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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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PORTFOLIO

Record Breakers: 9 Watches That Set World Records

A Rolex Daytona formerly owned by Paul Newman broke a record when it sold at auction for 17.7 million dollars in 2017. But certain other records cannot be measured in money. Here are some spectacular examples from the wristwatch world.

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Aug 9, 2019 by WatchTime

Sponsored: Gerald Charles Introduces Maestro 9.0 Tourbillon

Introducing a new age of technical aestheticism, Gerald Charles debuts its Maestro 9.0 Tourbillon. With a unique design created with the expert oversight of the brand’s creative director, Octavio Garcia, the timepiece is a return to the original Maestro flying tourbillon released in 2005. Taking hints from the brand’s rich history, the new release is...

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Mar 21, 2023 by WatchTime

BOOK EXCERPT

When Rolex Went Quartz: A Tale of the 1970s

In this excerpt from the book “Electrifying the Wristwatch,” by WatchTime contributor Lucien Trueb, we explore how mechanical-watch king Rolex dealt with the arrival of quartz in the 1970s.

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Aug 1, 2019 by Roger Ruegger

WATCH REVIEW

Swanky Sailor: Reviewing the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master

For this watch review, we take a close look at the modern version of Rolex’s Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master, with black Cerachrom bezel and Oysterflex bracelet.

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Jul 26, 2019 by Martina Richter

A Bigger Boat: Introducing the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42

“We’re gonna need a bigger boat,” Sheriff Brody famously uttered after getting a glimpse of the shark in Jaws. Rolex apparently recognized a similar sentiment among fans (and potential fans) of its nautical-themed sports-luxury timepiece, the Yacht-Master, because at this year’s Baselworld the brand launched a new Yacht-Master with larger proportions than its predecessors, not...

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Jun 19, 2019 by Mark Bernardo

AUCTION PREVIEW:

Five Highlight Watches from Tomorrow’s Christie’s “An Evening of Exceptional Watches” Auction in New York

It’s that time of the year again. Tomorrow night, Christie’s will host its first New York auction of 2019 after successful sales in Dubai, Geneva, and Hong Kong. We recently had the chance to preview all 100 watches up for bidding at Christie’s New York showroom in Rockefeller Plaza and here are a few of...

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Jun 5, 2019 by Logan R. Baker

EVENTS:

Join WatchTime at South Coast Plaza for “The Art of the Timepiece” on June 6, 2019

Summer has finally arrived, so why not join us for an evening celebrating “The Art of the Timepiece” at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, California? South Coast Plaza is the largest shopping mall on the West Coast and features over 20 fine timepiece boutiques. From June 6 – 9, 2019, the luxury retail destination...

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May 30, 2019 by WatchTime

BASELWORLD 2019 REVISITED:

Batman Returns: Rolex Launches GMT-Master II with Black-and-Blue Bezel and Jubilee Bracelet

The Rolex GMT-Master II launched with a new red-and-blue “Pepsi” bezel and a revamped jubilee bracelet in 2018. Rolex follows up that much-discussed debut with 2019's version of the GMT-Master II, with the popular black-and-blue “Batman” bezel. Here's what you need to know about the watch, one of Rolex's highlight pieces from Baselworld.

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May 15, 2019 by Mark Bernardo

AUCTION PREVIEW:

Four Highlight Watches from Tomorrow’s Christie’s Rare Watches Auction in Geneva

Geneva has been abuzz as the horological cognoscenti have descended upon the city to partake in the annual weekend of high-profile auctions from all the major houses. At tomorrow’s Christie’s auction at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues, 255 lots will go up for bidding started at 10:00 a.m. CET. Here are a few of the highlights...

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May 12, 2019 by WatchTime

FEATURES:

Five Things You Should Know About the COSC

The Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC) is crucial to the Swiss watch industry. It’s existed in its current form since 1973 but there has been competitive chronometric testing happening in Neuchâtel since the late 1800s. Today, the COSC functions as a sort of litmus test for precision throughout the Swiss watch industry. In an...

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May 10, 2019 by Logan R. Baker

PORTFOLIO

6 Sports Watches and Dive Watches Built for Adventure

From the WatchTime archives: If you want to climb mountains, explore caverns, or undergo underwater ordeals, these watches will blithely master such extreme situations. But their attributes can also be useful in everyday life.

