Rolex

(1918-2002)

Rolex SA is a luxury watchmaker originating in London, England and currently based in Geneva, Switzerland. The company was founded in 1905 and originally called Wilsdorf and Davis after its two co-founders, Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis, but as soon as in 1908 the name was changed to Rolex. The brand is considered to manufacture one of the world’s most expensive and durable watches, while owning an exceptional timepiece by Rolex is believed to be a symbol of exquisite taste and opulence.

Started as a tiny manufacturer, Rolex soon became one of the biggest players in the global watchmaking market. In 2005, 100 years after the company was registered, it was recorded to produce more than half the annual amount of watches certified by Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres, the institute in charge of the accuracy and precision of Swiss watches. The fact that originally the company specialized in importing Swiss movements by Hermann Aegler to England, placing them in watch cases made by local artisans and then selling to other jewellers, who would put their own names on the dial, remains little-known. However, that is exactly how the story of the brand, that was meant to become the world's most recognizable, began.

Rolex SA is both a pioneer and a record holder in many fields. Already in 1914 Rolex was awarded a Class A precision certificate by Kew Observatory, that was normally granted to marine chronometers only. For instance, it was Rolex that in 1926 presented the world’s first waterproof wristwatch to the public, the Rolex Oyster. In 2018, Forbes recognized the luxury manufacturer as the world’s 71st most valuable brand. Rolex is also known as the brand that produced two out of the ten most expensive watches ever sold at auctions. Along with the likes of Richard Mille, Patek Philippe, Vascheron Constantin, Rolex tops the list of manufacturers of the most expensive and luxurious watches in the world.

With more than 800,000 timepieces produced annually, Rolex remains the in demand and desirable brand among a wide range of clients from extreme sports lovers to the connoisseurs of exceptional and exquisite designs. Among world-known customers and brand ambassadors for Rolex are such athletes as Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Roger Federer.