attractive especially in Summer time when your wrist contacts in a cool air conditioned building and then expands when you walk out into warmer weather.
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Metal can give a casual, sporty or even dressy look not to mention it’s quite durable. Of course, being durable will also depend on the type of metal, for example yellow gold or plated gold will scratch a lot easier than steel, so when you change your Seiko strap, if it’s a yellow gold bracelet you want to take extra care. If we take a look at the gold Seiko 5 Sports watch, an iconic watch in Seiko’s collection, you would want to be careful not to scratch the watch case or bracelet too much as you could scratch away any of the plating.
However, if you wanted to change it out for another strap like leather or rubber for example, you first need to remove the bracelet from the watch. The first thing to do is turn the watch over and set it down on a soft material on top of a table so you don’t scratch the crystal. Then, use electrical tape to cover up the lugs so that when the spring bars come out, they don’t scratch the lugs.
You don’t need to do this if scratching your watch doesn't bother you, but if you like to keep your watch in the best condition you can then we recommend doing this to avoid accidental scratches, especially if your Seiko is made from precious metal or has a gold plating! Once you've covered up your lugs you can now use one of two tools to remove the bracelet, the first is with a spring bar tool.
This is probably the most popular and certainly cheaper way out of the two, you slide the tool in and use the fork end to push the spring bars inwards and then use your other finger to gently push up on the bracelet. Then swap over to do the same on the other side and voila! Repeat this process on the other side as well, regardless of whether your strap is metal, leather or rubber, this process is the same.
The second way is to use a tweezer style spring bar tool, whilst costing more, it avoids getting your watch scratched up because unlike the first tool, it pushes in both ends of the spring bar at once. All you have to do is simply line up both forks at each end of the spring bar, squeeze and pull up and that should remove your bracelet in one clean action. Not only is it quicker but you also have more control which helps avoid the spring bar accidentally springing across the room or scratching your Seiko’s lugs.
This process will be the same for rubber, leather and even nato straps as well. Once you have removed the bracelet, take out the spring bars from the end of the links and then you can put them through the holes in your rubber, leather or nato strap. However, if the spring bars that came with your bracket are too wide or thin, you may need to buy a new set of spring bars to make sure the new strap fits perfectly, don’t worry, they aren’t expensive or hard to find!
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Once you have got your spring bars fitted into your leather or rubber strap, you now simply reverse the process. With the spring bar tool, push one end in first and then compress the other end and gently push it in until you feel and hear a small click. That way you can be sure your new strap is securely attached to your watch. With the tweezer style spring bar tool, simply compress both ends of the spring bar and carefully slop the strap in place, then move it around slowly until you hand and feel a click like with the spring bar tool.
Once you have done this for both straps, you’re good to go! One quick tip, before putting your new strap on, make sure it is the right way round on the watch to avoid having to take it off and put it back on the right way around. Quickly look at an image of your Seiko watch with the type of strap you're putting on so you can see which part of the strap to attach to which end of your Seiko.
Another way to change your strap can be done with no tools at all. This is because some Seiko models have the quick release spring bar system that holds the strap or bracelet to your case. All you have to do is pull down on the small lever and the strap will come out. One classic example of this is with the famous Seiko presage cocktail timepieces.
They include a bracelet or leather strap but only the leather strap features a quick release spring bar. This means once you have removed your metal bracelet you can add your Seiko leather strap on within a few seconds! This is great for those who have a few different Seiko leather straps or aftermarket ones featuring the quick release system. You can also buy the quick release spring bars cheaply as well, however, with the small lever on it, you should first check whether your strap can accommodate it or not.
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One additional way to do this is to take your watch to your AD or a local watchmaker/ shop and get them to change it for you, this is great if you really don’t trust yourself to do it or have the tools…yet! You don’t need to worry what type of strap you're changing to and from as the watchmakers at your AD and even assistants are usually all quite experienced at both adjusting and changing straps. Especially when it comes to Seiko as it is a brand that almost all AD’s will sell so all members of staff will likely have had plenty of experience changing Seiko straps. However, they may charge you to do it and it is quicker to change it from your home since you won’t need to travel to a watchmaker every time you want to change your strap.
The easiest of all straps to change is from one nato strap to another. Nato straps are probably one of the most secure and easy straps to use. Because each spring bar is connected to a separate loop going around your wrist, if one spring bar breaks, whilst your watch will be flapping around, it will still be connected by the other spring bar unlike a normal strap or bracelet. Once you have got your Seiko with just the spring bars attached, all you have to do is simply slide the strap over the top of one spring bar, pass it underneath the case and over the top of the other spring bar. It’s that simple. To change them, reverse the process and then do it again to attach the new one. One thing to bear in mind when it comes to nato straps is after wearing them frequently for a year, the signs of wear and tear will show which can make for an excellent rugged sports watch look. However, if keeping a clean brand-new look to your watch is something important to you then make sure to look at other options like rubber or metal bracelets.
As far as rubber straps go for your Seiko, you’re in luck if you own one of Seiko’s most popular watch, the presage because ZEALANDE make a perfectly fitted rubber strap for it! The ZEALANDE strap hugs the Seiko presage case perfectly giving that perfect contrast between elegant dress watch and sporty rubber which helps put the emphasis and focus of attention on the beautiful Seiko case.
That said, do not worry if you don’t have a presage, the ZEALANDE universal rubber strap comes in 20 and 22 mm width which can fit almost all the lugs width offered by Seiko. You can definitely be sure that you can find the perfect rubber strap that's been designed for comfort, stylish looks and durability from ZEALANDE!
And Voila! If you're looking to change out your watch strap from one style to another, you can use a simple spring bar tool or a tweezer style spring bar tool to make the strap changing process that bit smoother. Or, if you’re lucky no tools needed other than the quick release spring bar in which case your finger will suffice! And if you’re not feeling up for the task or simply don’t want to do it yourself, just head out to your AD or local watchmaker and they should be able to help you out.
Now that you know the different methods to change your Seiko’s watch strap, you may be more tempted to. If you like the lightweight yet durable sporty look and feel of rubber then you’re in the right place! Here at ZEALANDE we can offer you a variety of different swiss made rubber straps designed for many different watch brands and models. You can select different colours for different looks and once fitted you can size it perfectly to your wrist.
In March 2023, Tudor did what they do best. Suddenly out of the blue surprise us watch enthusiasts with a new and improved dive watch which offers new highly desirable features. The Tudor Black Bay 54 (aka the BB54) at a first glance could be mistaken for the BB58 however the smaller case size and new bracelet are amongst some of the new updates. Tudor has proven themselves to be a brand that will only make timeless, durable and true tool watches. That said, Tudor listens. They seek out continuous improvement and hence we now have the BB54 so today, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about the BB54.
Starting out with the obvious, the BB58 was a 39mm case size so as logic would explain, the BB54 has a smaller case size at 37mm. The new 37mm case size makes for a very well-balanced look and you argue more importantly now caters to more wrist sizes. For those you can wear 41mm watches, a 37mm watch might look too small at first but the smaller case size makes the watch look more elegant and will likely wear more comfortably. But, the biggest advantage of the case size is now more women or men with sampler wrists can wear a nicely sized and well-proportioned dive watch. Many other journalists or female watch youtubers mentioned the struggles of finding a great dive watch that can fit a smaller wrist and Tudor has come in to solve the issue. The case is only 11.24mm tall so it wears nice and close to the wrist which would allow the watch to easily slide underneath a cuff should you wish to wear the watch in a more formal setting. The 46 mm lug-to-lug makes it relatively compact as well so regardless of whether you have big or small wrists, the Tudor BB54 could be your perfect sized watch.
Aside from the case size, the dial has also naturally been reduced in size and retains all the same text print as on the BB58. Currently, the BB54 is only available with a black dial and Tudors famous rose gold guild colour writing, hour markers and hands. The slight new update made on the dial is the seconds hand no longer features the diamond square but now instead a circle.
With the reduced case size and addition, or perhaps re-addition to be more accurate, of the circular seconds hand is all heading towards benign more accurate to the first Tudor dive watch. The Black Bay line in general did so well because of its looks and features.
Previously if you wanted a vintage watch you would have to buy a vintage watch and that is of course still true today, however, now you can buy a modern watch with all its advantages yet designed and heavily inspired by a vintage watch. Tudor has again made an excellent watch that has all the charm and feel of your grandfather's watch but with all the features and reliability you would want in a watch in 2023.
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Source : Hodinkee
On the topic of features, let's discuss the movement Tudor has put in the BB54. The calibre MT5400 beats inside the BB54 and for those who know Tudor well, you will probably have heard this movement in some of Tudor's other new releases in recent times. This is the same calibre that can be found inside the Pelagos 39 and the BB58 made from solid 925 silver. But this is no bad thing, especially given that the Pelagos 39mm is Tudor’s ultimate dive watch so the BB54 is more than well equipped. The MT5400 has an accuracy of -2 to +4 seconds a day which is plenty accurate and the movement itself is COSC certified.
This essentially means the movement has been tried and tested in various conditions to ensure consistent performance. So, if you are looking to wear the BB54 whilst being highly active, by all means go ahead as this watch can easily cope! The great thing with Tudor movements is that almost all of them have a 70 hour power reserve and the BB54 is no exception to this. That means you can take your watch off on Friday and then put it back on your wrist come Monday and you won’t need to wind it.
Moving back out onto the case of the BB54, the bezel on the BB54 is something new and a style rarely seen on dive watches. The bezel is made out of aluminium like all other Black Bay lines, to give it that vintage look and less glossy look you’d get with ceramic, but it’s the numbering on the bezel that stands out. Normally, dive watches tend to have minute intervals either from 0-15 minutes or more but the Tudor BB 54 doesn't have any other than marks for every 5 minutes and numbers at the 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 position.
The 12 o’clock position features a lumed dot with a silver white background instead of the classic red triangle Tudor normally uses. Again, it makes the watch look closer to its oldest sibling, the Tudor Oyster Prince 7922 so for those who appreciate details that pay tribute to its origins, the Tudor BB54 is an excellent watch.
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Source : Worn and Wound
Probably one the most appreciated upgrades the Tudor BB54 has over the other models is its all new bracelet. The style is still the same with the faux rivets but the clasp is a famous Tudor T fit clasp. This is essentially Tudor’s take in the Rolex Submariner glidelock clasp, but that’s no bad thing at all. For starters Tudor is the Sister company of Rolex so it’s not as much copying Rolex as it is Rolex lending Tudor a great design. The Tudor T Fit claps have 8 mm of glidelock extension and this goes for both the bracelet and the rubber strap.
You can purchase Tudor’s BB54 rubber strap as well which features a metal end link to perfectly blend the case and rubber strap together seamlessly. Another well thought out design feature from Tudor is the lug width of the BB54. Despite being a smaller watch compared to the Black Bay heritage line or the BB58, the BB54 still manages to maintain a lug width of 20mm. This means when it comes to strap options you have plenty of options and if you have any other nato or leather straps from maybe some of your other watches, you can still use them on your Tudor BB54.
The Tudor BB54 may be that bit smaller and therefore give the appearance of a daintier sports watch but do not be fooled. The BB54, just like the BB58, has 200 metres of water resistance so can easily accompany you on any diving expeditions. So, when it comes to wearing it in a pool or at the beach on holiday you really have nothing to worry about at all. Given it shares the same movement with the Tudor Pelagos 39, you essentially have an ultra-capable sports watch with a sophisticated design and fell to it. Tudor have really taken their time to design this to get it right the first time, and a lot of people would say they absolutely have! However, there is only one model available, you do not have any choices when it comes to colour variations or even different metals. But that is not necessarily a bad thing, it can be quite difficult to choose a Tudor model these days with all the choices but the BB54 makes it easy. It’s the only model you need and want.
