ROLEX AMBASSADORS

Among its long path, Rolex has been represented by many figures of many kinds. Ambassadors coming from the arts such as Cecilia Bartoli, Michael Bublé or Plácido Domingo; equestrians like Meredith Michael – Beerbaum or Rodrigo Pessoa; golfers such as Luke Donald, Retief Goosen or Trevor Immelman to tennis players like Roger Federer or Ana Ivanovic.

Yachting

Paul Cayard

Paul Pierre Cayard was born May 19, 1959. Rolex Ambassador’s Cayard is an American yachtsman who has participated in a wide range of world championship sailing events including the America’s Cup, the Volvo Ocean Race and the Olympic Games, between many others. In 1998 he was selected as the Rolex Yachtsmen of the Year. Cayard has twice participated in the Olympic Games and five times in the America’s Cup, in addition to winning seven world championships.

Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II

Tennis

Roger Federer

Roger Federer was born on the 8 August, 1981. Federer is a Swiss professional tennis player currently ranked world No. 1 by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), having previously held the number one position for a record 237 consecutive weeks. Many sports analysts, tennis critics, former and current players consider Federer to be the greatest tennis player of all time

Oyster Perpetual Day-Date

Ana Ivanovic

Ana Ivanović was born in November 6, 1987, in Belgrade, Serbia. Ivanovic is a former World No. 1 Serbian tennis player ranked as World No. 11 by the Women’s Tennis Association. She won the 2008 French Open and was the runner-up in singles at the 2007 French Open and the 2008 Australian Open.

Oyster Perpetual Datejust

Skiing

Hermann Maier

Hermann Maier was born on December 7, 1972, in Altenmarkt im Pongau. Maier is an Austrian alpine ski racer that won four overall World Cup titles (1998, 2000, 2001, 2004), two Olympic gold medals (both in 1998), three World Championship titles (1999: 2, and 2005) and 54 races on the World Cup circuit.

Oyster Perpetual Datejust Turn-O-Graph

Golf

Luke Donald

Luke Campbell Donald was born on 7 December, 1977. Campbell Donald is an English golfer who plays mainly on the U.S. based PGA Tour but, is also a member of the European Tour. In 2006 he reached the top ten in the Official World Golf Rankings for the first time in his career. In January 2007, he reached a career high ranking of 7 and was briefly the highest ranked European golfer. He has spent over 50 weeks in the top-10.

Oyster Perpetual Datejust Turn-O-Graph

Retief Goosen

Retief Goosen was born 3 February 1969. Goosen is a South African professional golfer who has been in the top ten in the Official World Golf Rankings for over 250 weeks between 2001 and 2007. His main achievements have been two U.S. Open wins (in 2001 and 2004) and also heading the European Tour Order of Merit (money list) in 2001 and 2002.

Oyster Perpetual Datejust

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Filed under: Luxury, Luxury Sports Watches, luxury watches, Mens, Rolex, Rolex Accuracy, Rolex Chronograph, Rolex Datejust, Rolex Day Date, Rolex Day Date President, Rolex Daytona, Rolex Explorer, ROLEX HISTORY, Rolex in Movies, Rolex Kew A, Rolex Lady's Watches, Rolex Movements, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex President, Rolex Prince, Rolex Quartz Watches, Rolex Releases 2009, Rolex Sea Dweller, Rolex SeaDweller, Rolex Submariner, ROLEX THE KEW “A”, Rolex Watch, rolex watches, Seamaster, Sports, Timepiece, Vintage, Watch, Watches, Water resistant, Womens, wristwatches

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Rolesor, Oyster Perpetual Datejust II, Oyster Perpetual Datejust Rolesor 36mm 2009

Oyster Perpetual Datejust RolesorOyster Perpetual Datejust Rolesor, the world’s most recognized and recognizable watch was created sixty years ago and still remains as eternally and modern as it was first conceived, according to the vagaries of fashion. The new Datejust II
Rolesor for men and the Datejust Rolesor 36 mm for ladies, with gem-set bezel, are
proof.
The Oyster Perpetual Datejust Rolesor no only represents an archetype of timeless
Luxury but also embraces all the latest watchmaking innovations to meet the most demanding technological requirements.
Oyster was the first waterproof and dustproof wristwatch entirely designed and manufactured by Rolex in 1926. The movement of the watch receives its energy from the Perpetual rotor (the first self-winding mechanism with a free rotor) created in 1931. The Datejust made its debut in 1945, its name was inspired by the date displayed in a window on the watch dial. The Oyster Perpetual Datejust Rolesor is the hallmark of the Rolex brand. Precise, waterproof, self-winding, this officially-certified Swiss chronometer with date display is crafted with only the noblest of materials and assembled with the greatest of care.

Oyster Perpetual Datejust II With White or Yellow Rolesor

The Datejust II Rolesor represents a must-have between those who appreciate extraordinary timepieces. Its case, which comes in yellow or white Rolesor, is available for the first time in 41 mm and merges optimal comfort with the elegance of refinement. It is fitted with a fluted bezel, the watch is waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet).
The movement, the Datejust II features a calibre entirely designed and manufactured by Rolex. It also has a Parachrom hairspring, highly resistant to shocks and magnetic fields, as well as new Paraflex shock absorbers, which ensure its superlative chronometric precision and remarkable reliability. The movement is chronometer-certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) and has a power reserve of 48 hours.
The Datejust II features original dials that are, at once, contemporary and altogether classic available on an Oyster bracelet, fitted with an Oysterclasp and Easylink extension link, providing additional wearer comfort.

Descriptions of the Models

Reference: 116333-72213
Yellow Rolesor case
Fluted bezel in yellow gold
Slate dial, black Roman numerals (fine green border)

Reference: 116334-72210
White Rolesor case
Fluted bezel in white gold
White dial, hour markers

Reference: 116333-72213
Yellow Rolesor case
Fluted bezel in yellow gold
Black dial, Arabic numerals

Reference: 116334-72210
White Rolesor case
Fluted bezel in white gold
Rhodium dial, blue Arabic numerals

Oyster Perpetual Datejust Rolesor 36mm

Oyster Perpetual Datejust Yellow or White Rolesor, 36 mm

The new Oyster Perpetual Datejust Rolesor, in this resolutely feminine version, continues
the tradition of being a timeless companion of women who

are both sure of themselves and their aesthetic preferences, it is entirely adaptable to every attitude, occasion and lifestyle.
The 36 mm case combines optimal comfort and elegant refinement. Waterproof to a depth
of 100 metres (330 feet), it now, for the first time, features a bezel set with brilliant-cut
diamonds. The Datejust is also equipped with a movement entir

ely designed and manufactured by Rolex. Its chronometer-certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) and. It has a power reserve of 48 hours. The Datejust is available on an Oyster bracelet fitted with an Oysterclasp and Easylink extension link, or a Jubilee bracelet with a Crownclasp. Both features ensure optimal
wearer comfort and the perfect finishing touch.

Descriptions of the Models

Reference: 116243-72603
Yellow Rolesor case
Bezel set with 52 brilliant-cut diamonds
Silver dial with floral motif and Arabic numerals (at 6 and 9 o’clock)
Oyster bracelet

Reference: 116244-63600
White Rolesor case
Bezel set with 52 brilliant-cut diamonds
Pink dial with floral motif and Arabic numerals (at 6 and 9 o’clock)
Jubilee bracelet

Reference: 116243-63603
Yellow Rolesor case
Bezel set with 52 brilliant-cut diamonds
Aqua green dial with floral motif and Arabic numerals (at 6 and 9 o’clock)
Jubilee bracelet

Reference: 116244-72600
White Rolesor case
Bezel set with 52 brilliant-cut diamonds
Bronze dial with floral motif and Arabic numerals (at 6 and 9 o’clock)
Oyster bracelet

Descriptions of the Models

Reference: 116243-72603
Yellow Rolesor case
Bezel set with 52 brilliant-cut diamonds
Green waves dial, gem-set Arabic numerals (at 6 and 9 o’clock)
Oyster bracelet

Reference: 116244-63600
White Rolesor case
Bezel set with 52 brilliant-cut diamonds
Pink mother-of-pearl dial with 10 diamonds
Jubilee bracelet

Reference: 116243-63603
Yellow Rolesor case
Bezel set with 52 brilliant-cut diamonds
Black mother-of-pearl dial with 10 diamonds
Jubilee bracelet

Reference: 116244-72600
White Rolesor case
Bezel set with 52 brilliant-cut diamonds
Rhodium waves dial, gem-set Arabic numerals (at 6 and 9 o’clock)
Oyster bracelet.

