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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

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Maen Hudson Automatic

As often as possible, I like to cover small and start-up watch brands. I know how difficult it can be to obtain media and consumer attention as a fledgling company. And I also appreciate how smaller brands can push designs in innovative ways untethered from design constraints required in larger and more historical brands. Most...

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May 13, 2018 by Caleb Anderson

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

WATCH REVIEW

Nomos Glashütte Tangente Neomatik Reviewed

We examine the new Neomatik version of Nomos Glashütte’s familiar Tangente watch, now with an automatic in-house movement. Our review of the Nomos Glashutte Tangente Neomatik includes detailed specs and prices.

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May 7, 2018 by Martina Richter

FROM FRATELLO WATCHES

Watches With Diamonds? Here Are 5 That Men Can Actually Wear

Fratello Watches founder and WatchTime contributor Robert-Jan Broer showcases 5 men’s watches with diamonds that you'll actually want to wear, with models from Rolex, Patek Philippe and others.

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Apr 25, 2018 by Robert-Jan Broer

BASELWORLD 2018 REVISITED:

The Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller Gets an Upgrade

As per tradition, Rolex generated much of the watch-media buzz at Baselworld 2018, primarily for the release of its new GMT-Master II in a steel case. But that was not the only big news coming out of Rolex this year; fans of the brand's extreme-depth divers' watch, the Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Sea-Dweller, were treated to a revamped model with new lugs and bracelet and a new "Superlative Chronometer" movement.

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Apr 17, 2018 by Mark Bernardo

INTERVIEW

My Favorite Watch: Peter Chong, Founder and Editor-in-chief of Deployant.com

In our ongoing series, My Favorite Watch, WatchTime speaks to interesting personalities in the watch industry. The interviews revolve around the subject’s favorite watch model, their experience in the industry, and other topics. This week we talk with Peter Chong, founder and Editor-in-Chief of Deployant.com.

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Apr 14, 2018 by Sophia Kuemmerle

BASELWORLD 2018 REVISITED:

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight

Tudor once again expanded its critically-acclaimed Black Bay collection at Baselworld 2018. Since its initial release in 2012, the brand has almost every year sought to grow the Black Bay’s appeal, most recently by shifting from an ETA movement to an in-house caliber, adding many different color and material options, and by slightly modernizing the...

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Apr 8, 2018 by Caleb Anderson

FEATURE:

The Definitive Baselworld 2018 Round-Up

Baselworld 2018 may have been significantly smaller than in previous years, but the show certainly made up for it with an exceptional range of new watches, quite a lot of them with much more budget-friendly prices than in previous years (which still cannot be said for the bratwurst stand outside the fair). WatchTime’s editorial team...

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Apr 7, 2018 by WatchTime

INTERVIEW

My Favorite Watch: Jørgen Erdahl, Founder of Norwegian Watch Enthusiast Website Horae.no

In our ongoing series, My Favorite Watch (which took a hiatus to make room for our Baselworld 2018 coverage last week), WatchTime speaks to interesting personalities in the watch industry. The interviews revolve around the subject’s favorite watch model, their experience in the industry, and other topics. This week we talk with Jørgen Erdahl, founder of Horae.no. a website for watch enthusiasts in Norway.

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Mar 31, 2018 by Sophia Kuemmerle

BASELWORLD 2018:

Rolex GMT-Master II in Oystersteel: For the New Pepsi Generation (Updated with Live Photos)

Almost as intriguing as the discovery of new watches every year at Baselworld are the guessing games that precede it, especially as regards Rolex. It’s become a cottage industry for online prognosticators to try to predict ahead of time what the Swiss power brand will roll out at the world’s biggest watch fair. However, few...

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Mar 23, 2018 by Mark Bernardo

PHOTO GALLERY

Piece Time — Distinctive Watch Parts, Chapter 4: Bracelets

A watch’s design is the sum of its so-called “appearance parts:” hands, dial, crown, bracelet, et cetera. In this fourth chapter in our series on the distinctive parts of watches, we showcase some of the most popular styles of bracelets. Of course, identifying a watch solely by looking at its bracelet is a skill that will impress many of your watch-loving friends, so what are you waiting for? Check out our slideshow.

