— Rolex has lived through the ages and time after time produced wrist watches that leave its observers astounded.

Rolex has lived through the ages and time after time produced wrist watches that leave its observers astounded. Here are top 5 Rolex wrist watches which you ought to consider buying.

1. Rolex Daytona Platinum Watch Diamond Bezel Diamond Pave Dial 116576 Unworn

In the world of Rolex replica watches, this newly style watch comprises of 950 platinum and the purest diamond radiance. The whole watch is paved with diamonds except leaving out the ice blue chronograph counters. It comprises of a scratch proof sapphire. The oscillator of this stunning watch, which is also the heart and soul of it, comprises of a blue parachrom hairspring and is made with special niobium and zirconium. This watch is also water-resistant to about 100m.

2. Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ice Blue Dial Platinum men’s Watch 116506IBLSO

The second Rolex watch for you to check is this Cosmograph ice blue platinum dial watch made out of 18kt Everose gold. It has minute markers around the outer rims, a round case shape, and an oyster lock clasp. This wrist watch is water resistant to 100m. Its crystal is sapphire and is resistant to scratches or scrapes. Comprises of 3 sub dials, 60 secs, 30 mins and 12 hrs!

3. Rolex Men’s 118238 Day-Date Analog Automatic 18kt Yellow Gold Watch

If you have a knack for gold watches, look no further that this ineffable 18kt gold watch from Rolex. Its oyster bracelet is obtainable in 18kt white, yellow or Everose gold and comprises of a folded crowncrasp. Its day date incorporates caliber 3155 a chronometer which is a Rolex developed auto winding mechanical movement and it features a date and day calendar disc instrument. Its chronometer has passed the Swiss Official Chronometer testing institute.The watch is nothing short of amazement.

4. Rolex Submariner Stainless Steel Yellow Gold Watch Blue Ceramic 116613 Box/Papers 2016

This Rolex model is for sure one of the most attractive watches available in the market. Its unidirectional rotatory bezel made of 18kt gold mated with the blue cerachrom disc as well as blue dial will leave you amazed. It’s oyster bracelet comprises of a glide lock clasp. Plus the watch happens to function even when submerged under water for 1000ft.

5. Men Rolex Stainless Steel/18K White Gold Date just Watch Brown w/Silver Dial 1601

This watch is considered to be a rare collection of wrist watches and hence it does pay importance to include it in this list. The watch material used is silver plated stainless steel. It is a superlative chronometer officially certified. Its 18 kt white gold, its dial is silver and its bracelet comprises of a belt wrap.

The watch just reveals the date and time and for those who prefer a subdued Rolex model, this is the best one to fulfill their needs.

IMA Member Vincenzo Onorato (right). His “Mascalzone Latino” was overall winner of the 2016 Rolex Middle Sea Race

Once again the stories behind the Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards mark out sailing as a sport that encourages and rewards determination, precision and passion.

It is never enough simply to possess talent, although there was plenty of that in clear evidence as the sailing world gathered in Barcelona to celebrate the achievements of some of its finest athletes; those individuals who have delivered outstanding performances throughout the past twelve months, all in the pursuit of excellence.

The winners of the 2016 Swiss Rolex World Sailors of the Year were announced at an impressive awards ceremony held at the 18th century Casa Llotja De Mar, in the presence of some 500 guests:

Male Winner: SANTIAGO LANGE, ARGENTINA

Santiago Lange provided Rio 2016 with the fairy tale storyline of the Olympic Games as he won gold with Cecilia Carranza Saroli in the Nacra 17. At 54-years-old, six-time Olympian and two-time bronze medal winner, Lange was the oldest sailor competing, but his story goes beyond his age. Just one year prior to the Games Lange was diagnosed with cancer and had to have a lung removed. Making the start line of the competition was an achievement in itself for the resilient Argentinean. Lange showed what is possible when passion is backed by courage and determination.

