Rolex - History, Models and Owners' Reviews

The Rolex brand was created in 1905 in London by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis. It is today based in Geneva, Switzerland, and is recognized worldwide as one of the leading manufacturers of luxury watches. Rolex, often called the “Crown brand”, is synonymous with prestige, innovation and unparalleled reliability in the watchmaking world.

History of the Rolex brand

The year 1926 marked an important turning point for the brand with the launch of the first waterproof watch, the Rolex Oyster. The robustness and reliability of this watch were spectacularly demonstrated in 1927 when Mercedes Gleitze, a British swimmer, crossed the English Channel with a Rolex Oyster on her wrist.

In 1945, Rolex launched the Datejust, the first automatic watch to indicate the date in a window on the dial. In 1953, Rolex introduced the Submariner watch, capable of withstanding depths of 100 meters. The same year, the brand presented the Explorer watch in homage to the first successful ascent of Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, equipped with Rolex watches.

Since its beginnings, Rolex is behind more than 400 patents, attesting to a perpetual search for improvement to guarantee its models unrivaled reliability. This DNA has allowed the brand to launch models that have marked watchmaking history and often become true myths such as the Rolex Daytona or the Rolex GMT-Master.

Since its creation and in particular with exceptional 50s in terms of innovations, Rolex has continued to launch new models and in particular:

1926 - Rolex Oyster
1953 - Rolex Explorer
1953 - Rolex Submariner
1955 - Rolex GMT-Master
1956 - Rolex Milgauss
1956 - Rolex Day-Date
1963 - Rolex Daytona
1967 - Rolex Sea Dweller
1971 - Rolex Explorer II
1983 - Rolex GMT-Master II
1992 - Rolex Yacht-Master
2007 - Rolex Yacht-Master II
2012 - Rolex Sky-Dweller
2022 - Rolex Deepsea Challenge
2023 - Rolex Perpetual 1908

Today, Rolex is known for its commitment to perfection, producing approximately one million watches each year, all certified “Certified Chronometer” the Rolex certification at -2/+2 seconds per day. Rolex is also a major player in the field of philanthropy, supporting numerous programs in the fields of education, environment, arts and sports.

What are the iconic models of the Rolex brand? 

Rolex offers a variety of models, each with its own distinctive features. The main and most sought-after models are:

Rolex Submariner

The Rolex Submariner is a professional diver's watch featuring a 41mm Oystersteel case, water resistance up to 30 ATM, Oyster bracelet with Rolex Glidelock extension system, automatic movement caliber 3230 , a black dial with luminous indexes, and a unidirectional rotating bezel with black Cerachrom disc. The Rolex Submariner often mistakenly called Rolex Submariner No Date is a watch that does not have a date unlike the Rolex Submariner Date which features the famous cyclops.

Rolex Datejust

The Rolex Datejust is an elegant and versatile watch with a 36mm Oystersteel and yellow gold case, water resistance up to 10 ATM, Jubilee bracelet, caliber 3235 automatic movement, champagne dial with diamond indexes, and a date complication with the famous Cyclops magnifying glass.

Rolex Day-Date

The Rolex Day-Date, also nicknamed Rolex President due to its association with many heads of state and influential figures, is another iconic watch from the Rolex brand. It is famous for displaying both the date and the day of the week in full, in addition to the time. The day of the week is usually indicated in full, adding a distinctive touch to its dial.

Traditionally, the Day-Date is offered in an 18-carat gold case, whether in yellow gold, white gold, rose gold or platinum. This characteristic gives it a luxurious and prestigious look. The Day-Date bracelet called President is an iconic bracelet specially designed for this model, composed of three large and robust semi-circular links. The Rolex Day-Date is equipped with an in-house automatic movement, manufactured by Rolex. These movements are certified Superlative Chronometer for their exceptional precision of -2/+2 seconds per day.

The Rolex Day-Date is available with a wide range of dials, including classic dials with stick indexes, Roman numeral dials, as well as more contemporary dials with engraved designs.

