Rolex Wound Up: A Brief Insight Into The Brand's History
Established in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis, the company's story started in London, England, but not too long after, in 1919, Rolex moved to the horological home of Geneva, Switzerland where they remain based today.
Wilsdorf registered the name Rolex in 1908 with the origin surrounding the creation of the brand's name to be blurry with numerous stories associated with Rolex's name lacking solid confirmation. Innovation runs through Rolex's veins, known to create the world's firsts in horological history.
Currently, Rolex are at the forefront, generating the best numbers in revenue whilst producing over a million watches every year. Whether you are a watch enthusiast or a newcomer in the horological world, everyone knows how superior Rolex are.
Why Buy A Rolex From Us?
Finding your perfect Rolex can be tough and at Time 4 Diamonds, we completely understand this. Focused on customer satisfaction, we provide the best advice, knowledge and ultimate experience when buying your Rolex watch.
Searching for a timepiece couldn't be any easier due to our extensive collection of Rolex watches for men and women. Certainly, you will find the perfect Rolex watch that reflects your budget, style and needs.
Prominence on quality and authenticity is key so our horological expertise guarantees that every second hand Rolex or pre-owned Rolex is authenticated. When we have a Rolex for sale, trusting our highly skilled and expert team is indisputable, ensuring you can leave our boutiques completely satisfied.
Iconic Collection Of Rolex Models
Rolex have produced a diverse range of models across their lifespan, reflecting the brand's heritage. Below, we highlight some of the most celebrated and notable collections.
Rolex Submariner
The Submariner entered the catalogue in 1953 where Rolex produced a tool watch designed for everyday wear. Arguably Rolex's most popular and iconic model, it remains a solid option for customers due to its versatility and strong investment.
Rolex Daytona
The legendary Rolex Daytona was released in 1963, perfectly combining sports and luxury. Featuring the chronograph function achieved through a tachymeter bezel that allows for timekeeping tailoring the model for motorsports. Despite this, the Daytona collection includes the most sought-after and beautiful pieces released by Rolex.
Datejust
Debuting in 1945, Rolex released the timeless Datejust model to celebrate its 40th anniversary. Referring to innovation, Rolex created the first automatic wristwatch where the date would change automatically. Currently available in a 41mm, 36mm and 31mm case size, it is a highly popular Rolex watch for men and women.
GMT-Master II
The GMT-Master II is another very popular Rolex watch, appealing for travellers or pilots because of the model's dual time zone function. This Rolex model was released in 1982 and remains alive and well in the current Rolex collection, available in various materials and bezel colour combinations.
Day-Date
In 1956, Rolex launched the Day-Date flawlessly encapsulating elegance and class, worn to symbolise status. Rolex made the first ever wristwatch to showcase the day of the week in full on the dial, along with the date. Often referred to as the "Presential" because it is a Rolex watch that is noticed on the wrists of world leaders.
Sky-Dweller
In 2012 saw Rolex unveil their most complicated wristwatch, the Sky-Dweller. Featuring an annual calendar with a dual time zone, this function allows the Sky-Dweller to display the day, date and month without needing to adjust this until after a year.
Explorer
Crafted for extreme adventure, the Explorer entered in 1953 in fact, this model played a part in exploration history! Rolex equipped Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay with the Explorer model when the pair climbed Mount Everest in 1953, successfully demonstrating this watch's strength and durability in harsh climates.
Explorer II
In 1971, Rolex revealed the Explorer II, evolving the Explorer by incorporating a GMT function accompanied by a 24-hour fixed graduated bezel, providing essential information when exploring in extreme conditions.
Air-King
The Rolex Air-King was released in the midst of World War Two, paying homage to fighter pilots. Part of a collection called the "Air-Series", it remains the only Rolex watch in production from this collection.
Oyster Perpetual
First introduced in 1926, the Oyster Perpetual is one of Rolex's oldest models and has become a perfect entry-level rolex watch for men and women. Due to varied dial designs and the choice of five different case sizes, this model offers various configurations.
Yacht-Master
In 1992, Rolex launched the Yacht-Master aiming towards sailing fanatics with the function allowing for precise time reading through the model's graduated bidirectional bezel whilst showing a nautical aesthetic.
