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Rolex

Rolex is one of the world’s largest luxury watch brands. Rolex was founded in 1905 in London by Hans Wilsdorf, eventually Rolex moved to Switzerland in 1919. The Tudor watch brand is a subsidiary of Rolex. In 1914 Rolex obtained a chronometer certificate (Class A precision certificate) and thus became the first manufacturer of a chronometer wristwatch.

By obtaining the first chronometer certificate, Rolex demonstrated that, in terms of precision, a small wristwatch could rival that of the best timepieces, including pocketwatches, which were the norm at the time. This proof of performance would contribute significantly to the rise of the wristwatch in popularity. On the strength of this achievement, Rolex would eventually become the world’s largest manufacturer of chronometer-certified wristwatches. The Geneva-based brand perfected the concept of the modern watch in 1926 by inventing the waterproof “Oyster” case to protect the movement inside and then, in 1931, by developing the self-winding “Perpetual” rotor movement. Today, all Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches are officially certified chronometers, carrying on the heritage of the pioneering role the brand played in bringing precision to the wristwatch. That milestone feat of miniaturized precision. Rolex went on to innovate constantly and several times brought new technologies to the market that eventually set standards for the whole industry; among them are (according to Wikipedia) the first waterproof wristwatch Rolex “Oyster”, 1926; the first wristwatch with an automatically changing date on the dial (Rolex Datejust ref.4467, 1945); the first wristwatch case waterproof to 100 m (330 ft) (Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner ref.6204, 1953); the first wristwatch to show two time zones at once (Rolex GMT Master ref.6542, 1954); the first wristwatch with an automatically changing day and date on the dial (Rolex Day-Date, 1956). Rolex uses only in-house calibers and many automatic movements but also deployed Quartz movements in the 1970s. Notable models today are Rolex Air-King, Rolex Date, Rolex Oyster Perpetual, Rolex Datejust, Rolex Datejust II, Rolex Datejust Turn-O-Graph, Rolex Lady Datejust Pearlmaster, Rolex Daytona, Rolex Paul Newman Daytona, Rolex Day-Date, Rolex Day-Date II, Rolex Day-Date Oyster Perpetual, Rolex Explorer, Rolex Explorer II, Rolex GMT Master II, Rolex Masterpiece, Rolex Milgauss, Rolex Oysterquartz, Rolex Sea Dweller, Rolex Sea Dweller DeepSea, Rolex Sky-Dweller, Rolex Submariner, Rolex Turn-O-Graph, Rolex Yacht-Master, Rolex Yacht-Master II. Rolex is the timekeeper of Wimbledon and many other prestigious sports events. Explorers, aviators, military groups, celebrities and royals regularly purchase Rolex watches. Fake Rolex watches and Rolex replica watches are sought after by bargain hunters but can easily identified by Rolex serial numbers and by comparing the fake prices with the original Rolex prices on the internet and the Rolex price list in every brand boutique.

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FEATURE

Dive Watches in Depth: A Dive Watch FAQ

"How water-resistant does it need to be?" "How does a depth gauge work?" We answer your FAQs about dive watches: learn about water resistance, diving bezels, depth gauges, and more in this feature from the WatchTime archives.

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May 28, 2023 by WatchTime

Another Look at Rolex’s Latest and Most Colorful Oyster Perpetual

At this year’s Watches and Wonders, Rolex was not one to shy away from a bit of colorful experimentation, especially with its newest Oyster Perpetual model. The classic design sports a creative new dial characterized by a pattern of vivid-colored circles against a light turquoise blue background. Although the dial design makes a statement with...

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May 4, 2023 by Caleb Anderson

Jewel Tones and Diamonds: Rolex Updates the Day-Date 36

One of the many updates to the Rolex catalog to come out of Watches and Wonders this year is a trio of Day-Date 36 models with decorative stone dials. Rolex has historically taken some creative freedom with its Day-Date models, and the latest collection updates are no different. Each example makes use of a unique...

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Apr 27, 2023 by Caleb Anderson

The Extra-Terrestrials: 5 Timepieces with Meteorite Dials

Meteorites are extraterrestrial objects that have passed through the atmosphere and landed on Earth. They can be divided into two different types: stone meteorites and iron meteorites. Most meteorite dials are made from the latter, which make up only four percent of all meteorites. Iron meteorites were born in the core of four-billion-year-old asteroids that...

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Apr 23, 2023 by Jens Koch

FEATURE

Touching the Past: Six Modern “Retro” Watches and the Historical Pieces That Inspired Them

When retro-inspired watches are modeled after specific predecessors, fans of mechanical timekeeping can “grasp” design history. In this feature from the WatchTime archives, we take a look at six watches that awaken a longing for the past.

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Apr 22, 2023 by Alexander Krupp

One of a Kind: Six Watches Made From Proprietary Gold Alloys

What’s even more exclusive than yellow, white or rose gold? A gold alloy that’s only available from a single brand. Here are watches made of unique gold alloys. Lime Gold (Montblanc)Montblanc relies on its own gold color, which has a green shimmer and is therefore named “Lime Gold.” It debuted this year in the 1858...

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Apr 9, 2023 by Ruediger Bucher

Hands-On: Rolex’s “Puzzles & Bubbles” Watches and the Death of Self-Seriousness

Rolex’s long-held adherence to discretion and conservatism seemingly came to a sudden end this year with the release of the Day-Date 36 “jigsaw puzzle” dial and Oyster Perpetual ‘Celebration’ collections (which I have affectionately begun referring to as the “Puzzles & Bubbles” watches). Taking a watch so associated with buttoned-up elegance and prestige that it...

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Apr 5, 2023 by Bilal Khan

Green Rambles: Money In Mediocrity

In the watch world, there is a tremendous amount of money in mediocrity. I am not talking about quality here because, quite frankly, it has been quite a while since I have seen a watch that was not up to par in that area. This was a different case when I started in the late...

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Apr 3, 2023 by Martin Green

Hands-On Debut: Rolex Yacht-Master 42 in Titanium RLX

First introduced in 2019, Rolex is taking a new approach to the Yacht-Master 42 series, this time opting for a new case and bracelet material: titanium RLX. This grade 5 titanium alloy is exclusive to Rolex and has previously only been used for the Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Challenge presented last year. According to the brand,...

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Mar 30, 2023 by Sabine Zwettler

Watches and Wonders 2023: Rolex Wows With New Perpetual 1908

With the Perpetual 1908, Rolex introduces an entirely new collection for the first time since the Oyster Perpetual 39 in 2015. Commemorating the founding of the brand by Hans Wilsdorf 115 years ago and taking inspiration from an Oyster Perpetual from 1931, the Perpetual 1908 is a notably elegant retro watch with subsidiary seconds, three...

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Mar 29, 2023 by Sabine Zwettler

Watches and Wonders 2023: Rolex Drops Two New GMT-Master II Executions

Rolex expands its GMT-Master II collection with two new iterations: one clad in 18 kt yellow gold and Oystersteel and the other in yellow gold. Both are equipped with a Cerachrom bezel insert in gray and black ceramic. Intended to evoke the passage of the sun and the alternation of day and night, this is...

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Mar 28, 2023 by Sabine Zwettler

Rolex Unveils New Cosmograph Daytona at Watches and Wonders 2023

Arguably the most important new Rolex release from Watches and Wonders is the latest generation of the Cosmograph Daytona. Right in time for its 60th anniversary, this iconic chronograph revs up with a new motor. Under the hood ticks the new Caliber 4131, an evolution of the brand’s in-house Cal. 4130 that first debuted in...

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Mar 27, 2023 by Sabine Zwettler

Green Rambles: Why I Dislike Safe-Queens

Recently a befriended trader showed me a Rolex Submariner 16610LV, also known as the ‘Kermit,’ that was bought by its initial owner and spent until recently every day in the safe. It was never worn, and the bracelet was not even sized. While this may be a dream come true for some collectors, I always...

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Mar 16, 2023 by Martin Green

Green Rambles: Make All Watches Unisex

This article was originally published in April 2022. One of the things that have always struck me as very weird is watch brands telling us for which gender, specific models are. While this very well may help the marketing department target its efforts, why would you voluntarily limit to who you are selling your product...

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Mar 4, 2023 by Martin Green

Off to New Heights: Rolex Explorer II

This article was originally published in the January/February 2022 Issue of the WatchTime print magazine. Photos by Marcus Krüger. To mark the model’s 50th anniversary, Rolex has updated the Explorer II with a new movement and subtle design modifications. We look at what the most recent version can offer collectors, explorers and adventurers. Before last year’s Watches...

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Feb 21, 2023 by Jens Koch

FEATURE:

First Watch: U.S. Presidents and Their Timepieces

WatchTime shares, in this feature on U.S. presidents and their watches, what brands graced the wrists and waistcoasts of our chief executives, such as Lincoln's Waltham pocketwatch, JFK's Omega Ultra Thin and Bill Clinton's Cartier Ballon Bleu.

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Feb 20, 2023 by WatchTime

Reaching New Depths: A History of the Dive Watch

This article was originally published in the January/February 2022 Issue of the WatchTime print magazine.  For many collectors, the history of the dive watch starts in 1953 with the introduction of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms and Rolex Submariner. Divers, however, already had to rely on water-resistant watches, decades before the commercialization of two of the...

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Feb 16, 2023 by Roger Ruegger

Green Rambles: Are You Already Part Of A Tribe?

It is no secret that there are brands in the watch industry where the demand for their timepieces is far greater than the supply. Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Richard Mille are often the ones mentioned in relation to this. The focus was mainly on their sports models with the first two, but even that has...

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Feb 11, 2023 by Martin Green

The Rolex Oyster Case: Everything You Need to Know

Pegged as one of the most innovative and historical updates to the wristwatch, the Rolex Oyster case has enjoyed its day in the sun and for good reason. In this in-depth article courtesy of our colleagues at WatchTime India, we take you through the different parts of this piece of horological history and help you...

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Jan 29, 2023 by WatchTime

The Traditionalist: Hands-On With the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner

As of 2020, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner with no date display, which many view as the archetypal dive watch, is slightly larger and has an updated movement yet remains true to its original design. This is our first encounter with the new watch. We had to wait a long time for the latest Rolex...

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Jan 22, 2023 by Martina Richter
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