The history of Rolex, a company founded in 1905 by the visionary Hans Wilsdorf, has been marked by prestige and excellence, offering quality, precision and reliability over the years, from its inception to the present day.
Rolex, the pioneering wristwatch brand, has left an indelible mark for almost a century, accompanying great personalities and taking part in landmark events throughout recent history. Throughout its history, Rolex has been adorned by distinguished personalities and explorers, such as New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to reach the summit of Everest in 1953, as part of the unique equipment for this epic moment in history.
The history of Rolex, always associated with quality and precision
In 1944, its founder converted the company into a charitable foundation whose assets have since been used for social activities and to support a range of talented people, including, of course, talented sportspeople.
Similarly, its reputation for quality and excellence is rooted in traditional craftsmanship, finish and choice of materials. Each bridge of the movement, each pinion, each wheel, each tiny element of the case, bracelet or dial is made of a carefully selected material and subjected to multiple quality controls to guarantee its performance and impeccable aesthetics.
It was in 1926 that Rolex launched the first watertight watch onto the market and gave it the name Oyster; and to prove its worth, it accompanied the English swimmer Mercedes Gleitzeon her ten-hour crossing of the English Channel. And once again, excellence was on the side of Swiss innovation: a key moment in the history of Rolex.
In 1945, focusing on adorning the wrists of the bravest, the most talented, the elite athletes and the outstanding personalities who would undoubtedly leave their mark on the history of Rolex, and of the world, this pioneer of unique timepieces launched the first self-winding wristwatch with a date display in a window in the dial: the Datejust.
Exceptional materials for unique watches
What makes Rolex watches truly unique are the precious metals: stainless steel, ceramics, mother-of-pearl, precious stones… Rolex rigorously selects the materials for its watches, which are subjected to more than twenty tests to ensure that they function properly and remain intact even under the most extreme conditions. Unsurprisingly, this total dedication and unwavering commitment to the excellence and exclusivity of its watches have made Rolex a “manufacture d’horlogerie”, or in other words, a manufacturer that fabricates its products in their entirety, working the casting of different metals to achieve the unique alloy that makes its watches symbols of high purchasing power or high economic status.
It is therefore no coincidence that TOUS, Spain’s largest jewelry group, a forerunner in style and unique jewelry design, was captivated by the majesty of Rolex and forged a close relationship that is now more than forty years old. It was in 2009 that the first exclusive Rolex boutique was inaugurated in Spain, in the heart of Barcelona. And it is their exclusive designs that have made it unambiguously clear that time is made of gold.