Filed under: Rolex, Rolex 2009, Rolex Accuracy, Rolex Chronograph, Rolex Datejust, Rolex Day Date, Rolex Day Date President, Rolex Explorer, ROLEX HISTORY, Rolex Kew A, Rolex Lady's Watches, Rolex Movements, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex President, Rolex Prince, Rolex Quartz Watches, Rolex Releases 2009, Rolex Sea Dweller, Rolex SeaDweller, Rolex Submariner, ROLEX THE KEW “A”, Rolex Watch, rolex watches, Rolex: THE GMT-MASTER

Eric Clapton’s Watch Collection

(Eric Clapton)

Eric Patrick Clapton was born in 30^th March, 1945. Eric is an English blues-rock guitarist, singer, songwriter and composer, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of the Yardbirds, then Cream and also as a solo performer. He was often considered to be by critics and fans as one of a kind musician, one of the greatest guitarists of all time. Clapton was ranked fourth in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” and #53 on their list of the Immortals: 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

(Eric Clapton at a concert)

Although Clapton has varied his musical style throughout his career and so he is qualified as an innovator in a wide diversity of genres. These include blues-rock (with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and the Yardbirds) and psychedelic rock (with Cream). Additionally, Clapton’s chart success was not limited to the blues, with chart-toppers in Delta Blues (Me and Mr. Johnson), pop (“Change the World”) and reggae (Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff”).

(Rolex Daytona)

Five of his most well known songs, those that have been sang for years: Before You Accuse Me, Wonderful Tonight, Tears In Heaven, Pretending and Change The World (Between a wide range of great songs).

(Rolex Chronograph Antimagnetic)

Those watches that are able to measure time with extreme precision are those for which we invest more money.

(Rolex Daytona)

Eric Clapton owns a watch collection, a very exclusive one, brought together as a consequence of the beauty and precision they share.

(Rolex Daytona)

…

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Filed under: Eric Patrick Clapton, Eric Patrick Clapton's Watch, Eric Patrick Clapton's Watch Collection, luxury watches, Rolex, Rolex Accuracy, Rolex Chronograph, Rolex Datejust, Rolex Day Date, Rolex Day Date President, Rolex Explorer, ROLEX HISTORY, Rolex Lady's Watches, Rolex Movements, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex President, Rolex Prince, Rolex Quartz Watches, Rolex Sea Dweller, Rolex SeaDweller, Rolex Submariner, ROLEX THE KEW “A”, Rolex Watch, rolex watches, Watch, Watches, Womens

Rolex Lady’s Watches

THE LADY’S ROLEX

At the very beginning, when Wilsdorf and Davis established the original company, the wristwatches they produced were exclusively for ladies. All of these watches used Aegler movements signed “Rebberg” below the dial. The simple early lady’s watches are classic “transitional” pieces and were tonneau, baguette and rectangular models introduced around 1920. The first ones to incorporate the movement made exclusively for Rolex by Aegler.

During the war years Rolex focused on the production of man’s steel Oyster and the lady’s one were ignored till the Rolex Jubilee in November, 1945, when Rolex introduced two Jubilee models in which was included the lady’s version of the Perpetual, model 4487. Ten years later, at Basel Spring Fair, an Oyster Perpetual Chronometer lady’s version was introduced.

