Rolex's of the William Brown Project
The William Brown Project is the work of Matthew Hranek. Here is more on Matthew, pulled from his site matthewhranek.com.
'Photographer and Director Matt Hranek has spent the last 20 years of his life traveling to the corners of the globe on assignment. Photographing and writing about some of the world’s most desirable destinations, Matt’s images capture the people, place, and objects that embody the American spirit. His work has appeared everywhere from editorials in Bon Appetit, Conde Nast Traveler, Esquire, GQ, Martha Stewart Living, Town and Country, and Travel and Leisure to commercial work for J Crew, LL Bean, Orvis, Sony, Target, and William Sonoma.
Matt created "The William Brown Project" as a visual diary of his photographic sojourns. He says he had the idea to turn his photographs and stories into the widely received blog because "there was so much residual content leftover from every photo shoot that it needed a place to go, so I made one". "The William Brown Project", where he tells of his elusive findings and exotic tastings was the inspiration behind the Esquire Network’s newest series, "Alternate Route", capturing the spontaneous adventure behind every photograph. The six episode first season follows Matt on the road less traveled as his passion and curiosity take him through Maryland, Chicago, Everglades, Charleston, and Montauk. Immersing himself in each society, Matt explores the local vernacular of the food and craft that personify his destinations.'
I had the pleasure of painting two of Matthew's watches. His Rolex GMT and Rolex Submariner.
Hranek- 'These are two beautiful example of 60's rolex sports model and as far as I am concerned the glory days of Rolex. I am proud and lucky to own them.'
Hranek- 'The GMT required endurance. I had a 16750 that I bought , then sold then bought a real shitty 1675 ( I loved the insert - perfect fade). Well my buddy jacek at HQ Milton in SF did me a solid and let me trade it in on a really lovely 1675 GMT that was actually traded in by a good friend of mine (who's GMT I coveted). It took a few moves to get there and well it's mine now and not going anywhere.'
Hranek- 'The Sub was my first Rolex purchase (my dad had left me a datejust). It was the early days of ebay and I had no idea what I was doing the watch was $1800 and the guy i was buying it from didn't trust ME... (early days).
I was very lucky - everything about the watch was perfect the lumes, the patina the pre-tropical (brown) dial. I will die with this watch.'
Bob's Watches' Gold Rolex
Bob's Watches is the site for pre-owned Rolex watches. I loved the look and character of their Gold Rolex Submariner 1680.
A Little About The Gold Rolex Submariner 1680
- The Model 1680 Gold Submariner is the first to have a reference date window and was manufactured by Rolex for Tiffany Co.
- The 1680 was also the first gold Rolex.
- A golden anchor was produced to go with the watch .
- Vintage submariners have a thicker crystal made of acrylic which is shatterproof. They do scratch easy though.
- Vintage 1680s are difficult to find, making them more valuable and to many, more interesting.
About Paul Altieri
Paul Altieri is the owner and CEO of Bob’s Watches. Paul is an avid Rolex expert and enthusiast. Over the years he has collected a myriad of rare, vintage Rolex watches, each one having its own unique and interesting story to tell.
About Bob’s Watches
Bob’s Watches was founded by Paul Altieri who is the mastermind behind the World’s First and only Pre-Owned Rolex Exchange. The Rolex Exchange allows consumers to buy, sell, and trade second hand Rolex timepieces at fair market prices. The website openly publishes current buy and sell values for each model of Rolex. Every watch on Bob’s Watches is in stock ready to be shipped to your front door via overnight shipping.
Watch 99 Rolex
This Rolex Sporting Prince Travel Watch watch was submitted by Gene Stone. Author of 'The Watch', -the definitive book on the wristwatch.
'The Rolex Sporting Prince Travel Watch, is the holy grail of travel watches, the one that no collection can be complete without. It took me years to find it, and it’s beautiful. It’s the photo on my Facebook page as well. The Prince was introduced to the market in 1928, and was sold primarily as a wristwatch. Only a small number of these travel watches were ever made.'
Watch 90 Rolex
This Rolex Popeye ltd. Edition watch was submitted by Mark Large -instagram user @1lrg
'Two great brands joined together to create a great looking design.'
Watch 86 Rolex
This Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht Master watch was submitted by Wai Au. -instagram user @wma1999
'I have always liked a watch with raised numerals and graduatiuons on a metal bezel, in this case is the bezel made of platinum. This watch has been on the market for some time but when this particular blue dial of this watch was launch in 2012 it was love at first sight. And with the sweeping red second hand this watch is complete for me.'
Watch 84 Rolex
This Rolex Explorer 1 watch was submitted by Paul Anthony. -instagram user @bespokeunit
'I have always been a watch guy. The romance and complexity of time is something that has always captivated me. The Explorer 1 has always been my first choice, due to its historical classic simplicity that has stood the test of time.'
Watch 80 Rolex
This 1971 Rose Gold Rolex watch was submitted by Jenna Brown. -instagram user @jbrownk
'My husband inspired my love of watches.
When we were dating, my now husband would always send me links to watches - pictures of ones he loved or articles he thought I would find interesting. I loved spending time with him looking at watch blogs, flipping through auction catalogs, or window shopping. I loved seeing and hearing his excitement as he shared his interest with me - and his passion was contagious. I slowly found myself frequenting his favorite sites, reading about the history and evolution of watch making, asking him questions...and I slowly started to develop my own taste.
When he finally got his very first watch, he made sure it was a size we could both wear. On the days I had it on, I loved looking down at it and thinking two things: how much I loved him, and how beautiful it was. After we were married, he purchased his "forever watch" - one he'd wear every day that would eventually show the wear of use and tell a story of its own - of a life we lived together. I felt such genuine happiness for him to have something he loved and appreciated so much.
For our sixth month wedding anniversary he surprised me with a 1971 Rose Gold Rolex. Not remembering - but when he gave it to me he said it was one we had seen months earlier in an auction catalog, and after a couple years of looking at watches with him it was the first and only one he ever heard me say I loved. It is so timeless, elegant, and it perfectly matches the only other accessories he has gotten me that I love more than this watch.'
Watch 68 Rolex
This Rolex Submariner watch was submitted by Bill Nam (instagram user @watchmylegacy).
'The watch I am submitting is my rolex submariner 116610. This was the biggest investment I've made and it was from my own education and history of the watch that attracted me to it, and by no means not because of its name and prestige.
To me, it is a symbol of hard work and hope; the image that comes to mind is my father who owns his own vintage submariner that he received as a gift and he cherishes it. My father works to the point he considers it a part of life, and as long as his family that he works for is well off because of his sacrifices, he will continue to push.
Thank you for your time! And hope to hear from you soon.
Steven
Respectfully,'
Watch 67 Rolex
This Omega Seamaster Deville was submitted by John LaFreniere (instagram user @johnlaf13).
Watch 58 Rolex
This Rolex Day-Date watch was submitted by Yannick Lopez. instagram user @chucknorrisisgod
'The Rolex Day-Date was my graduation present. The reason its so important is because when I was 12 I told my mom when I graduated from NYU (her alma mater) I wanted a Rolex. A decade later I somehow made that come true, and with out even asking for it my mom presented me with this watch. One of most important moments in my life!!!!'