The History of Rolex

The history of Rolex is intimately linked to the pioneering and visionary spirit of Hans Wilsdorf, its founder.
Born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1881, from a very early start in the world of Swiss watchmaking in the early twentieth century. At that time, much wore pocket watches. But Hans Wilsdorf began to dream of wristwatches. These clocks were inaccurate and looked like a gem of feminine appearance and were manufactured only in small quantities. Ingenious and curious nature, Hans Wilsdorf foresaw the immense potential of the wristwatch; convinced that could be elegant, accurate and reliable turn, devote all their energy to the realization of that dream.

 

In 1905, at age 24, Hans Wilsdorf founded in London specializing in the distribution of timepieces in the UK and in countries of the British Empire society.

To convince people of the reliability of these absolutely innovative pieces, equipped with movements of small size but high precision, manufactured by a Swiss watchmaker based in Bienne. Gold or silver, these timepieces aroused the interest of a modern and sporty, both male and female clientele throughout the British Empire.

In 1908, Wilsdorf created a brand that is the symbol of his creations, Rolex, easy to pronounce in any language and sufficiently short that would fit beautifully in the face of a wristwatch.

 

 

 

 

Rolex is known for its remarkable stability since its foundation and its great consistency to address the challenges.
Each of its leaders have taken bold steps, embracing progress and sometimes breaking with tradition, to ensure the success of the company.

In the early 1960’s, the expansion of the company required the construction of a new building in Geneva. Architectural design of entirely modern and avant-garde, the new building consisted of two glass towers that opened in 1965. In 1963, André J. Heiniger succeeded Hans Wilsdorf, who died in 1960. André J.  Heiniger Rolex began his career at age 28 and spent his early years in the company to develop markets and foreign subsidiaries.

 

 

In 1954, Hans Wilsdorf was appointed Commercial Director in Geneva. True business strategist subsequently André J. Heiniger took over the fate of Rolex. With its vast field experience accelerated business development and reinforced the presence of Rolex worldwide watch brand transforming a universal icon and one of the most prestigious brands in the world. Man of strong convictions, André J. Heiniger had the same visionary sense than its predecessor.

In the 1970’s, Rolex participated actively in the creation of the first Swiss quartz movement but to everyone’s surprise, decided to remain faithful to the mechanical clock. That decision made by Andre J. Heiniger, one of the great visionaries of contemporary watchmaking and allowed Rolex save entire sectors of the Swiss watch industry. André J. Heiniger are firmly committed to increase brand visibility. In the 1960 and 1970 Rolex born partnerships and institutions, except athletes, and also internationally renowned artists. These unions contributed to the emergence of sports and cultural sponsorship in the world of luxury. In 1976, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Oyster, André J. Heiniger created the Rolex Awards for Enterprise whose mission is to provide financial assistance to men and women who are seeking new ways likely to increase knowledge and improve human welfare. Those years of expansion Rolex endow great recognition and pave the way for a new chapter in the history of the company.

Appointed CEO of Rolex in 2009, Bruno Meier, joined the group in 2005 as CFO, economically, has managed use his extensive experience in banking and finance to ensure the continuity of the brand. Well aware of the challenges of globalization, Handle With Care the way between the legacy of the past and the demands of a constantly changing world to allow Rolex revalidate their success. ” style=”background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);”>Under his leadership, Rolex is optimizing its industrial and commercial structure to increase the passion for innovation and perfection.

 

Rolex Every Year:

1910

Rolex concentrated primarily on the quality of watch movements. His relentless pursuit of clockwork would work quickly. In 1910, Rolex was awarded the first official Swiss chronometer certificate that the Official Watch Rating Centre (Official body control progress watches) Berne granted to a wristwatch.

1914

 

Four years later, in 1914, the Kew Observatory in Great Britain awarded the Rolex wristwatch a certificate of high accuracy, which until then was delivered only to marine chronometers. Since then, the Rolex watch is synonymous with precision.

1919

 

Rolex moved to Geneva, a city internationally known for its watchmaking. The company Rolex SA was registered in Geneva in 1920.

 

Birth of the first watertight watch and powder known as Oyster, oyster, which is completely waterproof. The watch crown “Oyster” is named “Twinlock”. A year later the British Mercedes Gleitze through the Channel ROLEX OYSTER PRECISION your wrist and after 15 hours and 15 minutes, this watch worked perfectly.

 

 

 

 

 

To celebrate the swim across the Channel, Rolex released a full page ad on the front page of the Daily Mail proclaiming the success of the waterproof watch. This event marked the emergence of the concept of Testimonials.

