Without question, when most people and even most watch collectors think about James Bond and Rolex watches, they picture Sean Connery in their minds. After all, Sean Connery was the first James Bond; he always wore a Rolex watch, and most fans of the film series consider Connery to be the best 007 ever. Despite this fact, the ultimate and archetypal James Bond Rolex watch in terms of storyline and cool features was worn by Roger Moore in his first outing as James Bond in Live and Let Die. In fact, one character remarks to James about the 5513 Rolex Submariner, “That’s a particularly handsome watch you’re wearing Mr. Bond!” With the arrival of Roger Moore came the arrival of the far out wristwatch gadgets. The wildest is the 5513 Rolex Submariner worn in Roger Moore’s debut, Live and Let Die. Moore explains to “M” that pulling the stem on this ordinary looking Rolex wristwatch activates a “hyper intensified magnetic field… powerful enough to even deflect the path of a bullet at long range.” Of course, James Bond uses it, instead, to whisk a spoon off “M”s coffee saucer. Later, the true colors of James emerge when he uses the magnetic power to unzip a damsel’s dress. In addition, the damsel is not even in distress, but she will be in a certain happy distress when James gets his paws on her.

As a visual cue that the magnetic field is engaged, the otherwise white number markings on the dial of the 5513 Rolex Submariner turn to red. Given the demonstrated power of the watch later in the film, every metal object within 50 feet should have flown though the air and attached to the Rolex watch. Of course, this never happens, and the device only affects the objects James Bond wants to be attracted to the magnetic power. Why this “bullet deflecting watch” is not issued to Bond from here on out is a bit of a mystery. There is certainly no shortage of bad guys taking shots at 007, but, after Live and Let Die, this incredibly useful feature is never seen again. However, in reality, it is only a mystery from the perspective of the James Bond world, but not from the moviemaking world. After all, using the same gag repeatedly in a series of films simply is not an accepted practice in Hollywood.

There is an inexplicable continuity error involving this Rolex watch in Live and Let Die. Having given the audience a visual and verbal description of how to activate the magnetic field by pulling on the watch stem, the filmmakers proceed throughout the rest of the film to have James Bond employ a completely different method. On two separate occasions, Roger Moore activates the magnetic field in Close-Up by turning the watch bezel instead of pulling the stem. Well, what can you expect from the movies — they may be playing super secret agents, but in reality, they are just your average Hollywood types. Still, the idea of a hyper intensified magnetic field built into a wristwatch is impressive enough, but that is just the beginning. The top of this watch can be set spinning so the serrated edge of the bezel acts like a miniature buzz saw. The original bezel of the 5513 Submariner was re-cut to accommodate this feature. This gimmick is not too complicated, and it could actually work. It certainly is a convenient feature that stands Moore in good stead near the end of the film when he uses it to cut the ropes that secure him to an “unnecessarily slow dipping mechanism” (as described by Dr. Evil in a parody of this scene from Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery). When Roger Moore returned in The Man With The Golden Gun, he was again seen wearing a 5513 Rolex Submariner again. In this film, however, the watch had no special function and is easily missed. Without question, on the right wrist, the power of a Rolex watch on screen can be irresistible. After seeing that hyper-powered Rolex Submariner in Live And Let Die, a well-known watch collector mentioned in private, that he started his collection. “I think it was the extreme close-up of the watch and the extraordinary things that Roger Moore’s Rolex did,” he said. “I’ve always been a bit of a film buff, but I guess I evolved into a true wristwatch collector.” Without question, Roger wears the coolest Rolex James Bond watch ever when he dons that incredible Rolex Submariner in Live And Let Die.

Is there any woman in the United Kingdom wearing a Rolex watch who is as sexy and wild as Danielle Lloyd is? The clear and obvious answer is a definite no! Does Danielle Lloyd wear just any Rolex watch? Once again, the answer is no because Danielle Lloyd wears a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona with the silver dial in the steps of film legend Paul Newman. The English fashion and glamour model appears at events and parties, in bathing suits and in music videos like Skepta’s The Rolex Sweep, and she always wears her Rolex Cosmograph Daytona on her wrist.

