Rolex Revisited: Rolex Explorer Watch

Rolex Explorer 39mm

Throughout its span in production the Rolex Explorer has been through an array of modifications. Originally manufactured as something else, the Rolex Explorer watch earned its name from being one of the first watches to reach the peak of Mount Everest. Since then, it has been acknowledged as the official watch for mountain climbers and extreme sports seeker for its endurance against severe temperatures, and impressive durability. 

Born in 1953, the Rolex Explorer watch is made out of remarkably strong 904L Steel, runs on an in house self winding perpetual mechanical movement, has a 39mm diameter case, monoblock middle case, screw down case back, stop seconds function, and winding crown with trip lock double waterproofness. Waterproof up to 100 meters, or 330 feet, the black dial features center hour, minute, and seconds hands illuminated by Chromalight, a distinctive luminescence that lasts double the length of time as common luminescent materials. Additionally, the dial features large 3-6-9 hour markers and bears the Officially Certified Swiss Chronometer seal. 

Rolex Explorer Watch Band

Thanks to the paramagnetic blue parachrom hairspring oscillator, this little warrior has high performance paraflex shock absorbers. 

Rolex Explorer Watch Strap

Available in 904L Stainless Steel, the watch strap for the Rolex Explorer watch band is an oyster strap. 

Rolex GMT Master II 116710 Series

Rolex GMT Master II 116710LN

Featuring a two time zone function, the Rolex GMT Master II 116710 series was originally crafted as a traveling navigation chronometer to accompany aviates on long distance travels.

Measuring out to a 40mm diameter case, the Rolex GMT Master II 116710 series collection is made out of steel, has a screw down case back with winding crown, rapid date, and center hour, minute, seconds, and 24 hour hands. Additionally the hour hand has an autonomous quickset feature with additional stop seconds function for precise time setting. 

Rolex GMT Master II watchband

Designed with increased scratch resistance, the cerachrom bidirectional graduated bezel with 24 hour time zone combined with the dial’s sapphire lens, fight wear with sustained durability. Running on a perpetual mechanical movement, or 3186 calibre, the GMT Master II watch is self-winding, has a screw down triplock triple waterproofness system, and is waterproof up to 100 meters or 330 feet. The most recent GMT Master II watch on  the market now has flat three piece links for the GMT Master II watch strap.

GMT Master II watch strap

Bearing the Officially Certified Swiss Chronometer seal, the GMT Master II watch comes in Black Cerachrom on a GMT Master II watchband that is an Rolex Oyster Bracelet or Black and Blue Cerachrom on a GMT Master II watch strap that is an Rolex Oyster Strap. 

Watchband for GMT Master II

Special Edition Panerai Luminor 1950 Equation of Time 8 Days Acciaio on Brown Alligator Watch Strap

PAM00601 Brown Leather Watch Strap

I’ve briefly mentioned this novelty Panerai piece at the beginning of SIHH 2015 last week, but just for the appreciation of craftsmanship I’d like to revisit this special edition 2015 beauty with a little more of an in depth review. 

PAM00601 Alligator Leather Watch Band

Exuding a warm and old school look is the Luminor 1950 Equation of Time 8 Days Acciaio Special Edition on a brown leather watch band. Equipped with a hand-wound mechanical P.2002/E calibre based on Panerai’s first in house movement, anti-shock device, equation of time function, 8 day power reserve with power reserve indicator on the see through sapphire crystal back, and seconds reset, this watch is certainly something else. 

PAM00601 Dial

As only 4 days out of the year actually contain a full 24 hours, the equation of time indicator has been designed to read the difference between mean time and true time for a most accurate evaluation of the hour. All you need to do to set this special feature is just fix the date and month. 

PAM00601 Leather Watch Band

Measuring out to a 47mm diameter case that is water resistant up to 10 bar or 330 ft., the dial features the hours, minutes, date, and month. If this watch seems generous in mass, the impressive size can be attributed to the large and impressive calibre.

Limited to 100 pieces, the Luminor 1950 Equation of Time 8 Days Acciaio is made of AISI 361L stainless steel, an alloy that is known for being particularly resistant to corrosion, and comes on an alligator watch strap. 

