Influencer - Inspired Rolex Nicknames You Need to Know
By Scottish Clans on Jan 01, 1970
Let’s switch gears and dive into Rolex watches with character-based nicknames! These aren’t just any watches; they carry names that remind us of iconic figures and stories, making them even more special to collectors and fans.
The “James Bond” Rolex(references 6538 and 5513)
While Bond has worn many watches over the years, the Rolex Submariner - notably refs 6538 and 5513 on Sean Connery in Dr. No and Goldfinger remains the true “James Bond” Rolex. Rugged yet refined, often paired with leather or NATO straps, it perfectly captured Bond’s adventurous elegance.
Though Bond later wore brands like Breitling, Seiko, Tag Heuer, and Omega, the Rolex 6538 will always be remembered as the original Bond watch. Its rarity makes it highly sought-after by collectors, so we do not offer a replica.
The “Paul Newman” Rolex Daytona(ref. 6239, 6241, 6262, 6263, 6264 and 6265)
The “Paul Newman” isn’t just a Rolex nickname, it’s a collector’s legend. Named after the actor and racecar driver who famously wore his Daytona Ref. 6239, it refers to vintage Daytona models with “exotic” dials featuring Art Deco numerals, contrasting subdials, and an outer seconds track.
Initially overlooked, these dials became highly coveted thanks to Newman’s association, turning them into some of the rarest and most valuable Daytonas. In 2017, Paul Newman’s personal Daytona sold for $17.8 million, the most expensive Rolex ever.
There’s also a “Neo Paul Newman” (Ref. 116508-0009), but it is generally considered part of the same nickname tradition.
Rolex Explorer II “Steve McQueen”(reference 1655)
The Rolex often associated with Steve McQueen is the Explorer II, reference 1655. Although it’s widely known as the “Steve McQueen Rolex,” there’s no concrete evidence that McQueen ever wore this model. Nonetheless, the watch embodies a rugged, adventurous spirit that aligns with McQueen’s persona. Its distinct design features, like the 24-hour hand and fixed bezel, make it ideal for explorers. This association with McQueen has significantly contributed to its mystique and desirability among collectors. The price for a vintage piece starts at around $20,000, which makes it a great value watch for vintage Rolex collectors.
Rolex GMT Master “Clint Eastwood” (references 16753 and 1675/3)
The Rolex most associated with Clint Eastwood is the GMT-Master featuring the “Root Beer” bezel, notably refs 16753 and 1675/3. With their distinctive brown-and-gold bezel, these watches reflect the rugged sophistication of Eastwood’s persona, both on and off screen.
While many use “Root Beer” and “Clint Eastwood” interchangeably, only the vintage refs 16753 and 1675/3 carry both nicknames; the newer 126711CHNR is known solely as Root Beer.
Rolex Datejust “Buckley”
The Rolex “Buckley” dial refers to a distinctive Roman numeral style found on vintage Datejust and Oyster Perpetual models. Named after John Buckley, a renowned Rolex dealer and collector, these dials feature large, painted Roman numerals with bold serifs or contrasting colors.
Produced in limited quantities, Buckley dials are highly coveted for their vintage charm and unique connection to a key figure in Rolex history.
Rolex “Patrizi” Daytona (ref. 16520)
The Rolex “Patrizi” Daytona refers to a rare subset of vintage chronographs, primarily Ref. 16520, where the subdial rings have faded to a warm brown. Named after auctioneer Osvaldo Patrizi, this discoloration likely resulted from a Zapon varnish quirk. Among collectors, Patrizi Daytonas are highly coveted, with their unique color shift blending imperfection and beauty, boosting both value and historical significance.
Having explored character-based Rolex nicknames, we now turn to Material- and Feature-Based Nicknames watches celebrated not only for their style but also for innovative materials and pioneering features, showcasing Rolex’s craftsmanship and excellence.
