In February of 2009, the Melrose Rolex Blog reported on the upcoming auction of the Davide Blei Vintage Rolex Auction. On March 22, Patrizzi and Co of Geneva, Switzerland, held the auction of the collection of Vintage Rolexes in Milan. The incredibly successful event brought in more than $3.7 million dollars, with all but one of 114 Rolexes in the collection selling. Some 200 bidders attended the Milan auction, with almost 100 participating online. Bidding was strong with written bids coming in right up to the last minute. Who says we are in a recession when it comes to buying Rolex watches? The sales results demonstrated that there is an active, strong demand and enthusiasm for fine timepieces. The top lot of the sale was a stainless steel Rolex Oyster Perpetual made in 1953 and fetching $268,637. A pink gold Stelline sold for $204,597, and a pink gold Oyster Chronograph made in 1950 sold for $105,042, almost double its estimate. Founded last year, Patrizzi and Co. operates headquarters in Geneva, and offices in Milan and New York. The auction house does not charge a buyer’s commission; so all figures reflect the hammer price. According to the auction house, the David Blei collection was considered one of the most important collections of vintage Rolexes, particularly in terms of quality and aesthetic appeal. Each of the 114 watches were of exceptional quality and rarity, the auction house said. The one watch left unsold was due to an Internet buyer exceeding his limit. Overall, the auction reveals what a great investment a Rolex watch can be, as Davide Blei knows as well as anyone in the world.

From the beginning, Davide Blei collected only the very best examples of what he believes is the most important watch brand in existence – Rolex. “I chose Rolex for the beauty of their watches,” says Blei. “Rolex are not as well known for their internal mechanisms as for their extremely beautiful cases and dials - the way they combine these two major elements of a watch is pure excellence. They have a wonderful way of putting color, metals, and tones together.” When he started collecting, he did not understand the intricate workings of watch mechanisms, but as his passion grew, he bought books and studied watchmaking. After a few years, he began to appreciate what is important and why: “If you have passion then it’s not very difficult to learn.” His hunger to satisfy his passion and his cosmopolitan curiosity led him to attend auctions all around the world – Hong Kong, Japan, New York, and Geneva – buying the best pieces at these sales. One of the many aspects that attracted Davide Blei to Rolex watches was their unquestioned purity and beauty. “You can clearly see a sense of technicity and mastery of their art in their unique dials,” says Blei. “Rolex made dials that nobody else made – triple scale, telemeter, Daytona, different colors in the scale – all absolutely unique dials.” An avid collector Davide Blei believes that collecting is all a matter of taste, “You cannot teach taste,” he says, “you either have it or you don’t.” And clearly, Blei has exquisite taste - as his Rolex Collection testifies. The incredible reaction to the sale and the amount of money made reveals that beyond the challenges of the current economy, Rolex watches continue to be a smart investment.

In his lifetime, violinist Yehudi Menuhin recognized the value of each precious day; to keep track of the time, he wore an 18k gold Rolex Day Date wristwatch. As a Rolex ambassador, he expressed the essential role that keeping proper time had both in the arena of music and in the world of politics. When the time finally stopped and he died in 1999, the incredible virtuoso had evolved from a child prodigy to a living legend to the eternal status of a musical institution. Extravagant tribute was paid, both in his lifetime and after his passing, “to the musician and especially the man” (from a classic radio tribute at the time of his death) who was Yehudi Menuhin. They praised Yehudi Menuhin the violinist, the phenomenon who simultaneously astounded America between the wars while he created one of the masterpieces of the 20th century - Bartok’s Sonata for solo violin. Yehudi Menuhin primarily was an American phenomenon, the first child violin prodigy to come from the New World and become famous there. There is thus no definitive interpretation for Yehudi Menuhin’s musical expression. It can be described as the search for repose, for naturally, where it can breathe more than show off. This opening of musical feeling beyond technique and schools, this fierce desire to gather music at the source; it is in this sense that Yehudi Menuhin’s lesson remains exemplary.

Near the end of his life, Yehudi Menuhin confessed to the New York Times that performing had become more challenging. He eloquently described this change: “It becomes both easier and harder — easier because I know very clearly what I’m about. It becomes harder simply as a function of age. My contribution is not only musicianship,” he continued, “it’s a sense of style. Young musicians often play the notes clearly and cleanly, but classical music needs interpretation. That’s where I feel I can be useful.” In addition, Yehudi Menuhin was never shy about expressing his political views. California, the state where he grew up, drastically cut budgets for music schools at the end of his life: “They never cut taxes, they cut budgets, art and culture, whatever it’s worth living for.” Yehudi Menuhin’s own school of music was privately financed, but British students received the normal state subsidy from the Government. “With 48 musicians, we have six little quartets,” he said proudly, amazed that so many would choose to play in ensembles rather than as soloists. As his life was drawing to a close, the virtuoso child prodigy was most anxious to teach young musicians how to play well together. In addition, to make sure his students showed up on time, Yehudi Menuhin always made sure to wear his 18k gold Rolex Day Date wristwatch.

