When we hear or see Rolex watches, the first thing that springs to mind is an expensive watch. Yes, Rolex is one of the most costly watches on the market. Rolex has come to signify precision, quality, and elegance as the most renowned and famous luxury watch brand of this era. Rolex is the go-to watch brand and the first brand that most people think of when they think of luxury watches, owing to the company’s enormous international popularity.
Interesting Facts About Rolex
Interested in learning more about their methods of operation? What actions do they take to recognize their brand as one of the best timepieces of all time? Today, we will not discuss the Rolex collection or the watches they sell. Instead, we will discuss Rolex’s interesting facts that may surprise you. And why, for many decades, the Rolex has been successful for watch collectors or beginners. Without further ado, let us get started on our topic.
1. Rolex watches are handcrafted
The first amazing fact is that anything done by hand produces outstanding outcomes. Even in an age when machines can perform most jobs, Rolex watches are still handcrafted. Painstakingly and carefully build to ensure they match the high standards that Rolex strives to maintain. A watchmaker must assemble the complex movements into the Rolex watch, which is the most demanding and time-consuming operation. They inspect each Rolex watch to ensure that they satisfy high standards.
2. The Oyster casing was the first waterproof case
Rolex introduced the oyster casing as a water-resistant material in watches in 1926. It was a turning point in watchmaking history since watches were not entirely watertight due to their inability to prevent water from entering the casing. They screwed down the bezel, case back, and crown of the Oyster case to the prime case using a proprietary method. Rolex not only invented the first waterproof wristwatch in 1926, but they were also the first firm to mass-produce it.
3. Rolex Oyster watches are pressure-tested
Inspecting or performing any process on Rolex watches is not a new concept for the Rolex brand. Rolex Oyster watches have undergone further testing to guarantee they are worth the cost. To guarantee the Rolex Oyster is waterproof, several processes take involved this procedure, including placing the watch in a sensitive air-pressure chamber to determine if the casing has any air leaks
4. The gold used by Rolex are made in-house
Rolex manufactures their gold. In the world of watchmaking, having an in-house movement is considered distinguished and demonstrates a strong enthusiasm for the craft. Rolex even manufactures its gold in-house, proving that it is not like other watchmakers and compromises on quality. They have complete control over the manufacturing and fabrication processes, allowing them to assure the material’s quality and appearance. Rolex is the only watchmaking company that produces its gold and in-house foundry.
5. Rolex made it to the deepest part of the ocean
You’ll be surprised to learn that a Rolex watch has smashed a number of records on an underwater expedition. On his Deepsea Challenge expedition in 2012, James Cameron went into the Mariana Trench. He was wearing a Rolex Deepsea Challenge timepiece that was resistant to 12,000 meters (39,370 feet). This watch is now one of the best-selling dive watches.
6. The brand became popular during World War II
Rolex is well-known for its high precision, quality, and longevity, all of which the military required from their timepieces. During WWII, many British Royal Air Force pilots wore Rolex watches. However, Nazi forces frequently took them because they understood how good and trustworthy they were. Rolex made a significant contribution to its reputation. Later, Rolex provided British soldiers with replacement watches. Rolex became a great icon because of this.
7. The Rolex headquarters are more secure than a high-security jail
We’re all aware of the Rolex brand’s popularity and the amount of money that goes into each of their watches. They have increased security to ensure that no one steals or causes chaos in their firm. However, one of the ways they safeguard it is that the headquarters has bars of Everose gold worth $1,000,000. Employee fingerprint scanners, bank vault doors, iris scanners are all available at the headquarters. They even have disguised armoured vehicles to transport Rolex parts from place to place.
8. A Rolex Daytona sold for $17,752,500 in 2017
Let’s talk about one of the outstanding watches sold by the Rolex brand. This auction smashed all records and resulted in the most expensive wristwatch ever sold at auction. They auctioned the famous “Paul Newman” Daytona, owned by the man from whom the model received its name, in 2017. A 1968 Rolex Reference 6239 Daytona sold for a stunning $17.7 million to an unknown buyer over the phone in October 2017 at Phillips’ first watch auction in New York City.
9. A Rolex watch takes roughly a year to manufacture
Next, we’ll be able to appreciate Rolex’s watchmaking even more. A Rolex does not appear to be unreasonably expensive, according to a Rolex commercial. Rolex watches are only partially accurate since it takes a year to manufacture all the many components that go into a Rolex. But once manufactured, it takes four hours to put them together. Exactly, for this reason, a Rolex watch possesses exceptional quality.
10. Rolex is a charitable organization
Following the loss of his wife, Hans Wilsdorf established the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation in 1944. Rolex compensates its employees and donates the remainder of their profits to charity, which is why the company of Rolex classifies as a non-profit organization. They hid every Rolex Foundation’s donations from the public. They’re doing wonderful things without asking anything in return.
Conclusion
We all know that Rolex is one of the top watch brands that meet the expectations of all watch collectors. Given that this brand produces high-end and luxury timepieces, the majority of them are expensive. You should be familiar with the facts about this brand before venturing forward. The facts stated above are only a few examples of what Rolex has done for its company.