Rolex, as a luxury brand, is known for a couple of different things. The first is the high price tag and exclusive status, which means that getting your hands on an authentic Rolex timepiece is far from easy. But what is it that makes Rolex such a highly sought after, high value brand in the first place?
The Rolex name garners a great deal of attention on the luxury market and owes its reputation to the quality of each timepiece, the innovation behind its various functions and individual collections, and the prestige that comes from its celebrity fanbase. The Rolex Submariner, for example, broke records by being launched as Rolex’s first completely waterproof watch to a depth of 100m and was heralded by Sean Connery’s James Bond as his watch of choice for eight different movies. Similar connections and stories adorn the release of other collections still, giving Rolex a place on the market which is both unrivalled and unlikely to change anytime soon.
This article is all about those Rolex timepieces which were considered the most innovative at the time of release, and which are still recognised today as being pioneering and ahead of their time on the watch market.
Rolex as a brand and how it became such a revolutionary name on the market
Rolex was founded by Hans Wilsdorf in 1905 in London. From its earliest days, it was pitched as a brand that would push boundaries and create innovative timepieces that marked the future of the watch industry.
You only have to look at the long term strategy of the Rolex brand to see what made it a staple in the timepiece market. When Rolex was founded, the creators behind the brand were entering an industry where pocket watches were the standard, and where accuracy was of a low priority to existing manufacturers. Thus, when Rolex created first the wristwatch – and then proceeded to prioritise accuracy alongside style and functionality – they landed on a market which people were desperate for.
The very first innovation that Rolex covered was the design and launch of a wristwatch which was reliable, waterproof, and dust proof. These features then spanned into the collection for years and decades to come – underpinning the launch of the Submariner to name just one of Rolex’s most prominent creations.
The most innovative Rolex models
Rolex Submariner
Though not the first step into the waterproof market for Rolex (more on that in a moment), the Submariner makes it to the top of this list because of the way it sparked not just a step forward for watchmaking but a whole new era for the Rolex brand.
The Submariner was launched in 1953 as the first wristwatch which could be taken to a depth of up to 100m and still work perfectly. It was also the first wristwatch which was launched as part of the Rolex professional collection, directly connected to a professional pastime and thus lending itself to an extensive campaign which elevated the brand further. This is the watch that James Bond wore in his early outings and was also connected with some notable deep sea expeditions.
Modern Submariner watches can now be taken to depths of up to 300m, marking how much the watch has developed and improved over the years.
Rolex Oyster
You might notice that many of the different Rolex models have ‘Oyster’ in the title. This is the element of the design which renders every Rolex waterproof to an extent, meaning that they can be worn with ease while out and about – all year round.
The Oyster was released as early as 1926, demonstrating how Rolex was always committed to creating timepieces which were as practical and functional as they were stylish and built to last.
Rolex Datejust
The release of the Datejust in 1945 brought with it one very clear innovation – the automatic date change dial. This meant that users could see the time and the date at one time; a concept which was superseded in 1956 by the Rolex Day-Date…
Rolex Day-Date
The first wristwatch which displayed both the date and the day, automatically, on the dial of the watch.
The future of Rolex
Rolex’s brand story, its past, and its ever-growing selection of timepieces demonstrates a brand which is committed to revolutionising the market and to consistently doing something new.
Whether you are seeking a Rolex for your own personal collection, as an investment, or are looking to sell an existing Rolex, partnering with a reputable seller is key for ensuring the right level of valuation and authentication.
Also read: How to Pick Your Rolex?