Why is Rolex So Successful?

Have you ever wondered why Rolex is so successful? From humble beginnings to its legendary status, read on to unpack exactly how Rolex became the powerhouse it’s recognised as today.

The History Behind the Brand

Wilsdorf and Davis (W&D) was founded in London, England in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and his brother-in-law, Alfred Davis. Wilsdorf registered the trade name Rolex, a name that came to him on a coach journey, just a few years later in 1908. This then became the brand’s new name, selected for its ability to transcend any language. Wilsdorf also opened an office in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland that same year, solidifying Rolex as a Swiss watchmaker.

Rolex’s concentration on quality movements and chronometric precision enabled it to quickly become a huge success. In 1910, a Rolex watch was the first wristwatch in the world to receive the Swiss Certificate of Chronometric Precision, ratifying it as an exceptional timekeeper. From this point onwards, Rolex became synonymous with accuracy and quality.

Rolex has continued to make waves in the watchmaking industry throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. From innovative new timepieces such as the Sea-Dweller and the Cosmograph Daytona to environmental efforts including protection of the Tanoé-Ehy Forest and reforestation of the High Andes, Rolex is recognised today as truly the best of the best when it comes to Swiss watches, and it’s easy to see why.

Innovation that has Made History

Rolex is globally renowned for its innovation and award-winning status. One of Rolex’s most notable revolutionary inventions was the Oyster, the world’s first waterproof watch, in 1926. This was done by completely protecting the calibre with a patented system of bezel screws.

Just five years later, Rolex released yet another incredible invention, patenting the first self-winding mechanism, known as a Perpetual rotor, in 1931. Instead of the wearer manually winding their wristwatch, Rolex watches could now be wound by the daily movements of the wearer’s own wrist by transmitting kinetic energy through the wheels of the winding mechanism to the mainspring.

Rolex continued to pave the way in the watchmaking industry, producing extraordinary horological developments over time. In particular, the 1950s saw a number of Rolex’s most iconic creations come to life, including the 1953 Submariner, the first divers’ watch that was waterproof up to 100 meters, and the 1955 GMT-Master, designed with pilots and travellers in mind.

A True Status Symbol

Using only the best materials, and claiming much attention in the public eye, Rolex watches have become a true status symbol. This is primarily due to Rolex’s use of second-to-none materials. Platinum is always 950 platinum, gold is always 18K, and even the steel is a 904L alloy, best known for its application in the aerospace industry.

For their unmatched quality and global acclaim, celebrities and famous athletes alike love Rolex. As far as celebrities go, Elton John has been seen sporting the Rolex Daytona in 2025, David Beckham is known for his vintage GMT-Master, and Bruce Springsteen is known to be an avid collector of a wide range of Rolex models. Athletes Roger Federer, Jack Nicklaus, and Sir Jackie Stewart have also each been spotted wearing stunning Rolex timepieces.

Hart Time is a bespoke luxury watch dealer based in Kent. We offer a personal service for anyone looking to buy, exchange, or sell a luxury watch in the South East and across the UK. We specialise in a number of iconic watch brands including Rolex, Tag Heuer, Omega and Breitling.