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For those wondering if the Tudor BB54 is potentially going to replace the BB58, there is no concrete answer to give. However, compared to Rolex, Tudor does not have a big history of discounting, re-introducing them and discontinuing them again. If you were worried that you should make your mind up quickly in case the BB58 is made redundant, there has not been any indication by Tudor to discontinue the BB58.
Besides, despite both of the watches looking similar, wearing similar and even benign designs for the same purpose, there is still a sufficient difference between them. Between the Tudor Black Bay heritage and Black bay range they now offer sizes in 41, 39 and 37mm. You can definitely make the argument that those three sizes, especially for a dive watch, have the entire market covered. Watch makers will struggle to make a dive watch any smaller without it impacting on water resistance so Tudor really are leading the way here.
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The wearability of the Tudor BB54 is excellent, I have seen many people with various wrist sizes wear the BB54 and it works perfectly, even those who would normally wear a 40mm watch. Because of its ultra clean dial, non-busy bezel and shape, it still gives off almost equal wrist presence to the 2 mm wider BB58. Ultimately it will come down to your personal preference but the BB54 is certainly worth a try because it retails for 3,850 USD, that makes it 150 USD cheaper than the BB58. And even though it costs a bit less, you get the modern Tudor T fit clasp which many Tudor owners would say is a must-have feature.
Not to mention the versatility of the BB54, because of its simple design you can wear it with any outfit you feel comfortable wearing it with. Given that it has a case thickness of only 11.8 mm, for those you like wearing a sports watch with a suit, the BB54 can slide gracefully under any cuff should you wish to dress up with it. Similarly, you can hop straight out from the pool and wear a casual smart outfit and the BB54 will be more than at home on your wrist. The option of a rubber strap option is also nice of Tudor to offer as it gives people the option to make the watch even sportier.
For those interested in the Tudor rubber strap for the BB54, yes, it still works flawlessly with the Tudor T fit clasp so you can still benefit from the glidelock feature. However, bear in mind that the BB54 with all the links in the bracelet weighs around 139 grams so a rubber strap will make the watch much lighter. This could be a positive if you want to wear the BB54 whilst doing sporty activities as rubber is softer on the skin, far less prone to damage and makes the watch look sportier. But if feeling the weight of a dive watch on your wrist is important to you then you can always enjoy the incredible Tudor bracelet! Just be aware, the BB54 is not like the Tudor Pelagos 39 in that the rubber strap comes with it, you would have to purchase it separately. If you buy the BB54 on the rubber strap instead of the bracelet it will retail for 200 USD less.
To summarise, Tudor’s all new Black Bay 54 is a superb dive watch that has integrated the essence of vintage designs with modern watch specifications. The smaller case at 37mm now makes it wearable to many more watch enthusiasts which is nice to see that Tudor really are looking after everyone's watch needs out there. The use of the T fit clasp was an absolute must and thankfully the BB54 has it. On a side note, if you own both the BB58 and 54, you can swap the bracelet on the BB54 onto the 58 so long as you use the BB58’ endlinks! The rubber strap offering gives customers a little bit of choice and makes for an all-round perfect watch to wear every day and for any occasion. 200 metres of water resistance gives you the confidence to really wear a sports watch and take it with you no matter what you might be doing. It’s a watch you can put on without having to think twice about what you might be doing throughout your day.
Rolex is truly an iconic brand without a doubt. They have pioneered watches throughout the decades and their designs have lasted the test of time and will always continue to do so. However, out of all their famous watches they’ve created, the Rolex EXplorer I tends to be slightly less known. If you look on the Rolex website or even their Instagram page, the Explorer I is not shown as much as other models such as the Daytona, Day-date, Submariner and Datejust. The Rolex Explorer I is another masterpiece from Rolex so today we are going to cover everything you need to know about the Rolex Explorer I.
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Starting off with its history of origins, the Rolex Explorer I (reference: 6098) was born in 1953, a time when mountaineering and exploration were capturing the world's imagination. This was an era when feats of human endurance and conquering the world's highest peaks were on everyone's mind. Rolex, benign the tool watch watchmakers that sought out an opportunity to create the pinnacle of timepieces for a true explorer. The result was the Rolex Explorer I, introduced in the same year as Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay's historic ascent of Mount Everest.
Rolex wanted and designed the watch to be the choice of tool watch for explorers, hence the Explorer I came to life, intended for those who sought the thrill of discovery and the challenge of the unknown. Its clean and straightforward design reflected Rolex's commitment to functionality and purity in terms of being a tool watch. The watch featured a black dial with highly legible Arabic numerals at the 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions, ensuring readability in all conditions.
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The sturdy stainless steel case, paired with a reliable automatic movement, made the Explorer I a robust companion for explorers venturing into the world's harshest environments. Its simplicity and durability made it the ideal watch for an explorer as it was designed to be a simple yet reliable timepiece. The less functions a watch has, the less likely it is for an issue to occur.
With that in mind, you can understand how despite the Explorer I maybe looking a bit bland and lacking in details compared to Rolex’s other models, this was done on purpose. However, Rolex did briefly make an Explorer 1 in 1957 featuring a white dial and jubilee bracelet, but this model was short lived as it did not offer all the necessary features an explorer would need.
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Over the decades, the Rolex Explorer I underwent subtle but impactful changes, evolving with advancements in technology and design. In the 1960s, the watch (reference: 1016) saw an increase in size, and the iconic Mercedes hands made their debut, adding a touch of distinctive Rolex flair. This design was not unique to just the Rolex explorer but soon enough the famous Mercedes hands were added onto many of the other models such as the Submariner and GMT master II. The actual design of the case largely remained the same and as did the dial because there was not much Rolex could do to improve it other than to update the lume material they used.
In the 1980s, the Explorer I (reference 14270) received an upgrade with the introduction of the Caliber 3000 movement, further enhancing its precision and durability. Again, no design changes were made to the case or dial so visually, you would not notice any major upgrades of changes. However that was probably a good thing given that Rolex is known for getting it right the first time around. The famous saying ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ springs to mind when describing the process of upgrades for the Rolex EXplorer I. The 1990s saw improvements in materials and the addition of sapphire crystal, elevating both durability and scratch resistance. This also made the watch reflect the light a little more making the watch have a bit more wrist presence.
What sets the Rolex Explorer I apart from their other watches within the Rolex collection is its timeless design. Despite the evolution of technology and style, the watch has maintained its classic aesthetic, making it a symbol of enduring elegance. The combination of a black dial, stainless steel case, and the iconic Oyster bracelet has become a hallmark of the Explorer I. Beyond its design, the Explorer I's association with exploration and achievement has solidified its place in horological history.
From summiting Everest to exploring the depths of the ocean, the Rolex Explorer I has been a trusted companion for those pushing the boundaries of human capability. Even for those who have no intention of exploring in the most extreme places and conditions, it is nice to know that it has a history and track record of impressive achievement in the world of exploration.
Source : Teddy Baldassarre
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In the 21st century, the Rolex Explorer I continues to lead the way in watches for explorers. The model is equipped with the Caliber 3132 movement, offering enhanced precision and a power reserve of approximately 48 hours compared to the previous 24 hours offered. The Chromalight display ensures visibility in low-light conditions, a nod to the watch's origins in the world of exploration. 2010 was a big year for Rolex as this was when they made major upgrades to many of their watches and the biggest of them all was the bracelet.
They got rid of the flimsy piece of stamped metal and replaced it with the clasps we have grown to know so well now. The glidelock clasp used on the submariner was also introduced that year so it is no surprise the Explorer I received its new clasp too. Additionally, the all-brushed oyster bracelet itself was upgraded too. Gone were the hollow links previously used and replaced with new solid ones giving the bracelet much more of a sturdy and durable feel.
In 2010, Rolex changed the actuarial size of the Explorer I (reference 214270) for the first time ever since its introduction in 1953. Rolex upped the case size from 36mm to 39mm which made it visually have more wrist presence and also really began to attract many more watch enthusiasts to the watch. Previously, the 36mm had been a perfect size for most but as watch trends evolved teh 36mm became a little bit on the small size for many people.
Hence Rolex found the perfect way to keep up with the times and expand the watch to 39mm giving it a perfect balance between an elegant sports watch but not so big it would be in the way of gloves or a coat sleeve. Afterall, the Explorer I is still an explorer's watch and therefore practicality and durability was the centre of all of Roelx’s watch design decisions.
Source : Xupes
From 2016 to 2021 very minimal changes were made, a slight change to the hands on the watch were made to better fit the watch. Other than this, no major changes were made and it still kept its 39 mm case size. However, in 2021 Rolex deceived it was time to give a whole new update to the Explorer I; they released two new models and in two new sizes, 36 and 40mm (reference 224270). The modern Rolex Explorer I preserves the essence of its predecessors while seamlessly integrating modern design elements. The iconic black dial, adorned with the familiar 3, 6, and 9 Arabic numerals, exudes simplicity and legibility—a testament to the watch's tool watch origins. The Chromalight display, with its long-lasting luminescence, ensures visibility in all conditions, a nod to the watch's practicality for explorers in low-light environments.
Source : Worn and Wound
Crafted from robust and corrosion-resistant 904L stainless steel, the case of the Explorer I was made smaller back to its original 36mm case size. Rolex did not just stop there, they gave the movement a much needed update and they introduced it with the calibre 3132, a self-winding mechanical movement that upholds the brand's tradition of precision and reliability. Equipped with the Parachrom hairspring and Paraflex shock absorbers, the movement ensures accurate timekeeping even in the face of environmental challenges. With a power reserve of approximately 48 hours, the Explorer is ready for extended journeys, whether across continents or through the daily hustle.
The Oyster Perpetual bracelet, a hallmark of Rolex craftsmanship, is still featured on the modern Explorer I, providing a perfect blend of comfort and style. Crafted from Oystersteel this bracelet is not only resilient but also resistant to the rigours of daily wear and even offers a 5mm easy-link extension. However, steel is no longer the only option you have to choose from, Rolex introduced the Explorer 1 in two-tone yellow gold. The dial of the two-tone yellow gold Explorer I is exactly the same as its all-steel brother but it features gold accents on the hour markers and hands add a touch of sophistication, elevating the watch to a new realm of elegance.
As with any Rolex timepiece, the details are meticulous. The smooth, polished bezel and the signature Mercedes hands contribute to the overall refinement of the design. The sapphire crystal, treated with anti-reflective coating, not only enhances visibility but also protects the watch from scratches and wear. It also makes the watch more legible in bright lighting as the AR coating helps reduce the intense reflection from the Crystal.
At the heart of the exquisite two-tone yellow gold Explorer I is the same calibre 3132 in the steel version, but the most noticeable difference is in the bracelet. The oyster perpetual bracelet, crafted from a blend of Oystersteel and 18-karat yellow gold, adds the final touch of refinement to this modern masterpiece. The robustness of Oystersteel meets the opulence of gold in a bracelet that not only complements the Explorer's aesthetic but also ensures comfort and durability.
The Oysterlock clasp guarantees a secure fit, making the watch suitable for both rugged adventures and upscale occasions. In an era where watch enthusiasts have an array of choices, the two-tone yellow gold Explorer stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of classic design and craftsmanship.
While embracing the future with modern materials and technology, Rolex remains rooted in tradition, offering a timepiece that is both a functional tool and a statement of luxury. The new Rolex two-tone yellow gold Explorer I is more than a timekeeping instrument; it's a symbol of the harmonious union between exploration and elegance. Whether worn on mountain peaks or in corporate boardrooms, this timepiece carries with it the spirit of adventure and the legacy of Rolex's commitment to excellence. This is also what makes Rolex such an incredible brand, they manage to always perfectly blend functionality first and foremost but also cater to the modern day environment and offering a two-tone option shows that Rolex is not afraid of change or innovation.
To conclude, the Rolex EXplorer I was created as the ultimate timepiece to be on your wrist whilst exploring if any kind in any place. Its evolution has been a testament to Roelx’s ability to create timeless watches and keep up with the times. From the all steel pure toll watch design to the classy two-tone yet durable, the Rolex Explorer I really is a work of art. For an even more sporty and durable look to the Explore I, ZEALANDE offers the perfect fitting rubber straps for your EXplore I.
