1957 Rolex Submariner Ad

[vintagewatch]

This ad on the back cover of the June 1957 La Suisse Horlogere magazine. I believe the it's a 6204.

[thomaspp]

nice, thanks

[soran]

That was before it was a status symbol

[Ticknaway]

Originally Posted by soran

That was before it was a status symbol

Curious, what status does it show? Billionaire, Hollywood elite, royalty or Uber rich....

[Speedbird-1]

Originally Posted by Ticknaway

Curious, what status does it show? Billionaire, Hollywood elite, royalty or Uber rich....

It shows the implied status reflected in every single pixel of Rolex advertising.

You never see photo's Ken Federer the plumber or Jack Stewart the
bank security guard in the expensive ads. Your either Chuck Yeager, Kiri Tikanawa or Jordan Spieth etc, or you nobody. Rolex have been ramming
the associated glamour, wealth, celebrity, status symbol imagery in our faces
for 50 years or more, and we, happy Rolex buyers, stroll up, slap our cash
down and pay for it all.
I'm glad I bought mine, years ago, before 'the madness'.(happy days)

When will the bubble burst?

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Lt Virgil Hilts

It shows the implied status reflected in every single pixel of Rolex advertising.

You never see photo's Ken Federer the plumber or Jack Stewart the
bank security guard in the expensive ads. Your either Chuck Yeager, Kiri Tikanawa or Jordan Spieth etc, or you nobody. Rolex have been ramming
the associated glamour, wealth, celebrity, status symbol imagery in our faces
for 50 years or more, and we, happy Rolex buyers, stroll up, slap our cash
down and pay for it all.
I'm glad I bought mine, years ago, before 'the madness'.(happy days)

When will the bubble burst?

That's a harsh assessment.

Marketing is marketing, but it's silly to imply that all Rolex has to offer is some vague association with celebrities.

Rolex builds and sells a solid product that throughout the 20th century was on the cutting edge of innovation and continues in that role relative to mechanical movements.

Putting their watches on the wrists of people who are achievers is a great strategy for a company whose byline is, "A Rolex for Every Achievement."

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by Lt Virgil Hilts

It shows the implied status reflected in every single pixel of Rolex advertising.

You never see photo's Ken Federer the plumber or Jack Stewart the
bank security guard in the expensive ads. Your either Chuck Yeager, Kiri Tikanawa or Jordan Spieth etc, or you nobody. Rolex have been ramming
the associated glamour, wealth, celebrity, status symbol imagery in our faces
for 50 years or more, and we, happy Rolex buyers, stroll up, slap our cash
down and pay for it all.
I'm glad I bought mine, years ago, before 'the madness'.(happy days)

When will the bubble burst?

Then you must have bought something that wasn't a Rolex because Hans Wildorf himself sought out big names since the beginning to showcase his watches. Remember Mercedes Gleitze, she wasn't a plumber or electrician or middle class mom.
Fact is that all those people you named are at the very top of their profession. The only possible difference in today's marketing could possibly be that most of these ambassadors don't actually wear their Rolex in their trade. But even since Wilsdorf, Rolex shifted it's marketing not so much for the lifestyle but for excellence. Roger Federer and Chuck Yeager represent excellence in my book, obviously not as husbands or taxi drivers. Rolex doesn't advertise so much of the active use of their watches anymore, their excellence is in design and manufacturing. While Federer represents excellence on the court. That seems to be what they promote.

If you want to see a watch in action, you need to get a Richard Mille, as he has a strict policy for endorsements. Every Richard Mille ambassador will be required to wear his watch during his sporting pursuit. Hence why you see Nadal, Blake or Massa wearing theirs during competition.

A Rolex was never cheap or inexpensive, as even in the 50's and 60's, a Rolex costs 1-2 months pay of the average middle class civilian depending on model.

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Putting their watches on the wrists of people who are achievers is a great strategy for a company whose byline is, "A Rolex for Every Achievement."

I have to agree with this.

[Cato]

Originally Posted by Ticknaway

Curious, what status does it show? Billionaire, Hollywood elite, royalty or Uber rich....

Solidly Middle class


Billionaires, royalty, and Uber rich have access to Pateks, VC, AP, and customs.

When middle class folks get their first professsional job or to celebrate a special occasion, a Rolex is often in order.

[brandrea]

[cop414]

Nice

[theloxmyth]

Nice find.

[onthedial]

@ vintagewatch
Great find, great post!
____________
Instagram: @onthedial

[strafer_kid]

Maybe in the earlier days Rolex (the steel ones anyway) were targeted more towards the toolwatch adventurer Explorer concept, though in more recent times they do appear to have gone more towards the high end jewellery world with the wealthy links that go with that?

[smithassignment1]

This is something awesome. Rolex is always a class

[MonsterSS]

very cool!

[lyktestolpe]

It’s an ad for a tool watch:)

[Rebel]

Originally Posted by lyktestolpe

It’s an ad for a tool watch:)

This.

[uniqueMR]

[Rocco Contini]

Gotta love any vintage Rolex's they are always made to perfection!

[ravenhome777]

cool ad!

[ravenhome777]

I like it!

[ravenhome777]

I need to get my divers license.

[ravenhome777]

Does anyone here have a license?

[ravenhome777]

I wonder if they're hard to get.

[Jarett]

Cool :)

[Sublovin]

Really interesting

[DarknerImperator]

I Think is 6205

6204 have the pencil hands and the dial is without word Submariner ;)

Coll AD !!

[SOG DIVER]

Among professionals in the military, the Rolex Submariner will always be a Tool watch-
but in caps. That was its intent, and those loyal to the marque understand. Divers understand quality-and 50 years service from a combat 1680 red Submariner speaks volumes about durability under harsh conditions.

De Oppresso Liber

[Michaeli Paulo]

They must have been lost down there without being able to check the date.

[ud101]

Educating thread.