The Dominos Rolex

When most people think of the Rolex brand, they associate it with incomparably elegant designs and pure luxury. A connection with a pizza chain, therefore, 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 1960s and 1970s, companies could request Rolex watches with their logo as corporate gifts. Domino's founder Tom Monaghan, among others, seized this opportunity. According to his autobiography "Pizza Tiger," he issued the expensive timepieces bearing the Domino's logo as a kind of bonus to his best salespeople. This article introduces Domino's Rolex watches with all their special features, describes their value on the market, and offers tips for anyone interested in purchasing one.

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 logo on the dial or a corresponding engraving 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 purchase a Rolex from a reputable dealer who will diligently verify authenticity and ensure that the buyer does not fall victim to counterfeit fraud. It's also worth comparing prices beforehand and making sure you purchase the watch with all accessories (e.g., box and papers).

Design and special features of the Air King variant

While we'll discuss the various Rolex references personalized for Domino's employees later in this article, we'll first turn our attention to the most famous "pizza Rolex": the Rolex Air King with the Domino's logo. This elegant watch (Ref. 5500) with a stainless steel case and steel bracelet is a sought-after entry-level Rolex model with a rather understated appearance, its luxurious appeal based on stylish understatedness and a very classic design. If it weren't for the Domino's logo, emblazoned in full blue and red above the 6 o'clock position, catching everyone's attention. The striking logo contrasts vividly with the bright, monochrome dial with its simple silver hands, visually underscoring the unmistakable contrast that exists simply because of the combination of a Rolex watch and the logo of a pizza franchise.

It's precisely the prominently placed brand logo that distinguishes the Domino's version of the Rolex Air King with reference 5500 from later "Pizza Rolex watches." Thus, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, issued to retailers by Domino's starting in 2005, isn't necessarily recognizable as a custom-made watch at first glance. The 36-millimeter steel case and silver dial are devoid of any reference to the pizza chain. However, a closer look at the stainless steel caseback and bracelet reveals engravings of 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 the strap and case

Comparing the early Air King watches with the later Rolex Oyster Perpetual versions, one quickly notices that the pizza chain's logo has shifted from a central design feature in the center of the dial to a more inconspicuously placed detail. The first Air King "pizza watches" were immediately and clearly recognizable as Domino's models, but with the Oyster Perpetual timepieces, one has 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 we've come to expect from Rolex across the entire range. Each reference is equipped with a powerful, reliable self-winding caliber, crafted from the finest stainless steel, and impeccably finished in typical Rolex style. Thus, with a "Pizza Watch," you're by no means purchasing an inferior Rolex, but rather a high-quality luxury watch that's in no way inferior to models without the Domino's logo in terms of quality and technology.

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

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

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

Authenticity testing and identification features

Regarding authenticity and its verification, the same applies to the Rolex "Pizza Watch" as to all other luxury watches: Well-founded information protects against falling victim to a fraudster. For example, prospective buyers should inform themselves in advance about the current market prices from private sellers or dealers and be wary if a watch is offered at a much lower price. The references, serial numbers, and technical data in the watch's certificates and papers must match this article. Otherwise, there is a high probability that the watch is not 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. Counterfeits are often somewhat lighter, and in some cases, you may notice different details—for example, on the dial and hands—and manufacturing defects. Watch enthusiasts who have little experience in authenticating timepieces should play it safe, seek professional help, and entrust this task to an expert.

Purchase and investment

We strongly advise every watch enthusiast to purchase luxury watches from a reputable dealer. Buying from an established provider who expertly verifies the authenticity of the watches on offer provides security and protects against disappointing and expensive mistakes. At HORANDO , every single luxury watch undergoes a rigorous authentication and verification process before it goes on sale. As professional sellers, we ensure that our customers have no need to worry about counterfeits. To ensure a pleasant purchase, we naturally cover the costs of insured shipping and also the shipping costs for any return shipment. We generally recommend ordering luxury watches exclusively via insured delivery, regardless of the website through which they are purchased.

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

Care and maintenance

Especially if the watch serves as an investment, it is important to keep it in good condition. To maintain it, the steel case and bracelet can be wiped with a soft cloth. A fine brush or paintbrush can also reach between the bracelet links and easily brush away any dust deposits. To prevent damage to the stainless steel during storage, we recommend storing the watch on a soft surface or in its original box.

Regular maintenance is also recommended. Every few years, expensive watches from major brands, such as the Rolex with the Domino's logo, should be entrusted to a qualified watchmaker. A watchmaker will check the watch and its movement for proper functionality, can repair minor cosmetic defects, and detect technical malfunctions before they lead to serious damage.

Conclusion and outlook

Special versions of famous watches like the Rolex Air King and Oyster Perpetual have always fascinated collectors, so it's no surprise that some watch enthusiasts are particularly interested in the Domino's Rolex. Thanks to the printed or engraved references to the pizza franchise, these high-quality watches play with the contrast between luxury and everyday life—a characteristic that certainly contributes to the popularity of the Domino's Rolex.