1928

Rolex launches the first models PRINCE, also called “Northern Watch”

1931

Opens a new chapter in the history of watchmaking: ROLEX OYSTER PERPETUAL born, the first waterproof wrist watch with automatic movement. This range is identified especially with a model that has left its mark on history: “BUBBLE BACK” an Oyster in Italy is called “OVETTO”.

 

 

 

 

 

1938

Are you ready clocks requested by the Italian Navy and designed by G. Panerai & Figlio di Firenze: take the crown, and the mechanism box signed by Rolex. More information: p. 24/25 “1908-2008:100 years of Rolex”

1942

Takes the Rolex ref. 4113: the chronograph rattrappante or “split-seconds” that only 12 copies were made. This watch is the world record for a Rolex proposed for sale at auction: it sold for 738,500 CHF in the auction Mondani Collezione 2006.

Rolex Datejust becomes the first watch that includes the date. 1947 Rolex launches the reference 4767 with Oyster box and manual winding 4768: two new chronographs with calendar known by the name “DATA-COMPAX”.

1950

Produces Rolex ref. 6062, one of the finest jewels of this manufacturing: moon phase and date is between 1950 and 1953 in 350 copies in yellow gold, pink gold 50 and unknown number of steel.

 

 

Born the Submariner, the first diver’s watch to 100 meters. Reference is made only in steel 6204. The ref was also produced. 6205, 6536 and 6536/1 (called James Bond by collectors) – are born the Explorer I and in the years following the first Milgauss (ref. 6543)

1954

Born TURN-O-GRAPH 6202 and re GMT-MASTER, that allows you to read the time two different time zones (ref. 6542). – 3 new references for Submariner: 6200 – 6538-6538, all waterproof to 200 m. deep. These models are also called “CORONCIONI” crown the new load of 8 mm. A model of ref. 6200 was sold at auction by Christie’s for 176,200 CHF.

 

1956

Rolex Datejust model launches, which integrates the days of the week to complete.

 

 

Born model “AIR-KING” with ref. 5500 – Rolex Submariner launch last unprotected crown, ref. 5508, also called by collectors “James Bond”.

 

 

 

 

1959

Launches first Rolex GMT and Submariner models with crown protection, reference 1675/0 and 5512.

1960

Rolex introduces the new Oyster Deep Sea Special that set in the bathyscaphe “Trieste”, fell to 11’000 meters deep in perfect order.

1962

Presents a new Rolex Chronograph ref. 6238 steel, gold 18k 14 and is known by the name “Pre-Daytona”. A Pre model – Daytona 14K gold with black dial was sold at auction by Christie’s of CHF 180,000. – Rolex Submariner Steel launches with reference 5513 to be held for 28 years.

 

 

Rolex started manufacturing the first chronograph with COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA ref. 6239. Daytona birth myth.

 

 

 

 

1965

The ref is created. 6240, which is considered a prototype of Daytona screw pushbutton.

1966

Rolex produces MILGAUSS ref. 1019 steel which runs through 1990.

1967

Rolex starts producing steel only, reference 1665, the professional model of submersible watches of the time: the SEA-DWELLER with a guaranteed depth of 500 meters.

1969

Birth of ref. 1680, the first Submariner with date. Also manufactures for Rolex Comex Submariner Steel Company A with a valve that allows the output of helium and other gases, thus ensuring the protection of the movement during the decompression phase. (Ref. 5513-5514).

 

Presents four new Rolex Cosmograph Daytona models, references 6262, 6264, 6263 and 6265 with the vital pulse (1971).

1971

EXPLORER II is born with an hour hand more. 1978: Launches Rolex SEA-DWELLER 4000, ref. 16660 with guaranteed secrecy until 1220 meters, double the previous series (ref. 1665).

 

 

 

1983

Born with the new Explorer II reference 16550. – Creates the Rolex GMT-MASTER II which allows to see 3 different time zones (ref. 16760 steel).

1984

Manufactures Rolex Oyster Cosmograph few copies with airtight screw (ref. 6269 and 6270) pushbuttons, with case and 18K gold dial and diamond bezel.

1988

Rolex Creates New calibre3135 and it sells the Submariner Date (Ref. 16610 steel, 16613 steel and gold, 16618 gold 18K and Sea-Dweller ref 16600 steel.) – Presents the first Rolex chronograph references automatic with sapphire glass: 16520, 16523 and 16528.

