Rolex has sent a watch to the Space and to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. Here are 22 interesting facts about Rolex that you might not know:
1. Founded by a Teenager
Rolex was founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf, who was just 24 years old at the time. He started the company with his brother-in-law Alfred Davis in London, originally importing Swiss movements and placing them in quality cases.
2. First Waterproof Watch
Rolex created the world’s first waterproof watch, the Rolex Oyster, in 1926. The watch was a significant innovation, setting the standard for water-resistant timepieces.
3. The Name “Rolex”
The name “Rolex” was chosen because it was short, easy to pronounce in any language, and could fit elegantly on a watch face. The name doesn’t have any specific meaning.
4. Pioneer of Automatic Watches
Rolex introduced the first wristwatch with an automatically changing date on the dial in 1945, the Rolex Datejust.
5. First to Show Two Time Zones
In 1954, Rolex launched the GMT-Master, the first watch to display two time zones simultaneously, which became popular with pilots and travelers.
6. Deep Sea Diving
Rolex developed the first watch to withstand the extreme pressures of deep-sea diving. The Rolex Deep Sea Special survived a plunge to 10,916 meters (35,814 feet) in the Mariana Trench in 1960, attached to the outside of the bathyscaphe Trieste.
7. Rolex’s Own Foundry
Rolex is one of the few watchmakers that has its own foundry, where it makes the gold used in its watches. This allows Rolex to maintain strict quality control over its materials.
8. Everose Gold
Rolex developed a proprietary rose gold alloy called Everose, which maintains its pink color over time and is used in their rose gold watches.
9. Pioneers in Chronometer Certification
Rolex was the first watchmaker to receive a chronometer certification for a wristwatch in 1910 from the Official Watch Rating Centre in Bienne, Switzerland.
10. First Watch on Mount Everest
Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay wore Rolex watches during their historic ascent of Mount Everest in 1953. This led to the development of the Rolex Explorer.
11. Self-Winding Mechanism
Rolex introduced the first commercially successful self-winding wristwatch in 1931, using a mechanism that wound the watch as the wearer moved their arm.
12. James Bond’s Watch
In the original James Bond novels by Ian Fleming, James Bond wears a Rolex. This was carried over into the early films, where Sean Connery’s Bond also sported a Rolex Submariner.
13. Made in Switzerland
While Rolex was founded in London, the company moved its operations to Geneva, Switzerland, in 1919 to avoid heavy British taxes on luxury imports.
14. High Resale Value
Rolex watches are known for their high resale value. Some models, particularly limited editions and vintage pieces, can sell for significantly more than their original purchase price.
15. Rolex and the Oscars
Rolex has a long-standing relationship with Hollywood and is often seen in films. In 2017, Rolex became the official sponsor of the Oscars and now has a presence at the annual Academy Awards ceremony.
16. First Waterproof Chronograph
In 1963, Rolex introduced the Cosmograph Daytona, the first waterproof chronograph. The Daytona is now one of the brand’s most iconic models.
17. Secret Production
Rolex is notoriously secretive about its production numbers. However, it is estimated that Rolex produces about 1 million watches each year, making it one of the largest luxury watch brands in the world.
18. Hand-Assembled
Every Rolex watch is hand-assembled and rigorously tested. The process ensures the highest standards of precision and quality.
19. Rolex in Space
While Omega is the official watch of NASA, a Rolex GMT-Master was worn by astronaut Jack Swigert during the Apollo 13 mission.
20. Philanthropy
Rolex is involved in various philanthropic efforts. The Rolex Awards for Enterprise, established in 1976, support individuals with innovative projects that improve lives or protect the world’s cultural heritage.
21. Crown Logo
The iconic Rolex crown logo was introduced in 1925 and represents the brand’s dominance in the watchmaking world.
22. Most Expensive Rolex
The most expensive Rolex ever sold is the Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman” owned by Paul Newman himself. It sold at auction for $17.8 million in 2017.