Rolex SA, founded in 1905, is a renowned Swiss watch company. It was originally established in London and later moved its base to Geneva. The company owns the brands Rolex and Tudor, offering a range of wristwatches. In 2023, Rolex announced the acquisition of Bucherer.
The model 142 represents the Oyster Perpetual 34mm and Explorer.
The model 143 is associated with the Oyster Perpetual 39mm.
The model 152 is associated with the Oyster Perpetual Date with a 34mm size.
The model 164 is linked to the Milgauss.
The model 165 denotes the Explorer II.
The model 166 is associated with the Submariner, SeaDweller, and Yachtmaster with a 40mm size.
The model 169 is associated with the Air King.
The model 1165 is linked to the Cosmograph Daytona.
The 1680/8, released in 18k yellow gold, debuted a blue dial and bezel option, marking the first time it appeared in anything but all-black.
Rolex establishes a new location in Newport Beach, California at 1900 Quail St. This expansion reflects the brand's growing presence in the United States.
In 1902, Hans Wilsdorf and his brother-in-law Alfred Davis founded the watch making company in London, initially named Wilsdorf and Davis. They specialized in importing quality movements and placing them in quality watch cases made by other companies. The earliest watches produced were often stamped with 'W&D' on the inside of the caseback.
Wilsdorf and Davis registered the Rolex name as a trademark, taking a significant risk and betting on the success of their wristwatch-making business.
Rolex was founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis in London, United Kingdom.
Rolex, a renowned watchmaking company, was founded in 1905. Despite being relatively young in the industry compared to other brands, Rolex has established itself as a symbol of luxury and precision.
In 1908, Wilsdorf registered 'Rolex' as a trademark and opened the first Switzerland office in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The name 'Rolex' was chosen to be easily pronounced in any language and to sound like a watch being wound.
In 1910, a Rolex wristwatch became the first wristwatch to be awarded an independently ratified certificate of chronometric performance, showcasing Wilsdorf's high standards and Maison Aegler's excellence in watchmaking.
In 1914, a Rolex watch was awarded a Class A precision certificate by the Kew Observatory, a remarkable achievement as this honor was typically given exclusively to marine chronometers. This paved the way for Rolex to gain global recognition for its chronometric performance.
The brand name 'Rolex' was officially registered in 1915. It has since become synonymous with luxury, precision, and innovation in the watchmaking industry.
In 1919, Montres Rolex SA was established, laying the foundation for the renowned watchmaking company.
In 1920, Rolex moved to Geneva and began waterproofing its timepieces. The company introduced the Oyster, a watch featuring a hermetically sealed case, providing optimal protection. The first Rolex Oyster proved its craftsmanship by lasting 10 hours in the water when worn by Mercedes Gleitze during her English Channel crossing.
Rolex introduced the Submarine model in 1922, marking a significant milestone in the brand's history.
The five-spoked crown became Rolex's illustrious emblem in 1925, symbolizing wealth and status.
Rolex introduced the first waterproof and dustproof wristwatch, the Rolex Oyster, in 1926.
Mercedes Gleitze was the first British woman to swim the English Channel on 7 October 1927. For promotional purposes, Wilsdorf offered her one of the earliest Rolex Oysters if she would wear it during the attempt.
One month later, on 24 November 1927, Wilsdorf launched the Rolex Oyster watch in the United Kingdom with a full front page Rolex advertisement in the Daily Mail.
Rolex introduced the Prince model in 1929, adding to its diverse range of iconic references.
Rolex introduced the Oyster Perpetual, featuring the first self-winding mechanism with a Perpetual rotor, a groundbreaking innovation in watchmaking.
Rolex introduced the 'Datejust,' the first wristwatch with an automatic date display, marking a major milestone in the company's history and solidifying its reputation as a pioneer in watchmaking.
In 1934, Rolex introduced the G.S. Mark II Military, demonstrating its foray into military timepieces.
In 1935, Sir Malcolm Campbell set a land speed record of over 300 miles per hour at Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, wearing a Rolex watch, showcasing the brand's association with speed and performance.
Rolex introduced the 'Oyster Perpetual,' a waterproof watch with an automatic movement, which became a major success and an iconic model in the Rolex lineup.
The Zerograph 3346 was introduced by Rolex in 1937, showcasing the brand's innovative approach to watchmaking.
Rolex introduced the Oyster Chronograph 3525 in 1938, reflecting the brand's expertise in creating precision chronographs.
In 1939, Rolex introduced its first chronograph, marking a significant advancement in the company's watchmaking technology.
