Rolex history for you to discover: 100 years ago, in 1914, the Kew Observatory in Great Britain granted a “Class A” certificate to a wristwatch for the very first time.
The new Rolex Cosmograph Daytona from the year 2000 with the new in-house calibre 4130The first Rolex Yacht-Master II from 2007The first Rolex Day-Date II from 2008
Interesting? What do you think? Please let me know!
15 replies on “Rolex history for you to discover: 100 years ago, in 1914, the Kew Observatory in Great Britain granted a “Class A” certificate to a wristwatch for the very first time.”
says:Richard Kwok
Thank you so much for this wonderful article. I am from Hong Kong and I have been a great fan of Rolex since 1980, till now I have collected the Submariner, DateJust, DateDay, Cellini, and Daytona, but your article really makes me more impressed with Rolex, which has always been the most desired brand in the Far East.
says:Martin
Brief but fascinating, I get the impression here that Rolex have remade all their older models with new in-house movements since 2000, is this true?
Your observation is correct, Rolex has updated meanwhile all it’s calibres.
says:Paweł
At the beginning I hated Role watches, I found them tacky and targeted at people wanting to display their wealth. However, as I learned more about the brand I came to appreciate Rolex more and more. Finally this year I got Rolex Datejust, simply beautiful watch. Thank you for the article, it was great to read more about the history of Rolex.
says:Steve
Thanks for the history lesson. I learned a few things from it.
says:NILESH D MISTRY
Dear,
Horology cirtification is age old, what presented of 1914,
is today 100 YEARS.
Glad to have good picture of Herr Hans.
Nilesh D Mistry
says:Hugo Maiutto
Clap, clap, clap por this article. Thank you very much. I will treasure it.
What a pity. I would have like to see more pictures of the movements.
Hugo
Hugo I have no pictures of the movement otherwise I would have posted them.
says:Mark Czentovic
Extremely interesting article, great research. In the history of the Rolex Kew movement two particularly niche watches come to mind. You can find photos of the Kew A movement by searching them; both were called the KEW A CERTIFICATE, but one was a Speedking, whilst the other was an Observatory Chronometer. Good luck finding the Observatory watch though, only 24 were made:
Fascinating article on one aspect of the historical and technical significance of Rolex. As a horological newbie, it’s great to learn relevant history, it gives me a much better appreciation of the craftsmanship involved in fine watch making.
says:Guy
Thank you, Alexander, good piece of history and great photos as usual. I was surprised too by the accuracy of the first Rolex chronometer. I wonder if there is a book out there that reviews Hans Wildorf’s (Rolex) early patents and tries to get into the man’s head. His was a remarkable achievement.
If there isn’t then I may know people who could write it.
A well known journalist has written the most comprehensive Rolex book ever some years ago. It was not for Rolex officially, but for a well known retailer. When Rolex learned about the book, they simply bought the rights and the book never appeared … So Rolex just has to print this oeuvre and we would know much more about the history of the ticking giant with the crown on the dial…
says:Amir
Amazing that the Rolex was able to achieve +1 second a day, when most modern watches struggle to get close to that today. Nice report!
Thank you so much for this wonderful article. I am from Hong Kong and I have been a great fan of Rolex since 1980, till now I have collected the Submariner, DateJust, DateDay, Cellini, and Daytona, but your article really makes me more impressed with Rolex, which has always been the most desired brand in the Far East.
Brief but fascinating, I get the impression here that Rolex have remade all their older models with new in-house movements since 2000, is this true?
Your observation is correct, Rolex has updated meanwhile all it’s calibres.
At the beginning I hated Role watches, I found them tacky and targeted at people wanting to display their wealth. However, as I learned more about the brand I came to appreciate Rolex more and more. Finally this year I got Rolex Datejust, simply beautiful watch. Thank you for the article, it was great to read more about the history of Rolex.
Thanks for the history lesson. I learned a few things from it.
Dear,
Horology cirtification is age old, what presented of 1914,
is today 100 YEARS.
Glad to have good picture of Herr Hans.
Nilesh D Mistry
Clap, clap, clap por this article. Thank you very much. I will treasure it.
What a pity. I would have like to see more pictures of the movements.
Hugo
Hugo I have no pictures of the movement otherwise I would have posted them.
Extremely interesting article, great research. In the history of the Rolex Kew movement two particularly niche watches come to mind. You can find photos of the Kew A movement by searching them; both were called the KEW A CERTIFICATE, but one was a Speedking, whilst the other was an Observatory Chronometer. Good luck finding the Observatory watch though, only 24 were made:
The 6210 http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/watches/rolex-a-very-fine-and-rare-18k-5257637-details.aspx
And 5056 http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20745/lot/66/
Fascinating article on one aspect of the historical and technical significance of Rolex. As a horological newbie, it’s great to learn relevant history, it gives me a much better appreciation of the craftsmanship involved in fine watch making.
Thank you, Alexander, good piece of history and great photos as usual. I was surprised too by the accuracy of the first Rolex chronometer. I wonder if there is a book out there that reviews Hans Wildorf’s (Rolex) early patents and tries to get into the man’s head. His was a remarkable achievement.
If there isn’t then I may know people who could write it.
Best regards,
Guy
A well known journalist has written the most comprehensive Rolex book ever some years ago. It was not for Rolex officially, but for a well known retailer. When Rolex learned about the book, they simply bought the rights and the book never appeared … So Rolex just has to print this oeuvre and we would know much more about the history of the ticking giant with the crown on the dial…
Amazing that the Rolex was able to achieve +1 second a day, when most modern watches struggle to get close to that today. Nice report!
Now let us all hope that Jean-Fred Dufour, the new CEO, will bring us some new highlights… He got a 20 years contract!!!!
Agreed. I have high hopes!