Rolex
Rolex is a Swiss luxury watchmaker based in Geneva. It was founded in London in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis and has been owned since 1960 by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, a private trust. It is known for the waterproof Oyster case, the Perpetual self-winding rotor and models such as the Submariner, Datejust and Daytona.
Where is Rolex from? Rolex was founded in London in 1905 and has been headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland since 1919. Read the story →
History
Hans Wilsdorf and his brother-in-law Alfred Davis founded Wilsdorf and Davis in London in 1905, importing Swiss movements, fitting them into cases and selling the watches through jewellers. Wilsdorf registered the Rolex trademark in 1908, wanting a short name that was easy to read in any language. According to the company, in 1910 a Rolex became the first wristwatch to receive a Swiss chronometer certificate. Heavy taxes on luxury imports after the First World War led Wilsdorf to move the company to Geneva in 1919. In 1926 Rolex introduced the Oyster, a waterproof case with a screw-down crown, and in 1931 the Perpetual, a self-winding system with a free-moving rotor. The Datejust of 1945 was the first chronometer wristwatch with a date that changed automatically on the dial. The Submariner was shown at the Basel fair in 1954. After his wife died in 1944, Wilsdorf set up the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation and left his shares to it; since his death in 1960 the foundation has owned the company. Rolex also owns the Tudor brand, and in 2023 it agreed to buy its long-time retailer Bucherer.
Notable Models
Iconic and most popular watch models from this brand
Submariner
The Submariner went into production in 1953 and was shown at the Basel fair in 1954; the first references, 6204 and 6205, had 37 mm cases rated to 100 m. Today's models, updated in 2020, have a 41 mm Oyster case rated to 300 m, a unidirectional bezel with a Cerachrom ceramic insert and the calibre 3230 (no date) or 3235 (date) movement with about 70 hours of power reserve. The watch in the photo is a ref. 14060M, a no-date Submariner made from 1998 to 2007.
Read the Submariner story →Rolex Stories
View All →
Rolex Daytona History: The Legendary Chronograph
How did the Rolex Daytona become one of the most searched watches in the world? Paul Newman, the Zenith movement, key references and the Daytona of today.
Rolex Submariner vs Omega Seamaster: Which to Buy?
Rolex Submariner Date vs Omega Seamaster Diver 300M: we put two iconic dive watches side by side on case, movement, accuracy, design, price and value.
Where Is Rolex From? From London to Geneva
Rolex is Swiss today, but it was born in London: founded in 1905, it moved to Geneva in 1919. Who owns it, where is it made, and where does the name come from?
Rolex Submariner History: The Dive Watch Since 1953
The Rolex Submariner entered production in 1953 and was shown at Basel in 1954. Every key reference from the 6204 to today's 126610LN, and the James Bond link.
Prestigious Brands
Discover the world's most valuable watch brands
