expect to walk into your local Rolex retailer and leave with a
diamond Sub. If you want one of the most brilliant gem-set models,
it helps to be a major client. Waiting lists can stretch years. Many
of the watches pictured here are so rare—like, holy grail rare—
that they are practically never photographed, and certainly not in
a group of this size. (All of the watches here belong to one very
determined private collector.)
The limited nature of these watches is as much a practical
consideration as anything else: There are only so many stones in
the world and only so many makers who can set them like this. But
it’s no coincidence that demand for gem-set Rolexes, both new and
at auction, spiked last year when Rolex revealed a rainbow-bezel
rose-gold Daytona at the Baselworld watch fair. Men these days
aren’t afraid to wear what is essentially turbocharged women’s
jewelry. If you’re still not convinced that you’re one of them, just
keep looking at this photo.
NOVEMBER 2019 GQ.COM 43
PROP STYLIST: MONIKA BUKOWSKA
OUR
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