The Rolex philosophy
A JOURNEY TO THE HEART OF THE ROLEX UNIVERSE
than a century after the brand's creation, the founder's mindset is more present than ever,
from the manufacture of watches to Rolex's commitments around the world.
Rolex presents a multitude of different professions, embodied by women and men, all experts in their field.
PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE
From its origins, Rolex's history has been marked by the pursuit of perfection and the desire to always go further.
PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE
From its origins, Rolex's history has been marked by the pursuit of perfection and the desire to always go further.
" At first glance, the difficulty appeared
insurmountable."
At the beginning of the last century, a visionary entrepreneur, then based in London, was on the verge of making his mark through sheer willpower. His challenge? To introduce a still-unknown brand to the watchmaking world of the time: Rolex. A novel name – coined in 1908 – that would become, within a few decades, one of the most renowned brands in the world. The difficulty seemed insurmountable at first glance: this is how Hans Wilsdorf recalled the beginnings of his company in his memoirs. At that time, the entrepreneur owned very little. But the man possessed invaluable qualities: vision, perseverance, and an extraordinary work ethic. Orphaned at the age of 12, with nothing but his determination to overcome all obstacles, Hans Wilsdorf invented the world's first self-winding, waterproof wristwatch with a Perpetual rotor. A watch that has become a benchmark for quality and prestige.
"Too complicated, too fragile, too unsuitable," he had been told repeatedly until then. Thanks to his deep convictions, Hans Wilsdorf nevertheless succeeded in the audacious gamble of establishing the Rolex watch – the Oyster Perpetual – as the archetype of the waterproof, precise and robust watch, capable of withstanding all situations.
But Hans Wilsdorf was not only the visionary who gave Rolex watches their fundamental technical and aesthetic characteristics. His constant pursuit of perfection was accompanied by great generosity and an unwavering faith in humankind.
THE SUM OF NUMEROUS SKILLS
As an independent, vertically integrated manufacturer, Rolex possesses an industrial infrastructure that encompasses countless areas of expertise.
Watchmakers, engineers, designers, and other specialists collaborate closely in the design and production of the watches.
THE SUM OF NUMEROUS SKILLS
As an independent, vertically integrated manufacturer, Rolex possesses an industrial infrastructure that encompasses countless areas of expertise.
Watchmakers, engineers, designers, and other specialists collaborate closely in the design and production of the watches.
The company culture is based first and foremost on human values, which place know-how and interpersonal skills at the center of the various activities.
Rolex represents a multitude of different crafts, embodied by women and men, all experts in their field. The brand has mastered all the essential components – from the casting of gold alloys to the assembly of the movement, case, dial, and bracelet, including machining, finishing, and gem-setting. Furthermore, it makes its diverse expertise available worldwide through an exceptional network and after-sales service.
To ensure the continuity of its expertise, Rolex has its own unique Training Centre. Dedicated to nurturing talent and developing its employees, this Geneva-based centre provides ongoing training for the company's staff and managers, and also trains apprentices. A space for sharing knowledge and expertise, its mission is to ensure the next generation of leaders, in accordance with the brand's values.
A WATCH UNLIKE ANY OTHER
The Oyster Perpetual collection was built on the success of the original Oyster model, patented by Rolex and launched in 1926.
A WATCH UNLIKE ANY OTHER
The Oyster Perpetual collection was built on the success of the original Oyster model, patented by Rolex and launched in 1926.
The world's first waterproof wristwatch, the Oyster played a pioneering role in the development of the modern wristwatch.
Over the years, it has been the bearer of many other innovations – including the automatic winding by Perpetual rotor (1931) – which have defined the identity of the models in the collection and forged Rolex's reputation for excellence, which is based, among other things, on the chronometric precision of its watches and their reliability.
The Oyster has gradually evolved into a collection of watches incorporating new features and innovative technologies. The fundamentals of this horological archetype are found in all the watches in the collection, which share a strong visual identity. Today, the collection comprises 12 ranges and is divided into two categories: Classic watches such as the Datejust and the Day-Date, and Professional watches such as the Explorer and the GMT-Master II.
A pioneer in wristwatches, it is responsible for many major innovations in the field of watchmaking. It has filed more than 500 patents throughout its history.
