The First Rolex Submariner 1922 Hermetically Sealed Pre-Oyster

...In The Time Before Rolex Oyster Time...

The First Rolex Submariner

1922 Hermetically Sealed Pre-Oyster

One of the most captivating chapters in Rolex history, in my opinion, is the birth of the Rolex Oyster. I have an intriguing new discovery to share with you. Our remarkable Horological Historian and Researcher, Nick Gould, recently unearthed a warning from Rolex Founder, Hans Wilsdorf. This warning was originally published on December 7, 1927 in the French Horological Journal, just after Rolex officially launched the Rolex Oyster wristwatch. While the Rolex Oyster was not the first attempt at successfully creating a waterproof wristwatch, it's arguably the most successful attempt, and the one that has endured the most.

Below is the translation form French to English:

WARNING

Hans Wilsdorf, General Director of Rolex Watch Co. Ltd., Geneva, informs watch case manufacturers and watchmakers that he is the owner of patents Nos. 114.948, 120.848, 120.851 relating to a screw crown device and hermetically sealed screw cases.

He is also the owner of models of cases of this shape, registered under No. 41.351.

The undersigned warns watch manufacturers, case manufacturers, and the public in general against any imitation or counterfeit of the said patents and registered models.

The undersigned informs the watchmaking public that he is the owner of the trademarks “Oyster”, “Aqua” and “Submarine” as well as their translations in all languages.

He has the exclusive right to use the said trademarks for all articles of horology and jewelry.

The undersigned will take legal action against any counterfeiter and imitator for cancellation of any deposit or patent for similar articles, without prejudice to all damages, interest, and any action for unfair competition.

Geneva, December 7, 1927.

Hans Wilsdorf.

The Rolex Submariner is the most iconic watch ever made, and its origins are absolutely fascinating. The photo below is of a 1922 Rolex Submarine, which is a hermetically sealed Pre-Oyster, waterproof watch, and Rolex Founder, Hans Wilsdorf specifically mentioned its trademarked name of "SUBMARINE" in the 1927 notice seen above.

This is an extremely rare example in pristine condition. You can learn much, much more about the history of the Rolex Submariner in my 19 part series named "The Complete History Of The Rolex Submariner & SEA-DWELLER. Rolex's Conquest Of The Ocean."

Although Rolex perfected the Rolex Oyster waterproof watch case in 1926, it had been working on perfecting a waterproof case for many years prior, and the Rolex Submarine which was made in 1922 (seen above and below) was waterproof, but it did not have a very high depth rating, and in order to access the watch to wind or change the time, you had to screw-off the top fluted bezel, which over time would wear, and was not so easy, yet it was effective. 

Below we see the actual trademark registration certificate that shows Hans Wilsdorf filed it on March 31, of 1922, which was 104 years ago...

We also see a public registration notification that was published in a trademark journal in 1922, which features Rolex's "THE SUBMARINE".

You can learn, much, much more about how Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex revolutionized the wrist-watch in the early 20th century by checking out my story named, "The Complete History Of Rolex Leadership. Part 1: The Hans Wilsdorf Years: Founder Of Rolex."

Jack Hanna Orange Hand Rolex Explorer II

...Rolex Super-Coolness...

Jack Hanna

Orange Hand Rolex Explorer II

[Reference 216570]

Jack Hanna is one of the most famous wildlife experts, and animal rights activists in the world. He is a naturalist and zooloigist and the Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and served as the Director of the Zoo from 1973 to 1993. He is commonly referred to by his nickname of "Jungle Jack", and is well known for his appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, as well as with David Letterman.

"You have to touch the heart, to teach the mind."

 

—Jack Hanna

Jack Hanna wears a Rolex Explorer II "Orange Hand", with the Polar White Dial, which is my favorite currently offered Rolex model, and I think it looks fantastic on him. Also, I might point out that Jack Hanna's energy very much reminds me of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, in that they both share a serious spirit-of-inquiry and exploration.

