10 Well-Kept Secrets Of Rolex Watches

With so much being talked about Rolex, the world's most popular watch brand, many believe they know everything about it, including the know-it-all nerdy watch collectors. For example, it is a true symbol of success and sets the standard for prestige watchmaking across the globe, etc, etc. But what if we told you that this legendary Swiss watchmaker has had some well-kept secrets? Yes, it's true!

So, here we take up this noble cause to unveil the facts you may or may not have known about this internationally acclaimed company.

10 Surprising Facts About Rolex No One Knows About

1. Rolex is 'NOT' a Swiss brand

This is perhaps the biggest truth bomb of all—Rolex originated in London. As Switzerland is the best watchmaking place in the world, so it makes perfect sense to claim that the best watchmaker in the world, Rolex, is from Switzerland. Also, the fact that it says 'Swiss Made' on the dial perfectly backs up the idea.

But if you look through the records, Rolex was founded by German founder Hans Wilsdorf in 1905. He moved to England in 1903 to create something of his own, and during the First World War in 1919, when Wilsdorf faced chain issues with his Swiss movements, he made the pivotal decision to relocate to Geneva, Switzerland. The brand 'Rolex' was registered in Switzerland in 1920.

2. A crisis almost DESTROYED Rolex

One of the most fundamental aspects of a Rolex watch is the mechanical movement running inside. Made of gears, springs and a collection of wheels, the mechanical movement is the beating heart of a Rolex. But it wasn't always the same. In 1969, when Seiko introduced the Astron, the first commercially available Quartz watch, it marked the end of an era for Swiss watchmaking. It was called the 'Quartz Crisis'.

Rolex was forced to create a battery-powered watch and continued producing Quartz models until 2001 when a renewed interest in mechanical timepieces brought the business back to Rolex as it was always meant to be.

3. Rolex's most CONTROVERSIAL model

Since its inception, Rolex has done many things that raised eyebrows, both in surprise and dismay. One such incident happened in 2004 when Rolex released its most controversial watch, the SACO, a version of Daytona that no one could ever expect from the Maison. Covered in a black and orange leopard print with a leopard print strap, 36 baguette-cut cognac sapphires on the bezel and diamonds playfully placed on the lugs, this watch took eye-catching to a whole new level.

The fun fact is that despite its questionable looks, this Daytona now sells for an exorbitant price and has become an incredible investment. As the saying goes, anything that deviates from the normal becomes iconic.

4. The formula behind Rolex's SUCCESS

Rolex entered the watch game nearly half a century late compared to its competitors like Omega but managed to triumph over all to achieve great success. The secret, you ask? In 1914, Rolex submitted its first wristwatch for Chronometer Accuracy Certification, utilising a small movement that was first crafted for a ladies' pendant watch. While it didn't break any records, Rolex definitely designed and created the first Chronometer-certified wristwatch.

After a few years, specifically, after the world understood the convenience of a wristwatch during World War I, Rolex started creating applications for other sectors, such as scientists, divers, explorers, and pilots. It seems the brand always knew what it had to do, and it did!

Related: 10 Unknown Rolex Facts That Need Your Attention

5. Rolex CHEATED to succeed

Well, yes, there are a lot of things for which people credit Rolex, but it's not always the case. Rolex's founder, Hans Wilsdorf, was a witty marketing man who knew how to turn his vision into reality. Take the model 'Submariner,' for instance. Almost a decade before it was born, an English brand named Brook & Son had already used the name 'Submarine' in a waterproof watch. Its only mistake was that it did not trademark it. 

Then there's the self-winding movement, the Perpetual, which Rolex proudly boasts of inventing. But in reality, the first wristwatch to feature the perpetual movement, a Harwood, came almost five years before Rolex claimed it. Wilsdorf was even asked to apologise publicly to Mr. John Harwood, the inventor of the first self-winding wristwatch, for this deed.

6. SECRET meaning of Rolex

The brand's founder wanted a name that sounded expensive but was also easy for people to pronounce in whatever language they spoke. Davies concluded that the name needed to be five letters long, and after experimenting with various combinations, he found one that looked appealing on the watch's dial. Hans Wilsdorf picked the name 'Rolex' because it sounds like the noise a watch makes when it's being wound.

It's widely believed among watchmakers that the name 'Rolex' is inspired by a French term 'Horlogerie exquisite’, which means exquisite clockwork, but that's not true. No one actually knows what Rolex means.  

7. Rolex is NOT a regular company

Surprised or taken aback?  Rolex is not a regular company but a Charity. It is currently owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, Europe's largest scholarship fund and not owned by an individual. The foundation's trustees are responsible for overseeing how the profits are distributed.

As per Swiss law, Rolex is not obligated to share its financial statements and numbers or declare whether anyone has ever received a donation from them. Moreover, it receives a major cut in taxes for being a charity.

8. Rolex's BIGGEST failures led to huge success

Would you believe that some of the brand's biggest and utter failures led to some of the most expensive Rolex watches? Collectors, enthusiasts, and buyers take great interest in buying abnormal or unusual watches. In fact, some of the most expensive and rarest watches sold in the world are those that have literally failed.

When it comes to Rolex, whether it is the deep cream of an aged Explorer II dial, the cracking lacquer of a glossy black Submariner dial called the 'Spider' dial, or the chocolatey brown colour of a previously black Tropical' Daytona dial, all these odds went on to become the most coveted and earned millions at auction. The crazy thing is all these are manufacturing defects and watches that were improperly prepared. It's not a usual thing for Rolex to create such unusual looks.

Related: Top 10 Facts You Should Know About Rolex

9. There's a CHEAP Rolex

It's exactly what it sounds like. Do you want the Rolex brand on your wrist for £1000? Well, it seems you can! In 1926, founder Hans Wilsdorf introduced an affordable line under his successful brand, naming it Tudor. He used Rolex cases, bracelets and crowns, fitted them with a more affordable movement and put the name 'Tudor' on the dial. The best part is that these watches use parts of Rolex, meaning they will have the Rolex logo in places like the case back and crown, meaning you can buy a Rolex-badged watch without spending more than £1000.

10. Rolex's CONTROVERSIAL Domino's Collab

Collaboration watches with Tiffany and Patek Philippe are the most famous and some of the most desirable in the world, but a co-branded timepiece between Rolex and pizza chain Dominos? The story starts when a franchisee approaches the famous pizza chain owner, Tom Monaghan, asking what he can do to earn a Rolex like Tom. Tom set a random target of making $20,000 sales in a week that he thought was unachievable. To his surprise, the goal was met, and Tom gave him the Rolex.

Since then, Tom worked with Rolex to create a Domino's-specific watch. It was from the late 70s onwards. The first watch to be presented was an Air-King with the Domino's logo boldly printed on the centre of the dial. Later, during the 2000s, the design was changed. Instead of printing the logo on the dial, the small stainless steel Dominos logo was integrated into the second link of the Oyster bracelet. Additionally, the Dominos logo was embossed on the case back.

This controversial collaboration between Rolex and Dominos seems like a mismatch even now, but it has definitely improved and become fruitful in the world of vintage watch collecting, as double-logo Rolex watches fetch a high premium at auction and on the pre-owned market.  

IN CONCLUSION..

There is so much to be told and to learn about this brand, but we can still conclude that Rolex was and will continue to be a revered name worldwide. Rolex watches have rightfully earned the reputation they enjoy today with their ultimate precision, innovation, and enduring quality.

Whether you're simply an admirer of fine watches or a seasoned Rolex buyer, there's no denying that the brand has always been at the top of the list. And, all these lesser-known facts only add a deeper sense of appreciation for this iconic brand.