From having fun with colour in the Summertime to classic white and black options, a ZEALANDE rubber strap can ensure you get the most out of your EXplorer I. Even though there is absolutely nothing wrong with the oyster bracelet, you may want to give it a break every now and then and not worry about scratching it. This could be especially useful if you intend on going climbing on rocks as the rocks could easily scratch your beloved Explorer I bracelet. But a ZEALANDE rubber strap would easily be able to soften the blow and if keeping the weight of your Explore I as low as possible is something you want to do then definitely get yourself a ZEALANDE rubber strap.
Swatch have long been known as a watch brand that offers excellent swiss made watches in all kinds of fun colours and styles. With their famous rubber strap and even sometimes case designs, cheaper prices and simple movements, they have become a watch that can be worn almost anywhere. Some collectors with the likes of a collection consisting of Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Rolex (all very expensive) even own Swatches to have a bit of fun! Omega knew it and went all in on their Moonwatch collaboration with Swatch to bring us the Moonswatch. Whilst it had divided opinions many people love them and another famous watch brand that maybe is not as well-known saw this opportunity as well. Blancpain have just collaborated with Swatch to bring their most famous dive watch to the watch market for a broader audience.
Swatch and Blancpain collaborated together and have now brought out 5 new watches together all featuring the same case and strap but, much like the Moonswatch, in different colours. The case is made from the famous Swatch’s bioceramic, which whilst sounds very fancy is essentially plastic made from recyclables. But that is no bad thing, the Blancpain 50 fathoms start at 17,000 USD while the Swatch 50 fathoms collaboration retail for 400 USD. Now this is a topic that could easily have its own article but for 17,000 USD which is a lot of money, most watch enthusiasts would rather choose other dive watches instead which also have excellent quality and cost less. However, Blancpain knew that this fun Swatch collaboration can give watch enthusiasts a chance to wear their beautiful designs and enjoy them on their wrists.
The Blancpain 50 fathoms Swatch comes in 5 colour variations, blue, white, yellow/orange, green and red. Definitely a broad enough range of colours to attract watch collectors to have fun with. Each of these watches comes on their own nato strap with the respective colour scheme integrated into the strap. On top of this, the watch features a see-through case back because it features an automatic movement, the calibre SISTEM51 to be precise.
Source : Monochrome Wactches
Source : Hodinkee
It’s by no means a Patek Philippe level movement finished so beautifully you could stare at it all day long, but Blacpian and Swatch knew this. To give the new dive watch even more character, the movement is decorated and coloured with parts of a map on the back. With details of land, and obviously the sea and waves, it really does make for a great case back viewing especially when you consider the price!
In terms of actual features and dimensions, the bioceramic Blancpian Swatch has a 42.3mm case size and a case thickness of 14.4mm, so a relatively big watch. With a bioceramic uni-directional bezel and is water resistant to 91 metres, this means you can actually go swimming with this watch on if you wanted to and even diving should you wish to. Additionally, it also has a date window neatly tucked away between the 4 and 5 o’clock position and the movement boasts an incredible power reserve of 90 hours! The dial features the 50 fathoms stamp to nod towards the 70th anniversary of the Blancpian 50 fathoms and the hands and hour markers are all filled with Super-LumiNova.
Source : Monochrome
These features really are impressive when you consider the price point, it really is something not just fun but also quite special. Being a dive watch, a Nato style fabric strap is a good choice but if you get the strap wet it will stay wet for a while. However, for a more durable strap and sporty look, the ZEALANDE universal rubber strap is the perfect strap to complement the watch. With plenty of colours to choose from to either match your Blancpain Swatch 50 fathoms or complement it, you can definitely have a lot of fun mixing and matching straps with this watch. Seeing how this is a fun watch collaboration after all, why not take it that next bit further and complete the look with a ZEALANDE rubber strap for your Blancpain Scuba Fifty Fathoms?
Also, much like the Moonswatch you cannot walk into any Swatch store to buy one, you’ll need to visit one of the 9 world-wide Swatch stores that sell them. However, this is not a limited edition run as stated by Swatch so with patience and a bit of travel, you will definitely be able to get one at some point.
This Swatch collaboration with Blancpain was not just a ‘spur of the moment’ kind of decision between the two brands but rather a well-planned and thought out decision. They have brought us a very unique and well specced dive watch that not only looks good, but boats fantastic features usually found on watches costing over 10 times its price!
Whilst some may point out it’s nowhere near the real 17,000 USD Blancpain 50 fathoms that will last you generations and so on, the Swatch collaboration is not trying to replace the original one, instead it is trying to bring a fun and much more accessible version of the iconic watch to watch enthusiast.
So if you are in the market for a fun dive watch that has a stunning design, shares a rich heritage in diving and can be used as a tool watch, the Blancpain x Swatch 50 fathoms should definitely be a consideration. As mentioned before, ZEALANDE offers excellent rubber straps designed to be used in the most sporting conditions so to really get the most of the new 50 fathoms from Swatch, a ZEALANDE rubber strap will certainly help you do that! Both in style and quality their rubber straps are perfectly designed to accompany your new 50 fathoms in your wrist for a great colourful look and capable dive watch experience.
When it comes to luxury watches, there are a few brands and models that spring to mind as quickly as Rolex and one of them would most definitely be the famous Rolex Daytona. This iconic timepiece is rich with motorsport heritage, an elegant timeless design and a look that makes anyone look great wearing one. A watch that is known to take many years of patience before finally acquiring one and is seen as an elegant great symbol of success and celebratory price. It has become one of the most famous watches in the world and within the Rolex lineup, but what makes the Rolex Daytona so popular? In this article, we delve into the enduring allure of this legendary chronograph.
The Rolex Daytona boasts a storied history that dates back to the 1960s. Originally designed for racing drivers to measure their average speed across a fixed distance, it earned its name from the famous Daytona International Speedway race track in Florida. Rolex's partnership with the racing world led to the creation of this chronograph, making it an instant hit among motorsports enthusiasts. Its association with legendary racers like Paul Newman further solidified its place in watchmaking history.
You can even see it today in Formula one, its rich motorsport legacy as Rolex are the official timekeepers of F1 and with the new release of the Le Mans Daytona. However, it is not just F1 that Rolex gets its sporting heritage from, it also sponsors events like Wimbledon and whilst not necessarily directly markets for the Daytona, it adds to the brands overall sporting watch. It reassures you when you look at the Daytona that whilst it has a polished case and centre links, it is not just a pretty watch- its a tool watch.
Source : Pinterest
Source : Bob’s Watches
Many watch enthusiasts can easily see a Rolex Daytona from a mile away because of its unique and iconic design which is a testament to the brand's commitment to timeless aesthetics. Its clean and balanced dial layout, with three sub-dials and contrasting pushers, creates a sporty elegance that has remained virtually unchanged for decades. The iconic tachymeter scale on the bezel allows drivers to measure speed accurately, an essential feature for professional racing drivers.
Either with a ceramic bezel for a glossier look and scratch resistance surface or in steel or precious metal depending on the variations. With most Daytona’s being offered on a metal bracelet, there are models that come on the Oysterflex, Rolex’s rubber strap offering. However, on rubber or metal, the iconic case of the Daytona remains unchanged.
Rolex is renowned for its unparalleled craftsmanship and attention to detail, and the Daytona is no exception and mirrors these Rolex philosophies. Each watch is meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans at Rolex's state-of-the-art facilities in Switzerland. The use of premium materials like Rolex's proprietary 904L stainless steel, everose, white or yellow gold, or platinum ensures durability and a lasting shine. The sapphire crystal and Oyster case provide impeccable scratch resistance and water resistance, which ensure your Daytona will last the test of time with ease. If ever getting scratches is something that you want to avoid at all costs then definitely consider switching out your Daytona’s oyster bracelet for a ZEALANDE rubber strap.
Source : Bob’s Watches
At its core, the Rolex Daytona is a chronograph which makes it a tool for measuring elapsed time with precision. Over the years, the Daytona has seen different movements, with the latest versions featuring Rolex's in-house Calibre 4130. This self-winding movement boasts excellent accuracy and a power reserve of approximately 72 hours, making it reliable and easy for daily wear. It is very difficult for watchmakers to design and create a watch that can not only look perfectly home when dressed casually but equally as good when worn with a suit. The wearability of the Daytona certainly adds to its popularity as owners know it is a watch that can be worn as often as they like.
Rolex's meticulous manufacturing process limits the production of each Daytona model, creating an aura of exclusivity and desirability. The scarcity of certain Daytona variants, such as the vintage "Paul Newman" models or modern "Rainbow" editions, drives collectors and enthusiasts to incredible lengths to acquire them.
The allure of owning a Rolex Daytona, often seen as a symbol of success and achievement, further contributes to its popularity. With the low supply of Daytona and an increasing demand for them, it's only natural that their market value is far higher than their retail price.
Over the years, Daytona watches, particularly vintage models, have consistently appreciated in value. This combination of horological excellence and investment potential has made the Daytona an attractive choice for collectors and investors alike. Whilst watches are designed to be worn and enjoyed, it is always nice to know that your watch will not only hold its value but be appreciated as well.
To conclude, the Rolex Daytona's popularity can be attributed to its rich heritage, timeless design, exceptional craftsmanship, rarity, and investment value. It is not only an incredible timepiece but it has also become a symbol of achievement, luxury, and taste.
However, being a sports watch at heart, if you are lucky enough to own a Daytona but doesn't come on an oysterflex and you want that extra sporty feel to it then do not worry! ZEALANDE have created the perfect rubber strap option to perfectly go with your Daytona, whether you prefer a tang buckle, butterfly deployment clasp or to use your own Daytona clasp, ZEALADE have all the options you need. With multiple colours available to choose from, you can be sure to get the look, feel and fit you need to take the sportiness of your Daytona to the next level!
Rolex has been an iconic name in the world of high-end watches for decades, known for its timeless designs, exceptional craftsmanship, and unparalleled precision. Over the many decades Rolex has been producing watches, it has certainly made some of the most famous and well known pieces. The submariner is arguably one of the most, if not the most, famous watch to have ever been made.
However, if you look on the Rolex website in 2023 you will very quickly see in their sports model section many watches that look alike. Two of the most similar and sporty watches of them all are the Submariner and the Sea-Dweller. While both are exceptional timepieces designed for underwater adventures, they possess distinct characteristics that set them apart. In this article, we'll take a look at the key differences between the Rolex Sea-Dweller and the Submariner.
Given that they are both dive watches, it makes the most sense to start looking here for the differences. Their depth rating is the most significant difference between the Rolex Sea-Dweller and Submariner. With the Sea-Dweller boasting an impressive water resistance of up to 1,220 metres (4,000 feet), this makes it Rolex's ultimate tool watch for professional divers and underwater explorers.
On the other hand, the Submariner is water-resistant up to 300 metres (1,000 feet), which is still more than sufficient for recreational diving but falls short of the Sea-Dweller's extreme capabilities. For those in the diving industry, this could be a very important factor when considering the two pieces.
Source : Bob’s Watches
Source : Swisswatches Magazine
Another key difference is the presence of a helium escape valve (HEV) on the Rolex Sea-Dweller. The HEV is a crucial feature for saturation divers who spend extended periods in pressurised environments, such as deep-sea exploration or offshore construction workers. It allows helium molecules that may seep into the watch during a dive to be safely released during decompression, preventing damage to the watch.
The Submariner, on the other hand, lacks this feature, as it is primarily designed for divers who do not face prolonged exposure to high-pressure environments. The Submariner was really built with the intention of a diver coming out from the sea, quickly being able to adjust the watch bracelet and then head off anywhere else. A do-all go-anywhere watch is what the submariner has in its very DNA, not that the Sea-Dweller was not built to be worn everywhere too, because it was and is, but it has a much more niche tool watch design.