Rolex introduced the 4413 model in 1942, showcasing the brand's continued innovation and craftsmanship.
Corporal Clive James Nutting, a prisoner of war, ordered a stainless steel Rolex Oyster 3525 Chronograph directly from Hans Wilsdorf in Geneva, intending to pay for it after the war. The watch was believed to have been ordered specifically to be used in the Great Escape.
In 1944, Hans Wilsdorf established the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, which continues to own Rolex to this day, ensuring that a portion of the company's income is allocated to charitable causes.
Rolex launched the Datejust, the first self-winding wristwatch with a date window, in 1945.
Montres Tudor SA was established on March 6, 1946, and began designing, manufacturing, and marketing Tudor watches. The brand was conceived by Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf to provide a more affordable yet reliable alternative to Rolex watches.
The Oyster bracelet was introduced by Rolex in 1947, setting a standard for durability and elegance in watch design.
The "Padellone" 8171 was introduced by Rolex in 1949, becoming a significant reference in the brand's history.
Rolex introduced the iconic Mercedes hands in 1950, which became a distinctive feature of their timepieces.
In September of 1953, a specially designed Rolex dive watch was attached to the outside of Swiss scientist Auguste Piccard’s Bathyscaphe, diving to a depth of 3131.8 meters and returning to the surface in perfect running order without any signs of water ingress.
Rolex launched the Submariner, the first divers' watch waterproof to a depth of 100 meters, in 1954.
Rolex introduced the Day-Date in 1955, which was the first wristwatch to display both the date and the day of the week. This innovation solidified Rolex's position as a leader in the luxury watch industry.
Rolex introduced the Day-Date, the first wristwatch to display the date and day of the week spelled out in full, in 1956.
Rolex introduced the Oyster Perpetual Lady-Datejust in 1957, available in multiple calibers until its production ended in 1998.
Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf created the Air-Prince line in 1958 to honor RAF pilots of the Battle of Britain, reflecting the brand's historical tribute to aviation.
In 1959, Rolex introduced crown guards, a feature that provided enhanced protection and durability to their watches.
In 1960, Rolex introduced the Cosmograph Daytona, a timepiece specifically designed for racing drivers. This model quickly became a classic and is highly coveted in the Rolex collection.
The Rolex Submariner 5512 was released in 1961, contributing to the brand's legacy of producing high-quality diving watches.
The iconic Cosmograph Daytona made its debut in 1962, capturing the essence of speed and racing.
The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was launched in 1963, marking the birth of a legendary timepiece.
In 1965, the Daytona name appeared on the dial of the Rolex Daytona watch, marking a significant milestone in its history.
In 1966, Rolex introduced the Explorer I, a watch designed for exploration and adventure, which became highly regarded for its durability and functionality.
Rolex launched the Sea-Dweller, designed for professional deep-sea diving, in 1967.
Former Formula 1 driver Jackie Stewart has advertised Rolex since 1968.
In 1969, Rolex introduced the iconic Daytona model, which became highly popular and sought after, especially the versions associated with the renowned actor Paul Newman.
Rolex introduced the COMEX Submariner, including reference numbers 5513, 5514, 16610, and 16800, in the 1970s. These models were designed to release excessive helium pressure during decompression while diving.
In 1971, Rolex introduced the first Explorer II with a solid steel 24-hour bezel, catering to the needs of adventurers and explorers.
In 1972, Steve McQueen's association with Rolex brought significant attention to the brand, contributing to its popularity.
In 1974, Rolex introduced the iconic Submariner model, which quickly became a symbol of luxury and precision in the world of diving watches.
The year 1975 marked the release of the Rolex Daytona Cosmograph, a legendary timepiece known for its association with motor racing and its highly accurate chronograph function.
Since 1976, the Rolex Awards for Enterprise of 100,000 Swiss francs has been awarded; a Young Laureates award of 50,000 was added in 2010.
The COMEX Sea-Dweller was first introduced by Rolex in 1977. The offering included references 1665, 16600, and 16660, and the last COMEX Sea-Dweller was supplied to COMEX in 1997.
The Sea Dweller 16660 was released in 1978.
The King Midas, a unique and luxurious timepiece, was released in 1979, showcasing Rolex's innovation and craftsmanship in watchmaking.
Rolex released the Sea-Dweller 4000 in 1980, a professional diving watch designed to withstand extreme depths, catering to the needs of deep-sea divers.
The GMT-Master 16750 was launched in 1981.
In 1982, Rolex redesigned the GMT-Master II, incorporating three different time zones, enhancing its functionality for global travelers.
