Rolex is one of the most prestigious watch brands in the world, but beyond its luxury status, there are many fascinating facts that even watch enthusiasts may not know. From deep-sea exploration to record-breaking auctions, here are 10 surprising facts about Rolex.
1. Rolex Conquered the Deepest Point on Earth 🌊
In 2012, filmmaker James Cameron took a Rolex Deepsea Challenge watch on his solo dive to the Mariana Trench (10,908m deep) - and it survived the extreme conditions without a scratch!
2. Rolex Wasn’t Always Swiss 🇨🇭
Founded in London in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf, Rolex only moved to Geneva in 1919 to avoid heavy British taxes on luxury goods. Today, it's one of Switzerland’s most iconic watch brands.
3. It Takes a Year to Make Just One Rolex ⏳
Each Rolex timepiece takes around 12 months to manufacture because nearly every part is made in-house with meticulous craftsmanship. This ensures the highest quality and precision.
4. The Name ‘Rolex’ Means Absolutely Nothing 🤷♂️
Hans Wilsdorf wanted a brand name that was short, easy to pronounce, and looked good on a watch dial. Since he couldn’t find a suitable existing word, he simply made up ‘Rolex’!
5. Rolex Has a Secret Gold Formula 🏆
Unlike other watchmakers, Rolex produces its own 18k gold in a top-secret foundry. This gives Rolex gold watches a distinctive shine and durability that competitors can’t replicate.
6. Every Rolex Watch Undergoes Extreme Testing 🔬
Rolex watches are tested in pressurised water tanks to ensure water resistance. Some models are even strapped to robots that mimic human movements for years to check their durability.
7. Rolex Helped POWs Escape During WWII 🔓
During World War II, Rolex allowed British prisoners of war to order watches on credit, promising they could pay later. Many used their Rolex watches to time their escape plans, including in the famous "Great Escape" of 1944.
8. Rolex Watches Have Been to the Moon (Unofficially) 🌕
While Omega was NASA’s official space watch, some astronauts - including Ed Mitchell (Apollo 14) - wore their personal Rolexes during missions to the Moon.
9. Rolex Holds a World Record for Deep-Sea Diving 🤯
In 1960, the Rolex Deepsea Special was strapped to the Trieste submarine and sent to a depth of 10,916m. The watch emerged fully functional, proving Rolex’s unmatched engineering.
10. The Most Expensive Rolex Ever Sold Was $17.8 Million 💰
In 2017, Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona 6239 sold at auction for a staggering $17.8 million (£14.6 million), making it the most expensive Rolex ever sold.
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