Rolex

About Rolex

Founded in London in 1905 and Geneva-based since 1919, Rolex built its name on robust, over-engineered tool watches — then made them status symbols. It pioneered the waterproof Oyster case (1926) and the self-winding Perpetual rotor (1931), and today runs one of the most vertically integrated manufactures in the industry.

Signature models

The references that define the house — and the ones you are most likely to meet.

• Submariner
• Datejust
• Daytona
• GMT-Master II
• Day-Date (President)
• Explorer

What to look for

Details worth checking before you trust a dial. None of them certify authenticity on their own.

• A laser-etched crown at the 6 o'clock position on the crystal (visible under magnification since ~2002)
• A crisp, precisely-centered coronet on the dial and crown — soft or lopsided logos are a red flag
• Rehaut (inner bezel ring) engraving with 'ROLEX' repeated and the serial at 6 o'clock on modern pieces
• A smooth, weighty feel — a fake often ticks visibly or feels hollow

Facts

• Rolex is structured as a private foundation, so it publishes no financial results.
• Every movement is certified as a Superlative Chronometer to −2/+2 seconds per day.
• The Datejust's fluted bezel was originally functional — it screwed the bezel onto the case for water resistance.