Danielle Lloyd has a reputation for walking the edges by being a little bit wild and quite controversial. The former Miss England 2004 and Miss Great Britain 2006 first rose to prominence when she was stripped of her Miss Great Britain 2006 title after posing for nude pictures featured in the December 2006 edition of Playboy magazine and allegedly having an affair with one of the pageant’s judges, her then-boyfriend, British footballer Teddy Sheringham. In the 2007 series of Celebrity Big Brother, Danielle Lloyd, along with other contestants, were accused of bullying Indian actress Shilpa Shetty. Later that year, Danielle Lloyd attended Shilpa Shetty’s movie premiere at Leicester Square, the first Bollywood movie she had ever seen. The two actors made up publicly, hugging and kissing on the red carpet in front of fans. As always, Danielle Lloyd was wearing her Rolex Cosmograph Daytona on her wrist when she overcame the past and created a new bright future for herself in the public eye.

Although she sometimes takes the wrong step in public, there is no question that Danielle Lloyd is downright sexy and has great taste in Rolex watches. Considered one of the most popular Rolex sport models, the Rolex Cosmograph “Daytona” is truly exceptional. The term “Cosmographâ€� was coined by Rolex when it decided to come out with an improved version of its earlier line of chronograph watches. The Daytona excels in elapsed timekeeping functions with a graduated tachometer bezel. From 1961 to the present day, expectations have not fundamentally altered. Rolex recently spoke of this model in terms of precision and functional efficiency as a â€�precision instrument used for various calculations and tests.â€� Rolex also indicated that: â€�The Rolex Cosmograph may be especially used for two types of calculation: timing performances and the calculation of hourly speeds, such as during a running race or a motor-race for exampleâ€�. The Cosmograph is a chronometer-certified chronograph carrying the seal of the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute. To grasp the full scope of the Cosmograph, it is also essential to realize that it is the work of a company, which has itself, attained mythical status. If there were only one name that simply had to be cited in the watchmaking world, there is no doubt that Rolex would carry the day over the other legends that have made their mark on horological history. Sexy British babe Danielle Lloyd clearly understands that aligning herself with such an exceptional watch like the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona provides her with a true aura of taste and excellence.

Following the international success of Wiley’s Wearing My Rolex, British rapper Skepta scores a major hit with his super sik tune, The Rolex Sweep. Beyond being a great song, The Rolex Sweep has become a dance sensation in clubs as expressed in the lyrics to the hit song: “Doing the Rolex Sweep me and my crew. That’s the lead dance, do it if you want to.â€� In the Urban Dictionary, it is described as a dance made famous by Wiley and Skepta, and a song that is a direct follow-up to Wearing My Rolex. According to the BBC, The Rolex Sweep has become such a huge hit in Great Britain, British superstar Chris Martin and his band Coldplay recently did a rendition of the song during a show in London. Rolex Sweep follows hot on the heels of Wiley’s all-conquering Wearing My Rolex and had over 1 million YouTube views before the official video release. These early hits primarily consisted of fans uploading homemade videos, eager to show the world how the dance is done. If that was not impressive enough Zane Lowe, Kelly Osbourne and 1xtra’s Mista Jam have all been spotted doing the sweep as well as Paul O Grady and Busta Rhymes. Rolex fever has landed in the resorts and clubs and is now the dance of choice across Europe. There are no signs of this slowing down anytime soon.

Born Joseph Junior Adenuga, Skepta is a British rapper, commonly associated with the North London grime scene. One of the smartest and most diligent entrepreneurs in the UK Music industry, he became known throughout Greater London due to his hit single, Private Caller. His main target is to make grime music ‘main stream’ in the United Kingdom and the United States. So far, alongside accomplices like Wiley, Roll Deep, JME, President T, Trim, Frisco, Bossman and Big H, he has helped to increase the levels of ’spitting’, and has produced a series of major grime hits. Although many of those past hits rocked the local scene, nothing has compared to the international success of The Rolex Sweep.
The key lyrics to the hit song go like this:

C c c count with me, C c c count with me
1 glass of champagne for me
2 glass of champagne for you
3 now do the Rolex sweep
Do the Rolex sweep
Do the Rolex sweep.

The Rolex Sweep has become a major hit not only due to the great lyrics, but also because of the popular video. The video takes place in a traditional London pub that becomes focused entirely upon Skepta once he makes his entrance. The pub transforms from a dodgy old hangout to a modern-day party hub featuring cameo appearances from JME, Jay Sean, Danielle Lloyd and Timmy Mallett. There is an argument to be made that Danielle Lloyd has become the number one Rolex babe in the world, but we will address this question in a later blog. Ultimately, Wiley and Skepta’s music reveal how Rolex watches remain at the height of youth fashion trends; the inspiration for both the hit tune and the dance sensation known as The Rolex Sweep.

