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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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    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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    May 14, 2022 by Ruediger Bucher

    Sponsored: Where Professionalism Meets Technology, ProTek Sees Its Debut

    Crafted with first responders in mind, American watchmaker ProTek launches this month with the debut of their initial collection, the Series 1000. The new brand joins the Time Concepts family of brands, and is helmed by industry veteran Barry Cohen, founder of Luminox. After founding Luminox in 1989, Cohen differentiated the brand as an industry...

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    May 10, 2022 by WatchTime

    And Action:

    Time for the Movies: 10 Times a Watch Stole the Spotlight from the Actors

    (Warning: Spoilers ahead.) Watches in movies have fascinated watch fans since collecting timepieces became (at least) as interesting as getting an autograph from your favorite actor. From Steve McQueen’s Monaco in Le Mans (1971), Ripley’s (Sigourney Weaver) Seiko Giugario in Aliens (1986), Christian Bale’s Datejust in American Psycho (2000), Marlon Brando’s Rolex GMT and Martin...

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    Apr 24, 2022 by Roger Ruegger

    Green Rambles: Make All Watches Unisex

    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 to? Granted, not many men will be drawn...

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    Apr 18, 2022 by Martin Green

    Sponsored: New G-Shock Flagship “MRG-B5000”

    Photographs by Masanori YoshieText by Yuto Hosoda(Chronos Japan) Released in this spring, the MRG-B5000 revives the G-SHOCK Origin DW-5000C as the latest installment in Casio’s flagship MR-G series. It already is remarkable to see the Origin appear as part of the MR-G series, what really deserves attention, however, is the new watch’s luxury finishing, which goes beyond anything in...

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    May 9, 2022 by WatchTime

    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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    Apr 11, 2022 by Martin Green

    Rolex Introduces the Day-Date 40, Now in Platinum with a Fluted Bezel

    As Rolex enthusiasts are aware, even small adaptions make for big news in the brand’s universe. This year, Rolex’s elegant Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40 is presented in a stunning new 950 platinum version with a fluted bezel. Until now, platinum executions of this model equipped with the nickname “president’s watch” sported only smooth bezels because,...

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    Apr 7, 2022 by Sabine Zwettler

    Sponsored: eBay – How a Patient Watch Collector Accidentally Scored a Rare Diver

    In its “2021 Luxury Trend Report,” eBay identified the ability to find rare and vintage items one of the main reasons to shop pre-owned, right after price. Recently, the online giant made the process of buying (and selling) a watch even more secure: As one of the world’s largest luxury watch marketplaces, eBay launched “Authenticity...

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    May 6, 2022 by WatchTime

    Bringing the Air-King in the 2020s, Rolex Launches Its Latest at Watches & Wonders

    Rolex presents a new generation of its Air-King at this year’s Watches & Wonders, with a completely redesigned case, including a crown guard. This is the first major update to the Air-King line since 2016, when at Baselworld of that year Rolex unveiled the familiar, green-accented dial configuration which now defines the series. Like on...

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    Apr 6, 2022 by Sabine Zwettler

    Unveiled in Gold at Watches & Wonders 2022: The Rolex Yacht-Master 42

    Premiered in 1992, the Yacht-Master then, as now, is Rolex’s vision of a nautical watch. The last addition was introduced in 2019 in a new 42mm white gold case. The fleet is now joined by a yellow gold execution. The new version, like the original model, is distinguished by a bidirectional rotatable bezel fitted with...

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    Mar 31, 2022 by Sabine Zwettler

    The Rolex GMT-Master II Takes Off With New Bezel and Case Design at Watches & Wonders 2022

    With its crown and crown guard positioned on the left side of the case and a new green and black ceramic bezel, the latest version of the GMT-Master II is probably the biggest surprise of all Rolex releases at this year’s Watches & Wonders. As is de rigueur for the Swiss brand, the moulded, recessed...