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Filed under: Rolex Chronograph, Rolex Datejust, Rolex Day Date, Rolex Lady's Watches, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex President, Rolex Prince, Rolex Sea Dweller, Rolex Submariner

Rolex: THE GMT-MASTER

(Rolex: THE GMT-MASTER)

Pan American Airways was the first airline to make intercontinental flights with the 707 aircraft. Pan- American was worried about the effect of “Jet-Lag” on its pilots to commission a research and as a result, the company asked Rolex to develop a watch that could keep their pilots knowing their home time and the local time to which they had reached. In remarkably short order the task force produced the “G.M.T. Master” (model 6542), named after Greenwich Mean Time, the world’s standard time. The GMT Master featured a 1035 calibre movement upgraded with the addition of a supplementary 24 hour driving wheel. This new movement was called calibre 1065 powered now four hands where the new hand was complemented by a rotable 24 hour bezel. In 1976, approximately, the GMT Master started featuring the hacking second’s movement and a few years later the “quickset” attribute was also added. Finally, the sapphire crystal was added.
The second and newest model was the GMT-Master II, model 16710, featuring the new calibre 3085 movement which allowed the hour hand to be moved forward and backwards in precise one hour jumps without losing the precise accuracy which was usually the reason the watch was bought in the first place.

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Filed under: Rolex Chronograph, Rolex Datejust, Rolex Explorer, ROLEX HISTORY, Rolex Kew A, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex Prince, Rolex Sea Dweller, Rolex Submariner, Rolex: THE GMT-MASTER

ROLEX: THE KEW “A”

In the 50s Rolex undertook the challenge of submitting its watches to the Royal Observatory at Kew for chronometer testing. Almost all of the tested watches passed and received the coveted Kew “A” certificates and the distinction of “especially good results” meaning that they produced rating in the top 20% of the accuracy needed to obtain a Kew “A” certificate. It was confirmed that the daily variation was less than half a second.

After obtaining their certificates, the movements were returned to Switzerland and cased prior to sale. Some of them required multiple testing so it was quite common for watches with sequential movement numbers to have case numbers all over the place

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Filed under: Rolex Chronograph, Rolex Datejust, Rolex Explorer, ROLEX HISTORY, Rolex Kew A, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex Prince, Rolex Sea Dweller, Rolex Submariner

Rolex Sea Dweller Watch

THE SEA DWELLER

While the Submariner was capable of working at the depths the divers did, the long exposure to high pressures had not been anticipated by its designers. The Subamriner was designed to be waterproof and airtight and to survive the pressures of the deep water.

Rolex and Comex (COmpagnie Maritime d’EXpertise) started working together in order to design a watch that would be efficient enough to work properly under the conditions the industrial deep-sea diving as Comex is the world leader in sub-sea engineering and in manned and unmanned sub-sea interventions, scoured all the seas on earth and worked at depths of over 300 meters. Although both companies working together first took one normal Submariner and modified it till they reached the perfect model: “The Submariner 2000 Sea Dweller”. The divers require the best equipment that is available because precision and perfection according to watch quality can mean the difference between life and death. The Sea Dweller differs from a regular Submariner by being much thicker and heavier. It has no “Cyclops” date lens because the glass because of the glass thickness placing the lens at a greater distance from the date disc. According to its bracelet it is machined from solid metal.

The advantage of the Sea Dweller over a Submariner is its ability to undergo repeated compression/decompression cycles in a helium-oxygen atmosphere.

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Filed under: Rolex Accuracy, Rolex Datejust, Rolex Explorer, ROLEX HISTORY, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex Prince, Rolex Sea Dweller, Rolex Submariner, Rolex Watch, rolex watches, Watch, Watches, Womens

Rolex Submariner Watch

THE SUBMARINER

In 1954 Basel, Rolex presented the Submariner model, Rolex pride. The model number 6204 watch was waterproof to a more realistic 200 meters (or 660 feet). It was sold as the watch that was the diver’s friend. When the development of the SCUBA (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) diving as a sport really began to take off toward the end of the fifties, a reliable watch was needed as much as a reliable oxygen tank. Rolex developed the Submariner 6204, which had simple parallel hands and it had no protective shoulders by the winding crown and the rotating bezel had only five minute markers. Two years later, this model was replaced by two Submariner models. Theses ones were: the 6538 model (waterproof to 660 feet) and the 6536 model (waterproof only to 330 feet), commonly known by collectors as the “James Bond” models. Then, although the model was redefined it kept the same model number and it introduced a more robust case with bezel markings for the first 15 minutes and a red triangle at the 12 position. Besides, it featured a larger “Triplock” style crown which had the “Brevette” sign under the crown or patented around the circumference. The watch had an officially certified chronometer powered by the new 1030 movement.
When model 5512 was launched in 1959, the new case featured the protective shoulders which defended the weakest part of the watch from inadvertent knocks and harms underwater. The new Submariner was launched on the back of Jacques Piccard’s latest adventure where he dove into a new record depth of 25, 798 feet (10.916 meters). The watch was exposed to pressures of over seven tons per square inch, the watch was found in perfect conditions with no evidence of moisture inside the case.
In 1965, when the 1565 calibre movement was fitted to the Submariner divers had the joy of combining the benefits of both chronometers movements and date function in one watch. The new model’s number was: 1680.

