Rolex

Rolex, one of the most iconic and well-known watch brands in the world, was founded in 1905 by two British partners, Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis, in London. The company was originally called Wilsdorf and Davis but later changed its name to Rolex Watch Co. Ltd. after registering the “Rolex” brand as its trademark in 1908.

Today, Rolex is recognized globally as a symbol of distinction, accomplishment, innovation and excellence. It has become the go-to watch for royalty, celebrities and dignitaries alike due to its attractive design and high quality craftsmanship. Over the years since its founding, Rolex has pioneered several technological advancements including being the first timepiece manufacturer to earn chronometer certification for precision timekeeping accuracy from Switzerland’s Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC) – a mark of excellence it still holds today.

In 1926, Rolex invented the world’s first waterproof watch case with their Oyster model which featured a revolutionary screw-down crown that provided added protection against dirt and dust particles entering the case. This was followed by another Rolex invention – the self-winding mechanism – in 1931 which allowed for automatic winding of watches without having to manually wind them every day. This paved the way for automatic movements which are now used in most modern mechanical watches today.

Rolex also introduced many other innovations over the years such as rotating bezels with engraved minute markers (for divers), Luminova luminous compound (for night visibility) and Datejust systems (for quickly changing dates). In addition to this impressive list of inventions, they have also produced some truly iconic collections like Submariner (the world’s oldest dive watch line), Daytona (an international racing legend) and GMT Master II (a classic traveler’s companion).

In addition to their technical achievements, Rolex is also known for their commitment towards philanthropy having donated millions of dollars over the years towards charities that support various causes around the world such as health care access for children and medical research breakthroughs.

Combining its technical expertise with superior materials like 904L stainless steel – an industry benchmark used by aerospace engineers – along with gold alloys like 18K yellow gold or 950 platinum; it is no wonder why Rolex continues to be one of the most sought after luxury watch brands in existence today – a testament to its commitment towards creating timepieces that stand out among even some of its closest competitors.