Rolex has long been the watch brand favoured by those at the top of their game across a multitude of activities and skills – from Formula One racing to deep sea diving, air travel, and more. In fact, one of the unrivalled benefits of the Rolex brand, and the design behind each timepiece, is that the sophisticated and high-quality watches combine their accuracy and professional features with a timeless aesthetic that lends itself to red-carpet interviews and photoshoots alongside active endeavours.
One of the most interesting instances of a Rolex being worn, however, is in space – with several NASA astronauts taking their Rolex watches up with them into space, relying on their incredible accuracy and durable design to deliver the time back home. While some reserve their finest Rolex wristwear for events and interviews, others have reportedly taken their timepieces with them upon the launch of their rockets – making Rolex one of the most well-travelled brands in not just the world but the universe.
In this article, we’re considering the value and incredible story behind some of the Rolex brand’s most notable professional styles – sharing the exact models carried into space, and discussing what makes the professional timepiece collection so popular with individuals at the top of their game in the physical world.
Which Rolex Models Have Made It Into Space?
There has long been a link between NASA and chronograph watches, notably the Omega Speedmaster model, though top-level astronauts are also recognised for their affinity and loyalty to the Rolex brand.
While not all of the examples of astronauts wearing Rolex watches are taken from space, and many astronauts reserved their Rolex watches for personal use, a notable example of a Rolex in space comes in the form of the Rolex Datejust – which astronaut Frank Borman took up into space with him as part of the Apollo 8 mission to visit the moon and return to Earth again.
Another famous astronaut who preferred the Rolex brand of wristwatches was Michael Collins, who was part of the team that took Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the moon for the very first time. Collins stayed in the aircraft to orbit the moon safely during their expedition – and was noted for wearing a Rolex Turn-o-Graph during training and personal preparation for the expedition.
And then we have Jack Swigert, who famously commanded Apollo 13’s moon mission and often wore a Rolex GMT Master Pepsi model. He also had a solid yellow gold GMT Master, which he wore for NASA portraits and interviews – cementing his commitment to the brand.
The GMT Master Pepsi was also worn by astronaut James Lovell, who is best known for his phrase “Houston, we have a problem” – with the GMT Master particularly popular with travellers for its ability to read the time in more than one location at any given moment. Other astronauts with a GMT Master Pepsi who wore their timepieces in space include Stuart Roosa and Dr Edgar Mitchell.
Interestingly, there is no single Rolex watch which lends itself to astronauts and those conducting space travel – however, the GMT Master is often cited as one of the most popular professional watches owned by NASA individuals.
Which begs a question of its own – what is it about the Rolex professional models and collections in particular that makes them so coveted, and how do they differ from other luxury watches?
What Exactly Is a Rolex Professional Timepiece and How Does It Differ From Other Luxury Models?
The Rolex professional watches are one of the things that elevate the brand above other luxury watchmakers in the industry, cementing the innovative creativity of Rolex’s design team, and ensuring that every watch that is released bridges the fine line of aesthetic style and functional use.
The professional watches can all be divided into, and linked back to, specific activities that they were built to facilitate and support – from the deep sea diving of the Rolex Submariner to the benefits of the GMT Master for travellers and pilots, the racing attributes of the Daytona, and the durable casing of the Rolex Explorer.
The professional collection from Rolex is designed to marry the functional purpose of each and every model with an aesthetic design that integrates with ease into everyday style and trend. There is no Rolex watch that fails to delight in terms of its style and aesthetic design, with even the most durable and hard-wearing of cases still lending themselves to red-carpet elegance.
Which is exactly what separates this brand and its professional collection from other luxury names on the market. Rolex is favoured by astronauts and other specialists at the top of their fields because of the quality, the accuracy, and the timeless style of every individual watch. These are timepieces that retain their value, that look great, and that deliver more than just the time at any given moment.
But are they worth the investment?
Is a Rolex Professional Watch a Good Investment?
The investment value of any authentic Rolex watch lies in the quality, the exclusivity, and the simple fact that owning a Rolex is a sign of both status and wealth. One of the main hallmarks of any luxury brand is the high demand that follows the release of each new collection, combined with the limited supply, which ensures the high price tag.
What’s more, from a buyer’s perspective, a Rolex professional watch is as much a sign of historical innovation as it is a high-quality and stylish accessory to wear out and about. Each new collection launched under the Rolex professional range displays ingenuity, which is often buoyed with historical prominence – that is, it holds some kind of record for its contribution to sporting excellence.
So, for those considering investing in a Rolex, a professional collection watch is not only a stylish option but one that will retain its value and continue to be a coveted and highly in-demand piece on the luxury goods market.
For more information on buying and selling authentic luxury goods, make sure to discuss your options with a reputable boutique reseller.
