Rolex
Ask anyone, anywhere, to name a luxury watch brand, and the answer will probably be “Rolex.” This enviable worldwide recognition can be credited in part to the genius of company founder Hans Wilsdorf. When the German-born watch dealer and his brother-in-law, Alfred Davis, set up their London enterprise, in 1905, they called it Wilsdorf & Davis, according to the traditional formula.
But Wilsdorf was determined to come up with another name that was short, would look good on a watch dial and was easy to say and remember in several languages. In 1908, he trademarked the name Rolex, and by 1920, he had moved the company to Geneva and redubbed it as Montres Rolex S.A.
But the main reasons for the brand’s success are its commitment to precision and unflagging pursuit of innovation. In 1926, the company introduced the aptly named Oyster model. With a screw-down crown and case back, both fitted with rubber gaskets, this was the first truly waterproof watch.
Five years later, Rolex upped the ante with the Oyster Perpetual. That model’s patented Perpetual movement contained a rotor mechanism enabling it to self-wind. In another trendsetting move, in 1945, the brand debuted the Datejust, with a date window prominently displayed on the dial.
The company’s two most iconic models are sports watches. Although the Submariner, which debuted in 1953, was developed as a dive watch, its waterproof case, solid construction and good looks made it a favorite of adventurers and urbanites alike, including James Bond, who wore it in classics like Dr. No and Goldfinger. The Daytona, the racing chronograph made famous by Paul Newman, is especially sought after by collectors. Newman’s personal Daytona, which hit the auction block in 2017, sold for $17.8 million.
21st Century and Contemporary Rolex
18k Gold, Rose Gold, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Rolex
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Rolex
Steel, Stainless Steel
20th Century Rolex
1880s Contemporary Antique Rolex
Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Rolex
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Rolex
Late 20th Century Modern Rolex
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Vintage Rolex
Steel, Stainless Steel
20th Century Rolex
1910s Vintage Rolex
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Rolex
21st Century and Contemporary Rolex
18k Gold, White Gold
1950s Vintage Rolex
Gold, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Rolex
2010s Rolex
Stainless Steel
Early 2000s Rolex
Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Rolex
1980s Vintage Rolex
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
2010s Rolex
Stainless Steel
1970s Vintage Rolex
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Rolex
Steel, Stainless Steel
2010s Rolex
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Rolex
Steel, Stainless Steel
Early 2000s Rolex
Steel, Stainless Steel
Early 2000s Rolex
White Gold
2010s Rolex
Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
1970s Vintage Rolex
Yellow Gold
1960s Vintage Rolex
Steel, Stainless Steel
2010s Rolex
Yellow Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
1990s Rolex
Yellow Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
1980s Vintage Rolex
Yellow Gold
2010s Rolex
Steel, Stainless Steel
1990s Rolex
White Gold
1970s Vintage Rolex
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Rolex
21st Century and Contemporary Rolex
21st Century and Contemporary Rolex
21st Century and Contemporary Rolex
21st Century and Contemporary Rolex
21st Century and Contemporary Rolex
21st Century and Contemporary Rolex
21st Century and Contemporary Rolex
21st Century and Contemporary Rolex
21st Century and Contemporary Modernist Rolex
Diamond, Gold
1980s Vintage Rolex
Steel, Stainless Steel
1970s Vintage Rolex
Stainless Steel
1940s Vintage Rolex
Rose Gold, 18k Gold
1960s Retro Vintage Rolex
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Rolex
1990s Rolex
2010s Rolex
2010s Rolex
2010s Rolex
Early 2000s Rolex
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Vintage Rolex
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Rolex
2010s Rolex
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel