A Journey Through Time
When we think of luxury watches, one name stands above all others: Rolex. The brand’s iconic timepieces have become synonymous with precision, style, and status. But have you ever wondered when Rolex first made its mark on the world? Let’s take a step back in time and explore the origins of this legendary watchmaker, starting with the release of its very first model.
The Birth of Rolex: 1905
The story of Rolex begins in 1905, when Hans Wilsdorf and his brother-in-law Alfred Davis founded a watch distribution company in London. Initially, the company was known as Wilsdorf and Davis. They imported Swiss-made movements and placed them in high-quality cases, selling the watches to jewelers in the UK. Their mission was to provide precision timepieces to the growing middle class—something that was previously reserved for the elite.
But it wasn’t until 1908 that the Rolex name was born.
The Rolex Name: A Stroke of Genius
Hans Wilsdorf was a man with a vision. While his company was making waves in the world of watchmaking, he knew that branding was key to long-term success. He wanted a name that was easy to pronounce in any language, short enough to fit on the dial of a watch, and distinctive enough to stand out in a crowded market. After much thought, he came up with the name Rolex.
The story goes that Wilsdorf combined elements of the words "horological" (referring to the science of timekeeping) and "Excellence". Some also believe that he chose the name because it was similar to the sound a watch made when it was wound—“Rolex” could almost sound like a soft click of the mechanism.
In 1908, Wilsdorf officially registered Rolex as a trademark. This was the turning point for the brand’s identity.
The First Rolex Watch: 1910-1914
Though Rolex was officially named in 1908, it wasn’t until 1910 that the company achieved something truly remarkable: its first official chronometer certification.
At the time, most wristwatches were not considered accurate enough to be trusted for serious timekeeping. But Rolex changed the game. The brand’s commitment to precision and quality led it to be the first wristwatch in the world to receive the Swiss Certificate of Chronometric Precision from the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) in 1910.
Just a few years later, in 1914, Rolex achieved another breakthrough. The company received the prestigious Class A Precision Certificate from the Kew Observatory in London. This certification confirmed that the Rolex wristwatch met the standards of a high-quality marine chronometer—a significant achievement in an era when pocket watches were the standard for accurate timekeeping.
The First Waterproof Rolex: 1926
Rolex’s innovations didn’t stop with accuracy. In 1926, the brand introduced its first waterproof watch: the Rolex Oyster. The Oyster was designed with a hermetically sealed case that protected the movement from dust, moisture, and pressure. This innovation was groundbreaking, and it marked the beginning of Rolex’s reputation for producing durable and functional timepieces.
The Rolex Oyster was famously worn by Mercedes Gleitze, a British swimmer, during her historic swim across the English Channel in 1927. The watch remained in perfect condition, proving the effectiveness of its waterproof design and cementing Rolex’s reputation as a leader in innovation.
The Iconic Rolex Datejust: 1945
As the 20th century progressed, Rolex continued to release new models, each pushing the boundaries of watchmaking. In 1945, the brand introduced the Rolex Datejust, which became one of the most recognizable models in the world. The Datejust was the first wristwatch to feature an automatic date-change function—a revolutionary concept at the time. This feature allowed the date to change automatically at midnight, a convenient and practical innovation that was embraced by watch enthusiasts everywhere.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Innovation
The first Rolex watch may have been released in the early 1900s, but the company’s journey to becoming the luxury powerhouse it is today was one of constant evolution and innovation. From its precision certifications to its groundbreaking waterproof design, Rolex’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship has never wavered.
While the first Rolex watch may have been a humble start, it laid the foundation for a brand that would go on to become synonymous with excellence in the world of horology. Whether you’re a watch enthusiast or just someone who appreciates fine craftsmanship, the Rolex legacy is a testament to the power of vision, innovation, and relentless pursuit of perfection.
When Was the First Rolex Released?
To wrap it all up: the first official Rolex-branded watch debuted in 1908 when the name was trademarked, but the brand’s first significant milestone—its first chronometer-certified model—came in 1910. It was after this point that Rolex began to solidify its reputation for precision and quality, setting the stage for all of the groundbreaking innovations that would follow.
And as of today, nearly 120 years after its inception, Rolex remains a leader in the watchmaking industry, producing some of the most coveted timepieces on the market.
Let me know your thoughts—do you have a favorite Rolex model, or is there one that you’re eyeing?