The case size is another noticeable difference between these two Rolex models. The Sea-Dweller features a larger case, with a diameter of 43mm, compared to the Submariner's 41mm. This larger case size provides enhanced legibility and a bolder presence on the wrist, making the Sea-Dweller a preferred choice for those who appreciate a more substantial timepiece. The Sunamrier is also 13mm thick compared to a case thickness of 15.5mm found on the Sea-Dweller, that extra thickness gives it better water resistance but may make it more difficult to wear for people with smaller wrists. The Sea-Dweller will also struggle to slide under a shirt cuff so if you are planning on dressing this watch up, bear in mind it may be a bit cumbersome to do so.
Source : Jomashop
While both the Rolex Sea-Dweller and Submariner sport unidirectional rotating bezels, they differ in terms of materials and markings. The Submariner's bezel is made of ceramic, which is highly resistant to scratches and fading, its bezel also features minute markers for precise timekeeping underwater. In contrast, the Sea-Dweller's bezel is made of Cerachrom, Rolex's patented ceramic material, and it features a simpler design with hour markers only, emphasising its professional tool watch status.
The final difference is the clasp, the famous glidelock clasp on the Submariner is well known within the watch community offering 20mm of adjustment through and easy glide system. However, the Sea-Dweller features the same brushed oyster link bracelet and a Similar looking glidelock clasp to the Submariner. But, once you open it up you’ll notice it is slightly different, the glidelock works the same but the links attached to the glidelock system can also be significantly extended.
These links are called the ‘flip-lock’ links or system which gives you another 50mm of extension. This is because the divers who go down to deep depths of over 1 km under water have quite a bit more diving kit on over a diver going to 250m for example. Again, another small difference but gives the Sea-Dweller that extreme tool watch feel.
Yes the previous difference is still the final difference but this one is a bonus one, it’s not to do with the watches themselves but rather their line up offerings instead. The Rolex Submariner has a no-date option, white gold, yellow gold, two-tone with a blue or black dial, and even a green bezel option! However, the Sea-Dweller gives you two options, an all steel version or a two tone Yellow gold version, so much less choice when compared to the Submariner. So if having multiple different colour options and styles is something that’s important to you this would definitely be something to bear in mind.
The Rolex Sea-Dweller and Submariner are both remarkable watches, each designed to excel in specific environments and cater to the needs of different types of divers. Your choice between these iconic timepieces will ultimately depend on your diving requirements, personal preferences, and style. The Sea-Dweller stands as Rolex's ultimate tool watch with extreme water resistance and a helium escape valve, while the Submariner combines versatility, a sleek design and an iconic history. Here at ZEALANDE, you can choose multiple strap options for your submariner and Sea-Dweller including the newest addition of a rubber strap that works with your Rolex clasp for both models! For the ultimate sports watch feel, look and durability, you cannot beat the ZEALANDE rubber straps!
As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, the arrival of autumn brings with it a shift in fashion and accessories, including watches. Just as you swap out lightweight summer clothes for cosy sweaters and scarves, consider making a change to your watch strap as well. While metal and leather bands are popular choices and rightfully so too, the versatility and practicality of rubber straps make them an ideal strap option for the Autumn season. Today, we'll explore several compelling reasons why autumn is the perfect time to sport a rubber strap on your watch.
Weather during the Autumn can be very unpredictable, ranging from warm, sunny days to chilly, rainy afternoons. Rubber watch straps are extremely resilient and water-resistant, making them an excellent choice to wear. This is because ZEALANDE rubber straps are perfect to wear in all and any conditions so you never need to worry about the weather forecast! Unlike leather straps that may absorb moisture or metal bands that can become uncomfortably cold, rubber straps offer peace of mind.
They're durable enough to withstand rain, splashes, and other outdoor activities, ensuring your watch remains in top condition even during unexpected weather shifts. Plus, if (but more like a when!) it rains, rubber straps repel water so the water droplets would run off your watch and ZEALANDE rubber strap quickly. This of course is not the case if metal bands as water can hide between the links and leather, nato and perlon strap all absorb it.
Comfort and flexibility are a specialty of a ZEALANDE rubber strap, making sure they are soft on the skin to perfectly hug your wrist whilst being sturdy and durable. The colder months often prompt the desire for cosy, comfortable clothing which is generally more on the casual side of things. Rubber watch straps excel in delivering both comfort and flexibility, allowing for a snug fit without compromising durability.
This makes rubber straps a great choice for layering with sweaters or jackets, as they won't bind or chafe against your skin. The rubber material gently conforms to your wrist, ensuring your watch remains securely in place while allowing for natural movement and you can easily adjust the strap length with a tang buckle for a perfect fit. If you are using one of ZEALAND'S newest releases, the rubber strap that integrates into your Rolex clasp, you can also use the 5mm easy link or glidelock function as well!
Whilst ZEALANDE is not a fashion brand, it is a brand that designs and produces exceptionally well made, perfectly fitting and timeless rubber straps. Fashion generally sees a change throughout the seasons and Autumn tends to be more casual so a rubber strap will perfectly fit that style. Rubber straps seamlessly complement this seasonal style, offering a touch of casual elegance to any outfit. The modern and sporty appearance of a ZEALANDE strap can effortlessly elevate your look, whether you're heading to a pumpkin patch or meeting friends for a cosy coffee catch-up.
Rubber straps strike a balance between sophistication and comfort, making them a versatile choice for both day-to-day wear and special occasions. So, you can easily wear them even if you have to dress up, the contrast between casual rubber and a metal watch case puts more emphasis on the watch and makes it shine and stand out, especially with a white or black strap.
ZEALANDE offers a huge variety of coloured straps so you can not only have your classic looks in black and white but also some fun with colours like red, blue, orange and many more! During autumn, the landscape and trees transform with rich hues of red, orange, and yellow so it's the perfect time to introduce some colour onto your wrist as well.
Matching your watch strap to these Autumn-inspired shades adds a touch of seasonal flair to your outfit. Additionally, rubber straps can feature unique textures or patterns that emulate autumn motifs like leaves or waves, allowing you to express your connection to the season.
Autumn is an excellent time for outdoor adventures, from hiking through colourful forests to engaging sports. Rubber watch straps are the perfect companion for these activities due to their durability and water resistance. Whether you're jogging through fallen leaves or exploring pumpkin patches, a rubber strap can handle the demands of an active lifestyle. For popular Autumn sports like mountain biking and climbing, a rubber strap can definitely save your watch bracelet from being scratched up from any mishaps.
Not to mention, as your wrist expands and contracts from doing sports, a rubber strap can be quickly adjusted to get the perfect fit for you. Plus, their easy-to-clean nature ensures that your watch will stay looking fresh no matter how much dirt or mud you encounter. And given that the damper grounds make everything muddier, having a watch strap that can easily be cleaned is not something you should take for granted!
And there you have it, Autumn is one of the prettiest seasons of them all with the changing colours of nature and fluctuating temperatures and weather conditions means everyone will have a few days if their ideal weather. With that said, having a watch strap that can not only look good for all the many different styles of occasions but also hold up during the season is important. ZEALANDE have developed the perfect rubber strap for your watch and with an array of different styles, you can be sure that you can get the perfect rubber strap for you! So, whether you're sipping on a pumpkin spice latte or embarking on a leaf-strewn adventure, make sure your watch has a ZEALANDE rubber strap that shows you’re in the spirit of autumn.
Seiko, a watch brand that really needs no introduction at all, worn by people from every background and has a history of making incredible watches for price. Whether it's a dress piece like their presage or cocktail time, GMT watch or your famous 007 dive watch, Seiko really have mastered the art of supplying the world with a broad range of timepieces. However, if there is one fault to pick that many watch enthusiasts around the world share, it usually comes down to the bracelet. Seiko does offer a great bracelet for the price but sometimes you may find yourself looking for another strap option altogether. So knowing how to remove the strap will be important and also useful for adjusting the Seiko band you currently have. Hence today, we’re going to go over how you can adjust your seiko watch band and change it out for something new if you wish.
Adjusting a Seiko watch strap typically involves resizing the strap to fit your wrist comfortably. There are definitely a few tools you are going to need before you start even trying to adjust the bracelet. Also, please keep in mind some Seiko watch models have different bracelets with different mechanisms for adjusting the strap, so be sure to consult your watch's specific manual if you have it.
If not, simply check the side of your bracelet where the pins or screws are, if they look like they have a flat head with a notch like a screw driver could unscrew it, you a bracelet that utilises their screw system. If it looks like a smooth flat head, then you have a pin system to adjust your Seiko bracelet. Each one of these two systems are just as good as each other, the only thing you need to be aware of is how it will change how you adjust the bracelet.
It is important to note that older models from before 2010 will likely be slightly different to the modern watch strap systems used today. Usually the only difference will be removing the bracelet itself, older Seiko’s will have exterior holes on the lugs instead of the modern ones which are not visible from the side but from the watch case back. So, do not worry if your watch does not look or have certain features exactly mentioned in this article, the same principles will still apply so you’ll still be able to follow along without any issues.
Depending on how pristine and scratch free you would like your case back of your watch to be, you can apply some electrical tape around the lugs to avoid the spring bars scratching them as you remove or insert them. One thing to note, most people do not worry too much about this since it’s on the back of the watch you really won’t be able to notice it and if you do not change or adjust your Seiko band it’s unlikely any scratches will really show.
Following on from the movement, complications and other features are all signs of a luxury watch. However, it does not necessarily mean that the more complicated the watch is, the more luxurious it is. Take the forever iconic Rolex Submariner no-date, it simply tells you the time and no more. But the simplicity of itself, how reliable it is, the fact it can tell you the time 300m underwater or cruising in a plane across the sky, something simple yet impeccably well-made is still very much luxurious.
That said, most luxurious watch brands will create watches with complications such as a perpetual calendar, chronograph, moonphase, tourbillon or even a minute repeater (the movement that chimes a tune at a certain time). These movements are incredibly difficult to make and yet alone make them so they can withstand the test of time.
The first set of tools you are going to need to use will be a small flat head screwdriver, maybe even some electrical tape, a pin tool remover or watch tweezers and soft cloth. You’re going to want to first make sure you’ve the perfect workspace laid out to make sure you can easily remove the metal watch band safely and without causing any damage. Lay down a soft cloth or towel onto a firm surface to prevent scratching the watch or the strap when removing the bracelet. Seiko watches usually have different types of straps: metal bracelets, leather straps or a rubber strap. The resizing process can vary based on the type of strap. If it's a metal bracelet, you will need to add or remove some links to get the correct size. A good thing to do as well would be to try and guess how many links need to be added or removed so you have a rough idea on how many links you will need to unscrew.
Turn the watch over on its face so the case back is pointing upwards towards you, the side with the links. Take a look at the spring bars and once you can see where they are slowly and carefully push one side in before using a finger to push the middle part of the link out. Repeat this process on the other side until you can slide the end link out and away from the watch case. This process is made much easier with watch tweezers as all you have to do is slot both ends of the tweezers over each end of the spring bar and then press until they both come contract. The advantage with this is you can quickly and easily remove the bracelet in one fluid motion avoiding the chance of scratching your watch or bracelet.
Once you’ve removed the metal bracelet you will need to examine the links on their sides. You can usually see small arrows or indicators on the inside of the links showing you the direction to push out the pins. Use a spring bar tool or a small precision screwdriver to remove the pins, Insert the tool's pointed end into the small hole on the side of the link and gently push to release the spring bar that holds the link in place. Once you’ve pushed it out, remove the necessary links you need to get the perfect fit.
If you have screws, which is unlikely to be the case with Seiko but certain models do have them, all you need to do is use a small flat head screwdriver to loosen the screw. The process is exactly the same as pins after that, remove all the needed screws first, then remove or add in the links you need before screwing the links back together again. Don’t forget to keep the links you just removed in case you decided you want to extend the bracelet at a later date! And once again, make sure you do this process with both the watch and bracelet on a soft surface to avoid damaging the bracelet or watch case during the process.