Legendary actor and director Clint Eastwood truly represents the daring spirit of Rolex. At the age of 78, Clint Eastwood has been receiving accolades and awards for his performance in and direction of the film Gran Torino. Although primarily known as a successful action star, Eastwood has directed more films than Stephen Spielberg and George Lucas combined, and he has won two Academy Awards for directing. Earlier this year The Changeling, directed by Eastwood and starring Angelina Jolie, was released. In his acting career, Eastwood has worn a Rolex watch in several of his films. In Firefox, he wore a Rolex GMT Master with a Jubilee bracelet, and in the hit film, In the Line of Fire, he wore a two toned Rolex Datejust.

In 2007, French President Jacques Chirac awarded Eastwood the Legion of Honor, a rare distinction for an American citizen. Recognized around the world as a true artist of the cinema, Eastwood’s talent has evolved and expanded over the years. In Gran Torino, Eastwood plays with his classic Dirty Harry tough guy image by showing a similar character grown up to be a bitter, angry man. “You always look for a character that can go somewhere, start one place and go another,” Eastwood said in a voice that now is almost a whisper. “I was intrigued by the Gran Torino script because it was not only about the Hmong culture, which was new to me, but it is also a kind of statement that you’re never too old to learn tolerance and learn a lot of things. Of course Walt Kowalski is a man who’s out of his time and he has trouble adjusting, but that makes hurdles to go over and they make the character fun to play.â€� Like Rolex, Eastwood has learned not only to love adventure and daring, but also the importance of giving back and helping his fellow man. It is hard to imagine an individual more deserving of wearing a Rolex watch than Clint Eastwood.

In Gran Torino Eastwood worked with an unknown cast of non-professional actors, including Bee Vang and Ahney Her, both born in the US to Hmong parents. “They were very nice kids and they were really earnest,” he says. “It’s interesting with the young people of the Hmong culture that, although they were born here, they all know the language of their parents and grandparents and they have a great respect for adults.” At 78, Eastwood demonstrates incredible energy and daring, continuing to evolve as an actor and an artist. If we could choose a Rolex watch for Clint Eastwood, a Rolex Stainless Steel Datejust with a Black Dial and a Fluted Bezel would be the perfect fit. With a combination of elegance and robustness, it matches the legendary character of this American icon.

Arguably, the most successful actor of his generation in terms of the box office, Harrison Ford chooses to wear a Rolex Datejust in his everyday life. In the thriller Frantic, renowned director Roman Polanski has Harrison Ford’s character wear a stainless steel Datejust on a Jubilee Bracelet. If one legendary film character, however, definitely should have worn a Rolex, the adventurer’s watch, it is Ford’s greatest creation, Indiana Jones. In relation to Ford’s mastery of the character, one critic wrote, “Harrison Ford is Indiana Jones. He owns the role like a seasoned Rolex.� Furthermore, like the conquerors of Mount Everest or the divers in the ocean’s deepest depths, Indiana Jones represents the very essence of Rolex quality and daring. Yet, for some unknown reason, George Lucas and Stephen Spielberg never gave Indiana a Rolex watch to wear on his wrist. Even worse, they made Harrison Ford stumble through the final film, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, backed by a bad plot and a terrible screenplay. If Indiana Jones had worn a Rolex watch in the last film, he might have been checking the time to see when it would be over like members of the audience.

The plot line left many patrons not merely bored, but angered, as illustrated by a controversial South Park episode, which left Kyle moaning about the third film’s Alien’s. If you did not see the film, are you shaking your head right now? Aliens in an Indiana Jones story just reduces it to the absurd and mocks the classic adventure roots of the character. Indeed, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was a mockery of perhaps the greatest adventurer in modern film. Moreover, not giving Indiana Jones a Rolex is simply doing him a great disservice. First, as you can see from the pictures, Harrison Ford looks great in a Rolex watch, whether it is silver or gold. Second, like the real life adventurers that Rolex has teamed up with over the last century, Indiana Jones represents the best of man’s daring and courageous spirit. Nothing, not even Nazis or a tunnel overflowing with the grossest bugs you could possibly imagine, ever stopped Indiana from achieving his goals. In real life, Harrison Ford looks positively awesome in his Rolex Datejust. Indiana Jones may have done better with a Rolex GMT Master II, a Rolex Explorer, or even a Rolex Submariner like James Bond. In the end, Indiana should have had a better send-off in terms of a quality film and a Rolex on his wrist.

