Fun facts you didn’t know about Rolex
Rolex produces around one million watches annually. Although the company is secretive about its exact production figures, this estimate is widely accepted within the watch industry.
The brand – established back in 1905 by a Brit and his German brother-in-law – maintains its reputation for quality while still being a significant player in the luxury watch market. Despite this relatively high production volume, demand often exceeds supply, contributing to the brand’s exclusivity and the high prices for certain models.
According to Forbes, Rolex ranked 81st in the world’s most valuable brands of 2024.
Here are a few fun facts you may not know about the iconic brand:
1.Rolex was not started in Switzerland
The luxury brand was set up in London, not Geneva, as people tend to believe. But the business moved to Switzerland after World War One, as it was a good tax haven compared to a recovering post-war Britain.
2. ‘Rolex’ means nothing… but sounds expensive
The aim behind this brand was trying to concoct a name that sounds expensive but is pronounced correctly whatever language people spoke. It also needed to be a name that looked good on a watch dial.
Co-founder Alfred Davis said it had to have five letters and wrote down lots of offerings until one had the right ring to it. ‘Rolex’ was coined as he rode through London on a bus.
3. The first waterproof wristwatch was created by Rolex
While several watchmakers claim the title of creating the first diving watches, Rolex pioneered the world’s first fully waterproof watch in 1926 with the Rolex Oyster.
This groundbreaking watch was not only waterproof but also dust-proof, featuring a screw-down caseback and crown, both lined with rubber for added protection. The term “Oyster” remains synonymous with waterproofness in Rolex’s lineup today, gracing models like the Day-Date and Daytona.
In 1927, English swimmer Mercedes Gleitze attempted to cross the English Channel and was gifted a Rolex Oyster for the journey. She wore the watch around her neck, and after 10 grueling hours in the icy water, she was forced to stop, cold and half-conscious.
Despite the challenging conditions, the interior of her Rolex remained completely dry, proving the watch’s exceptional waterproof capabilities.
4. Rolex set the standard for automatic watches
The introduction of the self-winding rotor by Rolex in 1931 marked a pivotal moment in watchmaking. At that time, only bumper and hammer-style self-winding mechanisms were available, but Rolex’s Perpetual movement changed the game by allowing the rotor to rotate 360 degrees.
This innovation not only improved the efficiency of winding but also reduced wear and tear on the movement. While other companies have since refined the concept, such as with the “Grinder” system in the Innovision II, it was Rolex’s Oyster Perpetual that set the standard for modern automatic watches.
5. They work everywhere
Rolex’s reputation for exceptional quality and expert craftsmanship has been proven in the most extreme environments on Earth. In 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest while wearing a specially made Rolex watch, which performed flawlessly in the harsh conditions.
Similarly, the U.S. Navy tested Rolex’s durability by sending a custom-designed research submarine 35,798 feet below sea level, with a Rolex watch on board. The watch withstood the immense pressure and extreme environment without issue, showcasing Rolex’s unparalleled reliability and engineering.
6. Secret codes for reference numbers
Nearly every watch has a reference number, and Rolex is no exception. However, what sets Rolex apart is that the last digit of its reference number reveals the material of the watch.
For instance, a reference ending in 0 signifies the watch is made of steel, while a 3 indicates a two-tone combination of yellow gold and steel, and a 6 denotes platinum. The Submariner reference 126619 is crafted entirely from white gold — something you can deduce from the final digit 9, as well as the cost!
7. Every watch is finished by hand
Rolex watches are largely handmade with skilled artisans involved in many aspects of the production, particularly in assembling, finishing, and quality control.
Each watch movement is meticulously assembled by hand, and the dials and bezels are often carefully set with diamonds or other precious stones by expert gem-setters.
Rolex also employs state-of-the-art machinery to ensure precision in manufacturing certain components, like the cases and bracelets. These machines perform tasks that require extreme accuracy, such as cutting and polishing metal parts.
But the final assembly and finishing of the watches are done by hand, ensuring each Rolex meets the brand’s exacting standards.
8. The most expensive retail-Rolex ever made is worth £380,000
The Rolex GMT master Ice is one of the most expensive watches ever produced by Rolex.
Set with 30 carats of diamonds on the dial, bezel and bracelet, it is worth around £380,000 on today’s market.
It had an already eye-watering price tag of £371,000 when it was first released in 2018.
Fancy a Rolex?
Here at Luxe Watches, our team of specialists can help you choose the perfect model of Rolex. Whether you require a new or pre-worn watch, we have men’s and ladies’ timepieces in stock here in our Epping showroom and online, so contact us today. If you’d like help to sell your Rolex, we promise to get the best market price for it.