Rolex

In 1905, Hans Wilsdorf founded a watch distribution company in London. He believed that a wristwatch could combine elegance with reliable precision—and he made this idea the foundation of the future Rolex. The original illustration evokes the atmosphere of travel at the beginning of the 20th century; it is not an archival company photograph.

In 1908, the name Rolex appeared. Short, easy to remember, and legible on a small dial, it became the hallmark of Hans Wilsdorf's company. The illustration is an artistic interpretation referring to the birth of the name; it does not depict original brand documents.

In 1910, a Rolex wristwatch received a chronometric precision certificate from the Bienne rating centre. This was an important step in proving that a small watch worn on the wrist could be a reliable timekeeping instrument. The illustrative image refers to the work on precision; it does not depict the historical Rolex testing station.

In 1926, the Oyster made its debut. An airtight case protecting the movement from water and dust set a new course for the development of the wristwatch: from a delicate object to a companion for daily activity. The original illustration is a metaphor for airtightness; it does not depict the case or elements of the historical model.

In 1931, Rolex patented an automatic winding system with a Perpetual rotor. Wrist movements provide energy to the mechanism, increasing convenience for daily wear. The illustrative image with a spring refers to energy storage; it is not a photo of a Rolex rotor or movement.

In 1945, the Datejust made its debut: the first self-winding waterproof chronometer wristwatch to display the date in a window on the dial. It was accompanied by the Jubilee bracelet, specially designed for this model. The practical date display became a part of everyday elegance. This original illustration evokes that daily rhythm; it is not archival Rolex material.

The year 1953 saw the arrival of the Explorer and the Submariner. The former drew on the experience of high-altitude expeditions, while the latter was designed for diving, featuring a rotatable bezel and water resistance to 100 meters. Rolex developed these watches as tools for exploration. The original illustration refers to mountain expeditions; it does not depict the equipment of the historical expedition.

In 1955, the GMT-Master was designed to meet the needs of pilots and travelers crossing time zones. An additional hand and a 24-hour graduated bezel allow for tracking time in a second location. The model is linked to the development of intercontinental flight, including Pan Am airlines. The artistic illustration depicts a modern travel theme; it does not recreate an airport from 1955.

In 1963, the Cosmograph debuted, earning the name Daytona. The chronograph with a tachymetric scale on the bezel is used by drivers to measure time and calculate average speed. Pictured: a later gold Daytona, photographed in 2016, not the original 1963 model. Photo: Matt C / Wikimedia Commons, “Rolex Cosmograph Daytona”, CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/), square crop.

In 1985, Rolex began using 904L steel for its cases. Its high resistance to corrosion and superior finishing capabilities support the development of durable watches for everyday use. The conceptual illustration depicts the metal as a material; it does not document steel samples or the Rolex manufacturing process.