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    Mar 30, 2022 by Sabine Zwettler

    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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    Mar 28, 2022 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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    Mar 22, 2022 by Martina Richter

    PORTFOLIO

    Stopwatches at the Top: 7 Chronographs with In-House Movements

    Looking for a chronograph with a completely in-house-manufactured movement? In this feature from WatchTime's June 2017 issue, we showcase some of the industry’s top picks, from seven power brands, from Breitling to Rolex to Zenith.

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    Mar 20, 2022 by Alexander Krupp

    WATCH REVIEW

    Into the Blue: Reviewing the Rolex Deepsea D-Blue

    When writer, director, and adventurer James Cameron reached the beginning of the “deep sea” at a depth of 1,000 meters on March 26, 2012, safely inside his submersible craft Deepsea Challenger, all the remaining light disappeared. But at that point, he hadn’t yet completed one-tenth of his journey. At 10,908 meters, he landed softly on...

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    Mar 18, 2022 by Jens Koch

    TIMEPIECE TIMELINE

    The Evolution of the Men’s Wristwatch: A Decade-by-Decade Guide

    World War I coincided with the breakthrough of the wristwatch. New and trailblazing designs followed in each subsequent decade. From the WatchTime archives, here are our highlights, from the beginning of the 20th Century to the present day.

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    Mar 17, 2022 by Ruediger Bucher

    No Date, No Problem: Six Watches Without Date Displays

    While a date display is usually regarded as one of the most popular complications, some purists are opting more and more for harmony and symmetry on their dials by choosing a watch without a date window. Here are six notable recent examples. Back to the Forties: IWC Big Pilot’s Watch 43IWC downsized the case of...

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    Mar 8, 2022 by Alexander Krupp

    FEATURE

    James Bond’s Watches: The Complete Movie Timeline

    He’s the world’s most famous secret agent, and the selection of watches on his wrist is at least as varied as the parade of “Bond girls” at his side. Our timeline presents an overview of James Bond's watches throughout the years.

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    Mar 5, 2022 by WatchTime

    PORTFOLIO

    Time Tools: 8 Tool Watches From Luxury Brands

    In this article from the WatchTime archives, we present eight "tool watches" that emphasize functionality and are robust, accurate, legible, and — importantly — not excessively expensive.

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    Feb 20, 2022 by Jens Koch

    WATCH TEST

    Batman on Tour: Testing the Rolex GMT-Master II

    Rolex has updated its popular travel watch, the GMT-Master II, in steel with its blue-and-black “Batman” bezel. We tested one of the first pieces available with a Jubilee bracelet and a new movement in this feature from the WatchTime archives (original photos by Marcus Krüger).

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    Feb 19, 2022 by Jens Koch

    TIMEPIECE TIMELINE

    10 Highlights in the History of the Dive Watch

    In the beginning, dive watches were pure tools that helped keep divers on time and alive. Today they’re something else: fashion statements, conversation pieces, rugged companions for a trip to the beach or pool. Our Timeline: "Dive Watches Through the Decades," traces the history of the dive watch from its start in the 1920s, with the invention of the first truly water-resistant cases, to 2014.

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    Feb 16, 2022 by WatchTime

    FEATURE

    Field Ready: The Complicated Story of the Simple Field Watch

    How the field watch journeyed from saving lives in the hellish trenches of World War I to decorating the wrists of fashionably rugged-looking civilians a century later is a rather befuddling tale. In this feature from the WatchTime archives, correspondent Allen Farmelo takes us through it.

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    Feb 11, 2022 by Allen Farmelo

    What Makes Rolex so Successful? Here Are Nine Reasons

    Rolex is viewed by many as the Number One among major Swiss watch manufacturers. Why? Rüdiger Bucher, Editorial Director at WatchTime's German sister magazine, Chronos, lists nine reasons for the success of Rolex.

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    Feb 10, 2022 by Ruediger Bucher
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