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Apr 29, 2019 by Jens Koch

Baselworld 2019:

WatchTime’s Official Editors’ Round Table for Baselworld

Baselworld 2019 will most likely go down as the show’s deciding year: On one hand, Baselworld had to deal with yet another significantly lower number of exhibitors (and visitors); on the other hand, the show’s new management also had to make sure the outlook for 2020 would be convincing enough to bring back large portions...

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Apr 6, 2019 by WatchTime

BASELWORLD 2019:

Sunken Treasure: Rolex Adds Gold to the Sea-Dweller

Two years ago, Rolex updated its venerable and record-setting divers’ watch, the Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller, with a new movement and redesigned case. This year, the Swiss watchmaking titan adds a touch of luxury to its most purpose-driven timepiece with the launch of the Sea-Dweller in Rolesor, aka a combination of Rolex “Oystersteel” and 18k yellow...

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Mar 23, 2019 by Mark Bernardo

Highlights from WatchTime’s March-April Issue, On Sale Now

The second WatchTime issue of 2019 hits newsstands today, with highlights ranging from our cover story on the Bulgari Octo Finissimo in carbon, a high-tech material update to the world’s thinnest tourbillon timepiece; a test of the Ulysse Nardin Freak Vision with its innovate Grinder winding mechanism; an in-depth review of the 2018 Omega Seamaster 300; a spotlight...

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Mar 12, 2019 by WatchTime

AUCTION PREVIEW:

Seven Highlight Watches from the Current Christie’s Online Auction

In my opinion, Christie’s ongoing series of online watch sales is one of the most consistently interesting parts of the watch auction world. Their watch specialists are able to curate a terrific balance of vintage and contemporary models at a diverse range of price points, meaning there’s practically something for everyone regardless of collector status. The...

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Mar 6, 2019 by Logan R. Baker

FEATURE

Discovering 100 Years of Rolex Chronometers and Rolex Oyster Watches

Read the full story of the “Class A” chronometer certificate awarded to a Rolex wristwatch over 100 years ago, and trace the evolution of the Rolex "Oyster” watches that resulted from it, with photos of all the major Rolex Oyster models from 1926 through 2014.

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Mar 1, 2019 by Alexander Linz

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Four Horological Love Stories That Prove Romantic Watchmaking is Alive and Well

Watches are one of the few products that can be lifetime investments. The fact that the same watch can accompany you during your college graduation, your wedding, and the birth of your child elevates the concept of a timepiece into something far bigger than a fashion statement. In fact, I think many would agree that...

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Feb 14, 2019 by Logan R. Baker

Highlights from WatchTime’s January-February 2019 Issue, On Sale Now

The January-February 2019 issue of WatchTime hits newsstands today, with highlights ranging from our cover story on the Omega Speedmaster Apollo 8 Limited Edition; a test of the Rolex GMT-Master II with "Pepsi" bezel and Jubilee bracelet; an in-depth review of Glashütte Original's Senator Cosmopolite world-timer in stainless steel; and more. Read on for details...

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Jan 8, 2019 by WatchTime

2018: THE WATCH YEAR IN REVIEW

Eight Noteworthy GMT and Dual-Time Watches for World Travelers

As we approach the end of 2018 and prepare for 2019 — surely destined to be another interesting year in the world of watches — we take a look back at some of the most noteworthy timepieces that came out this year, in various popular categories. Today, we look at 10 watches equipped with GMT...

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Dec 29, 2018 by Mark Bernardo

2018: THE WATCH YEAR IN REVIEW

10 Important Dive Watches Launched in 2018

As we approach the end of 2018 and prepare for 2019 — surely destined to be another interesting year in the world of watches — we take a look back at some of the most noteworthy timepieces that came out this year, in various popular categories. Today, we look at some of 2018's significant dive watch releases.

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Dec 26, 2018 by Mark Bernardo

GOING THE EXTRA FATHOM:

The Rolex Deepsea and 6 Other Extreme Dive Watches

We take a look at seven "extreme" dive watches - including the Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea D-Blue Edition; Breitling's Superocean Chronograph M2000 and the UTS 4000M Professional Diver - and what sets them apart from the pack.

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Dec 6, 2018 by Mark Bernardo
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