1989 

Rolex sells new references GMT-MASTER II 16710 steel, 16713 steel and gold and 18k gold 16718 – presents the latest model Rolex GMT – MASTER I, an Oyster Perpetual Date ref. 16700.

1990

Creates the new Rolex caliber 3000, automatic, center seconds, and is now selling the new ref. 14060 (Submariner no date).

 

Introduces two new models Rolex Air-King Steel: References 14000 and 14010 – the Cosmograph Daytona, ref occurs. 16518, 18K yellow gold with tachometer and leather bracelet with gold clasp. – Creates a Rolex watch (ref. 16628) YACHT – MASTER amarilo gold graduated bezel, case with crown protection gear “TRIPLOCK” resistant to 100 meters.

 

 

 

 

 

1997

Rolex presents five new versions of the Cosmograph Daytona: ref. 16519 18K white gold with tachometer and leather bracelet, ref. 16589 in 3 different versions SAPH, RUBI and BRIL. and ref. SAFU 16588.

1999

Rolex YACHT-MASTER creates Rolesium in steel with Platinum dial and bezel (ref. 16622) – Rolex presents the Crown Collection

2000

Introduces new Rolex Cosmograph Daytona models with chronograph movement entirely produced by Rolex: ref. 116520 in steel, steel and gold 116523, ref. 18k gold 116528, ref. 116519 with white gold case and ref. 116518 with yellow gold case. These references are gauge 4130.

2003

Submariner celebrates its 50th anniversary and for the occasion Rolex presents the new model in steel with green bezel and dial with “maxi” white gold indexes: ref. 16610LV.

2004

Rolex introduced the Datejust in yellow gold version “fantasia” ref. 116598 SACO bracelet with blotchy skin and diamonds.

 

 

Rolex presents the new PRINCE (references: 5441/9, 5440/8, 5442/5 and 5443/9). – Rolex presents a new version in gold GMT-Master II with green or black dial, 24-hour hand green and lyrics GMT – MASTER green: the ref. 116718, which is designed to celebrate 50 years of the celebration of GMT – MASTER.

 

 

2007

Rolex presents the new generation model MILGAUSS born in the 50s: the ref. 116400 with white or black dial and ref. 116400 GV with black dial and sapphire glass green (GV indicates blue sapphire glass). – Rolex introduced the GMT-Master II ref. 116710 steel with hand 24 hours and lyrics green green GMT MASTER.

 

 

Presents Rolex DEEPSEA SEA-DWELLER, ref. 116660, waterproof to 3900 meters: the Oyster Diver new generation
– Introduces New Rolex SUBMARINER DATE Model with references. 116618 in yellow gold and black dial ref. 116619 white gold dial and blue bezel, waterproof to 300 meters.
– Presentation DAYTONA Chronograph Rose Gold “everose” 18K (ref. 116505).
– Presentation of the Day – Date in white gold, yellow, pink and platinum, with case 41 mm, 5 mm more than previous versions.

 

 

2009  

Presents the Rolex Day-Date II in white and yellow gold bezel with diamonds (references 218399 and 218348)
– Presentation of the Cosmograph Daytona 18K White Gold references 116599 4RU and 116589 RBR
– Presentation of the Datejust Royal Pink Gold 18K everose reference 116185 BBR
– Presentation of reference Submariner Date 116613 LN in yellow Rolesor Black Dial
– Presentation of reference Submariner Date 116613 LB in yellow Rolesor Blue Dial

2010

Rolex presents the new EXPLORER I in 904L steel (diameter 39 mm) reference 214270
– Presentation of the Submariner Date (diameter 39 mm) in 904L steel, reference 116610 LN
– Presentation of the Submariner Date (diameter 39 mm) in 904L steel, reference 116610 LV with green bezel and dial.

2012
Sky-Dweller
Rolex introduced a completely new model, the Sky-Dweller Oyster Perpetual. A masterpiece of technology designed for those who travel the world. In a stunning box of 42 mm, has a dual time zone user friendly and intuitive reading, as well as a particularly innovative calendar called Saros – in honor of the astronomical phenomenon that inspired – requiring only adjustment date per year. It is also equipped with a new interface, the Ring Command bezel, which allows quick and easy adjustment of their duties.

2013

In keeping with its historical close relationship with the world of motorsport,   from 2013 Rolex will become important long-term partner
Formula 1 ® as Official Timer and Clock.

2016

Rolex is still strongly producing watches for it’s customers and as always continuing to make the Rolex Watch Brand strong.