The History of Rolex

The crown jewel of watchmaking. From the first waterproof Oyster to the legendary Submariner, Rolex has defined what a luxury watch should be for over a century.

Hans Wilsdorf Vision

Hans Wilsdorf founded Rolex in London in 1905 with a radical vision: wristwatches could be both elegant and precise. At a time when pocket watches dominated, he bet on the future of wristwatches.

The Oyster Revolution

In 1926, Rolex introduced the Oyster—the worlds first waterproof wristwatch. Mercedes Gleitze wore one while swimming the English Channel, proving its durability to the world.

Icons of Excellence

The Submariner (1953), GMT-Master (1955), Day-Date (1956), and Daytona (1963) each became icons in their own right, defining entire categories of watchmaking.

Key Collections

Today, Rolex remains privately owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, continuing his legacy of innovation and excellence.