How was Rolex founded and by who
Rolex is a luxury watch brand that was founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis in London, England. Initially, the company was known as Wilsdorf and Davis and specialized in the distribution of timepieces to jewelers.
In 1908, the company registered the trademark “Rolex” and moved its operations to Switzerland. The brand’s first wristwatch was created in 1910, and by 1914, Rolex had earned a reputation for producing high-quality, accurate timepieces.
During the 1920s, Rolex made several technological advancements, including the development of the first waterproof wristwatch, the Rolex Oyster, which was launched in 1926. This watch was worn by Mercedes Gleitze, a British swimmer, as she crossed the English Channel, and it proved to be completely water-resistant.
Throughout the 20th century, Rolex continued to innovate and develop new technologies. The company created the first self-winding wristwatch in 1931, which was powered by the wearer’s movement, and the first watch with a date display in 1945, the Rolex Datejust.
In the 1950s, Rolex introduced the GMT-Master, a watch designed for pilots that featured a second time zone, and the Submariner, a dive watch that was water-resistant to 100 meters. These watches became popular with both professionals and enthusiasts, and helped solidify Rolex’s reputation as a luxury watch brand.
Today, Rolex is one of the most recognizable and prestigious watch brands in the world, with a reputation for quality and durability. Its watches are popular with collectors, and some of its vintage models have sold for millions of dollars at auction. Rolex’s dominance in the luxury watch market is due to its long history of innovation, attention to detail, and commitment to quality.
