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Contents . Company history Classic and current Rolex models Philanthropy Rolex sponsoring Current position of the company. The beginning.
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Contents. • Company history • Classic and current Rolex models • Philanthropy • Rolex sponsoring • Current position of the company
The beginning... • Rolex a name that has become a social phenomenon; originally a trade mark, it is now a status symbol of the 20th century. As the name of a man's watch, it is synonymous with the modern world-sports, wealth, refinement and a dynamic lifestyle. Certainly on July 2nd 1908, at 8 am, when Hans Wilsdorf registered the mark Rolex under the number 24001, he could not have imagined that only 80 years later his creation would have become the largest and most powerful watch manufacturer in the world.
History (main dates) • 1905 - Hans Wildorf establishes a London firm specialising in the distribution of watches, “Wilsdorf & Davis”. • 1908 - Wilsdorf coins a brand name in which to sign his creations: Rolex. • 1910 - In Switzerland, Rolex obtains the first official chronometer certification ever awarded to a wristwatch. • 1914 - The Kew Observatory in Great Britain awards the Rolex wristwatch a CLASS A precision certificate. • 1926 - Rolex develops and patents the first airtight, dustproof and waterproof watch - named the Oyster. • 1927 - The Rolex Oyster crosses the English Channel unscathed. • 1931 - Birth of the Perpetual Rotor, a self winding mechanism later found in every modern automatic watch. • 1945 - The Oyster Datejust is invented. The first watch to display the date automatically. • 1953 - Rolex has created the diving watch of reference - the Submariner. • 1954 - The Oyster Perpetual Ladydate is introduced. • 1955 - The Oyster GMT Master is designed making it possible to read the time in any two time zones. • 1956 - The Oyster Day-Date is created. • 1960 - The so called Bathyscaphe is created and plunges 35,787 feet into the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean. • 1967 - The Oyster Sea-Dweller is invented - waterproof to a depth of 610 m / 2001 ft. • 1971 - The Oyster Explorer II is designed. • 1978 - The Oyster Perpetual Date Sea-Dweller is tested waterproof to a depth of 1220 m / 4003 ft. • 1988 - The first Cosmograph Daytona is fitted with a perpetual rotor. • 1992 - A new model is added to the Professioanl range - the Yacht-Master. • 1992 - Patrick Heiniger replaced his father as Rolex's managing director • 2004 - Submariner celebrates its 50th Anniversary. Rolex celebrates with a special commemorative model with a green bezel and unique black dial.
Features & benefits • Variety of materials used to fit into a broad range of prices; • Screw down crown: helps make watch water resistant to 330 feet minimum; • Ensures the customer that the watch can be worn without fear of dust or water penetration; • Synthetic Sapphire Crystal: Assures excellent durability, "Virtually Scratch proof", will not fade or discolor, are thicker than others so they're more durable; • Perpetual Chronometer movement: self-winding, never needs a battery; • Accuracy: -1 to +5 seconds per day; • Historically, mechanical watches are the longest lasting and most durable; • Reliability and Longevity: A generational watch, can proudly be passed from one generation to the next. Expected lifespan can be twenty years plus (with normal maintenance).
The Oyster (1926) The world’s first waterproof watch. Mercedes Gleitze wore a Rolex Oyster when she swam across the English Channel in 1927, thereby making the Rolex the first watch to cross the English channel.
The Oyster Explorer (1953) Developed for mountaineering and worn by Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary in the Everest expedition in 1953.
The Submariner (1953) The divers' watch of choice and an icon for Rolex today. The James Bond watch of choice was the Rolex Submariner until Seiko and Omega muscled in. Rolex is the watch worn by Bond in the original Ian Fleming novels.
The Daytona (1960) The Oyster Yacht-Master (1955) Featuring dual time zone display. Providing a unique speed measurement feature, the Cosmograph tachymeter.
What makes Rolex Watches Unique Rolex is a watch known for its innovation, durability, high quality and accuracy. It is a watch particularly favored by elite sport persons. Rolex stands apart for its rugged yet elegant design which can be worn during any occasion. The submariner especially epitomizes these qualities.
Philanthropy Rolex has a tradition of supporting exceptional talent, quality and achievement. Rolex complementary philanthropic programs, The Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative and The Rolex Awards for Enterprise both recognize individuals who excel at what they do. Furthermore the initiatives aim to make a meaningful contribution to the world in which we live.
Sponsoring In 1959 Rolex lent its support to a little-known car race called the Daytona Continental. This 1000-mile (1600 km) test of human and machine stamina (now known as the Rolex 24 at Daytona) was the first sporting event ever sponsored by Rolex. Not surprising when one considers that success there depended on endurance, concentration and timing.
Sponsoring Rolex has sponsored equestrian events since 1957 – an excellent pairing of timepieces and riders, with both displaying their common characteristics of grace, style and excellent timing. Their commitment to riders and equestrian events has but grown over the years. Today Rolex is involved in four disciplines: show-jumping, dressage, enventing and polo.
Sponsoring In 1967, Rolex presented Arnold Palmer with a Rolex timepiece in recognition of his achievements on the golf course. This was the beginning of a long and continuing association with the world of golf. Today Rolex supports some of the most prestigious tournaments at many of the world’s most beautiful – and challenging – venues.
Sponsoring In 1979 Rolex became the Official Timekeeper for the world’s oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament: Wimbledon. This competition – with its centennial traditions and outstanding play – incarnates nothing less than the essence of the sport. Twenty-five years later, it is still the only tennis event with which Rolex is associated.
Sponsoring Rolex has been associated with the world of yachting since the early 1960s. Over time, sponsorship has grown to include many of the discipline’s most challenging events: from offshore classics like the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the Rolex Fasten Race to prestige regattas such as the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup. Today Rolex holds a unique position in this domain, due to the length and breadth of its commitment.
Sponsoring Excellence, performance and passion are qualities common to both Rolex timepieces and superlative artistic endeavors. That’s why Rolex has actively supported culture for nearly half a century. Ever since the 1970s when it selected soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa to be one of its first Ambassadors, Rolex has consistently supported initiatives in opera, classical music and jazz.
Current position of the company Today about 3'000 people in over 130 countries work for Rolex. They have celebrated the product of their 10 millionth watch and it is an event that shows how, according to the Rolex philosophy, expertise and tradition can be the key to long term success in the Geneva watch making industry. Nearly one hundred years later, the Rolex Watch Company is stronger than ever and produces an impressive selection of fine quality timepieces at surprisingly affordable prices. So whether you are looking for a less expensive Rolex timepiece for casual wear or something more exclusive and special, there is definitely a Rolex that is perfect for you. It's no wonder that Rolex watches continue to be the most popular watches in the world.