“This is a very emotional moment in a very long sailing career. It is a win for ‘us’ because I could not have done it without Ceciia. I want to thank all the other nominees, they are athletes I really admire. Only the very best win gold medals at the Games, and I have a lot of respect for all the other nominees.”

As reward for his achievement, Lange was recipient of a specially engraved replica Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 40 and a marble and silver trophy depicting the globe, crowned with five silver spinnakers representing the continents.

Female Winners: HANNAH MILLS & SASKIA CLARK, GREAT BRITAIN

Spurred on by missing out on London 2012 gold in the 470 Class, Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark set about the Rio Games in determined fashion. They were near flawless in their build up. Gold at the 2015 Sailing World Cup Final, silver at the 2015 World Championships and two 2016 World Cup golds proved Mills and Clark were a force to be reckoned with. Once at Rio the British pair kept their focus on the task ahead. Only a disaster in the Medal Race could separate them from gold. That was never going to happen. Clark and Mills finished what they had started and wiped clean the disappointment of London.

Saskia Clark commented afterwards: “It is totally overwhelming to win this award, to see the names of previous winners, the legends of sailing in the room with us. We really weren’t expecting this.” Hannah Mills was equally elated: “The whole basis of our campaign was teamwork, our bond. To cap our year with winning this award is absolutely incredible.

Marking their triumph, Mills and Clark both received engraved cheap Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 37s and the same marble and silver trophy as Lange

At the beginning of the memorable evening, HM King Constantine, World Sailing President of Honour, remarked that these awards were “in recognition of an achievement that has been many years in the making. Every sailor on the nominee list has the ability to inspire the next generation and strengthen the legacy that our sport and every sport needs.”

The Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards, sponsored by fake Rolex since 2001, are the most prestigious awards of recognition in the dynamic sport of sailing.

ROLEX WORLD SAILOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Since the awards inception in 1994, the trophy has proudly accumulated the names of those who have demonstrated unparalleled endurance, performance and accomplishment in sailing.

Competition for the 2016 Awards was truly remarkable, with five outstanding female and five equally exceptional male candidates short-listed from a field nominated by the public at large.

The eventual winners were determined by compiling votes from an online public ballot, the Member National Authorities and from guests present at the gala awards ceremony.

ABOUT WORLD SAILING

World Sailing is the world governing body for the sport of sailing, officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

Founded in 1907, World Sailing’s vision is for a world in which millions more people fall in love with sailing; inspired by the unique relationship between sport, technology and the forces of nature; we all work to protect the waters of the world.

World Sailing is made up of 142 Member National Authorities, the national governing bodies for sailing around the world and 114 World Sailing Class Associations.

ROLEX AND YACHTING

Rolex has always sought to associate with activities that, like itself, were motivated by passion, excellence, precision and team spirit. Naturally, Rolex gravitated toward the elite world of sailing, forming an alliance that dates back to the late 1950s. Today, Rolex is Title Sponsor of some 15 major international events.

From leading offshore races, such as the Rolex Sydney Hobart and the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race, through to the highest-level one-design competition at the Rolex replica Farr 40 World Championship, spectacular gatherings at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Rolex Swan Cup, as well as the brand’s support of World Sailing, the international governing body of the sport, and its close relationships with the most prestigious yacht clubs around the world, including the New York Yacht Club (US) and the Royal Yacht Squadron (Cowes, UK), Rolex is driven by a passion for excellence and a great appreciation for yachting that furthers the strong ties that bind these two worlds in their shared pursuit of perfection.

ABOUT ROLEX

Leading brand of the Swiss replica watch industry, Rolex, headquartered in Geneva, enjoys an unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise the world over. Its Oyster watches, all certified as chronometers for their precision, are symbols of excellence, performance and prestige. Pioneer in the development of the wristwatch as early as 1905, the brand is at the origin of numerous major replica watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism, introduced in 1931. Rolex has registered over 400 patents in the course of its history. A truly integrated and independent manufacturing company, Rolex designs, develops and produces in-house all the essential components of its replica watches, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Rolex is also actively involved in supporting the arts, sports, exploration, the spirit of enterprise, and the environment through a broad palette of sponsoring activities, as well as philanthropic programmes.

