November 3, 2017

Rolex meeting New York Rolex GTG

Yes I was in NY for the Phillips auction of the Paul Newman.

But there was also an EPIC Rolex GTG organized by Analogshift and it´s CEO Geoff, who also happens to be a personal friend of mine. Perhaps I had misread the invitation, or maybe I did not understand the invite notes- but believe it or not, I was the only collector in the room who turned up without wearing a Rolex. It was rather embarrassing, but considering I blog enough about Rolex – perhaps I was forgiven.

The quality of Rolex I saw in the room would make even the most well known auction houses drool. The point is many of these watches sit in collections never to be sold at auction. The collectors present for the most part trade amongst themselves rather than involve outsiders. The dedication to find the best examples, the passion and knowledge present at this lunch last week was very impressive. Honestly speaking I have not seen this quality in Rolex sports watches in a very long time. It was also good to see many GMT’s, explorers, Submariners and not only Paul Newman watches.

If your into Rolex sports watches you will enjoy what I am about to show you. My sincere thank you to Geoffrey Hess of Analogshift for organizing this incredible GTG lunch.

(Main picture credit: James Fisk).

Geoff arranged an incredible private room in the back, it was the largest table I had ever seen for lunch. Check this out.

Let us see what is on the menu. I went for the NY sirloin which was super tasty.

The first watch I saw that lunch was this incredible Rolex explorer 6610 – it was my neighbours (at lunch) watch. Super nice gilt dial.

Let me try it on. I absolutely loved this watch. My taste 100%.

What about this dream 1675 Rolex GMT Master from the 1960s? Do you like the uniform dial color and faded insert? I do.

The collector brought along two brown dial Rolex watches. Here is the other one.

Next up another favourite of mine. A first generation 6542 bakelite with large and puffy lume plots (found only in very few 6542 from 1958).

These watches are dated around 1958 and are very rare. Another collector also owned one (from Asia) and here both watches are together.

I love these early GMT Masters with glossy dials. They are a piece of art and extremely rare with bakelite in tact.

I want to show you now a Paul Newman 6239.

Now either I am just living on another planet (which could well be the case) but the Paul Newman does not photograph as well as early other sports Rolex models. Agreed?

Maybe the Paul Newman looks better in group shots like the one below.

Wait. I think I figured it out. Paul Newman looks best on the wrist! This is attractive and I could imagine wearing a PN if it looks like this.

Or maybe it is because I think Paul Newman just looks best in Gold. Don’t you?

Let us get back to my personal favourite. Early gilt dial Rolex sports watches. Like this beautiful 5512 exclamation dial Rolex!

While we are with the reference 5512 – let me show you something more impressive even – if that is possible. A 4L 5512 brown dial. With Tulip crown. Wow.

I have not seen this type of quality show up at a private gathering (or auction for that matter) in a long time. I was very impressed.

Remember the sirloin I ordered? Here it is – finely cut. It was excellent and I highly recommend this steak house.

The place we were at was gorgeous. Look at this ceiling above it was very high – at least 5-7m. And this beautiful chandelier? I love it.

Talking of beauty – look at this dream Breitling I saw in gold at the GTG. Lovely watch. Not all watches were Rolex.

But since this was a Rolex gathering- let’s get back to it. Do you like this beautiful GMT 1675 with brown dial? Pointed crown guards?

What about a nice explorer dial 5513. These watches are hyper rare and sought after by collectors.

I don’t think I have shown you a big crown Rolex yet at this GTG? Here you go.

Let me show you something just incredible.

This sublime small crown was found in Egypt and belonged to the original owner. What a marvel! Mr. GH did a fantastic job of hunting this one down. Best of all – he remains friends with the original owners family today. What a fantastic story this is.

Allow me to show the watch again with a bigger brother. Small crown (right) and large crown together. This has to be maybe my favourite picture of the lunch.

It was time to show all the watches that the collectors brought (boy did I feel bad right now with my modern blue dial GP watch). Next time I will contribute. You guys have my word on that.

This is how it looked like when all was set and done.

There was a sea of Rolex watches. (Credit below JF).

It was an incredible Rolex gathering – superb watches that you just don’t get to see anymore so often. Unless the right collectors are present!

Wherever you looked there was sea of Rolex watches. It was a lunch I will not be forgetting anytime soon. Thank you GH for a wonderful lunch!

Allow me to show you some other impressions of New York. First the Flatiron building.

There was a shake shack nearby: I had to try this burger place as everyone was talking about it. My verdict: Good burger but McDonalds fries are way better!