PAM00601 Alligator Watch Strap

Exclusive Baume & Mercier Limited Edition Clifton 8-Day Power Reserve on Black Leather Watch Strap

Baume et Mercier Clifton 8-Day Power Reserve

With so many new releases and luxurious brands honoring their anniversaries with special edition pieces, 2015 has been a year full of celebrations thus far. Among featured exhibiting maisons of SIHH 2015, is Baume & Mercier with their exquisite additions to the Classima, Hampton, and Clifton collections.  

Unlike the Classima collection, which beams forth a contemporary spirit, Baume & Mercier present to us their most recent special addition to the Clifton collection, the Clifton 8-Day Power Reserve. If you’ve been searching for that classic yet vintage looking timepiece, search no further.

Baume et Mercier Black Leather Watch Band

Celebrating their 185th anniversary of flawless craftsmanship in horology, The Clifton 8-Day Power Reserve Limited Edition comes on a black leather watch band and will be finite to 185 pieces in production. 

Baume et Mercier Black Leather Watch Strap

Powered by one barrel and a manually wound movement, the Clifton 8-Day Power Reserve measures out to an impressive 45mm diameter case in red gold on a black alligator watch strap, with the date at 3 o’clock, running seconds at 6 o’clock, and 8-day power reserve indicator at 8 o’clock.   

If the generous size is a deal breaker, don’t judge too quickly as the increase in diameter comes from the borrowed IWC calibre, 59210, previously featured in IWC's Portofino Hand-Wound 8 Days. 

All new Baume & Mercier models will be available for purchase in Spring/Summer, the perfect seasons to try a watch strap made of rubber, like Rubber B's rubber watch straps.  

5512 Rolex Submariner Watch

Rolex Submariner 5512 Leather Watch Strap

Owning a 5512 Rolex Submariner is like the epitome of carrying history on your wrist. Having undergone four generations of modifications  the 5512 Rolex Submariner watch has many unique features and characteristics that make this watch so exclusive among collectors. 

Introduced in 1958 and in production until 1978, the 5512 Rolex Submariner watch was a very sought after item although the high price today might indicate otherwise. Apart from being the icon for Rolex and sports and dive watch models, the 5512 Rolex Submariner watch is known for its rarity as there aren’t many original models out there that haven’t had crucial replacement parts added, Rolex watch band excluded. If a dial or hand were swapped for an original piece, the worth of the watch could and will likely plummet because the original calibre could have been compromised.   

5512 Rolex Submariner Rolex Watch Band

Originally manufactured with the 1530 calibre, or non butterfly movement, the first few 5512 Submariner’s didn’t have the Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified certificate, and where not even chronograph functioning watches at all. As the 5512 Submariner watch evolved, the later models were armed with chronometer certified 1560 or 1570 calibre movements bearing the “4 line seal” on the dial. Additionally, the markers on the dial went from being made out of radium to titanium and changed from gilt, or golden, to white. 

On the heels of the dial change, came the elimination of the chapter ring and change of the swiss seal mark to “Swiss T<25.”  The bezel went through a variety of make-overs as well, having revisions in the first fifteen marker and font of the numbers. 

5512 Rolex Submariner Rolex Watch Strap

Going down as the first Rolex for having crown guards added among other numerous variations, the 5512 Rolex Submariner watch became more reliable and durable for underwater and sport excursions. 

Nevertheless regardless of the heaps of alterations, the 5512 Submariner watch strap never changed. Although substituting the dial and hands may diminish the worth, customizing the watch strap on the 5512 Rolex Submariner is a harmless addition. Try something lighter, like a watch strap made of Rubber from Rubber B, specially designed for the Submariner as pictured below. 

Rolex Submariner 5512 on Rubber B's watch strap

Elegance Meets Tradition in Vacheron Constantin's Harmony Chronograph

Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph

Coming out of SIHH 2015 and marking their 260th anniversary, Vacheron Constantin has introduced to us a new Harmony collection consisting of 8 new vintage inspired yet elegant timepieces. Of all watches featured, the Harmony Chronograph takes the cake in most classical of the compilation’s traditional design. 

Harmony Chronograph Alligator Watch Stap

Adapted from the original 1928 doctor’s chronograph, the Harmony Chronograph has a 42mm diameter cushion shaped case, mono-pusher chronograph, pulsometric scale, and most importantly new calibre. The calibre 3300, which took top Vacheron watch makers 7 years to develop, has a “dragging” 45 minute 
counter and 65 hour power reserve capacity. 

Vacheron Constantin Brown Leather Watchband

Meeting Geneva Hallmark quality and standards, the Harmony Chronograph is available in rose gold on with a luxurious watchband that is a brown alligator watch strap.

Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph

Only 260 individually numbered watches, the Harmony Chronograph is part of a limited edition collection that bears a special 260th anniversary inscription on the back. Although the Harmony Chronograph may be considered the simplest of its collection, don't underestimate the capability of the calibre and all the might it will add to the future of Vacheron Constantin. 

With just weeks left until the debut of our new watch strap line, Vacheron Constantin has given us yet another piece compatible with our watchbands to get giddy over. 

A Stunning Addition on Leather Watch Strap for the IWC 2015 Portugieser Collection

Portuguese Annual Calendar black alligator watch band

For IWC Schaffhausen, 2015 is the year of the Portugieser collection. Said to have bridged the gap between the perpetual calendar and the simple date display, IWC’s addition to the Portuguese family for 2015 is the Portugieser Annual Calendar from the complication series. Similar to the veritable icon of the original Portugieser collection of 1939, it took watch developers almost 5 years to create. Thanks to the annual calendar and seven day calibre, the Portugieser Annual Calendar is predicted to be a future favorite among watch connoisseurs.

Measuring out to a whopping 44.2mm diameter case, this watch comes with a leather watchband watch strap and a new and improved manufactured in house calibre, the 52850. In recognition to the new two barrel system, the Portugieser Annual Calendar now has a greater “torque” necessary to power all three display discs, and generate a seven day power reserve.

IWC Black Leather Watch Strap

Though the Portugieser has a new power drive, the switching mechanism can’t automatically factor in February or leap years as it is not a perpetual calendar. However, the design has not been compromised nevertheless as designers where careful to preserve the elegant design by eliminating the corrector and providing annual correction through the crown. For some this can be a disadvantage, but the difference in price make up for this slight inconvenience.

Portuguese Annual Calendar Alligator Watch Band

Running on a mechanical movement, the Portugieser Annual Calendar has a watch strap made out of Alligator and features a dial with a month, date, and day display in three separate windows, as well as subsidiary seconds dial and power reserve indicator. This watch has pellaton automatic winding, is water resistant up to 3 bar, and has a see through sapphire glass covering the back of the case allowing a fantastic view of the calibre.

IWC Leather Watch Strap

There is much importance held in the new order of which the date reads, as it bequeaths tribute to American founder F. A. Jones by following “American” format. Available in 18k gold with silver-plated dial on black Alligator leather watch strap or stainless steel with either a silver-plated or midnight blue dial on a black alligator band, the Portugieser Annual Calendar is more than just beauty and brains. This new release represents an important leap in the IWC initiative to make more calibre series that are manufactured in-house for the years to come, and are just another gorgeous addition that will be compatible with our new watch strap line coming out in February.

The SIHH 2015 is ON

Today marks the opening date of one of the most influential watch exhibits of 2015, setting the rules in watch fashion of whats to come for the year. The SIHH 2015, or Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, is open and running in Gevena marking its 25th year anniversary. Known as one of the most paramount and upscale exhibits, as well as first of its kind for the year, the SIHH 2015 is open from the 19th of January to the 23rd. Here 16 of the most leading swiss watch brands, like Jaeger-LeCoultre, Montblanc, Roger Dubuis, and more disclose their utmost recent creations.

PAM00614

PAM00616

The most 
exciting of the freshly debuted, are the new releases for the Luminor 1950 series by Panerai for 2015, which are just perfect with Rubber B's watch straps made of rubber. 







Additionally, Panerai introduced to the public the special edition Luminor 1950 Equation of Time 8 Days Acciaio - 47mm PAM00601 on a watch band that is an antique brown alligator leather strap. This beast has arrived just in time for what is soon to come in Rubber B's ongoing innovation development.

PAM 00601

Day one already has the internet buzzing with shiny new wrist candy, lets wait and see what else these ensuing days have in store.  

Rolex Submariner Rubber Watch Strap Featured in A Blog To Watch

Photo Credit: A Blog To Watch

     Recently reviewed on A Blog To Watch, is our very own Rubber B watch strap made out of rubber for the Rolex Submariner Ceramic No-Date 114060. Over at A Blog To Watch, Rubber B’s rubber watch strap for the Rolex Submariner Ceramic series was taken to the test, and proved to please. As mentioned in their review, Rolex unlike other fellow luxury watch brands that provide tools built into the lug or strap itself for easy strap change, don’t offer alternative watch straps when it comes to customization causing the process of changing your watch band a difficult and annoying endeavor,

This can be quite a tricky predicament for watch enthusiasts, as authorized Rolex dealers will change the watch strap to the custom one of your choice but for a hefty price and after a long wait. 

