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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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Original Rolex Milgauss Tops $110,000 At Auction

An original Rolex Milgauss Ref. 6541 produced in 1958 brought more than $113,000, including buyer’s premium, at today’s Bonhams auction of fine wristwatches in London. The watch, Lot 139, was originally sold by Watches of Switzerland in New Bond Street in 1962. Characterized by the “lightening strike” center seconds hand, the Milgauss was designed for...

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Jun 10, 2009 by WatchTime

Sponsored: A Genuine Evolution of G-SHOCK DNA – Introducing the Full Metal GMB2100D-1A

Since its debut in 2018, the Casio G-SHOCK Full Metal lineup has become a fan favorite. This month, the brand is back with its newest addition to the catalog, the G-SHOCK Full Metal GMB2100-1A. The latest release takes the brand’s popular octagonal form and elevates it with a full metal construction, in-turn representing a genuine...

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Aug 5, 2022 by WatchTime

Patrizzi & Co. NYC Spring Sale Brings $2.7 Million

Patrizzi & Co Auctioneers held its first New York City auction on June 4. The sale included 293 timepieces. Seventy-three percent of the lots sold for a total of more than $2,707,150. More than 50 bidders were present in the auction room, and online bidders participated from Italy, Switzerland, Macao, Portugal, Japan, Dubai, and across...

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Jun 6, 2009 by WatchTime

Antiquorum’s June Sale: Steve McQueen, FDR, and More

Antiquorum’s June 11 auction in New York will include timepieces associated with American icons including Steve McQueen, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Frank Sinatra, and others, well as collector pieces including a Patek Philippe Ref. 1436 dating to 1941, a mid-1990s Patek Ref. 3970, and an A. Lange & Söhne Tourbillon “Pour le Mérite” produced in 1996.

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Jun 3, 2009 by WatchTime

Sotheby’s Sale Brings Over $3 Million

Sotheby’s May 10 Geneva sale brought a total of $3,077,240. The top selling lot was number 147, a Patek Philippe platinum split seconds chronograph, Ref. 5959P, which sold for $297,468 against a pre-sale estimate of $250,000 to $350,000. The sale was 74.8% sold by lot and 73.7 % by value.

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May 18, 2009 by WatchTime

Rolex Updates the Classic Datejust

The Rolex Datejust is perhaps the quintessential wear-it-anywhere-suit-or-jeans watch. On the 60th anniversary of the original launch, Rolex presents the Oyster Perpetual Datejust II Rolesor. The new model updates the classic Datejust design with a 41mm case. Available in steel and either white or yellow gold with a fluted bezel, the Datejust II is waterproof...

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Apr 28, 2009 by WatchTime

Daytona Brings World Record Price at Auction

A vintage Ref. 6270 Rolex Daytona in 18k gold brought a world record Sfr. 360,000 at Antiquorum’s Spring sale in Geneva, held March 28 and 29. The record-setting Daytona’s bezel contains 28 baguette diamonds. Patek Philippe wristwatches also performed well. An 18k yellow gold Ref. 2499/100 perpetual calendar produced in 1980 brought SFr. 312,000, and...

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Apr 6, 2009 by WatchTime

Davide Blei Rolex Collection Brings $3.7 Million

On Sunday March 22 in Milan, Patrizzi & Co. auctioneers brought the hammer down on the Davide Blei Rolex collection, selling 98% of the lots for a total of 2,736,400 euro or slightly more than $3.7 million. The sale result does not include a buyer’s premium, as Patrizzi & Co. does not charge a buyer’s...

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Mar 25, 2009 by WatchTime

Patrizzi & Co. – The David Blei Rolex Collection

Patrizzi Auctions will offer the David Blei Vintage Rolex Collection at the Grand Hotel Et De Milano in Milan.

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Mar 17, 2009 by WatchTime
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