A History Of The Rolex Watch, The Brothers & The Innovation
The Rolex watch brand was the brainchild of brothers-in-law Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis in 1905. The name Rolex came later, however, in 1908, for the first three years, the brothers traded under the name of Wilsdorf and Davis. They imported Swiss watch movements from Hermann Aegler and put them into high-quality cases which they then sold to jewellers. It was the jewellers' names that appeared on the dials and faces of the watches, although the trademark W&D was usually stamped inside the back of the case to identify the manufacturer.
Rolex as a trademark was registered in 1908 when the brothers opened an office in Switzerland and it was in 1915 that Rolex as a company name was registered. While there is some controversy over where the name originated, a story that remains unconfirmed is that Wilsdorf created a contraction of the words horological excellence to create the word Rolex. It certainly fits the brand and lives up to one of the key aims of Wilsdorf, which was that the name be pronounceable in any language. The brand moved to Switzerland in 1919 due, it is said, to the high costs of imports, exports and wartime taxes in England.
Rolex is credited with many time piece innovations, including the first self-winding watch in 1928 which created a more reliable form of time keeping. In the 1960s, Rolex was instrumental in the development and implementation of the first quartz movements. While not many Rolex watches in the Oyster line were fitted with quartz movements, notable exceptions are the Rolex Quartz Date 5100 and later the Rolex Oysterquartz.
Rolex were also first to develop a water-resistant watch that withstood pressure at a depth of 100m. The specially made 'deep-sea' watch was sent to a depth of 11,000 metres, where it kept time as precisely as it did on the surface.
The company is well known for its collections and its association with extreme sports in the disciplines of mountain climbing, aviation and deep-sea diving. Every Rolex chronometer is certified, with Rolex holding the record in the wristwatch category for the most certified chronometer movements.
This certification plays an important part in the valuation for those who wish to sell a Rolex watch. It's one of the most sought-after brand names on the luxury watch market, so there are many imitators who try to pass off their products as genuine. If you have a Rolex watch and are considering selling it get in touch with us today and see how much your could earn.
