Rolex Watches: a Short History
Swiss Watchmaker Rolex is one of the most famous brand names in the world. Renown for quality and expensive prices, a Rolex is a status of success and wealth. Formed in 1905 and named Wilsdorf & Davis after its founders, the company used Swiss movements and English (Dennison) cases and assembled them in England. The name Rolex was registered in 1908.
Swiss Watchmaker Rolex is one of the most famous brand names in the world. Renown for quality and expensive prices, a Rolex is a status of success and wealth.
Formed in 1905 and named Wilsdorf & Davis after its founders, the company used Swiss movements and English (Dennison) cases and assembled them in England. The name Rolex was registered in 1908. The name was made up but no one is sure how it came about. The company moved to Geneva, Switzerland in 1912 due to the high British taxes and duties and eventually changed the name to the Rolex Watch Company in 1919, then to Montres Rolex, SA and then to the present Rolex, SA.
Rolex has contributed many innovations to the watch industry, including the first self-winding watch (manufactured in 1931), first watch to show the date, first dual time-zone, first truly waterproof watch and they actually helped develop the original quartz movement. Rolex have a reputation for ruggedness and the watch was often used by divers, mountaineers and aviators.
The company make three lines: Rolex, Tudor and Cellini. Tudor is sold in Europe and is less expensive but still of high quality. Because of its reputation, Rolex are often illegally copied and some fakes are made in solid gold and cost over $1000, making them very difficult for a laymen to distinguish from the real item.
You can find a nice selection on Amazon UK
eBay USA
On eBay UK: | Rolex Oyster Perpetual ‘1961’ Ref 1002 Box & Papers Vintage Gents Watch, 34mm £ 2,950.00 |
 | Rolex Submariner Green Men's Watch 116610LV Hulk 2017 Model BRAND NEW STICKERED £ 14,250.00 |
 | Rolex Explorer 1 36mm Ref 114270 Great Condition 2005 Boxed With Service Papers £ 4,400.00 |
 | Rolex Explorer II Ref 216570 Black Dial 42mm 2010 Excellent Condition Boxed £ 5,895.00 |
 | Rolex Datejust 36 WIDE-BOY Men's Watch Ref 1603 Generic Bracelet SERVICED. £ 2,850.00 |
 | Rolex Submariner 16613 40mm Box And Papers 2000 £ 7,995.00 |
 | rolex submariner Black date Model 16610- Cheap!!!! £ 6,250.00 |
 | ROLEX EXPLORER 36mm 2002 114270 £ 4,500.00 |
 | Rolex GMT-Master II Diamond Set Men's Black Watch - 116710LN £ 7,500.00 |
 | Rolex DateJust ‘1978’ Ref 1603 Gents Steel/Gold 36mm Vintage Watch, Serviced £ 3,450.00 |
 | Rolex Explorer Men's Black Watch - 14270 £ 4,650.00 |
 | Genuine Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 116200 Automatic Mens Watch Original Pap £ 4,750.00 |
 | Rolex Yacht-Master Platinum Automatic 40mm Watch 16622 - Box & Manuals £ 6,995.00 |
 | Rolex Oyster Datejust 16000 -quick set date-Automatic watch-Cal. 3035- year 1978 £ 2,950.00 |
 | 2024 Brand New/Unworn Rolex Datejust Smooth Oyster 41mm Wimbledon Steel 126300 £ 8,150.00 |
 | Rolex Air king Ref- 116900 WITH PAPERS (2017) £ 4,995.00 |
 | Rolex Oyster SpeedKing ‘1963’ Gents Rare Underline Dial 6430 Vintage Watch 30mm £ 1,850.00 |
 | Rolex Submariner Men's Black Watch - 126610LV - Starbucks £ 11,000.00 |
 | Rolex Submariner 14060M 40mm Steel No Date Watch-Good Condition- Year-2000s £ 5,900.00 |
 | Rolex Daytona 116523 2015 Steel/Gold - Rare Silver/Grey Dial £ 13,500.00 |
 | Rolex Oysterdate Precision 1950, 6066 30mm Vintage Patina Watch £ 750.00 |
 | Rolex Submariner Date Black - October 2018 - 116610LN UNWORN Stickered £ 9,250.00 |
 | Rolex Submariner Men's Black Watch - 16610 £ 7,999.99 |
 | Rolex Oysterdate Precision Very Rare Turquoise Face £ 2,900.00 |
 | Rolex Datejust 36 Blue Dial Smooth Bezel £ 4,750.00 |
 | Rolex Explorer Men's Black Watch - 124270 - Unworn. Full Box, Papers & Receipt £ 6,150.00 |
 | Rolex Explorer I 40mm 2024 Excellent Set Watch 224270 £ 6,300.00 |
 | Rolex OysterDate Precision Vintage Swiss Watch, 6694 cal. 1225, 34mm, circa 1985 £ 2,875.00 |
 | TUDOR Rolex Prince Oyster date Men's 18kt Solid Yellow Gold Ref 7965 circa 1960 £ 5,000.00 |
 | Rolex Explorer II 1987 - Serviced and Bracelet Overhauled - Box But NO PAPERS £ 4,800.00 |
 | Rolex GMT-Master II 116710LN Warranty 2026 Serviced by Rolex Green Black Watch 2 £ 9,850.00 |
 | Rolex Datejust 36mm 16014 White Gold And Stainless With Accessories £ 3,999.00 |
 | Rolex Oyster Perpetual 124300 41mm Black Dial OP41 2023 Mint (worn 6 Times) £ 5,750.00 |
 | ROLEX OYSTER PERPETUAL DATE MEN WRISTWATCH REF:15200 CIRCA:2005’s-VGC £ 3,799.99 |
 | rolex airking date 5700 £ 2,450.00 |
 | Rolex Datejust 116200 £ 5,300.00 |
 | Rolex Chronograph Antique Vintage Watch 1193 £ 3,000.00 |
 | Rolex Datejust Gents Watch 36mm Box Papers And Factory Diamond Dial. £ 5,195.00 |
 | Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34mm Steel & 18k Gold Grey Dial Watch & Box Ref. 14203 £ 4,500.00 |
 | Rolex GMT Master 2, Referance Number 116710ln, Box And Papers 2013 Immaculate. £ 8,695.00 |