If all he could do were play the violin and teach his students, that surely would have been enough. Yehudi Menuhin’s enthusiasm, however, extended much further. When he traveled the world to delight audiences with his virtuoso performances, he would study the indigenous music of each new country. As a result, it was just as likely that a concert performance would feature Ravi Shankar or Stephane Grappelli as with a full orchestra. Beyond the reach of his performance, Yehudi Menuhin used his music as a medium for promoting humanitarian causes. In honor of such efforts, he was awarded an honorary Knighthood in England, the Legion of Honor in France, the Belgian Ordre de la Couronne, the Order of Merit from West Germany, and the Nehru Peace Award from India. Even with such an incredible array of awards, his most precious possessions during his lifetime remained his violins. During his lifetime, he owned such rare masterworks as a Stradivarius, a Guarnerius Del Gesu, and a Capicchioni. The one constant that remained and the one instrument that never changed was Yehudi Menuhin’s dedication to his 18k gold Rolex Day-Date watch. Rolex expressed their true appreciation that such a genius would become a Rolex ambassador when they wrote in 1984, “That such a man as Yehudi Menuhin should choose a Rolex above all others as his personal timepiece is, surely, all the satisfaction we could ever ask.”

Rolex has employed many sporting greats as Ambassadors of the Rolex brand, ranging from Arnold Palmer to Roger Federer. In 1978, Rolex exhibited true ingenuity by using world-renowned French Chef Paul Bocuse in a print advertisement for the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date. In the advertisement, Paul Bocuse was quoted: “There is no fine cooking without perfect timing.” Indeed, just like any sportsman, a cook needs exact timing so it makes perfect sense that Paul Bocuse would use a Rolex watch to keep the time. If Rolex was going to be represented by a Chef, who better to pick than Paul Bocuse, the inventor of nouvelle cuisine. Born into a long line of father-son chef teams, Paul Bocuse is arguably the most famous French chef of the 20th century. In 1944, he was shot in battle during World War II, and, in 1975, he was awarded the French Legion of Honor. Paul Bocuse is widely credited with being one of the first chefs to emerge from the kitchen and to enter public life, promoting French cuisine, starting restaurants and culinary institutions around the world. Paul Bocuse is one of the most prominent chefs associated with the nouvelle cuisine, which is less opulent and calorific than the traditional haute cuisine and stresses the importance of fresh ingredients of the highest quality. He avoided the use of heavy cream and butter sauces, using simpler recipes, market-fresh food and emphasized natural flavors and textures. This nouvelle cuisine caught on with many younger chefs, and Bocuse became an ambassador of French cuisine, traveling around the world giving classes. The Chef recalls that Henri Gault first used the term, nouvelle cuisine, to describe food prepared by Bocuse and other top chefs for the maiden flight of the Concorde airliner in 1969. In 1975, he created the world famous soupe aux truffes (truffle soup) for a presidential dinner at the Elysee Palace.

Paul Bocuse has made key contributions to French gastronomy and world cuisine both directly and indirectly. Bocuse has had numerous students, many of whom have become famous chefs themselves. One of his students was Eckart Witzigmann, the first German chef to receive three Michelin stars. Since 1987, the Bocuse D’Or has been regarded as the most prestigious award for chefs in the world (at least when French food is considered), and is sometimes seen as the unofficial world championship for chefs. Finalists in the 21st Bocuse d’Or found themselves engaged in a daunting trial of their talent and skills. Beneath the attentive gaze of a large audience, 24 experienced cooks did their utmost to appeal to the expert taste-buds of an international jury composed of the world’s finest experts, chaired by the legend commonly referred to as “the chef of the century” and the “pope of gastronomy”, Paul Bocuse. Paul Bocuse was honored in 1961 with the title Meilleur Ouvrier de France. His father George Bocuse, had been apprenticed to Fernand Point, a master of classic French cuisine. Paul Bocuse comes from a long line of French chefs and restaurateurs dating back to 1765. After working under several noted chefs, he took over his family’s failing restaurant near Lyon, and saved it from ruin. His family nickname was ‘primate of the palate’. Paul Bocuse’s lasting creation is the luxury restaurant l’Auberge du Pont de Collonges, near Lyon, which has been serving a traditional menu for decades. Located four kilometers north of Lyon on the banks of the Saône near the Pont de Collonges, this family house has become an obligatory stopping point for gourmets from every corner of the globe. It is one of a small number of restaurants in France to receive the coveted three-star rating by the Michelin Guide. Paul Bocuse has achieved such excellence by wearing a Rolex Day-Date and making sure his culinary creations are perfectly timed.

