The last Rolex adventure was a super random visit in September 2023, so this one was way overdue and less random. That was a Rolex exhibition event - the random part is that I was there at all. I got to look at some new models but it was actually my proper introduction to Rolex watches. I got to see behind the hype, and I liked what I saw. It peaked my interest and clenched my buttocks. This post, I will present to you in three parts, not in chronological order on the day but more for categorisation and impact, that's right, impact. Implying something is gonna smack someone in the face or somewhere else...
The background here is that after researching JLC (Jaeger LeCoultre) and getting lost down the toilet bowl that is Chrono24, I was ready to spend millions of pounds on a flippy watch with two faces that is one of the coolest watches I have never seen. So, I got in touch with the nice Lady at the AD, who advised they can't get that one, but invited me to come and try some on. A good idea actually as I haven't ever tried one on and a rectangular watch could be a bit too angular for me. I didn't know it was a trap and neither did she at this point, I would be pulled further into the toilet bowl than ever before...
Come on down to AD Town
It was a balmy Saturday afternoon in AD Town, throngs of tourists and shoppers littered the street sporadically spilling on to the road, cars wandered slowly as the drivers wondered where they could park, in short, it was buzzing in AD Town. I was lucky to find a parking space as it's often tricky to find one a short walk from my destination, the short walk equates to a short stay, a maximum of one hour. Parking wardens prowl hoping to smack a sticky packet of 'shoppers disaster' onto your windscreen - it doesn't just ruin ones day to get a parking ticket, it ruins life itself - even if you've just spent hundreds of money notes at the shops. As I didn't want to walk into the AD sweaty and out of breath, I opted for a close spot with 1 hour wait - I court disaster. Definitely long enough for a browse. not much else.
I stroll to the AD, in a busy city centre. Trawling with humans, so many humans doing what humans do - get in my way. I shimmy and weave, navigating families of day trippers- ice cream in hand, locals walking their dogs in the bustle - a nonsense indeed. I negotiate scaffolding and child scolding to get to the AD's door. Once inside it is a cool haven of welcoming luxurious smiles and I enquire as to whether Lady AD is in the house, not in those words obviously. The shop is reassuringly busy, the cost of loving crisis in full effect - loving expensive stuff that is. She is with another customer I am informed, but this AD man is happy to help. I am wary of this man, cautious of being wooed, but he seems pretty chill so, first off I want to see my JLCs. Being a moron I didn't take any photos of them, but I tried on two duoface, they were reliably beautiful, elegant and fitted really well on the skinny wrist. But they confirmed what I thought, the only Reverso I want is the Tribute Chronograph Q389848J. It's special and the price isn't far off the full date I tried on. The skinny wrist must wait for JLC. I'm so dumb for not taking photos of the JLCs...idiot, come on, get with the program!
Tudor Time
I was wearing my Burgundy/Red bezel black bay, yes to prove to the AD I hadn't sold it but also because it's awesome. However, I really wanted to handle and get the feel for a lovely pair of...other Tudor Black Bays. The Ceramic and the solid Silver case are the ones I went for, they are both very cool watches with the prestige and balance that Black Bay have on the wrist and the additional material twist. The silver was heavy and the taupe colour looks really slick and low key - what's taupe? It's grey on a good day. The ceramic though was very cool and was as low key as dropping yours down a drain on the street. Stealthy but still shiny, it's a winner, I can see why it remains popular. The complete opposite to the flash of the Red Bezel Ron Burgundy, it's the Black Panther or something.
Rubbish photos ahoy
Independents Day
I was also shocked and awed to be able to see one of my favourite haute horology timepieces, Ludovic Ballouard's innovative 'Upside Down', I never thought I would to be honest, other than on Chrono24. He cut his teeth at Franck Muller, Vacheron Constantin and F.P Journe no less, so yea, a boss. It fits then, that this is one of the maddest and coolest and bestest and horologically hautiest watches from an independent watchmaker - I like it a lot. As you can see from the picture the numerals are upside down except the 7, that means it is seven o'clock with the central minute hand and small seconds completing the picture. When it hits 8 o'clock the 7 will flip to upside down and the 8 will flip to downside right way up (and a dot shows above to show the hour). It's the best jump hour ever, actually maybe second to his other watch the 'Half Time' - which is stupendous. The case is platinum but it and the dial are very simple, so you know the party's in the back. The movement is insane, just trying to get my head around the flipping thing is tricky. This watch is approximately £95,000, it's worth it, it's a masterpiece. This is chronology as art, horological mastery and dedication to a craft and idea.
I can't believe I got to see it, I really wanted to lick it but I refrained as it had a plastic covering on it, there would have been nothing but the taste of sweaty fingerprints. Check the video for a proper taste...
The second superstar timepiece I got to drool over today was a Greubel Forsey. A what now, I hear you say! You know, the high-end watch company specializing in complicated complications, created by Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey in 2004. They do some mad stuff - tourbillon globes, double tourbillons and the double balancier - which is what I got my greasy mitts on. It's quite spectacular, there are two balance wheels, going in opposite directions to balance each other out and better regulate the movement...somehow! It's dark magic I believe, the hands are curved, as is the sapphire glass, in an unholy way as well so it moulds around the movement and parts. Their tagline is the Art of Invention, very fitting indeed. Oh it's £125,000 I think, but you can get a green sapphire one on Chrono24 for £365,000...done. I'll save up a thousand pounds a day for a year.
What is left to Explore...
What indeed, Rolexes of course! I had a look at three in stock, two were uber flashy gold and steel, fluted jubilee Datejust 41 models, really nice but not for me - says the guy on the list of green dial Sky-Dweller! The last one was an Explorer II black dial reference 226570. This is a watch that I haven't seen in the flesh before, and though people rave about these - Adrian Barker of Youtube being one - it has kind of gone under the radar for me. I guess it's because I'm pretty early into my Rolex adventure, but I was pleasantly surprised.
It's 42mm but sits pretty well on the skinny hand ankle and is as rugged as its reputation suggests. It's solid but not bulky, and it's nice to see a few complications on a Rolex, as simple as they might be, it's what I'm about. We have a date with cyclops and GMT function, quick set hours and loads of lume. It's a tidy package and wearable one, something one obviously has to consider in these time. It's not flashy but it's still a Rolex, often in an AD the steel watches are nowhere to be seen but in exhibition mode, as they are the best priced and most lusted after models they are less available. But, just my luck and wouldn't you know it, this Explorer II was available and being gently and lovingly wafted in my face...I could buy a Rolex at retail.
A wearable, respected, and cool Rolex, in stock and offered to me. For millenia men have stood in empty fields looking to the horizon dreaming of such moments and their wives, their poor wives, weep, wondering how they will feed their children, why did I marry this watch bro, she asks herself - you foolish woman he was wearing a Tudor on your first date and a Seiko on your second - the signs were there (I digress). Unluckily I have no such dilemma, so it's up to me to theowrize (doesn't really work there does it). It looks great on, I'm kinda rugged looking and I like exploring so it suits me well. Also, it's a Rolex from the AD. On the other hand I wasn't planning to buy today, I could spend the money on nothing and be a regular person. I did the only thing I could do, I went for a walk...
Yours Disorientingly,
Alvin
P.S.
To be concluded...
EXPLORER II
LUDOVIC BALLOUARD
GREUBEL FORSEY
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