The Journal

Notes from the bench.

Stories on diamonds and design, buying guides for pre-owned Rolex, and the small lessons that come from three generations behind the same counter.

Two Good Choices for a First Time Rolex Buyer
Rolex San Diego · 2 min read
Two Good Choices for a First Time Rolex Buyer
A blog post suggesting the Rolex Explorer and Oyster Perpetual as good choices for first luxury watch purchases.
September 2024
The Rolex Explorer I and Rolex Submariner: What’s a Better Watch for You?
Rolex San Diego · 2 min read
The Rolex Explorer I and Rolex Submariner: What’s a Better Watch for You?
Comparison of pre-owned Rolex Explorer and pre-owned Rolex Submariner.
September 2024
How to Keep Your Rolex in Great Shape
Rolex San Diego · 2 min read
How to Keep Your Rolex in Great Shape
Quick tips for keeping your pre-owned Rolex in top working order.
September 2024
A Few Reasons to Buy a Pre-Owned Rolex
Rolex San Diego · 2 min read
A Few Reasons to Buy a Pre-Owned Rolex
Why a carefully chosen pre-owned Rolex can offer better value, more character, and stronger long-term potential than buying new.
September 2024
Rolex Repair: How to Keep Your Timepiece in Tip-Top Shape
Rolex San Diego · 2 min read
Rolex Repair: How to Keep Your Timepiece in Tip-Top Shape
Practical guidance on servicing, cleaning, repairing and storing your Rolex so it keeps running accurately for generations to come.
March 2023
Rolex Explorer History
Rolex San Diego · 2 min read
Rolex Explorer History
From Everest to modern city streets, the story of how a rugged 1953 tool watch evolved into one of Rolex's most enduring icons.
February 2023
ROLEX DIAL COLORS
Rolex San Diego · 2 min read
ROLEX DIAL COLORS
A guide to Rolex's signature dial colors, from timeless black and white to bold greens and rainbow hues, and what each says about your style.
February 2023
Rolex Explorer 6098
Rolex San Diego · 2 min read
Rolex Explorer 6098
The story behind the Rolex Explorer 6098 and its unforgettable role in the first successful summit of Mount Everest.
September 2022
An Interesting History of Rolex’s Aquatic Watches
Rolex San Diego · 1 min read
An Interesting History of Rolex’s Aquatic Watches
From the first waterproof case to a watch that touched the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the story behind Rolex's legendary dive watches.
August 2022
How Much Do I Wind My Vintage Rolex?
Rolex San Diego · 1 min read
How Much Do I Wind My Vintage Rolex?
A practical guide to winding your vintage Rolex correctly, plus the warning signs that mean it's time for a service.
July 2022
Do You Collect Rolex Anchors?
Rolex San Diego · 2 min read
Do You Collect Rolex Anchors?
The little-known story behind Rolex's miniature anchor charms, why depth ratings and green dots complicate the idea of a complete set, and whether they're truly collectible.
July 2022
What’s Your Definition of a Full Set?
Rolex San Diego · 1 min read
What’s Your Definition of a Full Set?
A clear breakdown of what "full set" really means for a Rolex — which pieces matter most and which ones you can safely live without.
June 2022
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A few good notes a month.

New arrivals in the watch case, buying guides, and the occasional story from the counter. No noise — just things worth knowing.

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