Elizabeth Hurley, who is simply known as “Liz” by the media and her fascinated fans, loves to be seen on the town, dressed to the nines and wearing a gold Rolex watch. Whether in Hollywood or London, New Delhi or Milan, Liz Hurley always is photographed at the best parties and the most celebrated events. Her gold 18k Rolex President goes with any outfit and makes sure that she arrives on time. Beyond the celebrity fast lane of fame and fortune, Austin Powers and Hugh Grant, Elizabeth Hurley spends a lot of her time finding ways to give back through charity and public appearances. Recently, Elizabeth Hurley donated a picture of her son to appear on a British stamp. Six-year-old Damian is seen dressed in a T-shirt and multi-colored hat in the photo. Liz said: “The images I have chosen mean a lot to me as a mother and it is great that my photography can be used in a way that benefits others.” The picture was turned into a limited edition stamp to raise money for the domestic violence charity, Women’s Aid. A Royal Mail representative said: “This is the third year we have run this auction. It has proved to be so popular that we invited Elizabeth to come on board for 2009 and are keen to raise as much money as possible for these worthwhile causes.” The two postage stamps of Damien, featuring signed photos of the actress, sold by auction on eBay for over £1,550. When Elizabeth Hurley believes in a cause, she does her best to take action and help the less fortunate.

Yes, Elizabeth Hurley does give back in the philanthropic tradition of the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, but she always knows how to give the very best to herself as well. When it came time to get married, Elizabeth Hurley chose an amazing spot for her wedding: the Umaid Bhawan Palace in India, which is made of yellow stone and marble. It was commissioned by Umaid Singh, grandfather of the present Maharaja, in 1929. He wanted to find jobs for his people so he paid 11 million rupees (a fortune at the time) for 3,000 workers to toil for 15 years. Clearly, Liz Hurley thinks it was worth every single rupee: she rode an elephant across the lawns of the 26-acre gardens to a flower-strewn gazebo to marry multi-millionaire Arun Nayar. When she became a new wife, her husband must have emphasized the importance of being on time because Liz Hurley has been pictured on multiple occasions with her husband by her side and her gold 18k Rolex President on her wrist. Even as a married woman, Liz Hurley still hangs out with the A-list. When the Wall Street Journal recently reviewed the opening of a new documentary about superstar designer Valentino, the writer wrote: “There’s no doubt that Valentino Garavani, founder of the $1 billion-plus fashion brand that bears his name, is a living relic of “La Dolce Vita.” To enter the orbit of Valentino is to join a world of skiing in Gstaad, debating over hand-stitched sequin strips for couture dresses and hosting glamorous parties attended by A-list celebrities from Liz Taylor to Liz Hurley.” Indeed, as an A-list celebrity, Liz Hurley attends the most fabulous parties and events in the world, and she usually wears her gold Rolex President to make sure she arrives fashionably late.

Mary-Kate Olson is a modern fashion icon that often is photographed by the paparazzi sporting a white-faced stainless steel Rolex watch and a red dial gold Rolex watch. Best known as one half of the world famous Olson Twins, Mary-Kate Olson and Ashley Fuller Olson (born June 13, 1986) are American actors and performers, best known for playing the role of Michelle Tanner on the hit television sitcom Full House. Sitcoms often employ twins to play child parts because it allows the production to work longer hours without violating the child labor laws. Both sisters have appeared on television and in films since infancy. After their early success on Full House, they have continued their celebrity through numerous television gigs, films, and commercial endorsements. Although they are fraternal twins (not identical), they prefer the term individual pair, revealing their demanding and peculiar Hollywood sensibilities. Still, the twins were so popular in the preteen market, their names became a cottage industry, and their likeness has been used and seen in clothes, books, fragrances, magazines, movies and posters. There were even Mary-Kate and Ashley fashion dolls made by Mattel (the maker of Barbie and G. I. Joe) from 2000 to 2005.

In her adult life, Mary-Kate Olson has separated from her sister and developed a reputation as the wild member of the family. Going beyond the silly romantic comedies they shot together, Mary-Kate’s first acting appearance without Ashley was in the movie Factory Girl, which was released in December 2006 and told the tragic tale of Edie Sedgwick’s roller-coaster ride in Any Warhol’s Factory. Mary-Kate Olson was originally in several scenes, but only appeared in the background in the finished film. Mary-Kate has also a recurring guest role in the third season of the controversial Showtime series Weeds.

In the 2008 independent film The Wackness, she shared a passionate kiss with the much older star of the movie, Ben Kingsley. Whoever thought little Mary-Kate Olson would end up kissing Gandhi?As both sisters have matured, they developed separate styles. As young adults on the cutting edge of the popular culture, there has been growing interest in their fashion choices. In fact, the New York Times declared Mary-Kate Olson a fashion icon for pioneering her signature “homeless” look. The style, sometimes referred to as “ashcan”, is now popular among celebrities and fans alike. Fashionistas have pointed out the similarity of the style to that of the Bohemian chic popularized in Great Britain by Kate Moss and Sienna Miller. Of course, Sienna Miller played the role of Edie Sedgwick in the movie Factory Girl, giving Mary-Kate Olson a direct link to the young British star. Both looks consist of oversized sunglasses, boots, loose sweaters, and flowing skirts in order to create an aesthetic of mixing the high end with the low end. Mary-Kate Olson presents this mixture better than anyone does by wearing her beautiful Rolex watches. Nothing takes the “homeless look” to the next level than the contrast of wearing a luxurious Rolex watch side-by-side with the low-end intrusions. In the end, Mary-Kate Olson is not only a fashion icon, but also a Rolex fashion pioneer as well.