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Mar 16, 2018 by WatchTime

AUCTION PREVIEW

Highlights from Christie’s “Time for Spring” Online Watch Auction

There’s something special about viewing the lots of a watch auction in person. Being able to sit with a number of timepieces that you never expected to see in the flesh — and often in immaculate condition — is a rare treat that any horological enthusiast should seek out. Earlier today, we got to sit...

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Mar 9, 2018 by Logan R. Baker

FEATURE

24 Highlights from the Rolex 24 at Daytona Race

January 27-28 marked the 56th running of the 24 Hours of Daytona — known as the Rolex 24 ever since the Swiss watch brand became official timekeeper and title sponsor in 1992 — and WatchTime was there among a select group of media guests of Rolex to witness a history-making weekend of racing — along with several other memorable moments. Here are 24 of them, one for each hour of the legendary endurance race.

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Feb 12, 2018 by Mark Bernardo

Agent Provocateur: H. Moser & Cie. Trolls the Swiss Watch Industry Before Backtracking

Well, that was a whirlwind. On Thursday, we received word that H. Moser & Cie. — the brand behind the Alp (faux-Apple) Watch and the Swiss Mad watch made from Swiss Cheese (yes, really) — had released the Swiss Icons watch. Moser, intending to make a splash before heading to Geneva for SIHH, decided to...

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Jan 13, 2018 by Logan R. Baker

2017: THE WATCH YEAR IN REVIEW

The 10 Most Popular Posts on WatchTime in 2017

As we approach the end of 2017 and prepare for a new year of watch releases in 2018, we wanted to take a look back at some of the most noteworthy timepieces that came out this year. Check back each day this week for a new list focused on everything that 2017 had to offer....

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Dec 31, 2017 by WatchTime

2017: THE WATCH YEAR IN REVIEW

Celestial Complications: Six Noteworthy Calendar and Moon Phase Watches from 2017

As we approach the end of 2017 and prepare for a new year of watch releases in 2018, we wanted to take a look back at some of the most noteworthy timepieces that came out this year. Check back each day this week for a new list focused on everything that 2017 had to offer....

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Dec 29, 2017 by WatchTime

2017: THE WATCH YEAR IN REVIEW

Six Dive Watches that Made a Splash in 2017

As we approach the end of 2017 and prepare for a new year of watch releases in 2018, we wanted to take a look back at some of the most noteworthy timepieces that came out this year. Check back each day this week for a new list focused on everything that 2017 had to offer....

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Dec 27, 2017 by WatchTime

AN EVENING OF EXCEPTIONAL WATCHES

Nine Watches to Keep an Eye on During Tonight’s Auction at Christie’s in New York

This evening, at approximately 6:30 PM EST, Christie’s New York will be holding its final watch auction of the year and it’s a doozy. There are 100 lots in total and they range from watches of provenance to one-off Heuers to historically significant Speedmasters and Autavias. We’ll be at the auction posting updates on Instagram,...

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Dec 7, 2017 by Logan R. Baker

FEATURE

Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Bremont Supermarine Type 301

Bremont, the British watch brand best known for its luxury pilots' watches, has this year come to market with a vintage-influenced dive watch to compete with some of the historic players. Dubbed the Supermarine Type 301, or S301 for short, the watch draws many of its influences from the early divers of the 1950s while still being distinctly Bremont in its design.

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Dec 3, 2017 by Caleb Anderson

WATCH REVIEW

Borrowed Time: A Week With the Tudor Heritage Black Bay Bronze

Bronze — like the proprietary aluminum-bronze alloy used in the case of the Tudor Heritage Black Bay Bronze reviewed here — is essentially made to change color. We explore the metal's ability to develop a distinctive, aged-vintage-look patina over the course of its wearing life giving each Tudor Heritage Black Bay bronze-cased dive watch a unique relationship to its owner.

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Nov 16, 2017 by Mark Bernardo

Highlights from WatchTime’s November-December Issue, On Sale Now

The big November-December 2017 issue of WatchTime hits newsstands today, with highlights including a test of the revamped Rolex Sea-Dweller, in-depth reviews of new watches from Panerai, IWC, and A. Lange & Söhne, a historical perspective comparing Rolex with Patek Philippe, and much more. Read on for more details...

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Nov 14, 2017 by WatchTime
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