From Hate to Love – A Personal Take on The 2017 Rolex Daytona Gold / Ceramic / Oysterflex
Let’s get straight to the point: I never felt really attracted to the Rolex Daytona. Since the presentation of the automatic version in 1989 (at that time powered by a Zenith-based movement), and until the 2016 Steel/Ceramic 116500LN version, my interest in the Daytona was close to zero. To me it represented kind of an emblematic watch that, on a personal level, never appealed to me. So, what can be the reason why I’ve switched so quickly from hate to love, when seeing the new 2017 Rolex Daytona Gold / Ceramic / Oysterflex (the new references 116515LN, 116518LN and 116519LN)?
Rado is synonymous with ceramic. The brand pioneered the use of the material, creating its very own niche along the way. With its combination of incredible scratch resistance and lightness, it’s easy to see why it’s such a good material for watch cases. Perhaps the most iconic of all ceramic watches is the aptly named Rado Ceramica, which debuted nearly three decades ago. This chic and minimalist design is something of an evergreen, looking as fresh today as it did when it was first released. This year Rado decided to take on the challenging task of refreshing the Ceramica, seeking help from renowned industrial designer, Konstantin Grcic. Grcic is known for his simplistic take on design and passion for technology and avant-garde materials, so naturally, he was the perfect fit. But don’t just take our word for it: the watch recently won a Red Dot award for product design. There are two new Ceramica models. With the same strong lines and gently curved outline, the bold rectangular cases and integrated bracelets of these two new additions have been given the full matt treatment – one in black and the other in a softer grey. The dial of the matt black…
Anyone that’s been touched by motor neurone disease, in any way, is likely to want to help the world find a cure. It’s a brutal and dehumanising disease. The one Australian that’s done the most to raise the profile of sufferers, by creating the ‘Fight MND’ organisation, is Australian Football League legend, Neale Daniher. He calls the insidious disease ‘the beast’. Neale has MND, and he’s bravely taking it on in the hopes that increased awareness may lead to not only better care for those afflicted, but also to increased funding for vital research into finding a cure. ‘Cool Kids for MND’ is holding a raffle to raise funds for Daniher’s Drive, one of Fight MND’s big fundraising efforts, to be drawn this Friday the 25th August. First prize is a limited edition Oris Royal Flying Doctor Service 2 on a leather strap, valued at $2600, generously donated by Oris Australia. We thought you might be interested in entering. Tickets are $10 each or three for $25. Buy raffle tickets here. Co-founder of Cool Kids, and one of Neale’s daughter Lauren’s best friends is Brianna Benedetti. She explains why Fight MND is a worthy, and moving, cause: “We’ve seen Neale go from early stages…