In the pantheon of luxury goods, Rolex has a unique spot: The word conjures up not a logo or a covetable item, but rather the very idea of a beautifully made and enduring timepiece. It is nearly synonymous with the word heirloom, and for that reason, the replica watchmaker has earned an enormous and loyal following around the world.

For many, buying new gives them instant access to this legacy, but collectors and connoiseurs want something more, a watch with history as well as pedigree. The value of rare models reaches stratospheric heights at some of the biggest auction houses in the world. Phillips, Sotheby’s, Christie’s, and Antiquorum have all set records prices for notable Rolex replica watches that have come up for auction.

Here’s a look at the most impressive Rolex replica watches-and current models that let you own a piece of that storied past.

Datejust: Rare Functionality

For their 40th Anniversary in 1945, Rolex introduced the Datejust model. It depicts the hours and minutes with a distinctive “Cyclops” magnifying date lens added during the 1950s. While variations of the classic watch change little over time, the current model is offered in “Rolesor,” an attractive combination of gold and steel unique to swiss Rolex.

Rolex Reference 6062, from the 1950s, is a very rare exception to a brand that otherwise abstains from too many complications. One of only two Rolex replica models to feature a yellow gold triple calendar with a moon phase, the watch is nicknamed the “Stelline” because of the fabulous star-shaped indices. The “Stelline” will be coming to auction at Phillips upcoming “Rolex Milestones” auction on November 28th in Hong Kong with an estimate of $300 – $600 and is expected to bring in much more.

Explorer: History and Provenance

Created for a couple on their 1953 expedition to Mount Everest, the Rolex Explorer was designed to perform flawlessly in extreme conditions. Able to withstand enormous changes in temperature and pressure, the giveaway black dial that’s still seen on the replica watches today features oversized and luminous 3 – 6 – 9 numerals and indices, a distinctive feature of the highly legible waterproof watch.

One of the most expensive examples of such a watch is the 1953 Submariner. The watch, complete with the customized circular buzz saw bezel and case signed by a legendary actor, came up for auction last year and sold at Phillips for an astonishing $365-even though it no longer told time.

Air King: The Importance of Tiny Details

Introduced in 1957, the Air King is considered one of the more enduring and accessible Rolex models. Intended to appeal to members of the armed forces and aviators during the Second World War, the Air King made a welcome return to the current cheap Rolex collection for 2016. The new dials feature a unique two-color (yellow and green) Air King logo, a detail that will most likely become an essential design element for future collectors years.

Proof that small details like the uniquely colored logo can add incredible value? Look no further than another Rolex model, this Oyster “Panda” Ref. 6263. It’s similar to the Air King in its specific, rare design elements. For example, the Panda, which takes its nickname from the handsome white dial with black sub-dials resembling a panda’s face printed underneath the brand’s logo, also features a Tiffany & Co signature as its mark of distinction. This one-of-a-kind Daytona was sold on November 13, 2016 at Phillips Geneva for $882,740.

Brian Duffy, CEO of watch and jewellery retailers Aurum, explains his enduring fondness for Rolex

My first luxury watch was a Rolex steel Datejust (pictured below). I used to guard it, as I thought it was very delicate and precious, but I soon realised it was virtually indestructible. There was nothing you couldn’t do while wearing it. I literally never took it off, and wore it while showering, swimming, gardening. I still have it and wear it occasionally, and have a great deal of affection for it, and the brand in general.

