The Antiques Roadshow is a program that runs both in the United States and The United Kingdom. It a factual show where members of the public bring in items to learn more about them. It is a entertaining program and is enjoyable to watch.
From time to time certain pieces are brought in which get my attention. Thought I would post a few clips that were quite good.
The first clip is from the USA version. A gentleman brought in a pocket watch by Patek Philippe that had been in his family for quite a long time. This pocket watch was made in 1914. This was before James Ward Packard and Henry Graves Jr had their superwatches made.
This watch eventually sold for $1.5 million at a Sothebys Auction. (Updated 16/05/14)
With the recent visit of Prince William the Duke of Cambridge and his wife Duchess Catherine visiting Australia & New Zealand, the Duchess watch of choice was on show.
Prince William has always worn his Omega Seamaster, a gift from his mother Diana the late Princess of Wales.
Omega Seamaster on the wrist of the Duke Of Cambridge
This came out of the blue but I think it is a good move. Rolex have appointed former CEO of Zenith Watches Mr Jean-Frederic Dufour.
Mr Dufour turned Zenith around after the departure of Thierry Nataf who previously lead Zenith down the wrong path. Mr Dufour restructured the watch categories and brought back design elements from the past with a modern twist.
Rolex has previously brought back older watches and given them modern upgrades such as the Milgauss. At the same time they have released brand new watches with more innovations in the movement, the watch I am referring to is the Sky Dweller.
It will be interesting to see if Mr Dufour decides to bring back some old elements of Rolex models and give them a modern facelift. Time will tell
In a great scene, Alec Baldwin's character gives a speech to some real estate employees. To get the message across he takes off his Rolex to exercise the point. It is a 18k yellow gold model.
One of the greatest TV Shows in my opinion was The Sopranos. It had a great cast and storyline.
The main character Tony Soprano played by the talented James Gandolfini, wore probably the most famous Rolex Day Date "President" on television. It was a 18k yellow gold model and never left his wrist the entire series.
This is the start of what I will make into a regular series.
As a person interested in watches its always exciting to catch a glimpse of a watch in a film or on television. If its a clear camera shot of the watch its quite easy to identify or if its design is very distinctive. Otherwise it can be an enjoyable hunt to found out.
To the best of my knowledge the first instance of a watch mentioned in detail in a film was the Fugitive Kid starring Marlon Brandon in 1959. He went into full detail about the Rolex triple date moonphase on his wrist. See the video below
For my first post, this was an unexpected surprise. I was a flight and had already seen all the movies that I was interested in seeing. So I decided to watch The Family starring Robert De Niro. There is a scene where De Niro checks the time on his watch for a device he has planted (Won't give the plot away!). He lifts back his sleeve and low and behold there is a vintage Jaeger LeCoultre Memovox on his wrist! I had to rewind the part because I was so suprised! A highlight in a rather stale film!
Rolex took off the covers for their 2014 models at BaselWorld yesterday.
Their teaser video as we found out was more aimed at the Cellini collection.
In the Oyster collection there were some pleasant surprises.
First up is the GMT Master II with Blue/Red Ceramic Bezel.
The old Bakelite and Metal insert "Pepsi" modes are Rolex classics. Its nice to see the Pepsi insert back in Ceramic form. Although the watch was released in White Gold, which will put it out of reach for most, a Stainless Steel version should come next year.
