[Source: Autosport.com] Luxury watch making brand Rolex will become the official Formula 1 timekeeper from the 2013 season, it was announced on Wednesday. As a result of the deal, the Rolex logo will appear around the circuits and at several corners during Formula 1 races. In a statement, Rolex said its presence in Formula 1 is "due to develop over the coming seasons". The new partnership means the Swiss company also becomes the official timepiece to the sport. Formula 1 had signed a multi-year deal with LG in 2008 as its technology partner. LG's logo featured on F1's live timing system. "Without question Rolex is the partner of choice for a world class sporting series like Formula 1," said F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone. "The brand's prestige, the excellence of its watches as well as Rolex's passionate and long-standing commitment to motor sports gives it true credibility. "This partnership is something that many people interested in Formula 1 will have been waiting for and should rightly be excited about. Rolex has incredible sporting heritage and therefore Formula 1 is the right place for Rolex to be."
does this mean hublot's will go on fire sale? i kinda like those king powers. curious to see what kind of watches rolex comes out with i've wanted to get one but never liked the styling much.
Well, this means Bernie got mugged last year for nothing! (referring to his Hublot watch getting stolen when he was mugged in London, and his subsequent posing for a bruised mugged shot that was used in a Hublot advertisement)
I also prefer Hublot's and AP's to Rolex. Some of them are quite nice, but a bit...I don't know. To many knock offs around and the styling can be a tad mainstream.
I think this is a good thing. Never hurts to have a large company that is respected in he US sponsoring F1. Now where do I sign up for one of those discounted Hublots? I may have to check out their shop when I'm in Vegas in a few weeks. Mark
One of two things will have to happen: F1 races will henceforth be timed in 1/8 of second increments to match the Daytona, or Rolex will FINALLY make a watch that is better suited for the event it was named for. (with an in-house movement of 1/10 second, or try to catch up to Tag/ Heuer and have a mechanical movement with 1/100 of a second)
My question is what took Rolex so long? arguably the most recgonized watch in the world, and like it or not, has a huge following of collectors etc.. Hublot, Tag Heuer etc.. are nice but not the same cachet.
APs? what's that? I've found hublot's to be incredibly overpriced but I still want to buy one second hand.
Audemars Piguet. I personally am not a fan of Rolex...it's the Brittany Spears of mainstream watches and their in-house movements are a joke so are the movements in most Hublots. I wish my panerai, richard mille, patek phillipe, jaeger or iwc took a stab at F1...a company with some horology would be nice for "the pinnacle of Motorsport".
They have sponsored sports car racing with the Rolex 24...you're right I dunno what took them so long. Personally, there are LOTS of watches I'd rather have than a Rolex. Rolex just screams "I just came into some money and wanted something expensive" to me...
Depends on the Rolex I guess. I'd really like to have a simple two-tone Datejust. All the best, Andrew.
But seriously. I hope this is the opportunity for Rolex to FINALLY make a black (pvd or dlc) wristwatch.
I'm impressed by Omega's in-house developed co-axial movement, and find the new Planet Ocean 8500 watches very attractive.
I wear a Rolex every day, and have done so for over 25 years. so if that makes me a joke for wearing one... oh well. To me Rolex watches are some of the nicest watches out there. The daytona I wear daily is to me an icon of male style... that none of the Hublots, AP, Panerai, Mille etc... even come close. Rolex and Racing have been linked together for a long time. Its about time they hook up with F-1 If you are a car guy there are 3 brands : Rolex, Heuer, Chopard... that have a Car guy cachet.
I agree. This is what I'll go for (see images). I'm pretty set on a two-tone Datejust, only I can't decide between white or stainless steel face. However, it'll be quite a while before I can afford a Rolex so I guess I've got plenty of time to think about it. Only change I might make between those pictured is to remove the magnifying bubble from over the date. All the best, Andrew. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Discussing the tastes in watches is like discussing any preference (music, paintings, cars etc). It is very subjective and therefore a bit pointless. Personally in general I'm no fan of Rolex precisely because of their design. Exception being some of the Daytonas. Of the F1 watches I really liked the Hublots. My favorite watch is a Jaeger Le Coultre Grande Tourbillon.
Blue is the best color. The Beatles were the best band. Lamborghini Countach was the best looking car. Stefan Belloff was the best F1 driver.
