Updated on October 02, 2024
Discover the world of Rolex, where innovation and tradition have merged since 1905. Through its Swiss sites, Rolex perpetuates watchmaking excellence, blending ancestral know-how with technological advances to create iconic timepieces. This article takes you to the heart of the precision, robustness and reliability for which Rolex is renowned, revealing why owning one of these watches remains a symbol of prestige and a dream for many.
From Wilsdorf to Rolex: the legacy of a watchmaking revolution
Hans Wilsdorf founded Wilsdorf & Davis in 1905 (renamed Rolex in 1908) with one mission in mind, which was to follow through his own novel vision of watchmaking with no external industrial input. More than a century later, the process is still true to his founding principles with all the necessary expertise contained within four — soon to be five — production sites in Switzerland
Craftsmanship and technological innovation
But what is this Rolex expertise, at the frontier between tradition and cutting edge? All components of the calibre, from the Parachrom and Syloxi hairsprings to the Microstella nuts, escapements, oscillating weights, discs, bridges and cogs, are made and assembled in Bienne. In Chêne-Bourg, the workshops for gem-setting, enamelling and other highly skilled crafts cohabit with the high-tech manufacturing processes for the Cerachrom ceramic components and the dials.
The alchemy of metals and the quest for the Superlative chronometer
At the neighbouring Plan-les-Ouates facility, the 18 carat yellow, white and Everose golds are melted down and then, like Oystersteel, 950 platinum and RLX titanium, they are inspected, stamped, cut, pierced and shaped into middle cases, case backs, bezels and bracelet links before receiving a satin or polished finish. Finally, the cases and movements are assembled at the Acacias site. Here, the watches undergo a series of stringent tests developed by Rolex before they receive the Superlative Chronometer certification.
A promise of reliability
Precision, water resistance, autonomy, robustness, simplicity, fine workmanship, comfort and durability are the basic qualities which set a Rolex watch apart. For any of life’s adventures, on the wrists of deep-sea explorers, aviation pioneers or top-level athletes, their unfailing reliability is guaranteed by the famous green seal and the 5-year international guarantee. Of course, such stringent demands mean your Rolex watch will not be available off the shelf but it is definitely worth the wait. You can rest assured that you won’t look at a Cosmograph Daytona, Explorer or Submariner in the same way again…
Perpetual 1908, the new face of Rolex expertise
Elegant, classic and decidedly contemporary, the Perpetual 1908 is set to become a Rolex classic. And for good reason! Named 1908 to mark the year of the brand’s birth, this future bestseller immortalises Rolex expertise with a slim case, available in 18 ct yellow or white gold, and a bezel that is part domed and part fluted. The sophisticated, carefully finished movement can be admired through the transparent case back. The sleek dial has Arabic numerals 3, 9 and 12, faceted index hour markers and a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock. A marvel of beauty backed by technology, it features the cutting-edge calibre 7140 and boasts the Superlative Chronometer certification, ensuring excellent performance on the wrist.
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