Rolex kicks off 2024 with a special edition Day-Date in honour of the Vienna Philharmonic
Jamie WeissRolex special editions are exceedingly rare. That’s why it was such a big deal when Rolex released a special edition Daytona last year to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans: aside from the occasional wacky off-catalogue piece (like the bonkers Day-Date 36 ‘Jigsaw’ that also dropped last year – 2023 was a particularly mental year for Rolex), the famously conservative Swiss brand typically plays their cards very close to their proverbial chest, and they play things safe.
Barely one week into 2024 however and yet another eclectic Day-Date 36 has been unveiled, which celebrates the 15th anniversary of Rolex’s partnership with the Vienna Philharmonic, one of the world’s most acclaimed orchestras. Rolex has been the orchestra’s exclusive partner since 2008 and has sponsored its popular New Year’s concert since 2009, which is live-streamed for free thanks to Rolex’s support.
Rolex explains that this special edition “is fashioned in 18ct yellow gold and adorns a finely crafted dial representing a violin and its volute, a decoration made using the champlevé method of grand feu enamelling. Directly etched into the yellow gold base, the violin design is coloured by hand in different shades of green.” It’s a unique display of Rolex’s métiers d’art and a return to somewhat more tasteful special edition Day-Dates after the lunacy that was the ‘Jigsaw’.
But as with any Rolex – good luck getting one. Rolex has confirmed that “limited quantities” have been produced for select clients, which is code for “if you haven’t already received the call, you’re never getting one”. Cue the world’s smallest violin.
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Jamie
Watch meme of the week: human-cyborg relations
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Strictly speaking, WD-40 isn’t a lubricant, but the less I think about RoboCop and C-3PO bumping uglies the better. I’ll never be able to look at a Rolex GMT-Master ‘Root Beer’ the same way ever again…
Wrist shot of the week: The Talking Hands deliver
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Andrew Morgan (a.k.a. The Talking Hands, a.k.a. the smoothest voice in the watch game) also knows how to pull off a pretty smooth wrist shot, with the affable Brit showing off this tasteful H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Small Seconds with its beautiful translucent aqua blue fumé grand feu enamel dial. Enchanté.
Time+Tide Shop pick of the week: AIS Collective ChronoPen Watch Cleaning Kit
I just did a full write-up on the virtues of this snazzy watch cleaning pen in our new Watch Carry Wednesdays vertical, but there’s the Cliff Notes: made in Switzerland and free of too-aggressive chemicals or abrasives, it’s a gentle, ergonomic and effective product that’ll get your timepieces looking box-fresh as we head into the new year. Don’t start 2024 off with a dirty watch.
Order now from the Time+Tide Shop or at the Melbourne Discovery Studio. Price: A$90.
Our favourite Time+Tide coverage of the week
T+T10: A week of Studio events and three boutique editions to celebrate our 10th anniversary
In case you missed it, we’re celebrating the 10th anniversary of Time+Tide with an exclusive ‘Watch Week’ with events in our Melbourne Discovery Studio – and we’re also unveiling three limited-edition collaborations with arguably the three best microbrands on the planet, as our gesture of appreciation. Learn more about our upcoming Boutique Editions and Studio Events during the week-long celebration beginning January 17 here.
The Time+Tide team each pick their favourite release of 2023
Before 2024 fully kicks off, a year in which we hope there are a ton of new and exciting novelties, the Time+Tide editorial team has come together to each declare what their favourite watch release of 2023 was. Some of us understood the assignment better than others and picked just one watch, while others found themselves cheating a bit… Read on to see which watches we each picked.
Do you love Succession enough to buy a fake Panerai, or overpay for a Shinola?
HBO’s dark comedy-drama series Succession, which aired its final fourth season in 2023, is memorable for many reasons. One reason to tune in is that it’s a field day for watch spotters – with the show’s malevolent, well-heeled characters rocking everything from Cartiers and Rolexes to Richard Milles and Audemars Piguets. That’s why we (and I’m sure more than a few watch fans) were excited to hear that Heritage Auctions would be auctioning off a collection of props from Succession’s 5-year, 4-season run. Surely there’d be some cool watches up for grabs? Sadly, there are no high-end pieces to be found among the lots… Well, at least no real high-end pieces, that is. Here’s the full scoop.