In a recent entry in the Rolex Forums, Chris in Melbourne reported on his encounter with Flavor Flav in Australia. Taking a break from his hit television show Flavor of Love where women compete to be the next Mrs. Flavor Flav, the extravagant rapper who wears a series of huge clocks around his neck was touring with Public Enemy. Known for contributing the hit song Fight the Power to Spike Lee’s iconic film Do The Right Thing, Public Enemy was the cornerstone of politically conscious rap in the 1990s. The band became so famous that action figures of Flavor Flav and Chuck D were sold. Chris in Melbourne clearly understood that Flavor Flav needed to complement the clock hanging from his neck with a Rolex luxury watch on his wrist.

In his description of the encounter, Chris wrote: “While waiting (at the Melbourne airport), I noticed a group of young men (who obviously weren’t from these parts). Well, I’ve never seen so much ‘bling’ on a bunch of blokes in all my life! I noticed one guy wearing a clock (running an hour fast) around his neck. It was the US band Public Enemy . . . most of the guys in the group were wearing some pretty flashy watches including some that appeared almost totally covered in ‘ice’. The pick of the bunch for me however, was an 18 Ct Yellow Gold Daytona on a honey colored strap that really caught me eye.â€�

In Yahoo Answers, when asked why does Flavor Flav wear that clock, the winning answer was, “He said that he wears it because time is the most important element in our lives so he wears it to represent that belief.â€� Another popular answer was, “The man is reportedly worth 90 million dollars. You’d think he would buy a Rolex!â€� On the respected music blog site Grits And Porgies, the blogger provided a more philosophical perspective by commenting: “To the untrained eye Flavor Flav may have looked like your typical rapper, sweatsuit, sunglasses, gold teeth, and sneakers. But instead of sporting Rolex watches and jewelry, Flavor Flav decided it would be more fashionable to wear giant clocks around his neck.â€� Nevertheless, even if Flavor Flav keeps the clock hanging, he still needs the precision and quality of a Rolex on his wrist. So what kind of Rolex should the rapper acquire?

On the Melrose Jewelers site, there is a Men’s Rolex Day Date Super Presidential watch with just the perfect mix of philosophical precision and beautiful bling to meet the needs of Flavor Flav. In 18k yellow gold, the luxury watch has a custom champagne diamond dial with eight round and two baguette cut diamonds. The “Super” Presidential is a name given to the Men’s Rolex Day Date Presidential with both “Pave” diamond band and diamond lugs in addition to the classic diamond dial and diamond bezel. New “Super” Presidential models as issued by the Rolex factory are very rare. Wearing such a watch is nothing less than remarkable, making the luxury model a perfect fit for a remarkable man like Flavor Flav. After all, such a talented performer needs not only to have a clock around his neck, but also a Rolex Day Date Super Presidential watch on his wrist.

Racing superstar Danica Patrick has joined a long list of motorsports superstars that have signed up to compete in the 47th anniversary Rolex 24 at Daytona on January 24-25, 2009. The grueling 24-hour race demands the very best from the competitors if they are not only trying to win, but also even finish. As a trailblazer, Danica Patrick last season became the first woman to win an IndyCar Series race. Although she failed to finish the Rolex 24 in 2006, she is back after taking a year off and ready to go for the blue ribbon. With natural talent and instinctive daring, Danica has the inner qualities necessary to win. If only Danica had a Rolex on her wrist before the race, she might see how the precision timepiece reflects the qualities she tries to achieve on the speedway.

If Danica Patrick could be given a lead on a Rolex watch to acquire, which Rolex ladies watch should she get to aid her in her cause? Although many of the professional men’s Rolex watches like the GMT Master II or the Daytona would do just fine, Danica needs a watch that reflects her style and class both on the raceway and on the red carpet. Melrose Jewelers happens to have a watch in stock that would meet Danica’s needs. The Ladies 2T Rolex Datejust is a spectacular watch showcasing the stunning Submariner Blue Diamond Dial. Its Oyster bracelet offers a modern appearance and is quite eye-catching with the combination of glossy Stainless Steel and 18k Yellow Gold, reflecting Danica’s balance between professional sports and fashion. Lastly, the .7ct Beadset Diamond Bezel set in 18k White Gold surrounds the magnificent dial and adds to the already glamorous appearance of this masterpiece. Such an incredible watch matches the blue colors of racing while offering the professional perfection of a Rolex. With the added diamond, it provides the glamour that a star like Danica Patrick not only needs, but also demands.