Aurum Group, which includes Watches of Switzerland, Goldsmiths and Mappin & Webb, is the UK’s biggest retailer of luxury replica watches, and we have relationships with pretty much all the best-known – and many less high-profile – quality watchmakers. Our reach gives us a considerable association with Rolex, who are the big global leader of luxury timepieces. The UK is a great market for luxury replica watches and our oldest partnership is with Rolex, as we have been selling their timepieces since 1919 – in fact we were the first ever retailer in the UK to do so. In that century, our affiliation has grown to make us the largest retailer of Rolex in the UK. We’ve also recently announced our intention to open Watches of Switzerland boutiques in New York, where we will also represent Rolex.

There’s so much to admire about the brand. I think it’s a wonderful product, and the appreciation grows when you consider the history of the company and the way it operates. Its founder, Hans Wilsdorf, was a brave young man who arrived in London from Germany in 1905, at the age of 24, to import watches. London was then, as it is now, an exciting centre for enterprise and innovation. He dreamt of watches that were not only reliable in their timekeeping, but also elegant. In 1908 he started the Rolex company, and honed his vision for the future of wristwatches. A few years later, in Switzerland, the company developed two of the most significant and landmark innovations in watchmaking history: the first waterproof wristwatch – the Oyster and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism, the automatic watch.

Hans Wilsdorf was also a great marketeer, before it was even acknowledged as an essential part of a business. With his marketing vision he created a substantial brand, known for its quality and robustness. Everything he did was very modern, including the choice of company name, which can be pronounced in every language – except maybe by Jonathon Ross – with its symmetrical five letters sitting neatly on the dial. Similarly, he created the simple but instantly recognisable crown logo, with its five points – still so contemporary.

The legacy Hans Wilsdorf left ensures a level of consistency and quality in the execution of everything Rolex does, from the actual replica watches to shop fittings, training, marketing and after-sales services, which set standards for the whole industry. The brand constantly sets the bar higher.

Also admirable is the philanthropic initiatives the brand is involved in. Wilsdorf left behind clear directions about how the brand was to be continued, giving an unbeatable consistency. Its heritage of exploration, adventure and achievement is evident in everything it does. Patrick Heiniger, one of the CEOs after Wilsdorf, famously said the company wasn’t in the watchmaking business as much as the luxury business. That was back in the 1960s, and today that vision has propelled it to be one of the world’s most respected global brands.

I recently bought the Everose Yacht-Master (pictured above) – it’s very eye-catching, beautifully indestructible and looks as good with a dinner suit as it does worn with casual clothes. It encapsulates everything that Rolex stands for: it confers status, is recognisable, is desirable. Whether it’s to commemorate a special event or achievement in your life, or just because it’s a satisfyingly handsome piece to wear, Rolex has a timepiece to suit everyone looking for a luxury wristwatch.

The Rolex ranges can be seen at fake Watches of Switzerland, Goldsmiths and Mappin & Webb; swissrolex.co.uk; BRIAN DUFFY is CEO of Aurum Group, which specialises in luxury watches.

Recently, it seems the name of George Bamford—the visionary force behind Bamford Watch Department and most recently Bamford Auto Department—is surfacing in more places than ever. While some replica watch-collecting purists take issue with his work due to the fact that he is altering classic timepieces from Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet (among others), those who take a moment to familiarize themselves with Bamford’s work are quick to recognize his deep passion for the industry as well as the somewhat unique opportunity to acquire a timepiece that is still a brand-new Rolex (with the same length of warranty), but not the same old model you will see on every third or fourth wrist on any given day. With that in mind, we thought we would take a closer look at one of his more recent releases—the Bamford Heritage Daytona.