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Filed under: Brands History, Mens, Rolex, Rolex Accuracy, Rolex Chronograph, ROLEX HISTORY, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex Prince, Rolex Submariner, Rolex Watch, rolex watches, Watch, Watches, Womens

Rolex Explorer Watch

THE EXPLORER

With black dial, large luminous triangle marker at 12 and luminous Arabic numerals for the other quarters, The Explorer is one of the most recognizable Rolex watch together with the Datejust. An explorer watch is the one that has its dial described. It was first designed and made in honor of Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay, the first to reach the summit of Everest wearing Rolex watches. The Explorer was design for explorers and so it had a high visibility dial, an extra strong case and, under request, they could even be lubricated with a special oil which could withstand temperatures between -20ºC and + 40 ºC without changes in its viscosity. The Rolex Explorer line was designed with extremely challenging conditions in mind. This Rolex watch line was the one that received first the triangle marker at the top of the dial.

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Filed under: Brands History, Mens, Rolex, Rolex Accuracy, Rolex Chronograph, Rolex Datejust, Rolex Explorer, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex Prince, Rolex Watch, rolex watches, Watch, Watches, Womens

Rolex Datejust Watch

THE DATEJUST

In 1942, with the introduction of the bubbleback powered by a perpetual version of the classic 10 – 1/2”’ Hunter, Rolex made one of the most significant movements of its history. This new model had two additions: a sweep seconds hand and a date disc visible though and aperture in the dial at 3.
The first Datejust was a seminal one, a model and a design that would last for the next 50 years. This model is still the most beautiful of the Datejusts. Even though the registered name was Ritedate, by the time the watch was presented, it was called “Datejust” and the model was “Jubilee”, applied later to the bracelet.
The date function also retained its alternating red and black numbers, presumably to let the wearer know that the date had indeed changed. The only obvious change was when Rolex introduced the Cyclops date magnifier at Basel becoming a signature for the Rolex line.
The stainless and gold Datejust was introduced around 1962 and has proven to be one of the most popular models Rolex has ever produced. The new “two-tone” look not only fit the times, but also enabled Rolex to increase the margins on a very popular watch.
Since the end of the 1980s, all Datejust have been equipped with a “sapphire” crystal. This crystal is sliced out of a lab-grown sapphire with the Cyclops date window cut from a smaller crystal and the applied.

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Filed under: Brands History, Mens, Rolex, Rolex Accuracy, Rolex Chronograph, Rolex Datejust, ROLEX HISTORY, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex Prince, Rolex Watch, rolex watches, Watch, Watches, Womens

Rolex Chronograph

THE CHRONOGRAPH

In 1930, when sportsmen begun to demand chronographs, Rolex started to fulfill that demand. Seven years later, Rolex catalogue shows for the first time the chronographs wristwatches. Rolex chose 10- ½” to 14” movements in one button models allowing the customers to time a single continuous event. The demand came not only from racing spectators, but also from anyone whose profession required having an accurate measuring of and exact elapsed time.
In the late 30s, the real breakthrough happened as a consequence of the two button configuration making possible for the customers to stop the timing for breaks in the action.
The “Zerograph” is one of the most interesting Rolex Chronographs. It was produced in very limited quantities at the end of the 1930s. It had a 10-1/2”’ Hunter sweep seconds movement, it was the first model to feature the Oyster crown.
Afterwards, the first Oyster Chronograph was the model 4500. Models: 6232 and 3668 followed model 4500 and the proved to be as unpopular as the first one. The reason: the depths of World War II.
After years of making imperceptible and trivial changes, Rolex reached the final watch: The Cosmograph (model 6239), one of the most popular watches ever produced.
In the late 1970s, when Rolex introduced the 6263 Cosmograph, the model was the first to have truly waterproofed pushers. The screw down pushers were added because the customers kept trying to operate the push buttons while the watch was underwater so that let water into the movement. Another advantage of the locking buttons was that it also prevented inadvertent operation pushers.

