Rolex is undoubtedly today's number one seller of luxury watches. People usually think of Rolex first whenever the conversation is about not just luxury watches but watches in general. Is that always the case though? When did Rolex start getting its share of limelight? Let's trace back Rolex through the years.
The history of Rolex is naturally connected with its founder, Hans Wilsdorf. Wilsdorf developed his passion for watches at an early age (before he was even at his twenties). By the time he reached 24, he decided to build a firm in London which concentrated in distribution of watches. Of course being surrounded by watches, Wilsdorf eventually took a liking towards the craft of watch making. He felt the need to create a new type of watch, a type that can be worn in the wrist without sacrificing the precision one expected from pocket watches that were the norm during those times. Determined to make it a reality instead of simply a vision, Wilsdorf was able to devise a wristwatch than can rival the then-popular pocket watches.
The year 1908 marked the start of an era—the Rolex Era. It was when Wilsdorf decided to use the brand Rolex in his watches. Unlike other founders of watch making companies, Wilsdorf opted to use a label that can be easily recognized by people the world all over. Rolex, short for horological excellence, is now the epitome of the saying “living up to one's name”.
More often than not, people are used to hearing success stories wherein a company or an individual meets a series of difficulties before rising to fame. Rolex begged to differ. In a span of two years after its launch, Rolex garnered its first official recognition—the Swiss Certificate of Precision.. The Bureau Officiel in Bienne granted Rolex this award and rightfully so considering that the brand religiously displayed chronometric precision in its wristwatches. By 1914, Rolex got another award, this time from Great Britain's Kew Observatory. Before said year, the Class “A” Precision Certificate was limited to marine chronometers. After getting this particular recognition, Rolex became the brand of precision.
Fast forward to 12 years later, Rolex came up with the first dustproof, airproof, and waterproof wristwatch named the Oyster. A year after its inception, Wilsdorf went all out in advertisement by having Mercedes Gleitze, an English swimmer, wear the Oyster as she cross the English Channel. After ten hours in water, the Oyster maintained its perfect condition making it indisputable that Rolex was the first to produce a waterproof wristwatch.
By 1931, Rolex unveiled another first in the world of watches—the Perpetual Rotor, a self-winding mechanism. Not every brand can claim that they introduced the movement present in every modern automatic watch. In 1945, Rolex put the Oyster Date in the market. As you would have guessed, the watch displayed the date hence its name. By 1953, Rolex ventured into watches for divers which paved way to the birth of the Submariner line. Two years after, the company made it possible for patrons to check the time in various time zones through the Oyster GMT Master. In 1956, Rolex did an adjustment in the Oyster Date model by adding the day feature. Voilà Oyster Day-Date! Besides precision, Rolex became known as a brand of innovation as well. Even after its founder passed away, Rolex continues to bring forth firsts when it comes to watchmaking.
When you buy a Rolex, you are not just paying for outstanding watch mechanism made more prominent with ingenious craftsmanship. You are also getting yourself a piece of history filled with milestones that only the leading watchmaker can claim.
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The author also known as Budjoy has been writing online articles for more than 2 years. She has become an expert in doing her stuff. Selling Rolex Watches
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