Rolex was founded in London in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and his brother-in-law, Alfred Davis. Initially, the company focused on importing Swiss movements into England and casing them in high-quality materials, establishing a reputation for precision and elegance. However, after World War I, high British taxes on luxury imports significantly impacted Rolex’s operations. To avoid these taxes and to position Rolex within the heart of the watchmaking world, Wilsdorf moved the company to Geneva, Switzerland, in 1919. This strategic move allowed Rolex to embrace Switzerland’s rich watchmaking heritage, ultimately transforming it into the Swiss icon known worldwide today. 2. The Most Expensive Rolex
Paul Newman’s personal Rolex Daytona, famously known as the “Paul Newman Daytona,” sold at auction in 2017 for a record-breaking $17.8 million, making it the most expensive Rolex ever sold. This iconic timepiece features a unique “exotic” dial, highly coveted among collectors, and a heartfelt engraving from his wife, Joanne Woodward, reading “Drive Carefully, Me.” The combination of Newman’s ownership, the distinctive dial, and the personal engraving elevated this watch to legendary status, cementing its place as the ultimate holy grail in the watch-collecting world. 3. The Bond Watch
In the 1962 James Bond film Dr. No, Sean Connery famously wore a Rolex Submariner, establishing it as the definitive “Bond watch.” Interestingly, Rolex did not sponsor this placement, nor did they provide a watch for the film. Instead, director Terence Young, who played a key role in crafting Bond’s refined image, reportedly lent Connery his personal Submariner for the role. This choice set the stage for the Submariner to become an iconic part of Bond’s persona, leading to Rolex’s lasting association with the early Bond franchise. 4. Assembled By Hand Renowned for precision and unparalleled quality, every Rolex watch is meticulously hand-assembled and rigorously tested by skilled watchmakers in Switzerland. Despite producing nearly a million watches annually, Rolex upholds strict quality control through hands-on craftsmanship at every stage. Their in-house component production and the rigorous testing process ensures each timepiece meets Rolex’s exacting standards.
5. Its Own Gold Foundry
Rolex stands alone among watchmakers in crafting its own gold in-house, ensuring complete control over the quality of its materials. Within its exclusive foundry, Rolex produces only the highest quality 18-karat gold alloys, including yellow, white, and its proprietary Everose (rose gold), used exclusively in Rolex timepieces. By carefully adjusting the proportions of silver, copper, platinum, or palladium, Rolex achieves precise variations in color, each made from the purest metals and meticulously inspected in its state-of-the-art laboratory.
6. Survived The World’s Deepest Dive
In 2012, Rolex engineered the Deepsea Challenge, a groundbreaking timepiece built to endure the ocean’s extreme depths. This experimental watch accompanied filmmaker James Cameron on his historic dive to the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the ocean. Strapped to the exterior of Cameron’s submersible, the Deepsea Challenge survived nearly 36,000 feet (11,000 meters) below the surface without a scratch, showcasing Rolex’s unparalleled engineering and dedication to deep-sea exploration.
7. The First Waterproof Watch
In 1926, Rolex revolutionized watchmaking with the release of the Oyster, the world’s first waterproof wristwatch. Its innovative, hermetically sealed case made it both water-resistant and dustproof, providing exceptional protection for the movement—a groundbreaking achievement of its era. This pioneering design established the foundation for Rolex’s enduring legacy in water-resistant timepieces.
8. Up to a Year to Make
Rolex’s meticulous production process can take up to a year to complete each watch, with rigorous testing and quality checks at every stage. From in-house metallurgy to the precise assembly of each movement, Rolex’s unwavering commitment to quality and reliability ensures that no detail is overlooked.
9. A Nonprofit Organization
Rolex is owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, a private trust established in 1945 by founder Hans Wilsdorf. With no heirs, Wilsdorf created the foundation to guarantee the brand’s independence and to support charitable causes. Today, a significant portion of Rolex’s profits is directed toward philanthropy, honoring Wilsdorf’s vision of combining business success with a commitment to social responsibility.
10. Space, Mountains, and Oceans
Rolex watches have a rich history of accompanying explorers in some of the most extreme environments on Earth—and beyond. In 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay wore Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches as they reached the summit of Mount Everest, a testament to the brand’s rugged reliability. Rolex’s reputation continued to grow with NASA astronauts, including Apollo 14’s Edgar Mitchell, who wore his personal Rolex GMT-Master during his space mission. These milestones highlight Rolex’s enduring role in pushing the boundaries of human exploration.
