Hans Wilsdorf & Rolex
Hans Wilsdorf
Hans Wilsdorf, founder of the company, instilled a notion of perpetual excellence, leading to major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism. The brand designs, develops and produces the majority of its watch components in-house. Rolex also supports the arts and culture, sport, exploration, and those who are devising solutions to preserve the planet. It is a committed and responsible company whose products are made to last. In its quest for excellence, Rolex strives each day to improve not only its watches but also its environmental performance and its impact on society.
Hans Wilsdorf was a visionary who foresaw a century of change. Convinced that water resistance would turn the wristwatch into a must-have for everyone, he launched the Oyster in 1926. Aware of the importance of records and discoveries, he tested his watches under extreme conditions in the company of sportspeople and explorers of the 20th century. Rolex’s innovations have indelibly marked the history of global watchmaking and bear witness to its founder’s unending quest for excellence.
Rolex’s success lies in its blend of technical innovation, timeless design, and brand prestige. From pioneering the waterproof watch to being worn on the highest peaks and deepest oceans, Rolex has cultivated a legacy of excellence over more than a century.
Origins & Founding (1905–1919)
1905: Hans Wilsdorf, a German watchmaker, and his brother-in-law Alfred Davis founded Wilsdorf & Davis in London. They specialized in assembling quality timepieces using Swiss movements and British cases.
1908: Wilsdorf registered the Rolex trademark. He wanted a short, easy-to-pronounce name that looked good on watch dials. The origin of "Rolex" is unclear, but Wilsdorf claimed it was a name that came to him like a whisper.
1910: Rolex became the first wristwatch to receive the Swiss Chronometric Precision Certificate from the Official Watch Rating Centre in Bienne.
1914: A Rolex wristwatch earned a Class A precision certificate from the Kew Observatory in England — previously reserved for marine chronometers.
1919: Due to heavy taxes in post-WWI Britain, Wilsdorf moved the company to Geneva, Switzerland, renaming it Montres Rolex S.A.
Major Innovations (1920s–1950s)
1926: The Rolex Oyster
Introduced the first waterproof wristwatch, the Oyster, featuring a hermetically sealed case.
In 1927, Mercedes Gleitze swam across the English Channel wearing an Oyster, proving its water resistance.
1931: The Perpetual Rotor
Rolex developed the first self-winding mechanism with a perpetual rotor, the basis of modern automatic watches.
1945: The Datejust
Rolex introduced the Datejust, the first automatic wristwatch with an automatically changing date display.
Tool Watch Legacy (1950s–1960s)
Rolex began developing “tool watches” for professionals in specific fields:
1953 – Submariner: The first dive watch water-resistant to 100m, worn by James Bond in early films.
1954 – GMT-Master: Developed with Pan Am Airlines for pilots to track two time zones.
1956 – Day-Date: The first wristwatch to show both day and date spelled out.
1956 – Milgauss: Designed for scientists, resistant to strong magnetic fields.
Prestige & Pop Culture (1970s–1990s)
Rolex watches became symbols of status and success, worn by figures like Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, and Sir Edmund Hillary (who took a Rolex on the 1953 Everest expedition).
Explorer II (1971) and Sea-Dweller (deep-sea diving) added to the rugged lineup.
During the quartz crisis of the 1970s, Rolex stayed committed to mechanical watches and maintained its reputation for craftsmanship and durability.
Modern Era (2000s–Present)
Rolex remains privately held, owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, which reinvests profits into the brand and charitable efforts.
The brand expanded and refined its production with in-house calibers, ceramic bezels, and proprietary materials like Oystersteel, Everose gold, and Parachrom hairsprings.
Rolex sponsors prestigious events in tennis, golf, yachting, and motorsports, and supports environmental and humanitarian initiatives through its Rolex Awards for Enterprise.