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Filed under: Brands History, Mens, Rolex Accuracy, Rolex Chronograph, ROLEX HISTORY, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex Prince, Rolex Watch, rolex watches, Watch, Watches

Rolex Accuracy

ACCORDING TO ACCURACY

Wilsdorf was the visionary man who created an accurate wristwatch that can be compared to the finest contemporary mechanical chronometers around the globe.
In 1905, when Wilsdorf and Alfred James Davis created Wilsdorf & Davis they never imagined how important the company would become. At the very beginning, the company was just two businessmen trying to make a living in a hard environment. When Wilsdorf registered “Rolex” as the trade mark in Switzerland and began to use the name inside the watches on movements and cases, he then started advertising the name in order to make people asking for the watches by their name: Rolex.
In 1914, perfected Rebberg obtained a Kew A certificate for one of their 11”’ movements. The Royal Observatory at Kew (in London) was an outstation of the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, where all the initial work on accurate time keeping had been initiated such as: the search for a method of accuracy finding longitude, the institution of an universal time standard, the development of the first marine chronometer and the establishment of a central facility to test timepieces and certify them were all products of Greenwich. Its principal purpose was to teste marine chronometers, whose accuracy was vital to marine navigation until the 1930’s. The Kew tests were designed to time watches for the Royal Navy would offer to purchase it. Beyond that, based on the chronometer tests at Kew major manufacturers could state that their watches were the most accurate in the world becoming another powerful sales promotion device. Wilsdorf put Rolex watches through such test. Rolex was the only watch in the world to hold a Kew A certificate, getting to promote the success.
In order to avoid hurting the watches badly while they were imported to London, Hans Wilsdorf was finally convinced to move the administrative offices of the company from London to Geneva. Later, when it started exporting to United States of America, Wilsdorf made another astute move. While the European market was sinking as a consequence of the war, the American one was rising from the dust. Once again, Rolex was in the right place at the right time.

Filed under: Brands History, Mens, Rolex, Rolex Accuracy, ROLEX HISTORY, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex Prince, Rolex Watch, rolex watches, Watch, Watches, Womens

Rolex Prince

After Davis sold his shares to Wilsdorf and Aegler they both got to be the directors of Rolex Company. Just over a year later on October 1, 1927, the patent number 120849 was granted for the movement that was to be named Prince. The main advantage of the movement design was that, by placing the winding barrel and the balance at opposite ends of the watch, they could each be much larger than if they were arrayed closely to each other, as would be the case in a normal round watch.
The Rolex Prince watch proved to be one of the most accurate wristwatches made to date. The accuracy comes from the very high quality balance wheel, which most unusually for a wristwatch used solid gold screws to add extra weight and, thus, momentum. The watch also had a very high quality finish to the whole escapement, even the wheels. All of these efforts went to ensuring the accuracy of the Prince.

(Rolex’s latest style, the “Prince,” in 18k rose gold)

Many years went by… many models were designed.

The name Marconi was the fourth brand name that Wilsdorf registered. Rolex was registered in 1908, Omigra later the same year, Elvira the following year, and then Marconi Lever, registered as a name for watches and watch parts.
Marconi was, of course, named after Gugliemo Marconi who successfully sent radio signals over the Atlantic Ocean in 1901. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for physics in 1909 in recognition of this achievement.
By the time the Marconi brand hit the market, it had one small problem: Marconi was a figure whose time had passed.

According to LON, Wilsdorf had gone though a phase of registering company and brand names in 1919 and 1920. On March 17, 1919, to celebrate the end of the “war to end all wars” and the foundation of the League of Nations (the predecessor to the U.N.) in Geneva, he registered the name LON (League of Nations) as a brand name. At the same time, he also registered the names Brex and Unicorn Lever. Unicorn took over from Marconi and a few years later it was joined by Rolco, a simple contraction of “ROLex Company”.