1953 Cloisonné Custom Crest Dial

1953 Cloisonné

With Watches and Wonders 2026 in the rear view mirror, we saw some new Rolex models with very interesting enamel dials including the new Rolex Roleseum Daytona, which made me think about this 1953 Rolex watch. Speaking of Watches and Wonders 2026 novelties, in my story on the "100 YEARS" Oyster Perpetual model, I showed a classic 1956 and a 1957 with classic elegant dauphin hands, which also remind me of the design language from this fascinating OP.

In the past I have covered some of very interesting Rolex watches from Christie's auction house in Geneva, Switzerland. This watch in particular caught my eye. It was made in 1953, and is in a smaller 33.5 MM diameter case which features a Rolex Reference number of 6100. It also features a a Heraldic Armorial Cloisonné Enamel dial by Marguerite Koch. Its lot number 112 hammered at CHF 32K.

David Doubilet DEEP-SEA Photographer

  NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC  

...Rolex Super-Coolness...

David Doubilet

Pioneering DEEP-SEA Photo Journalist 
Keeping The Time Of His Life With Rolex

David Doubilet, one of my absolute favorite Rolex Testimonees, is featured in the Rolex Visionaries Episode 17 video interview. In this interview, David Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes engage in an incredibly profound and brilliant conversation. I believe the Rolex Visionaries series is produced in-house by Rolex in Geneva, Switzerland, and it’s truly exceptional!  

"Jennifer and I always said that curiosity is the second greatest of all human attributes, and the greatest human attribute is kindness..." 

—David Doubilet

In the video David Doubilet mentioned he has been wearing and depending on exclusively on Rolex watches since he was 15 years old, and today he is 79 Years old, which means he has been wearing Rolex for the past 64 years!

David Doubilet has been a world-renowned DEEP-SEA, National Geographic photographer since 1971, and is one of the most published photographers in the history of NAT GEO Magazine with over 70 features stories published to date. David has also been a Rolex Testimonee since 1994.

David Doubilet has spent close to 30,000 hours to date in the oceans of the world capturing stunningly insightful aquatic images.

David Doubilet's magnificent pioneering underwater photography is second to none, and he is considered by many to be an international living treasure.

“For the last 30 years, from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean, from the Southwest Pacific to the waters off Japan, Mr. Doubilet has captured a world of bejeweled ocean creatures playing on sandy stages: an emerald stingray shadowing a ship in the Bahamas; a golden big-bellied sea horse grazing in a Tasmanian sea.” –Margo Nash, New York Times

1996

Let's begin this fascinating journey by exploring David Doubilet's amazing career through Rolex ads. In this first Rolex magazine ad from 1996, we see David Doubilet wearing his Rolex Submariner.

2009

"What I like best about underwater photography is giving a visual voice to the invisible. What I like least is the prospect of drowning." –David Doubilet

2011

This next David Doubilet Rolex Magazine ad is from 2011, at it features him wearing his Rolex DEEP-SEA SEA-DWELLER.

The Amazing Underwater World Of David Doubilet

David Doubilet is one of the top underwater photographers, if not the greatest. David's trademark photo style, is seen in this first photo, where he keeps the top half of the lens above water, and the bottom half below. This results in an absolutely fascinating perspective, which allows you to simaltaneously see two connected worlds–above and below the water.

This amazing photographic style showcases the constant duality of life, which is typically invisible to both worlds. This style is such a perfect metaphor for the typically invisible interconnectivity of life!!!

How amazing is this next under/over water shot? I love the composition that contrasts two seemingly unrelated world, that are really close together, yet so far apart. Just amazing!!!!!! This photo is absolutely crazy!!!!!!!!!!!

David Doubilet was born in New York in 1946 and he started shooting underwater photographs when he was 12 years old in 1958. He began shooting photos for National Geographic in 1971 and since that time he shot photos for more than 60 stories.

It is crystal-clear to me that David Doubilet is certainly one of the greatest photographers that has ever lived, as well as probably being the greatest aquatic photographer that ever lived.

2012

2014

2015

David Doublet is pictured below with his wife Jennifer, who also wears Rolex Watches. In the National Geographic video below this photo, they give and amazing speech about some of their recent amazing work, which I very highly recommend watching: