In 2019, the Rolex brand was valued at approximately 8 billion U.S. dollars.

Rolex has always been synonymous with luxury, expensive taste, and high-quality timepieces and wristwatches. For decades, any figure of status in movies and books have been referenced as wearing Rolex watches.

From gangsters to celebrities and high-level businesspeople.

But before you buy or rock a Rolex, it’s important to understand how it came into being. Here’s a brief rundown of the history of the Rolex watch.

Rolex: The Founding

Rolex was founded in the year 1902 by a man named Hans Wilsdorf and his brother-in-law Alfred David. The company was originally called Wilsdorf and David.

Rolex was founded in London by simply creating specialized timepieces and them placing them in high-quality cases.

In 1908, Wilsdorf registered Rolex as its own trademark and subsequently opened its first international office in Switzerland.

Following that, the year 1914 brought an exciting distinction to Rolex as they were awarded a Class A precision certificate.

Wilsdorf continues to produce innovative and quality timepieces until his death in 1960, even through high wartime taxes, which had caused him to lay his head office in Switzerland permanently following the war.

Iconic Dates in the History of Rolex

Knowing the brief history of Rolex is one thing, but the brand has been on a journey over the years that includes some fairly impressive accomplishments.

1910 was the year that the first wristwatch received the Swiss Certificate of Chronometric Precision.

1926 brought another breakthrough for Rolex as they invented the first-ever waterproof wristwatch.

1945 allowed Rolex to have the first watch to ever have an automatic date on the dial.

In 1956, Rolex created the first timepiece that would display two timezones.

Just two years later, Rolex would create the first watch that could display both a date and a day on the dial of a watch.

So, not only is Rolex famous for being an incredibly luxurious brand, but their breakthroughs over their years have shown them to be thought-leaders within their industry as well.

If you’re considering buying a Rolex, you’ll need to look for specialized and well-known brands that have the real things. Places like Bijouterie Italienne will ensure that you know you’re getting the genuine piece.

Interesting Rolex Facts

When you’re out and about, showing off your new Rolex wristwatch, it might be interesting to be able to share some of these facts with all the admirers.

  1. Did you know that Rolex produces about 700,000 mechanical chronometers every year?
  2. Did you know that Rolex also owns the Tudor Watch Company? They produce timepieces that are just as reliable as a Rolex but at a more affordable price.
  3. Every single piece produced by Rolex is handmade!
  4. The most expensive Rolex ever sold for a record-breaking $17.75 million.

It’s not hard to see why Rolex has created such a strong brand name for themselves. Touting a Rolex watch is basically saying to the world, “I’ve made it.”

Rolex Into The Future

The history of Rolex is an interesting one, but reading through we can safely say that Rolex is a brand that will stand the test of time. Purchasing a Rolex is the same as making an investment.

If you need advice on how to rock your new accessory, head on over to our accessories section.

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