How It Looks

Finished in Bamford’s signature light gray military-grade titanium coating (MGTC) and sporting a bold blue dial, the Heritage Daytona certainly stands out in a crowd. Its dial has been modified from its original configuration to pay tribute to a number of classic Rolex Daytona variants, chief among them the hugely desirable Reference 6263—an example of which pulled in $753,000 through Phillips auctions this past November. That model’s art deco–style dial (referred to at the time as the “exotic” dial, which subsequently came to be known as the “Paul Newman” dial) is arguably the best-looking Daytona dial in existence, and applying a strong punch of color to it (accented by a hint of blue on its acrylic bezel insert) makes the Bamford Heritage Daytona that much more charming. Bamford took great care in matching the matte finish of its dial to that of its case, giving the piece a slightly more under-the-radar look than standard Daytonas with a polished case and bracelet. It is also worth noting that if this particular shade of blue is not to your taste, Bamford offers a thorough customization process. Although he keeps a number of limited-edition pieces in inventory, much of his focus is creating one-off timepieces to suit his clients’ design and color preferences.

How It Works

There are no surprises to be had here. Each Bamford Daytona starts its life as a brand-new swiss Rolex, meaning it is powered by the venerable Rolex 4130 movement and features running seconds at the six o’clock position as well as two additional subdials to display the chronograph minutes and hours at three and nine o’clock, respectively. When it arrives at Bamford’s workshop in London, the base watch is stripped down and inspected. Its movement is then fitted with the requisite dial and hands, while its case is sent for further modification. As horology aficionados will have likely already noticed, this Heritage Daytona does not have the standard crown guards seen on current Rolex replica models. To properly emulate the look of the past model, the guards are shaved off its case before it undergoes the treatment process to apply its MGTC coating. This throwback to past models is just one of many details that give Bamford Watch Department a significant upper hand over lesser brands trying to compete in the watch customization realm.

How to Pair It

Subtle enough to be dressed up or dressed down, the Heritage Daytona works just as well with denim and a black V-neck as it does with a cozy gray or navy sweater and properly matched slacks. It certainly falls more on the casual end of the style spectrum, though you could get away with pairing it with a sport coat (or even a slim-fitted light gray suit).

How to Get It

The Bamford Heritage Daytona is priced at $27,900, and is available directly through the company’s website or at select retailers worldwide. (swissrolex.co.uk)

Crooks broke in and found a Swiss Rolex – in Barne Barton

Burglars made off with around £100 of jewellery and foreign cash from a Plymouth property.

Police are hoping people may have spotted a gold-coloured replica Rolex Datejust – similar to the one shown – being offered around town at a knock-down price following the break-in on April 5 in Foulston Avenue, Barne Barton.

Investigators believe the thieves forced open the property’s rear uPVC door using tools sometime between 6.30pm and 11pm, made and untidy search of the house before making off with their ill-gotten booty.

Among the haul was the Rolex Replica, a black and gold men’s Fossil replica watches, a pair of men’s 18ct diamond earrings, a pair of men’s nine carat gold earrings, 115 Euros and 285 US dollars.

With the release of its annual Digital IQ Index, L2, the New York-based digital think tank, invites us to reflect upon an interesting collaboration: the one between luxury fashion and social media. As the end of 2015 approaches, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat vie for our attention to varying degrees, as do a multitude of luxury brands – L2 lists upwards of 100 – the majority of which occupy these platforms. Of them: Hermes, the Paris-based design house known for its handbags, which recently teamed up with Apple for a collaboration of its own, the Hermes Apple Watch. It joins the original Apple Watch and LVMH’s TAG Hueur’s impending smart watch, to compete with a number of other luxury replica watches that are already on the market, and seeking to attract our attention and our wallets. Yet, Swiss replica watchmaker Rolex, which prides itself for its marriage of classic design and modern elegance, is still not tweeting.

Rolex hardly needs an introduction. You know what a replica Rolex is. It is the luxury replica watch. Who first instilled that in your mind? That is an easy question. It was probably your parents, your grandparents; maybe it was a rapper. After all, a quick Rap Genius search returns 17,503 lyric references to “Swiss Rolex;” 93,911 for “Rolly.” The more difficult question is thus, who will keep Rolex on your mind and on your wrist? This is especially interesting if we consider the fact that Twitter continues to be a main source of information and influence for a number of generations, and replica Rolex is distinctly absent from it.