Rolex Submariner 

     Thanks to Rubber B, watch lovers now have a solution for their customization issues as each watch band provides a beyond flawless mount. Each watch strap series is uniquely designed for each watch model and is fabricated out of a special carbon-injected rubber, offering the best in taction, flexibility, and resilience equipping additional comfort through its lighter weight, and softer touch. This benefit is said to be crucial for the Submariner as its a sports watch and is worn for a majority of the day and for multiple purposes. Additionally, the special glidelock

edition strap option allows its users to keep their original oyster clasp from the Rolex oyster band, and not compromise on the easy adjustment and double lock mechanism due to the precisely designed block integration feature,

As claimed in our review, our watch strap made of rubber has such an immaculate mount its easy to forget the Rolex Submariner didn’t come with it, or that Rolex hasn’t designed it themselves, 

Rubber Strap in Red Devil

Available in black for the glidelock edition,the Rubber B watch strap made out of Rubber is a perfect match with the Submariner’s black cerachrom bezel. Multiple colors are offered for the tang buckle 
strap series such as 

Rubber Strap in VulChromatic Forest Green

Arctic White or Mandarin Orange in solid, or Pacific Blue, Red Devil, and Forest Green in solid or dual colored VulChromatic. Considered the best in quality and fit to fulfill your needs, Rubber B was created to satisfy. 

Tang Buckle Series in Arctic White

The Latest of 2015 in Watches and Rubber Straps

Montblanc Heritage Spirit Obris Terrarum dial

As the time for the debut of our new product in our Rubber B line approaches, so does SIHH 2015. In celebration of whats to come in the latest in watchmaking technology and Rubber B’s continuing expansion of variety in our watch straps, lets get excited about Montblanc’s latest addition to the Heritage series, the Spirit Obris Terrarum with a Black Alligator watch band.

Montblanc Heritage Spirit Obris Terrarum full view

This stunner measures out to a 41mm diameter case with a thickness of 12mm, and is available in either stainless steel or 18k red gold on a leather watch band.   

Additionally, the multilayered dial is creative and easily legible. Setting the time on this beauty is simple, as all you need to do is position the home city to 6 o’clock and set the local hour and minute. All other 24 time zones will automatically adjust. There is a clever night and day feature as well to boot. 

Montblanc Heritage Spirit Obris Terrarum

The Heritage Spirit Obris Terrarum is just a taste among all the other watches that we can soon cater to with our new line of watch straps. If you’re not excited yet, you will be once you see the additional customization options Rubber B will have to offer in February for watch bands! 

Rolex Deepsea Watch Strap Alternative

Rolex Deepsea Watch

The Rolex Deepsea is among the huskier models by Rolex. With its impressive functionality of withstanding over three tonnes of force and depths of 3,900 meters, this watch is popular amid professional divers and fellow adventurers.

Now available in D-Blue Dial, this new ombre style is a perfect match with Rubber B's watch band for the Rolex Deepsea dual colored VULChromatic tang buckle watch strap series. Rubber B's watch strap has been fabricated from our exclusive strength infusion technology, which provides upgraded protection against friction, weight, and micro adjustment occurring naturally from wear. During the moulding process, Carbon fiber molecules are fused within vulcanized rubber resulting in increased vertical and lateral resistance while remaining supple and comfortable.

Rolex Watch Strap

Thanks to our special edition Glidelock Clasp attachment feature you don't have to compromise the convenient and innovative Glidelock Clasp adjustment system if you wish to keep the original Rolex clasp during the customization of your watch band. As featured in A Blog to Watch, this carbon fiber line has been especially engineered to fit the Deepsea case lug with its special blocked integration system for a flawless mount. Our technology provides an exact fit without the need of links from the original Rolex Oyster bracelet. Rubber B's watch straps meet FDA and BVVG specifications and are non allergen, non toxic, and non marking.


Now available in either solid Jet Black or Devil Red, or dual-colored VULChromatic Jet Black/Mandarin Orange, Jet Black/Arctic White, and Jet Black/Pacific Blue in the tang buckle bracelet series. Or in the Glidelock edition in Jet Black. Get your very own watch band here. 

Rolex Deepsea Watch Band