As a Rolex fanatic, you might be interested to know more about the compelling history behind the iconic brand that conquered the world with its innovations. Here at Golden Cash, we have been dealing with Rolex watches for many years. And, we are indeed fascinated by the revolutionary achievements that Rolex has made over the years. While the brand is at the origin of real innovations in the watchmaking, it still rules supreme today.
Have you ever wondered why Rolex watches retain a high resale value with time? Or, Why Rolex is considered as the ‘King of Watches?’ Read on to find out the story behind its name, Rolex’s most significant achievements in its early years and aspects that enable Rolex owners to ‘sell Rolex’ or ‘sell my Rolex’ in a hard-up situation with full confidence.
Founder of Rolex
In 1905, the aspiring German-born Swiss jeweller Hans Wilsdorf at the age of 24 established a company in London that specialised in the distribution of timepieces. At the time when wristwatches were actually not accurate and pretty fashionable, Wilsdorf envisioned to create a watch that was elegant and more significantly, reliable.
Beginning – A Simple Mission
The new fashionable wristwatches used in the Boer War caught the attention of Hans Wilsdorf. The practicality of these watches in enabling a man to use both hands while checking the time at the same time indeed fascinated Wilsdorf. At the time, pocket watches were used by most individuals and Wilsdorf perceived that wristwatches were the way of future. Thus, he founded Rolex in 1905 with a simple mission of making high-quality wristwatches.
However, while some considered wristwatches to be a fad, many gentlemen perceived them as downright feminine. Nevertheless, Hans Wilsdorf and his new company did not care. He acutely believed that wristwatches are the future of the watch industry and his company Rolex would specialise in it. Moreover, Hans Wilsdorf wanted not only to manufacture wristwatches of superior quality but also to make the best timepieces in the industry.
The First Priority – Accuracy
Hans Wilsdorf knew that the Rolex wristwatches had to be accurate as much as the pocket watches of the day. However, in that pre-computer era, miniaturisation of watch movements was yet an art more than science. The process required substantial trial and error along with handwork for achieving good accuracy from smaller watch movements.
While Wilsdorf’s priority was accuracy, it turned out to be an obsession soon. The brand started to win rewards for accuracy, and soon, it took the attention of the public.
Water Resistance & Durability
Rolex continued to improve the standards of its wristwatches, and in 1926, the brand developed the first waterproof wristwatch of the world. Wilsdorf perceived that to make his watches the best in terms of durability; he has to make them waterproof. A wristwatch was exposed to rain, sweat and moisture more than a typical pocket watch.
In 1926, the world’s first water resistance wristwatch was created and it signified a significant change in the watch market. The timepiece was named ‘Oyster’ respectively, symbolising the tough protective case in which the fragile movements are housed. The Rolex Oyster in 1927 accompanied Mercedes Gleitz while crossing the cold English Channel.
The Perpetual Movement
In 1931, Rolex introduced the first self-winding mechanism of the world, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Movement. Besides the convenience, a self-winding watch bestows on a significant advantage, making the timepiece less prone to wear and more water resistance. The first self-winding Oyster Perpetual waterproof watch was in a class for many years by itself. However, this innovative mechanism is the heart of every modern automatic timepiece today.
What Makes Rolex Watches Hold their Value?
The profound reputation of Rolex has held constant over the years because of its zest to continuously innovate. While Hans Wilsdorf focused on the movements’ precision in the beginning, the avidity for chronometric accuracy soon achieved success. The world’s first ever wristwatch to acquire the Swiss Certificate of Chronometric Precision offered by the Official Watch Rating Centre in 1910 was a Rolex watch.
After four years, the brand received more recognition with the certificate from the Kew Observatory in Richmond, Great Britain. This esteemed watch testing laboratory accorded a Rolex timepiece the prestigious Kew class ‘A’ precision certificate.
Rolex is indeed one of the most successful and biggest Swiss watchmakers. And, Rolex watches were assuredly among the most elegant watches available at any price when Hans Wilsdorf passed away in 1960. Unlike other watches, Rolex watches tend to hold a higher resale value with time. Thus, if you are looking to sell Rolex watches anywhere within the Essex, get in touch with the trustworthy pawnbrokers Essex like at Golden Cash and sell your watch with full confidence, obtaining the best possible price in the market.
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