Rolex: Interesting facts | Petite Genève Petrović

A team of gemologists is employed to ensure that only the highest quality gemstones are used in the production of Rolex products

Rolex takes special care when buying rare gems and precious metals. Its gemologist department has the task of buying and testing diamonds and other precious stones, to ensure the quality measures up to the highest standards.

All of Rolex hour markers are set by hand

While, for the majority of time, other companies use machines when placing down hour markers, Rolex does it by hand. After all, human eye can spot a mistake better than a machine can.

Day-Date model and its Day Wheel are available in 26 different languages

Day Wheel is available in the following languages: Arabic, Basque, Chinese, Catalan, Dutch, Danish, English, Ethiopian, Finnish, French, Farsi, Greek, German, Hebrew, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Moroccan, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish.

Every Rolex timepiece is handmade

It takes almost a year to produce one Rolex timepiece. Each one is handmade in Switzerland and is assembled to fulfill every standard set by the legendary brand. Every part is made in-house and is individually tested before being implemented into the finished product. The quality assurance process is very thorough.

Every Rolex timepiece needs to be pressure tested before leaving the manufacture facility

Using cutting edge optical sensors and very sensitive pressure chambers, Rolex tests each individual timepiece for any sign of water filtration and/or condensation, as well as air leaks. If, after testing is complete, standards are not met, the whole watch is discarded. Staying at the very top of waterproof technology is not an easy task, but Rolex has what it takes to make it happen.

First Rolex timepiece with an automatic day and date change

Back in 1956, Rolex manufactured the first timepiece (Rolex Day-Date) with the ability to automatically change day and date settings on the dial.

Most expensive Rolex sold sits at $17.75 million

In October 2017 at Philips’ watch auction, New York City, one Rolex timepiece was sold for $17.75 million, making it the most expensive Rolex ever sold. Timepiece in question is 1968 Cosmograph Daytona, which was in the personal possession of famous late actor Paul Newman.

No one really knows what the word Rolex really means

Some people believe that the name is derived from the certain French term “horlogerie exquise” which translates to “exquisite clockwork”. But the meaning behind the term is much simpler. Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf chose the word because he wanted to use something that is easily pronounceable in any language and looked nice on the face of a timepiece.

Rolex has a close connection to the fictional character James Bond

In his original 14 books, author Ian Fleming has only ever mentioned one brand belonging to agent 007 - Rolex. Then, as Bond made it to the big screens, it was only natural he wore a Rolex timepiece.

Rolex implements the most expensive stainless steel in the world into their designs – 904L

While other luxury timepiece manufacturers mainly use 316L stainless steel in their production, Rolex makes no compromise. Exclusive to Rolex, the stainless steel known as 904L is much more durable and expensive then 316L. Its use in Rolex timepieces makes them extremely resistant to negative effects of salt water, thus solving a lot of problems divers are exposed to.

Rolex is keeping its focus on evolution, rather than revolution

Rolex would much rather keep its focus on improving their existing models than adapting to latest trends. The proof of this can be found in all the II models the company releases, like Yacht-Master II and Datejust II. This might be why Rolex has done so well in the past and continues to be the brand that inspires confidence.

Rolex is the largest luxury timepiece company

Producing about 2,000 timepieces per day and retailing in over 100 countries, makes Rolex largest luxury timepiece company in the world.

Rolex makes its own gold

Rolex is the only luxury timepiece manufacturer that also produces its own gold. This allows them to finely tune the quality and look of the final product.

Rolex origins might not be where you expect them

Contrary to popular belief, this luxury timepiece manufacturer started its journey in England, not Switzerland. Back in 1905, Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis registered the company in London, where they operated for a while. Some years later, in 1919, Rolex was relocated to Geneva, Switzerland to relieve the impact suffered after wartime taxes on import of luxury goods were implemented.

Rolex still uses IIII instead of IV on the Roman numeral dials

For the purpose of visual impression and aesthetics, Rolex uses the symbol IIII, known as the “Watchmaker’s four”.

Rolex timepieces ventured where few have ever been

When famous film director and deep-sea explorer James Cameron went down into the Mariana Trench in 2012, he did it while wearing a Rolex Deepsea Challenge timepiece. This particular model is designed to withstand extreme pressure that is present 12,000 meters below the water's surface and provides impeccable water resistance in this extreme environment. Cameron’s journey to the bottom of the trench lasted for 7 hours, during which the timepiece kept perfect time.

The Oyster Case was the first waterproof wristwatch case

This symbol of water resistance represents an important milestone in the history of Rolex as well as watchmaking in general. It was produced in 1926, and being the first waterproof case it allowed the use of timepieces where it wasn’t possible before.

The Rolex Perpetual movement is locked away and accessible only to certified watchmakers

The complex mechanism of Rolex Perpetual movement is only accessible to certified watchmakers with the use of special tools.

The Rolex headquarters in Geneva surpass any high security prison

Security solutions used within the Rolex headquarters include fingerprint scanners, vault doors, eye scanners, and even armored trucks. It is not surprising considering Rolex stores invaluable resources and materials (e.g. gold bars) inside its headquarters. Safety is of paramount concern.

The complexity of Rolex winding crowns

Rolex winding crown consists of 10 different parts, all of which are hermetically screwed onto the watchcase.

The first timepiece to show two time zones at once

The Rolex GMT Master was the very first timepiece to show two time zones at once.

The way you place down your timepiece while not wearing it, can make it run a couple of seconds slower or faster

If you place down your timepiece face up overnight, it can cause it to gain a couple of seconds per day. Also, if you put it face down, it could cause the timepiece to lose a couple of seconds per day.

Interesting facts