The Dominos Rolex

When most people think of the Rolex brand, they think of incomparably elegant designs and pure luxury. A connection with a pizza chain doesn't really seem to fit the picture. And yet, special models of the Rolex Air King and Rolex Oyster Perpetual bear the logo of the pizza company Domino's. The story behind it: In the 60s and 70s, companies could request Rolex watches with their logo as company gifts. Domino's founder Tom Monaghan, among others, seized this opportunity and, according to his autobiography "Pizza Tiger", gave the expensive timepieces with the Domino's logo as a kind of bonus to his best salespeople. This article presents the Domino's Rolex watches with all their special features, describes their value on the market and provides tips for all those who would like to purchase such a model.

The most important things in brief

This article covers the following aspects of the Domino's Pizza Rolex:

• Exclusive branding : Some Rolex Air King and Oyster Perpetual models feature the Domino's Pizza company logo on the dial or engraved on the strap and case back.

• Collector's item : These special watches are only in circulation in small numbers, which increases their value, especially for collectors.

• Authenticity and purchase: Ideally, you should buy a Rolex from a reputable dealer who will carefully check the authenticity and ensure that the buyer does not fall victim to a counterfeit fraud. It is also worth comparing prices in advance and making sure that you buy the watch with all accessories (e.g. box and papers).

Design and features of the Air King variant

While we will discuss the various Rolex references that were personalized for Domino's employees in the rest of this article, we will now first focus on the most well-known "pizza Rolex": the Rolex Air King with the Domino's logo. The elegant watch (Ref. 5500) with a stainless steel case and steel bracelet is a sought-after Rolex entry-level model that is visually rather understated and whose luxurious appearance is based on stylish discretion and a very classic design. If it weren't for the Domino's logo, which is emblazoned in full blue and red above the 6 o'clock point and draws all eyes. The striking logo stands out in contrast to the bright, single-colored dial with plain silver hands, visually underlining the contrast that is unmistakable simply because of the combination of a Rolex watch and the logo of a pizza franchise.

It is precisely the prominently placed brand logo that distinguishes the Rolex Air King with reference 5500 in the Domino's version from later "Pizza Rolex watches". The Rolex Oyster Perpetual, issued to retailers by Domino's from 2005, is not necessarily recognizable as a custom-made watch at first glance. The steel case with a diameter of 36 millimeters and the silver dial are free of any allusion to the pizza chain. However, if you look closely at the case back and the stainless steel bracelet, you will discover engravings with the Domino's Pizza logo.

models and references

The following is a clear list and brief description of the most sought-after Rolex watches that Domino's Pizza has gifted its salespeople and franchisees with over the decades:

• Rolex Air King Ref. 5500: Classic among the Domino's Pizza Rolex watches with automatic movement and large logo on the dial

• Rolex Air King Ref. 14000: Stainless steel Rolex with tilted Domino's logo in the lower dial area

• Rolex Air King Ref. 67194: Ladies' model with logo and 24-millimeter case

• Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref. 126000: Stainless steel watch with Domino's engravings on bracelet and case back

• Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref. 176200: Model with blue highlights and Domino's engravings on strap and case

If you compare the early Air King watches with the later Rolex Oyster Perpetual versions, you quickly notice that the pizza chain's brand logo has gone from being the central design feature in the middle of the dial to being a more inconspicuously placed detail. The first Air King "pizza watches" were immediately and clearly recognizable by everyone as Domino's models, but with the Oyster Perpetual timepieces you have to look more closely to discover the engravings.

production details and quality

Whether with a logo on the dial or a simple engraving: Domino's Rolex watches impress with the high quality that we have come to expect from Rolex across the entire range. Each of the references is equipped with a powerful, reliable automatic caliber, made from the finest stainless steel and flawlessly finished in typical Rolex style. So with a "pizza watch" you are by no means buying an inferior Rolex, but rather a high-quality luxury watch that is in no way inferior to the models without the Domino's logo in terms of quality and technology.

Collector's value and market analysis of a Domino's Pizza Rolex

Like most luxury watches, which are only available in relatively small numbers and whose availability is accordingly limited, Rolex watches with Domino's logos and engravings also have a special appeal for collectors. They may not be the first expensive piece that a beginner buys. But as the collection grows, interest in pieces with special details often increases. Accordingly, there is a strong demand for the Domino's Pizza Rolex, be it an Air King or an Oyster Perpetual, especially among collectors who focus on Rolex.

The value of the Rolex, including the Domino's special models, is determined by the condition of the watch and the completeness of the accessories, including the accompanying documents. Watches in good to very good condition that show little or no signs of wear and are offered with all the papers and the original box, achieve significantly higher prices than heavily used models with incomplete delivery.

authenticity check and identification features

In terms of authenticity and its verification, the same applies to the Rolex "Pizza Watch" as to all other luxury watches: well-founded information protects you from falling victim to a fraudster. For example, interested parties should find out about the current market prices from private sellers or dealers in advance and be alert if a watch is offered at a much lower price. The references, serial numbers and technical data in the certificates and papers of the watch must match the article at hand. Otherwise, there is a high probability that the watch is not very authentic.

If you don't buy the watch online but hold it in your hand first, the weight can also provide information about its authenticity. Fakes are often a little lighter, and in some cases, different details - for example on the dial and hands - and manufacturing defects can be noticed. Watch lovers who have little experience in checking the authenticity of timepieces should play it safe, get professional help and leave this task to an expert.

purchase and investment

We can only strongly advise every watch fan to buy luxury watches from a reputable dealer. Buying from an established provider who expertly checks the authenticity of the watches on offer creates security and protects against disappointing and expensive bad purchases. At HORANDO, every single luxury watch goes through a strict authentication and verification process before it goes on sale. As professional sellers, we ensure that our customers do not have to worry about any counterfeits. In the interests of a pleasant purchase, we naturally cover the costs of insured shipping and also the shipping costs for any return shipment. In principle, we advise ordering luxury watches exclusively via insured delivery, regardless of the website through which they are purchased.

Buyers should definitely take the time to read the description of their favorite offers carefully. There they will find important information about the scope of delivery and accessories as well as the condition and features of the watch. As a result, they know exactly what they are dealing with and can better assess whether the respective price is fair. Speaking of price: It is worth comparing prices and getting an overview of the current price level on the market. This information helps to identify really good offers and separate the wheat from the chaff.

care and maintenance

It is particularly important to keep the watch in good condition if it is an investment. To clean it, the steel case and bracelet can be wiped with a soft cloth. A fine brush can also be used to get between the bracelet links and easily brush off any dust deposits. To prevent the stainless steel from being damaged during storage, we recommend storing the watch on a soft surface or in the original box.

In addition, regular maintenance is recommended. Every few years, expensive watches from a major brand, which the Rolex with the Domino's logo clearly belongs to, should be handed over to expert hands. The watchmaker checks the watch and its mechanism for functionality, can repair minor visual defects and identify technical faults before they lead to major consequential damage.

Conclusion and Outlook

Special versions of famous watches such as the Rolex Air King and Oyster Perpetual have always fascinated collectors, so it is not surprising that some watch lovers are very interested in the Domino's Rolex. Thanks to the printed or engraved references to the pizza franchise, the high-quality watches play with the contrast between luxury and everyday, down-to-earth life - a peculiarity that certainly contributes to the popularity of the Domino's Rolex.