Now that you have removed or added the link you need to get the perfect fit for your watch, you now need to reattach the bracelet back onto your watch case. To reattach the bracelet, line up the remaining links and push the spring bar back in place using the tool you used to remove them. For certain Seiko models, you may notice you have a diver's extension clasp on your bracelet or micro adjustment along the side of the clasp. If that is the case, make sure you have first tried adjusting that if you only need to make a minor adjustment. You don’t want to have to remove or add a link for no reason so always double check to see whether or not you actually need to remove the whole bracelet or if you can just quickly slide the bracelet along the clasp.
Source : Seiko Boutique
When it comes to resizing a Leather or rubber strap for your Seiko watch it should normally be quite self-explanatory, especially if it uses a buckle and pin system. If your strap has a classic buckle and pin, all you have to do is thread the leather strap side with the holes in it through the buckles. Pull it through until it is as tight as you want it and then push the pin into the nearest hole and tuck the excess leather or rubber under the keeper. However, especially for the more expensive Seiko’s, you may find that your rubber or leather strap has a deployment clasp function instead of a buckle and pin. If this is the case you will have to adjust the setting of where the clasp holds onto the strap.
You need to unbuckle the metal part that clamps onto the leather side with the adjusting holes on it and then slide it higher or lower up the bracelet depending on how tight or loose you want the fit. Then, push the clamp back down and make sure it is securely fastened before pushing any excess fabric through the keepers. Once you’ve done all of these steps, you are now ready to wear your well-fitted watch around comfortably!
Zealande have excellent rubber straps designed for your Seiko presage, the strap will perfectly fit your case and feel better than the OEM. Whilst Seiko do make great watches and straps for the price, ZEALANDE focuses on producing nothing but the best rubber straps for watches. The feel, quality and durability of them is unparalleled so if your Seiko watch wants an upgrade, look no further than ZEALANDE for your option. Even if you do not own or have a Seiko presage, ZEALANDE have universal rubber straps which can fit to any watch case so long as it has a lug width of either 20 or 22 mm.
This is also great for preserving your original bracelet or if you cannot get the perfect fit because there is no micro adjustment, these rubber straps will definitely fix that problem for you. Not to mention, with their being many colour options you can have a bit of fun giving your Seiko many different looks.
Adjusting a watch strap can seem daunting, especially if it’s a metal one, but through time and practice you will easily be able to resize bracelets of all kinds with different systems. But, if the idea of adjusting your own watch strap really doesn’t appeal to you, there's always another easier and safer option. Head down to your local jewellers or AD where you bought the watch from. Any jeweller or sales rep in an AD will almost always be able to easily adjust the strap for you there and then. If you can, head to the AD where you bought the watch as they will more than likely offer this service free of charge.
That said, even if you have to pay, it should not cost you more than a few dollars to do so. Even if you are comfortable with the idea of adjusting your own Seiko watch strap, you might not have the tool you need yet. So, whilst you wait for the tools you ordered to arrive, if you need the bracelet adjusted urgently, head down to your nearest jewellers or AD as they can easily help you out. You could also ask them for help and advice on how to adjust the bracelet as well, you never know who might have a useful tip or two for you!
Now that you know how to adjust your Seiko watch band you may be wanting to have some decent tools for the job and maybe another strap option whilst you’re there adjusting yours. ZEALANDE have the perfect watch tools available to you, whether you want a simple pin tool, watch tweezers or microfibre cloth, ZEALANDE have a wide range of products for you to use to make adjusting your strap that bit easier. If instead of adjusting your strap you’re looking for an excellent rubber strap alternative, ZEALANDE also has the answer for you! With plenty of different strap colour options available to you, you can have a lot of fun dressing your Seiko with a new rubber strap. Of course, white or black will always be a classic colour and can even make your watch look more formal. So, do not think that rubber straps always have to be bright coloured and an informal strap choice, they can definitely be used for smart!
When it comes to luxury and precision watches, Rolex is undoubtedly one of the world's most renowned brands. Among its vast range of iconic models, the Rolex Sea-Dweller occupies a special place. This iconic watch is not only a symbol of prestige, but also an indispensable tool for professional divers.
In this article, we'll explore the fascinating history of the Rolex Sea-Dweller and highlight the key features that make it a must-have choice for diving enthusiasts and collectors alike. What's more, we'll provide invaluable advice on choosing the perfect watch and guiding you through its care, to ensure optimum durability and performance.
Whether you're passionate about scuba diving or simply looking for an exceptional watch that combines cutting-edge technology with timeless elegance, the Rolex Sea-Dweller is sure to win you over. Let's dive into the depths of the Rolex Sea-Dweller's history and features, to discover what makes it a true watchmaking treasure.
The history of the Rolex Sea-Dweller dates back to the 1960s, when scuba diving gained in popularity and required more advanced diving watches. The Sea-Dweller was specially designed to meet this growing demand and to surpass the technical requirements of professional divers.
Since its creation, the Rolex Sea-Dweller has had several references that have marked its evolution over time. Among the emblematic references is the reference 1665, known as the "Sea-Dweller Double Red" because of its dial with the inscriptions "Sea-Dweller" and "Submariner 2000" in double red color. Next, reference 16660, also known as "Triple Six", introduced technical improvements such as increased diving depth to 1220 meters (4000 feet) and an improved helium valve. Later, reference 16600 brought further improvements to the movement and water-resistance. Currently, the Sea-Dweller is offered in various references, including reference 126600, which was introduced in 2017 with significant updates, including a larger case and improved movement. Each Rolex Sea-Dweller reference demonstrates Rolex's ongoing commitment to innovation and underwater performance.
One of the key features that sets the Sea-Dweller apart is its exceptional water-resistance. Over the years, Rolex has constantly improved this feature to impressive levels.
The first Sea-Dweller, launched in 1967, was capable of withstanding depths of up to 610 meters (2,000 feet). Since then, Rolex has continually pushed the limits, and today's Sea-Dweller models can dive to depths of up to 1,220 meters (4,000 feet).
The flagship innovation of the Rolex Sea-Dweller is the helium valve, an ingenious device that balances the pressure inside and outside the watch during saturation dives. This technology was developed in collaboration with the French diving company Comex, and has become an emblematic feature of the Sea-Dweller.
Over the years, Rolex has also made aesthetic improvements to the Sea-Dweller, while maintaining the watch's integrity and functionality. More recent models feature larger cases, luminous dials and robust Straps, giving the watch a sporty yet elegant look.
In short, the story of the Rolex Sea-Dweller is one of constant innovation and commitment to watchmaking excellence. Professional divers around the world have trusted this iconic watch to accompany them to the depths, while collectors appreciate its unique heritage and value in the luxury watch market.
In the next part of this article, we'll take a closer look at the key features that make the Rolex Sea-Dweller a must-have choice for divers and lovers of exceptional watches.
The Rolex Sea-Dweller is distinguished by a set of technical features and functionalities that make it an exceptional watch for professional divers and demanding amateurs. Here's an overview of the key elements that contribute to its renown:
Extreme water resistance: The Rolex Sea-Dweller is designed to withstand the extreme pressures of the deep sea. Thanks to its robust case and screw-down winding crown with triple water-resistance system, this watch can dive to 1,220 meters (4,000 feet) without compromising its performance.
Helium valve: The helium valve is a major innovation of the Sea-Dweller, releasing the pressure of helium accumulated inside the watch during saturation dives. This feature ensures optimum protection and preserves the integrity of the watch in extreme environments.
Unidirectional bezel: The Sea-Dweller features a unidirectional rotating bezel with a 60-minute scale. This feature enables divers to accurately measure their dive time and manage their immersion time in complete safety.
Certified chronometer movement: Inside the Rolex Sea-Dweller beats a high-precision automatic movement. Each movement is chronometer-certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), guaranteeing exceptional precision in all conditions.
Top-quality materials: Rolex uses top-quality materials to manufacture the Sea-Dweller. The 904L stainless steel case offers exceptional corrosion resistance and durability, while the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal ensures optimum clarity and protection against damage.
Visibility in all circumstances: the Sea-Dweller's luminous dials and indexes guarantee maximum legibility, even in low-light conditions. This essential feature allows divers to easily consult the time and track their dive time.
The Rolex Sea-Dweller has earned a prestigious reputation as the watch of choice for professional divers and discerning collectors. Here are the key reasons why the Sea-Dweller is a must-have choice:
Diving-specific features: The Rolex Sea-Dweller is equipped with specific features that make it a reliable, high-performance diving instrument. Its exceptional water-resistance, helium valve and unidirectional bezel allow divers to explore the depths with complete confidence. These features make the Sea-Dweller an essential tool for both professional and recreational diving.
A reputation for quality and reliability: Rolex is synonymous with quality and reliability. The Sea-Dweller embodies this reputation, offering remarkable precision thanks to its chronometer-certified movement. The high-end materials used in its manufacture guarantee unfailing durability, ensuring a watch that stands the test of time. Timeless aesthetics: the Rolex Sea-Dweller combines functionality and elegance. Its timeless design, with its solid case and refined details, makes it a watch that stands out both underwater and on land. Its sporty, elegant look makes it a versatile choice for both formal and casual occasions.
Prized collector status: Watch collectors around the world consider the Rolex Sea-Dweller a true horological gem. Its rich heritage, technical evolutions and exclusivity make it a sought-after timepiece. Investing in a Sea-Dweller can be considered a valuable investment, as it generally retains its value and may even increase in value over time.
Commitment to exclusivity: Rolex maintains a limited production run of the Sea-Dweller, making it a highly exclusive watch. This rarity reinforces its appeal to collectors and watch enthusiasts looking for unique, hard-to-get pieces.
In short, the Rolex Sea-Dweller embodies watchmaking excellence combined with unrivalled underwater performance. Its status as the watch of choice for professional divers and collectors alike is the result of decades of innovation, unwavering quality and timeless design.
The Rolex Sea-Dweller is available in different variants, each offering its own features and designs. Among the most popular models are the Sea-Dweller 4000 and the Sea-Dweller Deepsea. These models are distinguished by their maximum diving depths, dimensions and specific features. It's essential to take your needs and preferences into account when choosing a Sea-Dweller model.
To ensure the longevity and optimum performance of your Rolex Sea-Dweller, it's essential to follow a few valuable maintenance tips. First of all, avoid violent shocks and contact with corrosive chemicals. Clean your watch regularly with a soft cloth and avoid prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures. We also recommend that you have your watch serviced every few years by a qualified watchmaker to ensure that its internal components are in good working order.
By following these maintenance tips, you'll be able to preserve the beauty, precision and value of your Rolex Sea-Dweller over the years.
In conclusion, choosing a Rolex Sea-Dweller requires taking into account the different models available and considering important purchasing factors. Then, by properly maintaining your watch, you can guarantee its longevity and exceptional performance.
The Rolex Sea-Dweller embodies technical excellence, underwater performance and timeless aesthetics. Through its history, we discovered its beginnings as an advanced diver's watch, its technological evolution with the introduction of the helium valve, and its iconic design that combines functionality and elegance.
We also explored the key features of the Rolex Sea-Dweller, such as its extreme water-resistance, unidirectional bezel and chronometer-certified movement. These elements make the Sea-Dweller an unrivalled watch for professional divers and passionate amateurs alike.
In conclusion, the Rolex Sea-Dweller is much more than just a diving watch. It represents the excellence, precision and watchmaking expertise of Rolex. When you wear a Sea-Dweller, you're committing yourself to the heritage of luxury watchmaking, and enjoying an exceptional watch that will accompany you on all your underwater adventures.
Explore the world of Rolex watches and discover why the Sea-Dweller has become a must-have icon for watch lovers the world over. Discover the ZEALANDE Rubber Strap for Sea-Dweller.