The Swiss replica watchmaker, whose Daytona models, for instance, retail (or re-sell, because they do not really depreciate much) for upwards of $100, is not completely devoid of a social media presence in the same way that, say, Paris-based ready-to-wear and accessories brand Celine is. Rolex joined Facebook in April 2013. Mashable covered this, writing:

“Creating buzz is not the intent. We craft our content thoughtfully, privilege quality over quantity, talk only when we have something to say and when we feel it’s right.”

The heritage lifestyle label doesn’t do random, they say, and its late arrival to the social media party was no mistake or oversight. Rather, they believe, fake Rolex’s reticence was a calculated play. The brand knew it would not diminish its legacy or lose its loyal support base by staying away from social media at first. It wanted to know everything it could about social marketing and engagement data before it took the plunge.

Rolex has a presence on Instagram, as well. The replica watchmaker posted their first Instagram photo just two weeks ago. As of today, it boasts nearly 200 photos and 67,000 followers.

This is big. This is also confusing when considered with the company’s statements to Mashable. A very brief glance at the brand’s Instagram account is even more bewildering. While it seems clear that the account intends to create buzz (because why else does any brand maintain an Instagram account?), Swiss Rolex’s Instagram account largely lacks polish and feels disjointed, especially coming from a brand that never before felt the need to grace your feed. So, how did a company determined to prioritize content over impressions end up here?

Rolex has two consistent Instagram themes:First, it posts blocks of photos, making up one large watch face, for instance, a curation method that is not completely unheard of on Instagram. The other tactic involves posting iPhone-quality photos of its customers – a few of whom are recognizable figures, such as Roger Federer and Tiger Woods, but the majority of whom are rather unfamiliar – wearing replica Rolexes. This strategy can work for brands. It appears to mirror the initial strategy of now insanely popular swimwear brand, Triangl, which got its start on social media by showcasing real customers wearing its bikinis. This seems like a innovative approach for new brands with low-advertising budgets (and relatively low priced goods), but for fake Rolex? I’m not so sure.

Interestingly, a bit of research reveals that the less than familiar faces – some of which do not maintain active Instagram accounts – are not your everyday customers, after all. One woman is Genie Bouchard, a Canadian tennis star. Vijay Amritraj (pictured above, center), who has a total of 64 Instagram followers, is a former tennis star. Another, Plácido Domingo, is a Spanish tenor, conductor and arts administrator. Liang Wen-Chong is a top Chinese golfer. The account features multiple world-class golfers, tennis stars, musicians, and equestrians, some without Instagram handles at all.

The brand insists, however, that its content is as thoughtful as its design, telling Mashable in 2014: “We craft our content thoughtfully, privilege quality over quantity, talk only when we have something to say.” And who are we to challenge that, especially since their somewhat unconventional approach is not only oddly refreshing (given that many big brands’ accounts are so overly polished that they feel stuffy, distant, and/or not terribly authentic) but it also appears to be working. Rolex’s Instagram is gaining traction. Last week, the average post received less than 250 likes. Yesterday’s post has garnered more than 5,000, and its overall following is steadily growing on a daily basis, as well.

Maybe the takeaway here is that swiss Rolex’s products – which are one of the very few, if not the only, replica watches on the market that have proven a valuable investment – simply sell themselves and therefore, the iconic Swiss brand does not necessarily need social media to do it for them. The same seems to hold true for Celine, which chooses to shun social media, as well, allowing its exquisite ready-to-wear and luxe accessories to sell themselves.

As for Twitter, Rolex, when you’re ready, you can tweet @SwissRolex.

The new black Rolex cerachrom bezel Cosmograph Daytona

Continuing with their objective to bring high quality replica watches from some of the world’s best timepiece brands and models online store has recently announced the launch of the Rolex Daytona replica models on their site. As per inputs from one of the representatives of the website the newly unveiled Rolex Daytona Swiss replica watches feature high-end chronographs and cosmographs which have been highly valued by wristwatch professionals.