Sea-Dweller
An improvement in functionality on the Submariner saw the release of the Sea-Dweller in 1967 designed for diving professionals due to the model's ability to withstand extreme levels of water pressure of 1,220m equivalent to 4,000ft.
Deepsea
Rolex pushed boundaries and innovation for diving watches in 2008 with the release of the Deepsea. This incredible dive watch is resistant to 3,900m (12,000ft) of water pressure; an insane piece produced by Rolex.
Yacht-Master II
In 2007, the Yacht-Master II was released which is one of Rolex's most complicated models featuring a regatta time function- a ten minute chronograph used for sailboat racing.
1908
At Watches and Wonders 2023, Rolex launched the 1908 viewed as a beautiful dress watch that pays tribute to the year Hans Wilsdorf registered the brand's name and is one of Rolex's most beautiful and high performing watches.
Milgauss
Rolex released the first Milgauss in 1956; an interesting and unique piece tailored for the science community, specifically physicists. The Rolex Milgauss is capable to withstand high volumes of magnetism, performing finely in magnetic fields of up to 1,000 gauss whilst the average mechanical watch can only withstand a magnetic field of 50 to 100 gauss.
Cellini
The Rolex Cellini and 1908 are the two most elegant and refined dress watches released by Rolex. Introduced in the 1960s, the Cellini enjoyed a beautiful lifespan featuring a classic display, produced in various metals with a timeless finish.
Glossary Of Rolex Terms
Understanding Rolex watches can be difficult at times, even horological fanatics and timepiece collectors forget terms belonging to Rolex. So, if you are new to the world of Rolex, we have simplified your life with this ‘Glossary of Rolex Terms' helping you to better understand this exceptional brand.
Rolex Bracelets
- Oyster - Rolex's staple with a flat, broad three link format found on almost every model.
- Jubilee - An elegant and sleek design with a five-piece link.
- President - Only produced in precious metals, known as Rolex's most prestigious bracelet.
- Oysterflex - Made out of high-density elastomer, this is Rolex's flexible and comfortable rubber strap.
- Pearlmaster- A distinct bracelet delivering comfort through soft curves.
- Leather - Sophisticated and classic, Rolex's leather strap consists of an ardillon buckle.
Rolex Clasps
- Oysterlock - Guarantees security on your wrist that is also extremely corrosion resistant.
- Glidelock - Allows wearers to expand the bracelet demonstrating flexibility in using your watch with this clasp.
- Oysterclasp - A simple clasp suitable for everyday use.
- Hidden Crownclasp - Part of the most beautiful President bracelet that utilises the coronet logo as the clasp.
- Buckle - Applied to the leather strap, a perfect finish for this band.
Rolex Materials
- Oystersteel - Rolex's own stainless steel alloy using grade 904L steel that is corrosion resistant.
- Rolesor - A term used to describe the model's two tone combination of gold and steel.
- Rolesium - Being patented in 1932, this label is given to models that combine steel and platinum.
- Yellow Gold - Formed from 18ct gold alloys using various metals to create the beautiful golden colour.
- Everose Gold - Manufactured from 18ct pink gold alloy, mixed with copper and a tiny amount of platinum to create, arguably, the perfect rose gold colour.
- White Gold - This precious metal is made with silver and copper, resistant to corrosion and rust.
- Platinum - Rolex platinum watches are produced using 95% pure platinum. Difficulties in production with platinum is not unknown but models cast in platinum are known to be some of the most sought after pieces released by Rolex.
- Titanium - Only one watch is currently cast in titanium and that is the yacht-Master 42 226627. This titanium is a grade 5 alloy and is known as RLX Titanium.
What Services Do We Provide For Your Rolex?
Customisation
Whether you'd like a custom-designed dial on your Rolex Submariner, a diamond-set bezel on your Rolex Day-Date or to PVD your Rolex Daytona, we can do it for you!
Sell Your Watch
Have a used watch for sale? Perfect, we can buy a timepiece from you! Sell your Rolex watch to us, whether that's utilising our reputation listing your timepiece on our website or simply buying your watch straight out!
Services and Repair
A wide range of treatments are on display here at Time 4 Diamonds offering a full service, refurbishment or polishing and part replacements.Your luxury timepiece is in the safest of hands with our team of highly skilled in-house artisans, who have decades of experience working with Swiss watches.