Embrace the heat this Summer, as the scorching sun rises high in the sky and the temperatures soar, wearing a watch on a metal or leather strap can become less comfortable than normal. Just as our wardrobe undergoes a transformation to adapt to the rising temperatures, so too should our timepieces. Summer time is the perfect season to swap out your traditional metal or leather watch straps and embrace the versatility and comfort of a ZEALANDE rubber strap. Here's why a rubber strap on your watch is the ideal strap configuration you want to have for the summer months.
The sweltering heat of summer can leave us feeling sweaty and uncomfortable, and the last thing we want is a sticky or itchy watch strap irritating you. Rubber straps are highly breathable and won't absorb moisture, making them the ultimate choice for those hot and humid days. The material allows air to circulate around your wrist, preventing the build-up of sweat and ensuring you stay cool and comfortable all day long.
Whilst a metal bracelet looks great as well, more often than not watchmakers have links with very little space between them which only traps sweat and doesn’t allow much airflow. Leather straps in Summer are usually not a good choice purely because of the likelihood you will sweat more and moisture will deteriorate your leather strap quicker. With Summer usually being the time people spend lots of time in the hot outdoors and then walk into the cool air conditioned indoors, a ZEALANDE rubber helps make your watch that bit more comfortable.
Summertime often brings adventures and can easily involve water activities, be it a refreshing dip in the pool, a swim in the ocean, or simply sweating it out during an outdoor workout. Rubber straps are water-resistant and incredibly durable, making them perfect for any aquatic escapade. Unlike leather straps, which can be damaged by water and sweat, rubber straps are designed to withstand these conditions, allowing you to enjoy your summer activities worry-free. Not to mention, it will save your beautiful metal strap from millions of extra scratches that can easily be picked up whilst wearing your watch during sporting activities.
Another great reason for a ZEALANDE rubber strap is simple, colourful expressions! Summer is synonymous with vibrant colours and a lively atmosphere. From the bright blue colour of waters to the multi colours shown by nature in flowers and trees. ZEALANDE rubber watch straps come in an array of eye-catching colours that can complement your summer wardrobe and add a touch of fun to your overall look. Whether you want to match the strap to your favourite beachwear or opt for a contrasting pop of colour, rubber straps provide endless opportunities for personal expression.
During summer, the pace of life tends to be more relaxed, and dressing codes become more casual. A rubber strap adds a touch of laid-back elegance to your watch, making it a versatile accessory for a range of occasions, from poolside lounging to backyard barbecues. You won't have to worry about your watch feeling out of place in informal settings, and its durability ensures it can keep up with your summer escapades. Yet, at the same time, the contrast between a luxury ZEALANDE rubber strap and your metal watch case makes the watch pop that but more and can easily be worn in a more formal environment.
With all the outdoor activities and increased exposure to elements, our watches can take quite a beating during summer. Luckily, rubber straps are not only resilient but also easy to clean and maintain. A simple rinse with water and mild soap will keep your rubber strap looking fresh and ready for all your summer adventures.
Cleaning and maintaining a rubber strap is far easier than metal or leather because rubber does not get water damage and with the smooth surface of rubber it can quickly and easily be washed down. With sweating occurring more often for people, it's important to clean your watch and watch strap more often than normal to keep that nice clean look. Hence having a strap option that’s easy and quick to clean is much more convenient, like a ZEALANDE rubber strap!
Finally, the great thing about ZEALANDE rubber straps is you can switch between different styles and colours effortlessly. Investing in a ZEALANDE rubber strap for summer means you can easily swap it with your metal or leather strap when the cooler seasons roll around. This versatility makes rubber straps a practical and cost-effective choice to really change up the look of your watch.
Changing from one rubber strap to another is dead easy, with rubber being more flexible than leather and metal, it is far less damaging to your watch case when moving rubber straps in between your watch lugs. Hence, you never need to worry about how many times you want to change up your rubber straps! Plus, since rubber has more give to it than metal, it is easier to insert the strap between the lugs and move the spring bars into position making installation that bit quicker.
So there you have it, as the sun shines brightly and the season of sunshine and fun takes centre stage, embracing a ZEALANDE rubber strap for your watch becomes a wise and stylish decision. Comfortable, durable, water-resistant, and full of character, rubber straps not only suit the season but also elevate your style quotient during summer adventures. So, let go of the conventional metal or leather strap and embrace the summer spirit with a rubber strap that will keep you on time and on-trend throughout the sunny months ahead. You definitely won’t regret your decisions and it will make your watch that bit more fun and comfortable for the hotter months!
Rolex is a name that resonates with luxury, precision, and timeless elegance. For over a century, Rolex has established itself as a leading watch manufacturer, captivating the hearts and wrists of watch enthusiasts around the world. However, have you ever wondered who is behind this iconic brand? Who owns Rolex, and how are they structured as an organisation? There is no quick answer, but just like the brand itself, it is structured in such a way to create perfection. Today, we’re going to delve into the rich history and story behind Rolex's ownership.
The journey of Rolex began in 1905 in London, England, when a young watchmaker named Hans Wilsdorf co-founded the company alongside his brother-in-law, Alfred Davis. From the beginning, Wilsdorf had a clear vision of creating wristwatches that were reliable, precise, and elegant. His unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation laid the foundation for Rolex's future success. Rolex really pioneered the future of wrist watches and they were the first to achieve many things like the first waterproof watch, the first watch with a date and many other incredible innovations. To ensure that it stays that way, Hans Wilsdorf knew he had to come up with a way to continue the legacy and protect the brand.
Hans Wilsdorf's impact on Rolex extended far beyond his lifetime. In 1944, he established the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, a charitable organisation dedicated to advancing scientific research, education, and philanthropy. Wilsdorf entrusted the majority of his Rolex shares to the foundation, ensuring the brand's longevity and independence. To this day, the foundation holds the controlling interest in Rolex, safeguarding its values and allowing it to make decisions based on long-term objectives rather than short-term gains.
Source : Time & Tide
Source : Watchpro USA
Rolex is one of the few watchmakers that is not owned by capitalist shareholders from a company seeking to make their own pockets richer. Whilst it is not technically family owned, it was set up by the family and because it is a non-profit organisation, it does not need to worry about pleasing shareholders. Instead, Rolex can focus purely on creating the best possible timepieces it can. It also helps keep some part of the family name within the business giving that extra touch of warmth and trust you have in a family run business.
While the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation is the principal shareholder of Rolex, the actual operational ownership of the company is vested in several private entities. These entities are collectively referred to as the Rolex Watch Group, which comprises various subsidiaries and affiliates involved in the production, distribution, and marketing of Rolex timepieces. All of these ‘owners’ are working together to ensure the legacy, history and everything Rolex stands for is preserved.
This means pure focus on quality and innovation of their wrist watches for their audience, Rolex is well aware their timepieces are highly desirable so they do not need to worry so much about being able to generate more money than they already do. Hence, the Rolex Watch Group is not a publicly listed company on any stock exchange as they do not allow investors to own or control anything. This is the sort of structure needed by an organisation to focus entirely on satisfying their target audience and producing the best watches possible.
The Rolex Watch Group operates under the guidance and supervision of the Wilsdorf family, who are themselves descendants of Hans Wilsdorf. This family-led collaboration ensures that the brand's traditions, values, and dedication to precision craftsmanship are upheld with the utmost care. None of the current Wilsdorf family members alive are watchmakers themselves so in order to ensure the future success of Rolex, setting up a charitable organisation of those who know Rolex inside and out was the next best option.
It gives the Rolex family owned and created feel to the brand whilst being run by people who have nothing to gain personally from the success of Rolex other than their passion for the brand. Hence when you look at certain other watchmakers who are owned by large conglomerate companies or organisations, it can be argued that certain of their timepieces are created purely to increase profits.
This, however, is far from the case for Rolex, which has helped the brand remain a timeless and iconic name within the watchmaking industry
Source : Hodinkee
Rolex's ownership structure has been instrumental in maintaining the brand's independence and commitment to uncompromising quality. By remaining privately owned, Rolex can focus on its long-term strategies and maintain control over every aspect of production, from designing and manufacturing to testing and servicing its watches. This dedication to vertical integration allows Rolex to maintain the highest standards and exercise meticulous quality control throughout the entire production process. And this can easily be seen when you look at Rolex and their new releases each year. The perfect balance between maintaining class, elegance and making watches with clear heritage to their first-generation models with modern day specifications. At the same time, managing to introduce new and fun colours to keep up with the times and showcase their ability to perfectly blend heritage classics with modern day styles.
So, there you have it, while Rolex may not have a single individual owner, its legacy has been safeguarded by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation and managed by the Wilsdorf family. This unique ownership structure ensures that Rolex remains true to its heritage, producing exceptional timepieces that have become the epitome of luxury and precision. As the brand continues to evolve and innovate, it does so under the guidance of those who understand and appreciate its rich history, carrying forward the vision of Hans Wilsdorf and his commitment to excellence.
This same thought process has been used at ZEALANDE to develop the perfect rubber strap for your watch. Especially now in Summer with the weather benign hotter, allowing your wrist to breathe and your watch to be worn during more water sports, a ZEALANDE rubber strap gives you the ability to do that and with a pop of colour too!
In a world like today where watches are no longer just a tool watch, but a symbol of success, a feeling of accomplishment or perhaps decades of treasured memories, the luxury watch market has really exploded. With as many watchmakers and brands as there are now, it can get quite tricky knowing where the line of luxury starts and ends where ludicrousy starts. With more platforms like Instagram making seeing luxury watches ever easier, it can become very tricky knowing what a luxury watch actually is and what to look out for in one. Today, we’re going to go through all the elements of a luxury watch you need to know about and what they actually are so you can be safe knowing that whatever watch purchase you're considering, you’ll know whether it meets your criteria.
Luxury watches have always been a symbol of elegance, craftsmanship, and timeless style. Whether you're an avid watch collector or simply appreciate the artistry behind these exceptional timepieces, understanding the world of luxury watches can be both fascinating and rewarding. The difficulty with defining luxury is that much like the words “expensive” or ‘cheap’, they are relative terms and what may be luxurious to you might not be to another person. For argument's sake, we’re going to remain neutral and look at what most people in general would classify as a luxury watch and the elements it must possess. Hence before we dive into all the luxury watch brands you could consider, we’ll first take a look at all the different aspects of a luxury watch in general so you can decide which brand best suits your luxury watch needs.
Most people would agree, a luxury watch does have to be polished to a mirror finish, be coated in diamonds or have ridiculous wrist presence, but it does have to feel luxurious which can mean different things to different people. However, there are a few aspects that most would agree a watch has to fulfil in order to be considered a luxury watch. The element of legacy and history: luxury watches boast a rich heritage that spans centuries and often with historical achievements made.
From the pioneering innovations of watchmakers like Abraham-Louis Breguet and designers like Gerald Genta to the iconic designs of brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe, each luxury watch brand carries its unique story.
Exploring this history allows us to appreciate the legacy and craftsmanship that goes into creating these extraordinary timepieces that we then get the fortune to wear and enjoy on our wrists.
A Luxury watch will likely have a movement that represents the quality of the watch itself. One of the most crucial elements of a luxury watch is its movement. A movement, also known as a calibre, refers to the mechanism that powers the watch.
Yes, a cheap Seiko movement (not that there's nothing wrong with them!) will still tell more or less the same time as the famous calibre 3235 that beats inside the Rolex Submariner, but it is nowhere near the same standard as the Rolex. High-end luxury watches often feature mechanical movements, which can either be manual or automatic.
Manual movements require you to manually wind the watch in order to keep/increase the power reserve, some find this difficult to remember but others enjoy and appreciate the everyday interactions you have with this sort of movement.
