Rolex

Rolex is a Swiss luxury watchmaker known for precision, durability, and prestige. The company began in 1905 when Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis founded it in London as Wilsdorf & Davis. It moved its operations to Geneva in 1919 and adopted the Rolex brand name. Today the company operates as Rolex SA and is owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, a private charity that controls the majority stake to keep Rolex independent of public markets and to fund philanthropic activities.

Rolex has introduced several innovations, notably the waterproof Oyster case in 1926 and the automatic Perpetual rotor in 1931. The brand also developed in-house movements and maintains strict performance standards, with watches certified as Superlative Chronometers after testing. Iconic lines include the Oyster Perpetual, Datejust (the first automatically changing date), Submariner (professional divers), GMT-Master (multiple time zones), Explorer, Daytona, Sea-Dweller, and Yacht-Master.

Watches are manufactured in Switzerland and distributed through an exclusive network of authorized dealers and company-owned boutiques. The company emphasizes brand control and does not rely on mass marketing. Rolex does not publish production figures, but its timepieces are widely regarded as among the most valuable and sought-after in the luxury segment.