Danica competed in the Rolex 24 in 2006, but the team finished 50th after a mechanical breakdown. “I had such a good time,� said Patrick of her 2006 Rolex 24 start. “So many drivers come together for this event. Of course everyone wants to win and do well. But there’s such camaraderie at this. I’m just really grateful to come back to this team again. To be with a group of drivers like this, we have a great chance at winning this race.� Danica Patrick, who races with Andretti-Green Racing in the IndyCar Series, will spend this weekend’s test getting familiar with the Daytona Prototype again. She has plenty of memories from her lone 2006 start.

“There wasn’t a ton of running so it was hard to get a real feel of how the rhythm of the race goes and how it goes through the night and into the next day,� Danica said of her 2006 Rolex 24 experience, which cut short due to mechanical failures. “I’ll definitely be asking questions as we go along about that. I remember what it feels in the car and how it was around here and I think that will be able to carry over but also the car has improved too.� Hopefully, both the racing car and Danica’s team have improved because she deserves the opportunity to win the Rolex 24 and receive a Rolex watch as the prize for such a victory. Danica Patrick is a class act, and she would look perfect with a Rolex on her wrist.

A question that must be asked is whether the famous and infamous Hollywood star Lindsay Lohan has more Rolex watches or more love affairs with both men and women? There is little question amid the multitude of voices in today’s popular culture that Lindsay Lohan is a talented performer. Recently, however, Lohan’s most dramatic and eye-catching performances have taken place in her so-called private life. Her supposed committed gay relationship with Samantha Ronson went nuclear in the Miami airport over the New Year holiday with the two young women viciously screaming at each other. The Los Angeles Times reported hysterics and drama to the point where a flight attendant on American Airlines asked if they would like to disembark. Later, after they arrived and returned to their home in the Hollywood Hills, neighbors reported more screaming and glasses shattering. It is lucky Lindsay was not wearing her Rolex Daytona because the luxury watch would make quite a projectile weapon if thrown and not worn.

If Lindsay Lohan actually used her Rolex Daytona as a weapon, it most likely would have survived the impact. Rolex professional watches are known for their strength and endurance, even a gold and jeweled watch like Lindsay’s Daytona. Still, if Lindsay Lohan managed to actually damage her Rolex Daytona, she would have several more Rolex watches to choose from in her own personal collection. Lindsay Lohan tends to prefer wearing oversized Men’s Rolexes in both stainless steel and yellow gold. Yes, Lindsay is known for going through relationships these days faster than she checks in and out of rehabs. Beginning with Ronson, these relationships now include both women and men, which should continue in the future. Since Lindsay has been photographed in the past wearing more than one Rolex at a time and as many as three, there is no question that she loves the fashion and power that a Rolex watch represents in the popular culture. So does she have more Rolex watches than relationships, and is she willing to sacrifice her Rolex watches as projectile weapons whenever she breaks up with a lover?

Okay, more than a touch of irony is expressed in that last question. Hopefully, Lindsay will see the quality and precision reflected in each Rolex watch, and then attempt to mirror that quality and precision in her own life. In 2009, it is time for the talented performer to shift her performances away from her private life and return the drama and talent to her professional career. Lindsay Lohan’s love of Rolex watches reveals her inherent taste and respect for true quality. Now Lindsay has to learn to respect and love herself.

Since 1982, Spanish-Mexican operatic tenor José Plácido Domingo has been an extraordinary Ambassador for Rolex Watches in both advertising and philanthropy. Although originally hired to represent the Rolex GMT Master, Plácido Domingo also has been connected with the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date watches over the years. Giving him even greater international recognition outside of the world of opera, he participated in The Three Tenors concert at the opening of the 1990 World Cup in Rome with José Carreras and Luciano Pavarotti. A statue of him was erected in Mexico City as recognition to his contributions to the 1985 Mexico City earthquake victims. He is considered a talented and hard-working musician: in March 2008, he debuted in his 128th role, giving Domingo more roles than any other tenor. Despite his hard-working schedule, Plácido Domingo has been a tireless spokesperson for Rolex while promoting many worthy causes under the Rolex banner.

Here is the in-depth information on the Rolex watches that Plácido Domingo has become identified with over the years. The Rolex GMT Master in stainless steel is an automatic dual-time bracelet watch with a date display It has a gloss black dial with luminescent hour markers, sweep centre seconds, GMT hand, aperture for the date, three-part case, polished and stained, sapphire crystal with magnified lens, 24-hour bezel, screw-down case back, Twinlock crown, stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, case, dial and movement signed. It is the essence of the Rolex professional watch class, originally designed for pilots of Pan Am. In contrast, to celebrate Rolex’s 100th birthday, the Swiss watch company released a lavish update to its classic timepiece called the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date II. It features a bigger dial (41mm versus the 38mm the old Day-Date had) and a choice of 18K gold or platinum with matching Super-President bracelet.

In 1993 with the full support of Rolex, Plácido Domingo founded the Operalia, a huge event to discover young talent in the field of Opera singing. A panel of renowned Opera artists selects singers for all the voice categories. Singers consider it a great honor to be able to display their talent in front of such renowned artists through this competition. Moreover, The Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative continues the long Rolex tradition of honoring those who make a meaningful contribution to the world in which we live. Plácido Domingo has taken an active role with the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative since the beginning, offering his support to young artists beyond the Operalia.

As a spokesman for Rolex, José Plácido Domingo not only does print ads for Rolex, but he also takes time out of his busy schedule to help Rolex open new stores around the world. On February 28, Rolex opened a luxurious Hong Kong boutique. Plácido Domingo was on hand for the ribbon cutting and opening ceremony. A longtime brand ambassador for Rolex, Plácido Domingo realizes that Rolex watches are extremely popular in Hong Kong, and the city is one of the brand’s most important Asian markets. Without question, Plácido Domingo is the Rolex Ambassador extraordinaire.

Is there any athlete in the world whose endurance and strength of character reflect the quality of a Rolex watch than seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong? A Rolex connoisseur with a preference for both the Rolex GMT Master II and the stainless steel Rolex Daytona, Armstrong has overcome testicular cancer not only to return to cycling, but also to embrace fatherhood again. Before Christmas, Armstrong happily announced to the press that his beautiful girlfriend Anna Hansen is pregnant. Armstrong told the Associated Press, “Anna and I are thrilled to confirm that we are expecting in June. We are very much looking forward to what 2009 brings on many fronts.� A Program Manager for First Descents, Anna Hansen loves nothing more than being outdoors on her mountain bike. As ideal as Armstrong’s connection is with Rolex watches, his relationship with Hansen appears to be an rare example of perfection.

After being diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1996 that had spread to his lungs and brain, Lance Armstrong was given less than a 50% chance of survival by his doctors. Facing the challenge of his disease with the endurance and fortitude of a Rolex watch, Armstrong survived surgery and several brutal cycles of chemotherapy. Armstrong and his former wife Kristin had three children using in vitro fertilization with sperm he had banked before his chemotherapy. Amazingly, Armstrong returned to win the Tour De France seven straight times until he retired in 2005. Astounding the world once again, Armstrong announced in 2008 not only his return to competitive cycling, but also the coming arrival of a new child through the means of a natural conception. After relationships with Sheryl Crow and Kate Hudson, Armstrong has found happiness with Hansen. The question now is whether he can find the fortitude to win an eight Tour de France in 2009.

Although Armstrong often wears a stainless steel Rolex Daytona, his favorite Rolex watch always has been the Rolex GMT Master II.The 50th anniversary edition of the GMT Master II was revealed at BaselWorld 2006. This new model features a number of technical enhancements, such as Rolex’s patented Parachrom hairspring as well as a larger Triplock crown. The new model also has several cosmetic improvements such as larger hands and a new bezel made of an extremely hard ceramic material, which greatly resists damage and discoloration.

With his decision to enter the Giro d’Italia and return to competitive cycling, Lance Armstrong received a warm reception from the Italian cycling community. Perhaps nobody in Italy has a closer bond with Armstrong than Ivan Basso, who still recalls how the American took time away from the pursuit of his 2004 Tour de France victory to help Basso’s mother fight cancer. Rolex always has been a company that has shown a balance between technical genius and philanthropy. Lance Armstrong truly reflects the best of Rolex in both his personal and professional lives.