An automatic movement has its own rotor wheel and rotates due to gravity and uses kinetic energy to keep your watch’ power reserve filled up so as long as you wear your watch, it will continue to tell the time. Both of these movements tend to be very nicely finished in luxury watches and certain brands like Audemars Piguet will have every piece hand-polished, hence they look like phenomenal pieces of art.
Following on from the movement, complications and other features are all signs of a luxury watch. However, it does not necessarily mean that the more complicated the watch is, the more luxurious it is. Take the forever iconic Rolex Submariner no-date, it simply tells you the time and no more. But the simplicity of itself, how reliable it is, the fact it can tell you the time 300m underwater or cruising in a plane across the sky, something simple yet impeccably well-made is still very much luxurious.
That said, most luxurious watch brands will create watches with complications such as a perpetual calendar, chronograph, moonphase, tourbillon or even a minute repeater (the movement that chimes a tune at a certain time). These movements are incredibly difficult to make and yet alone make them so they can withstand the test of time.
Source : Watch Collecting Lifestyle
Hence the slogan from Patek Philippe is perfect as it summarises everything perfectly. ‘You never really own a Patek Philippe, you simply look after it for the next generation’. Patek Philippe
This means that they create masterful luxurious watches which will not only outlast you but will remain within your family for generations to come. This goes to show the level of craftsmanship that they can achieve and considering the insane complications of their watches, they really do make the dictionary definition of a luxury watch. Each complication adds to the complexity and value of the timepiece, making it a true marvel of engineering and work of art. Of course, Patek Philippe is not the only watchmaker to make watches to this level but their slogan and everything they stand for perfectly summarises everything about luxury watches.
The next thing to consider is materials and the level of craftsmanship used to make the timepiece. What we mean by this is when you pick the watch up, how does it feel in your hands? Can you feel the perfectly cut edges of the case? Not too sharp that it feels unrefined but perfectly defined with every part of the watch case and bracelet feeling like they were made to go together perfectly. Another way to look at it is if you were blindfolded, does it feel like high quality and well built? Luxury watches make sure that the finishing of their watches is very refined and precise making them feel special in the hands and on your wrist. When you handle the watch or try it on, this would be the first thing you’ll notice but almost immediately after if not at the same time will be the material.
Source : Prestige Time
How heavy does it feel and how well is that weight balanced? Now, there are plenty of luxury watches that use material like titanium which is a very light material but bears no indication whatsoever that it is of inferior quality at all! But for your standard watch made from steel, you should be able to feel a nice balance of weight evenly distributed around the watch. Luxury watches are crafted using the finest materials available, from precious metals like gold and platinum to high-quality stainless steel, luxury watches are designed to stand the test of time.
They are built so you can hand them down to your children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren! Additionally, many luxury watchmakers incorporate exquisite details such as hand-engraving, gemstone settings, and intricate dial designs, showcasing the mastery of skilled artisans. Not many brands will offer this level of detail but for those who desire pure luxury, there are plenty of watchmakers out there to deliver this level of refined watchmaking.
Source : Fratello Watches
The next element of a luxury watch is very much up for debate and that is its value. Both new and second hand, a luxury product means luxury effort, design and production has gone into crafting it so you can expect to pay a luxury price tag for it. Now there is a very broad range of prices which can be considered luxury and this will vary from one person to another. However, a 50-dollar Casio watch, whilst an iconic and fantastic watch, you would not perhaps associate the word ‘luxury’ with it. Entry luxury watches can start from several hundreds of dollars and rise well into the thousands, tens of thousands and even millions of dollars. The sky's the limit when it comes to luxury watches but you can often use the price tag as a rough and general guide to its level of luxury. It goes without saying watchmakers will have their own markups and desired profit margins which will vary but generally speaking the higher the price, more than likely the more luxurious. It is often, BUT NOT ALWAYS a way to see what materials, costs and level of craftsmanship has been incurred to produce that watch.
Often a luxury watch is highly desirable and by checking second hand prices, you can see how the majority of people value a watch. Much like a company in the stock market, a watch on the watch market will have its value set by what most people will pay for it. Therefore, you can use this as a measure of seeing how luxurious certain watches are or even watch brands according to the value assigned to them by us buyers, the public. Value is more of a general indication rather than stating because watch ‘A’ is more expensive or increases in value more watch ‘B’ watch ‘A’ is therefore better- no that's not the point. It is crucial to remember that this is really just for your own curiosity, always buy what you personally like and your definition of luxury may be different to someone else's which is totally fine!
Source : Italian Watch Spotter
The final aspect of a luxury watch you need to know about is the care and maintenance. For those familiar with cars, specifically sports cars, they can deliver exceptional performance, feel and experience. However, in return they require more maintenance and care and the more expensive the sports care, the more expensive the maintenance. The exact same goes for luxury watches, the more complex a movement, the more prestigious the watch brand, the higher the cost will be for maintenance. But costs aside, they often do not need servicing as often. For example, both Rolex and Omega say for their new 2022 watches and onwards will only need a general service once every decade.
It is important to look after your luxury watch and care for it/them too, try and keep them clean and never exceed their water resistance limit. If the strap is leather then try to make sure you don’t get it wet or wear it whilst doing sports to avoid sweat damaging it faster. A luxury watch is built to be worn so do not be afraid to wear them but just make sure you know where and when to wear them. If you owned a Ferrari 458 Pista and a Range Rover and you were going to go camping in the woods, you’d probably choose the Range Rover as it is better suited to that particular scenario. The same logic can be applied to watches, you get the idea!
And there you have it, everything you need to know about luxury watches, what they are, and what makes a luxury watch, a luxury watch. ZEALANDE offers you the perfect rubber strap option for your luxury watches as they are designed to fit your watch as well as the OEM strap/bracelet/band. For those of you wanting a watch strap option that allows you to not have to worry about scratches, that can add a bit of colour, reduce the weight of your watch and wear and tear on your bracelet, then ZEALANDE has the perfect option for you. There is something to be said about the combination of a luxury watch on a luxury rubber strap, the look and feel it provides is really something special and you can even see many more celebrities wearing their luxury watches on rubber straps. Make sure you checkout ZEALANDE’ fantastic rubber straps for your watch so you can get the most out of your watch this Summer.
If you have ever tried on a Rolex or own one, it becomes very easy to tell that you are wearing a very high-quality Swiss watch. The impeccable finishing and materials used to construct these masterpieces all vary but all share the same trait of perfection and durability. These factors naturally contribute towards the overall weight of the watch and therefore each Rolex model weighs slightly different amounts. However, the feeling of that weight really helps to give it that bit of extra wrist presence so when you put on your Rolex, there is no two ways about it, you know you’ve got a Rolex on your wrist from the perfect weight of it.
Hence today, we’re going to look at how much a Rolex actually weighs and the different ranges of weights the different models can be. All weights are given in grams (g) and they are the weights of the watch model with all of its links attached so yours may vary depending on the number of links you have.
Starting off with the basics, within Rolex you can select watches that can be made from 319L stainless steel, titanium, Two-tone (meaning a combination steel and gold), solid gold and platinum. These metals all vary massively in weight with the lightest being titanium, then steel, then gold and then the heaviest being platinum. Instantly, this will play a large role in determining the weight of your Rolex, then it will come down to the size of the watch as this will decide how much of the metal is used.
Source : Hodinkee
Source : Monochrome Wacthes
Obviously the larger the watch, the heavier it is so make sure you know the exact size of your Rolex or the Rolex you’re considering buying. For example, the Rolex Datejust 41 mm on the jubilee with a fluted bezel weighs around 146g and the exact same watch but just in size 36 weighs 117g. You can easily see how despite being the same model, the size makes a big difference.
In general, the Rolex sport watches are heavier than their classic watches. With the exception of the Rolex Sky Dweller, the watches in Rolex’ Classic line tend to be more elegant, no surprise there, so they tend to be thinner cases. Contrastingly, the sports watch line up consists of much thicker models due to their water resistance being superior and their boxier sporty designs. These two elements reflect on more materials being used to construct the watches, hence the weight increase that comes with a Rolex sports watch.
Source : Bob’s Watches
The final element to bear in mind that can massively affect the weight of the watch is the bracelet or strap. A solid gold bracelet weighs a lot more than an Oysterflex rubber strap, however, Rolex are very tactful when it comes to using rubber or solid gold. More often than not you’ll notice the larger solid gold models such as the sky dweller, Daytona and yacht master being offered on an Oysterflex bracelet. But don’t think the watch will be too light, the heavy solid gold case combined with the lighter and comfier material of rubber offer the perfect weight when combined together.
Source : Revolution Watch
A Rolex Datejust in steel weighs anywhere between 80g to 130g depending on the size, but you’ll notice that for a two tone Datejust the weight now varies between 100 and 185 grams. Whilst it might seem like a small difference it will definitely be noticeable so potentially something to bear in mind when deciding on which Datejust model you might like. With the oyster perpetual line only benign offered in steel, they can vary between 80 to 136g. The heaviest of all the classic models is the Sky Dweller and Day-Date, this the Sky-Dweller can weigh in at 174g all the way up to 210g and the Day-Date anywhere between 200g to 225g.
Moving on to Rolex’ sport watches, the Submariner weighs 135g up to a whopping 296g for the solid gold model! The Rolex Sea-Dweller weighs in at 147 and the GMT Master II comes in at 140 to 175 g which is very similar to that of the Submariner. The Yacht Master has quite a bit of variation due to the two models offered, the different sizes and the addition of a new titanium offering.
The Rolex Yacht master will have a weight of anywhere between 100g right up to 262 for a solid gold model. The Rolex Daytona is a sizable watch with a large movement but they managed to keep its weight at a perfect range between 141g to 282g.
As you can see, there are as many weight variations as there are models of watches at Rolex, however the point is not to go into each individual weights of the watches but more to give you an idea of what watch line-ups weigh what. As mentioned before and shown above, the more gold you have on your watch, the heavier it will be which some people prefer.
The most important thing to do is try the watch on first, reading a number in grams is almost meaningless if you are using them to consider which watch to buy. Once you’ve tried the same model watch on with different metal combinations you’ll quickly see which weight feels better on your own wrist.
Source : ZEALANDE
If you’re wanting to balance out the weight of your watch and make it a little lighter on the wrist then be sure to go and check out the rubber straps offered by ZEALANDE. They are all perfectly made to fit your watch and hug your wrist even better than the rubber strap offered by Rolex! Striving for perfection, the ZEALANDE rubber strap will help reduce the overall weight of your watch making sports much easier to do and ensure you feel comfortable and confident wearing your watch in all scenarios. A lighter watch, especially during the summer time, can make the watch wear more comfortable and allow more airflow between your wrist and the watch avoiding the sweaty irritation bracelets can cause.
Discover the Seamaster Diver "Peter Blake", a legendary watch created in collaboration between Omega and the famous artist Peter Blake. We'll dive into the details of this iconic model and explore the importance of rubber straps for luxury watches. Prepare to be seduced by the perfect marriage of art, aesthetics and functionality.
The Seamaster Diver "Peter Blake" is much more than just another Omega model. It is the result of an exciting collaboration between Omega, a renowned watch brand, and the renowned artist Peter Blake. The watch is named after the famous New Zealand sailor and artist Peter Blake, who was known for his love of adventure and the sea. This unique partnership has resulted in a watch that embodies the spirit of art and performance.
In this article, we'll explore in detail the exceptional features of the Seamaster Diver "Peter Blake". We'll dive into its bold design, build quality and innovative features. But before we get into the details of the watch itself, we need to understand why rubber straps are so important for luxury watches.
In the rest of this article, we'll highlight the specific advantages of the rubber band on the Seamaster "Peter Blake". We'll look at the high-quality materials used, the ergonomic design for a perfect fit and the unique aesthetics.
In conclusion, the Seamaster Diver "Peter Blake" is a true work of art on your wrist. This exceptional model embodies the perfect marriage of art and performance, and its rubber strap plays an essential role in its aesthetics and functionality. Get ready to discover all the fascinating details of this iconic model and be seduced by its bold allure and inspiring history.