In 1983, Rolex launched the GMT-Master II, a watch designed for professional pilots and frequent travelers, featuring a new movement and improved functionality for tracking multiple time zones.
In 1984, Rolex redesigned the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Chronometer Daytona, further solidifying its position as a leader in luxury chronograph watches.
In 1985, Rolex introduced the Oyster Perpetual, a classic and timeless model that represents the core values of the brand.
The Submariner 16610 was introduced in 1986.
Rolex introduced the Cosmograph Daytona, a high-performance chronograph designed for professional racing drivers, in 1988.
Rolex launched the Submariner model in 1989.
In 1990, Rolex launched the Yacht-Master, a nautical watch designed for yacht racing and sailing enthusiasts.
The Yachtmaster made its debut in 1992, catering to the needs of professional sailors and yachting enthusiasts with its robust construction and nautical-inspired design.
In 1994, Rolex launched the Yachtmaster Ladies & Medium models, offering a combination of elegance and functionality tailored specifically for female yachting enthusiasts.
In 1995, Rolex introduced the Pearlmaster, a luxurious and elegant model featuring precious metals and gemstones.
The Rolex wristwatch on Ronald Platt's wrist led to the arrest of his murderer, Albert Johnson Walker, a financial planner who had fled from Canada when he was charged with fraud, theft, and money laundering.
In 1997, Rolex released the Yacht-Master, available in platinum and stainless steel.
A 23-year-old Malaysian named Jonaris Badlishah murdered a beautician Sally Poh Bee Eng to steal her Rolex and later give it to his girlfriend as a birthday present. The case became known as the 'Rolex watch murder'. Jonaris was arrested, sentenced to death, and executed.
In 1999, Rolex introduced Luminova, a luminescent material applied to the hands and hour markers, significantly improving the low-light visibility of their timepieces.
In 2000, Rolex launched the Daytona model, known for its association with motor racing and its high performance, making it a coveted timepiece among enthusiasts and collectors.
Rolex has been the official timekeeper to the Le Mans 24 Hours motor race since 2001.
The biennial Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative with a grant of about $41,000 was launched in 2002.
In 2003, Rolex introduced the 'Green' Submariner Date, a notable addition to their collection.
In 2004, Rolex introduced the branded Rehaut and a new case for the Datejust, marking a significant development for the brand.
In 2005, Rolex introduced the new GMT-Master II, featuring innovative advancements such as the Paracrom hairspring and a ceramic bezel.
Rolex launched the Deepsea, designed for extreme underwater exploration, in 2007.
In 2008, Rolex introduced the new Deep Sea SeaDweller, expanding its line of professional diving watches with enhanced features and capabilities.
In 2009, Rolex introduced the Datejust II, offering a modern interpretation of the classic Datejust model, catering to evolving consumer preferences.
In 2010, Rolex introduced the Explorer 39mm (214270), offering a larger size for the iconic Explorer model to meet the demands of contemporary adventurers.
In 2011, Rolex introduced the Explorer II 42mm (216570), catering to enthusiasts who preferred a larger and more robust version of the classic Explorer II.
Rolex introduced the Sky-Dweller, a distinctive technological masterpiece protected by 14 patents, in 2012.
Tudor returned to the United States market in the summer of 2013, indicating a renewed focus on expanding their global reach and sales strategy.
Tudor returned to the UK market in 2014, demonstrating their commitment to re-establishing their presence in key international markets.
In 2015, Rolex introduced the Yacht-Master with 18-karat Everose gold, which was the first Rolex to include a rubberized bracelet.
The Datejust 41, introduced in 2016, features a redesigned case with a larger 41mm diameter, offering a modern interpretation of the classic Datejust.
A Rolex Daytona (Ref. 6239) wristwatch, originally purchased by Joanne Woodward in 1968 and given to her husband Paul Newman as a gift, was sold by Phillips in its New York auction for US$17.75 million, setting a record as the most expensive wristwatch and the second most expensive watch ever sold at auction as of 2018.
A Rolex Daytona 'Unicorn' Ref. 6265 was sold in auction by Phillips for US$5.937 million in Geneva, making it the second most expensive Rolex timepiece ever sold at auction as of 2018.
Calibres 2232 and 3230 are self-winding mechanical movements entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex, boasting concentrated technology and leading to several patents.
Jean-Frederic Dufour became the CEO of Rolex in 2021, making him the sixth CEO in the company's history. His appointment reflects the company's commitment to securing top professionals in the industry.
Rolex is a renowned luxury watch brand known for its quality, prestige, and innovation.
The Milgauss took its final bow in 2023, marking the end of its production.