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 Datejust Gold Men's Watch - 1601 £ 3,999.00 |
 | Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date 1501 34mm £ 2,000.00 |
 | Rolex Oysterdate Precision 6694 Vintage 1970s £ 2,000.00 |
 | Rolex Oyster Precision LARGE Mens Mechanical "Baby Datejust" Bracelet & Genuine £ 1,999.00 |
 | ROLEX OYSTER PERPETUAL DATE REF. 1500 CIRCA 1969 £ 2,495.00 |
 | Rolex datejust 36mm Blue Diamond Dot £ 3,500.00 |
 | rolex submariner Black Stainless Steel Model- 16800 £ 6,350.00 |
 | Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34mm Automatic 1002 Serviced Shantung Dial | 1yr Warranty £ 2,995.00 |
 | Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date 15200 Blue Dial Mens Watch - 2000 - £ 3,495.00 |
 | Rolex Datejust 36mm diamond numerals £ 3,995.00 |
 | Rolex Datejust 36 WIDE-BOY Men's Watch Ref 1603 Generic Bracelet SERVICED. £ 2,850.00 |
 | Rolex Explorer II 16570 40mm black dial 2000 P serial £ 5,350.00 |
 | Rolex Submariner Men's Black Watch - 16610 £ 6,995.00 |
 | ROLEX OYSTERDATE STEEL & GOLD REF. 6694 CIRCA 1964 7205 RIVETED BRACELET £ 2,495.00 |
 | Rolex Oysterdate Rare Dial Watch - Ref 6694- 35mm £ 1,896.32 |
 | Rolex Air-King - 116900. With boxes and original AD warranty card (papers) £ 4,950.00 |
 | ROLEX CARTIER EXPLORER 5500-VINTAGE ROLEX CASE & DIAL & SWISS ETA 2824 WATCH £ 1,390.00 |
 | Rolex Day-Date 18k Gold Ref.1803 c.1964. £ 6,995.00 |
 | Unworn 2025 Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 - 124300 - Blue Dial £ 6,750.00 |
 | Rolex Submariner Men's Black Watch - 16613 T £ 7,600.00 |
 | Vintage Rolex Oysterdate Precision £ 2,000.00 |
 | Rolex Oyster Precision Ref 6426 Gents 70’s Vintage Collectors Watch, 34mm £ 2,000.00 |
 | Rolex Datejust Men's Black Watch - 116334 £ 7,300.00 |
 | Rolex Datejust 36mm Steel and Yellow Gold - Ref. 1601 £ 2,850.00 |
 | Rolex Datejust 36 - Fix price £ 3,200.00 |
 | Rolex Mens Vintage Precision, 9ct Gold Watch Original Dial with Patina - Working £ 1,300.00 |
 | Rolex Yacht-Master Silver Men's Watch - 16622 £ 6,200.00 |
 | Rolex Submariner Men's Black Baton Indexes/Round Indexes Dial Watch - 16613 £ 6,950.00 |
 | Gents 18ct Yellow Gold Rolex Day-Date 36mm 18038 Factory Champagne Dial £ 11,499.00 |
 | Rolex Submariner Men's Black Watch - 114060 (2014) £ 7,500.00 |
 | Rolex Datejust 16013 Buckley Dial Steel And Gold Men’s Watch £ 3,900.00 |
 | Rolex Datejust 36 Blue Dial Smooth Bezel £ 4,950.00 |
 | Rolex Oysterdate Precision 1950, 6066 30mm Vintage Patina Watch £ 847.00 |
 | Rolex Datejust 36mm 1601 | Box & Warranty £ 3,150.00 |
 | Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41mm Bright Blue Men's Watch - m124300-0003 £ 5,995.00 |
 | Rolex Oyster Perpetual Green Men's Watch - 126000 Box Papers 2023 £ 6,750.00 |
 | Rolex 34mm OP Date 1999 15200 £ 3,400.00 |
 | ROLEX Submariner 14060 Watch 2000 With Box Papers Excellent £ 6,999.00 |
 | Rolex Explorer Men's Black Watch - 214270 £ 4,500.00 |
 | SUPERB MENS ROLEX MARRIAGE WATCH, AUTHENTIC 1920'S ROLEX LEVER MOVEMENT £ 1,500.00 |