He added, “The Daytona models from Rolex are costly models and comes in a limited number of designs. All of the replica models feature similar refinement, stylishness and capabilities as in their original models. Some of the models come with Paul Newman dials which is an uncommon sight in designer replica timepieces available today.”

Emphasizing more on the launch of Daytona Swiss Rolex wristwatches, the representative also maintained the stainless steel used in the design of the models are 904L quality which is also used by manufacturers of the original Rolex replica watches. This, as per the assessment of the representative was enough to ensure that the replica models on sale on the website are of high quality and will definitely offer the functionality and practicability as the real ones.

As per reports, the Rolex Daytona Replica timepieces have indeed joined the elite class for their high demand for their overall quality, functionality and pleasant look. They exude great elegance and a unique grace which many of the consumers feel are the distinct features that differentiates them from other brands’ models. Their replica models are also so precise that many people are unable to identify the real one from the replicate.

It may be noted that All Swiss Watch also offers free shipping on any orders. Shoppers can also enjoy low cost shopping experience with the 10% discount on one watch and 20% discount on purchase of two or more products on the site. For more details go to http://www.swissrolex.co.uk

About All Swiss Watch

The website is a leading online store dealing in world class replica watches from some of the top brands of luxury designer timepieces such as Rolex, Panerai, Omega, Cartier, Franck Muller, etc.

Watch this space: The haul of luxury timepieces was seized from a house in Newcastle

The time is up for one conman after his haul of luxury replica watches worth £450,000 was seized by Trading Standards.

The fraudster had been selling phoney Rolex and Tag Heuer before officers swooped on his home.

Councillor Nick Kemp from Newcastle Council holds up the silver case of phoney watches

His stash was made up of more than 50 watches, and also included fake Omega, Hublot, Breitling and Patek Philippe timepieces.

They would be worth more than £450,000 if they were real.

Officers from Newcastle City Council’s Trading Standards team raided a house in the city’s Fenham area after a tip-off from a member of the public.

A man was keeping the watches in a silver case and it is believed they were bought from Sri Lanka.

When it comes to GMT Master’s none are as desirable as the ref. 6542, the very first Rolex ever issued of this model. Designed to be the watch of choice for Pan-Am pilots, the GMT Master became the benchmark when it comes to two-timezone replica watches. A title that it still as true today as it was when the watch was launched in 1954. Despite being the first, what mainly sets it apart from later versions of this model is the bakelite bezel. The numerals inside the bezel are actually filled in with Radium. The thought behind it is that even in low-light conditions you could easily check the time in both time-zones. While this must have looked amazing when these swiss watches were first issued, it was also a cause for trouble. Bakelite is by itself already quite brittle, and combined with the radioactivity of the Radium made it that swiss Rolex discontinued this bezel quite quickly.

Especially after more than 60 years, GMT Masters Ref. 6542 that still have the original bakelite bezel are very rare. What makes them even rarer is when the bezel is still in great shape and shows a very attractive discoloration like this GMT Master does. This is an unusual occurrence that watch collectors refer to as “tropical”.

Now there are tropical replica watches and Tropical watches. The one on this GMT-Master is clearly of the latter category, showing a beautiful, even discoloration of both the dial and the bezel in a deep terracotta hue. It goes into the direction of the Root Beer GMT Master; only this watch has more of a red tone in the dial. Unique is also that the half of the bezel that was originally red turned to the same color as the originally black dial! Discoloration like this is very rare, and although this reference by itself is already quite a challenge to find in such a remarkable good condition, the dial and bezel on this particular GMT Master make it a unique piece.

This is also exactly the reason why replica Rolex with tropical dials commands such premiums over the same model with a regular dial. They are rare, unique, and add an extra layer of character to an already charismatic watch.