The Seamaster "Peter Blake" embodies the perfect blend of bold design and exceptional craftsmanship. Its high-quality stainless steel case, 41 mm in diameter, houses a captivating dial that captivates with its simplicity and elegance.
The luminous indexes and precise hands contrast harmoniously with the dial, offering optimal legibility even in the darkest environments. The scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, which protects the dial, ensures uncompromising clarity and durability. Beyond its aesthetically pleasing design, the Seamaster Diver "Peter Blake" is equipped with a state-of-the-art automatic movement, the Omega caliber 1120.
This remarkably precise Swiss movement guarantees superior watchmaking performance, with an 40-hour power reserve and automatic winding function.
Source : Time & TIde
Source : Time & TIde
The watch is also equipped with practical functions for divers. Its water resistance to 300 meters means you can explore the depths of the sea with confidence. What's more, it's equipped with a helium valve for saturation dives, ensuring optimum safety on extended excursions.
In terms of aesthetics, the Seamaster Diver "Peter Blake" offers several design options to suit individual tastes. You can choose from a black bezel and a black dial, a polished bezel and blue dial or a titanium bezel and a black dial.
In short, the Seamaster Diver "Peter Blake" embodies the perfect alliance between art and performance. Its bold design, exceptional build quality and functional features make it an incomparable luxury watch. Whether you're an avid diver or a discerning watch enthusiast, the Seamaster "Peter Blake" is a true work of art on the wrist that will impress you with its unique allure and unrivalled reliability.
Source : Monochrome
Rubber straps have become increasingly popular in the watchmaking industry, and no wonder. They offer an unrivalled level of comfort, making them a preferred choice for watch enthusiasts.
Unlike steel or leather straps, rubber is soft, supple and adapts perfectly to the shape of the wrist. It offers a pleasant, ergonomic feel, making it an ideal choice for those who wear their watches for long periods.
In addition to their exceptional comfort, rubber bracelets are also versatile. They are suitable for all lifestyles and occasions. Whether you're dressed casually or in a formal suit, a rubber strap can add a modern, sporty touch to your luxury watch.
It can be worn for everyday wear, at the office, during sporting activities or even at formal events, offering uncompromising flexibility.
In addition to their aesthetic appeal, rubber bracelets are also renowned for their durability. They are resistant to daily wear and tear, scratches and the elements.
Whether you're a watersports enthusiast, an intrepid traveler or simply someone who leads an active lifestyle, a rubber bracelet is designed to withstand any challenge. It doesn't deform easily, and retains its appearance and functionality even under demanding conditions.
Finally, rubber bracelets are also easy to care for. Unlike leather bracelets, which require regular cleaning and special attention, rubber bracelets can be easily cleaned with mild soap and water. They are stain-resistant and don't require costly maintenance products to keep them in good condition. This makes them a practical, hassle-free choice for those who prefer a floor that's easy to clean.
All in all, rubber straps have become a popular choice for luxury watches, and for good reason. Their exceptional comfort, versatility, durability and ease of care make them a practical and aesthetic choice for all watch lovers. Whether you're looking for a bracelet that adds a touch of sportiness to your watch, or you simply prefer absolute comfort, a rubber strap is a wise investment that will enhance your watchmaking experience.
In conclusion, the Seamaster Diver "Peter Blake" is much more than just a luxury diving watch. It embodies the perfect marriage of art, performance and style. This exceptional timepiece, created in collaboration between Omega and renowned artist Peter Blake, offers an unparalleled watchmaking experience.
Whether you choose to explore the underwater depths or venture into your everyday life, the Seamaster Diver "Peter Blake" with its rubber strap is ready to accompany you in style and reliability.
This watch represents horological excellence, technical innovation and artistic beauty, while offering superior comfort and exceptional durability.
If you're looking for a luxury watch that perfectly combines art, performance and style, the Seamaster Diver "Peter Blake" is an incomparable choice. With its distinctive rubber strap, it will capture your imagination and accompany you on your adventures with elegance and confidence. You can then take advantage of the wide choice of rubber bracelets for your Peter Blake.
Invest in the Seamaster Diver "Peter Blake" and discover the pleasure of wearing a watch that transcends the boundaries between art and luxury watchmaking. Be ready to catch the eye and make an undeniable style statement with this exceptional timepiece on your wrist.
The Tudor Black Bay 58 (BB58) has really been the star of their watch line up and for good reason to! With its incredible heritage, phenomenal build and modern combination with a vintage design, the BB58 does a lot of things right and has become a highly desirable watch. Tudor has had a long journey with the BB58 and it has been developed and refined over the last few decades. Today, we are going to dive into the history of this phenomenal watch and look at how the BB58 has become what it is today.
Starting right from the beginning, Tudor was a Sister company to Rolex and founded in 1926 by Hans Wilsdorf, the same founder of Rolex. Tudor was created as a cheaper alternative to Rolex to offer tool watches to a broader range of people. Naturally, with the Rolex Submariner being Rolex’ big hit in the early days, Tudor also decided to take on the challenge of constructing and engineering the perfect dive watch at a lower price point. What Tudor made was the Oyster Prince Submariner (ref 7922) in 1958 which would make this watch the oldest relative in the Tudor watch family to the BB58. The watch marked the beginning of the BB range Tudor offer today and you can easily see the heritage today from their first ever dive watch. The big round crown, Tudor rose logo and rose gold guild dial were slowly but surely coming to life.
In 2012, Tudor went for it and lauded the BB heritage line which paid tribute to their 7922 model. The watch was a success with its modern build quality and features but with the charm and looks of a well-aged vintage diver. However, coming in at a case size of 41mm and thickness of almost 15mm, this was by no means a small watch.
Now whilst in 2023 we’ve seen many watchmakers increase the size of their cases and even thickness, back in 2012 this would have been a very large watch. So much so that unless you had relatively large wrists and didn’t mind the thick case, it was a watch that was hard to wear for a lot of people.
This was then the time for Tudor to show that they listened to their customers and took all the positives of the BB Heritage and refined all the negatives to create the perfect dive watch. The BB58 was also launched in 2012 and it was love at first sight for most watch enthusiasts, obviously no watch is perfect but for what you paid and got, Tudor was really pioneering the way for cheaper dive watches.
The BB58 featured a water resistance of 200m, aluminium bezel and rose gold indices against a black dial. Whilst not necessarily the deepest depth of water resistance, if we’re all benign completely honest, how many of us would actually take it anywhere near this depth…? Still, 200m water resistance is impressive given its 39mm case and 11.9mm thickness, so a slight trade-off between water resistance and wear ability across a greater number of wrists.
Source : Hodinkee
Source : Monochrome Watches
The aluminium bezel insert makes for a less shiny glossy bezel compared to a ceramic one, which really helps bring out the vintage heritage in the BB58 and makes it look like more of a tool watch. The famous snowflake hands and indices made from rose gold and filled with super-luminova, it really is one of the most legible watches in the dark.
The red triangle at the 12 o’clock point of the bezel makes for a subtle bit of additional colour which makes the overall watch feel like there is more going on. It really is a watch that ties in modern design and specifications with that gorgeous vintage sizing and style.
Tudor gave the BB58 a distinct feature that only the BB58 features, something that has many people with divided opinions. Faux rivets. If you look on the side of the bracelet that faces the crown of the watch, you will see these polished nail head looking bumps where a screw would be to hold the link together.
Tudor gave the BB58 a distinct feature that only the BB58 features, something that has many people with divided opinions. Faux rivets. If you look on the side of the bracelet that faces the crown of the watch, you will see these polished nail head looking bumps where a screw would be to hold the link together. In terms of why Tudor added them, they did it to pay tribute to their older models where they really would have used rivets to fix the bracelet together.
However, the modern-day Tudor (post 2010) may feature rivets but they are purely there for show and use screws instead of an old-fashioned rivet. Hence the term ‘faux rivets’ meaning false rivets. Regardless of whether you would prefer Tudor to keep or remove them, since they face outwards on the bracelet towards the crown, you really can’t see them when they watch it on your wrist. If you prefer to wear your watch on your right then the crown of the BB58 would be facing you so naturally you would notice them a lot more!
One element that has really helped Tudor stand out compared to all other brands including its older Sister Rolex, it’s sizing. There is the old and outdated saying “Tudor is a poor man's Rolex” or “you only buy Tudor because you cannot afford the Rolex ''. Potentially this was true back in the 1970’ to early 2000 when Tudor literally did make identical watches to Rolex. Since 2000 though, Tudor has really gone off on its own and created new innovative watches with a different feel and look to Rolex. Now you could easily argue, you buy a Tudor because you want the Tudor and not because you can’t afford the Rolex.
Not only are Tudor watches impeccably well made, they have received much praise for their sizing. In 2022 and 2023, we’ve seen more and more watch makers increasing their case diameter but Tudor have not only kept their perfect sweet spot sizing of 39mm but they have even created new models with smaller sizing. Whilst Tudor easily offer larger variants of all their models, it’s nice to know that they are really trying to make sure that regardless of wrist size, you can have the perfect tool watch fit your wrist like a dream.
Whilst not directly in the BB58 range, it’s definitely worth pointing out that Tudor Black Bay range has an incredible amount of colour and strap options available to choose from. So, if you like the dive watch style of watch but want a bit more colour or a more unique look then Tudor really have your answer!
What’s also interesting to note, is that the BB58 is not listed under the Tudor Black Bay range on their website, instead it’s under their dive watch category. This really shows that Tudor have made a professional dive watch and not just a good-looking watch that takes on the moto “all the gear but no idea”, it actually can be worn and used like a dive watch.
Whilst not offering nearly as many colour options as the entire Black Bay range, it does still give you the option between the classic black and rose gold look and with the forever popular colour, an all blue look. In 2021, Tudor sent watch enthusiasts crazier than ever with the new all blue variation of the BB58 and they didn’t stop there either, they then came out with a solid Silver, bronze and all gold piece too! One thing to note is that if you want a metal bracelet then only the regular stainless steel and bronze model are your options.
The solid bronze BB58 attracted a lot of attention and not justice because of its beautiful colour and mix of the brown dial with the bronze, it was its new bracelet. The bracelet was almost exactly the same apart from one feature that Tudor plans on adding to the rest of the BB58 range. The Tudor T Fit clasp was first introduced onto the BB58 bronze, and it looks very similar to that of its older Sisters Rolex Submariner clasp, but that’s by no means a bad thing.
A tried and tested clasp, the famous submariner glidelock clasp finally received a Tudor modification, the T Fit clasp offers a glidelock system with 5mm of extra extension. Whilst it doesn't sound like a lot, it’s definitely enough to make the difference between a watch benign too tight or loose when your wrist swells throughout the day. So, if having the new Tudor T Fit Clasp on your bracelet is a must to give you that on the go quick adjustment practicality and you really want a BB58 and not their brand new BB54 or Tudor Pelagos 39, the Tudor BB58 bronze is the way to go!
The Tudor BB58 range has really helped bring the attention Tudor deserves to its watches. To have all the modern features and specifications of a dive watch in 2023 but yet manage to combine the looks and original design from its first ancestry is something seldom seen in the watch world. Yet alone to have been as successful for as long the Tudor BB58 has, it just goes to show Tudor really has mastered the ability to design, create and listen to its audience like no other watch brand. From the ability to be used as a tool watch, worn whilst diving, hiking or any other sporting activity but then be casually worn with a shirt simultaneously.
Creating such a versatile dive watch is by no means an easy task but Tudor knew exactly what they were doing back in 2012 when they created the BB58. From the subtle rose gold highlights, aluminium bezel and perfect 39mm dimensions, it really offers a large range of wrist the opportunity to wear a phenomenal dive watch at an incredible price point. With multiple variations offered, those who prefer something unique like silver, bronze or solid gold, you have got the pick of your range at Tudor when it comes to the perfect dive watch offered by the BB58.