rolex watch company wiki | Rolex history timeline

Rolex SA is a name synonymous with luxury, precision, and enduring style in the world of horology. This Swiss watch brand and manufacturer, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, has consistently set benchmarks for quality and innovation since its inception. More than just a timekeeping device, a Rolex watch is often considered a status symbol, an investment, and a testament to meticulous craftsmanship. This article delves into the rich history, key figures, and foundational aspects of the Rolex Watch Company, providing a comprehensive overview of its origins and evolution.

Rolex History Timeline: A Century of Innovation and Excellence

The story of Rolex begins not in Switzerland, but in London, England, in 1905. Hans Wilsdorf, a German businessman, and his brother-in-law, Alfred Davis, established a company called Wilsdorf and Davis. Their initial business wasn't manufacturing watches themselves, but rather importing Swiss movements and placing them in high-quality watch cases, which were then sold to jewelers. These jewelers would then retail the watches under their own brands.

* 1905: Wilsdorf and Davis Founded: Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis establish Wilsdorf and Davis in London, focusing on importing and casing Swiss watch movements.

* 1908: The Birth of the Name "Rolex": Wilsdorf registers "Rolex" as the brand name of its watches. The origin of the name remains somewhat mysterious, with Wilsdorf claiming he wanted a name that was short, easy to pronounce in any language, and visually appealing on a watch dial.

* 1910: First Chronometric Precision: A Rolex watch receives the first Swiss Certificate of Chronometric Precision granted to a wristwatch by the Official Watch Rating Centre in Bienne. This marked a significant milestone, establishing Rolex's commitment to accuracy.

* 1914: "Class A" Precision Certificate: Rolex receives the first "Class A" precision certificate from Kew Observatory in Great Britain. This was an honor previously reserved for marine chronometers, further solidifying Rolex's reputation for unparalleled accuracy.

* 1919: Relocation to Geneva: Due to high post-war taxes on luxury goods in Britain, Wilsdorf moves the company's base of operations to Geneva, Switzerland. This marks a pivotal moment in Rolex history, solidifying its association with Swiss watchmaking tradition.

* 1926: The Oyster is Born: Rolex introduces the Oyster, the world's first waterproof wristwatch. This groundbreaking innovation revolutionized the watch industry and established Rolex as a pioneer in watch technology. The Oyster's hermetically sealed case protected the movement from water and dust, making it ideal for adventurers and athletes.rolex watch company wiki

* 1927: Mercedes Gleitze and the English Channel: To prove the Oyster's waterproof capabilities, Mercedes Gleitze, a young English swimmer, wore a Rolex Oyster during her attempt to swim the English Channel. While she didn't complete the swim due to adverse weather conditions, the watch remained perfectly functional after being submerged for over ten hours. Rolex famously took out a full-page advertisement on the front page of the Daily Mail proclaiming the Oyster's success.

* 1931: The Perpetual Rotor: Rolex patents the Perpetual rotor, a self-winding mechanism that revolutionized automatic watches. This invention allowed the watch to be automatically wound by the wearer's wrist movements, eliminating the need for manual winding and ensuring consistent power.

* 1933: The Explorer and the Himalayas: Rolex accompanies the first expedition to fly over Mount Everest. Though not officially named "Explorer" until later, the watches worn by the expedition members provided invaluable performance data in extreme conditions, informing future Rolex designs.

* 1945: The Datejust is Launched: Rolex introduces the Datejust, the first wristwatch to automatically change the date on the dial. This innovation further cemented Rolex's reputation for combining functionality and elegance.

* 1953: The Submariner is Introduced: Rolex launches the Submariner, a watch specifically designed for divers. With its water resistance, rotating bezel for tracking dive time, and luminous markers, the Submariner quickly became an iconic timepiece and a favorite among professional divers.

* 1954: The GMT-Master is Developed: In collaboration with Pan American Airways, Rolex develops the GMT-Master, a watch designed for pilots and travelers who needed to track multiple time zones. The GMT-Master features a 24-hour bezel and a fourth hand that indicates a second time zone.

* 1956: The Day-Date is Unveiled: Rolex introduces the Day-Date, the first wristwatch to display both the day of the week and the date in full on the dial. The Day-Date is exclusively made in precious metals – gold or platinum – and became known as the "President's Watch" due to its association with prominent world leaders.

* 1960: The Deep Sea Special: Rolex's experimental Deep Sea Special watch is attached to the outside of the bathyscaphe Trieste during its record-breaking descent to the deepest part of the ocean, the Mariana Trench. The watch successfully withstood the immense pressure at a depth of nearly 11,000 meters.