In 1946, the year Rolex celebrated their 40th anniversary or jubilee, it introduced its most expensive watch, the “Datejust”. At the same time Rolex launched its final attempt at penetrating the lower cost watch market: the Tudor which was, at first, symbolized with a stylized rose, representing the Tudor rose. Then it was replaced with a stylized shield.
Rolex Tudor was at first, introduced as a “workingman’s” watch. The people most often seen wearing a Tudor watch are the ones leading an active lifestyle requiring a sturdy watch with good timekeeping abilities. Although the Tudor movements may have fewer jewels than the traditional Rolex, they are just as good time keeping as their more expensive “sister brand” watches and also just as durable.

In 1932, the company introduced a new pocket watch movement, the “Rolex Prince Imperial”. This new movement was redesigned to prove one of the most accurate watches ever made by Rolex.

During the 50’s decade, two of the most esoteric models the company ever produced were introduced. The “Tru-beat” (model 6556) and the “Milgauss” (model 6541). The “True-beat” was a standard chronometer grade non-date Oyster Perpetual, but it had a dead beat sweep seconds hand that would make the second hand stop at each seconds mark before jumping to the next one. According to the “Milgauss”, it was made in response to people working in areas of high electro-magnetic radiation, such as research labs or power stations, in which the effects of radiation would make the watches unreliable because of magnetizing the balance work of a watch.

At the Basel Fairm in 1954, Rolex launched four major models: The Explorer, the Turn-O-Graph, the Submariner and the Lady’s Perpetual Chronometer. The “Turn-O-Graph” (model 6202) was a simpler version of the “Submariner”. The “Turn-O-Graph” watch was Oyster Perpetual Precision grade (non-chronometer) with luminous visibility and black dials, luminous hands and rotating bezel. The “Submariner” featured almost the same characteristics, but it was water resistant to 200 meters. It was called “The diver’s friend”. The “Submariner” together with the “President” proved to be one of the outstanding successes of the 1950’s for the Rolex Company. Two years later, the company introduced the “Date-Date” model, a very important model.

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Filed under: Brands History, Rolex, ROLEX HISTORY, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex Prince, Rolex Watch, rolex watches

Rolex Lady’s Watches

THE LADY’S ROLEX

At the very beginning, when Wilsdorf and Davis established the original company, the wristwatches they produced were exclusively for ladies. All of these watches used Aegler movements signed “Rebberg” below the dial. The simple early lady’s watches are classic “transitional” pieces and were tonneau, baguette and rectangular models introduced around 1920. The first ones to incorporate the movement made exclusively for Rolex by Aegler.

During the war years Rolex focused on the production of man’s steel Oyster and the lady’s one were ignored till the Rolex Jubilee in November, 1945, when Rolex introduced two Jubilee models in which was included the lady’s version of the Perpetual, model 4487. Ten years later, at Basel Spring Fair, an Oyster Perpetual Chronometer lady’s version was introduced.

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Filed under: Rolex, Rolex Chronograph, Rolex Datejust, Rolex Day Date, Rolex Explorer, Rolex Lady's Watches, Rolex Movements, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex President, Rolex Prince, Rolex Sea Dweller, Rolex Submariner, Rolex Watch, rolex watches

Rolex Quartz Watches

QUARTZ

(Rolex Oyster Quartz 19018)

Even though Quartz watches are much more accurate than mechanical movements, strangly Rolex produced a few. Strangely, Rolex was one of the first companies to develop quartz movement.
The Quartz Rolex was launched on June 5, 1970 as model 5100, It was the first Rolex production to have a Sapphire crystal and it featured hacking seconds and quick date change. It was an angular shaped and not and Oyster one. It was available in 18 kt gold, both yellow and white.
It is the only model that Rolex ever signed their name on as Rolex was not involved in the construction of the movement.

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Filed under: Rolex, Rolex Chronograph, Rolex Datejust, Rolex Day Date, Rolex Explorer, Rolex Lady's Watches, Rolex Movements, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Perpetual, Rolex President, Rolex Prince, Rolex Quartz Watches, Rolex Sea Dweller, Rolex Submariner, Rolex Watch, rolex watches