Rolex Daytona

The Rolex Daytona is a chronograph watch designed for automobile racing. It features a 40mm Oystersteel case, water resistance up to 10 ATM meters, an Oyster bracelet, an automatic caliber 4130 movement, a white dial with black subdials, and a bezel with tachymeter scale.

Rolex GMT-Master II

The Rolex GMT-Master II is a watch designed for intercontinental travelers, with a 40 mm Oystersteel case, water resistance up to 10 ATM meters, an Oyster bracelet, an automatic movement caliber 3285, a black dial with luminous indexes, and a bidirectional bezel with two-tone blue and black Cerachrom disc, allowing to display two time zones simultaneously.

Rolex Yacht-Master

The Rolex Yacht-Master is a luxury watch for sailing enthusiasts. It features a 40 mm Everose gold case, water resistance up to 10 ATM meters, an Oysterflex bracelet with Rolex Glidelock folding clasp, an automatic caliber 3235 movement, a chocolate dial with luminous indexes, and a bidirectional rotating bezel with brown ceramic Cerachrom disc.

Rolex Sky-Dweller

The Rolex Sky-Dweller is a watch designed for world travelers, with a 42mm Oystersteel and white gold case, water resistance up to 10 ATM meters, Oyster bracelet, caliber 9001 automatic movement, blue dial with luminous indexes, and date, month and second time zone complications.

The Sky-Dweller with its annual calendar is to date the most complicated watch ever offered by the brand.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual is the epitome of the classic Rolex watch, with a 28-41mm Oystersteel case, water resistance up to 10 ATM meters, Oyster bracelet, caliber 3230 automatic movement, and an electric blue dial with luminous indexes. The Oyster Perpetual or OP is undoubtedly the little sister of the Rolex Datejust with a more discreet identity and a diversity of dials which have evolved over time into multiple colors and tones. The Oyster Perpetual collection models, not escaping the exceptionally strong demand for Rolex watches, are difficult to find, particularly for the most sought-after colors such as “Tiffany” blue.

Rolex Cellini

The Rolex Cellini is distinguished by its 39 mm 18-carat Everose gold case, its water resistance up to 50 meters, its brown alligator leather strap with 18-carat gold buckle, its automatic mechanical movement caliber 3132 , its white lacquered dial with applied indexes and dauphine hands.

The collection Cellini is Rolex's line of dress watches, dedicated to the art of fine watchmaking. It has evolved over time, moving from rectangular or asymmetrical watches to a more classic collection including the Rolex Cellini Moonphase. All models in the Cellini collection pay homage to traditional watchmaking craftsmanship while bringing the technical perfection and contemporary aesthetics of Rolex. The Cellini is ideal for formal occasions and for those who appreciate timeless elegance and refined simplicity.

Despite a great diversity of models since its beginnings in the 1960s, the Cellini collection has struggled to find its place alongside the iconic Rolex models, and was discontinued in March 2023 to be replaced by the Rolex 1908.

Rolex Sea-Dweller

The Rolex Sea-Dweller is a professional diving watch, with a 43 mm Oystersteel case, water resistance up to 4,000 feet, an Oyster bracelet with Rolex Glidelock and Fliplock extension system, an automatic movement caliber 3235, a black dial with luminous indexes, and a unidirectional rotating bezel with black Cerachrom disc.

Since its launch in 1967, the Sea-Dweller or "SD" incorporates a helium valve very useful for professional saturation divers who sometimes have to spend several days in a decompression airlock. The helium molecules being so small - they have made their way inside the casing - must exit through this valve instead of decompressing inside the casing and thus damaging it by making it lose its watertightness. .

Rolex Deepsea

Finally, the Rolex Deepsea is the ultimate diver's watch, with a 44mm Oystersteel case, impressive water resistance up to 12,800 feet, an Oyster bracelet with Rolex Glidelock and Fliplock extension system, an automatic caliber 3235 movement, a D-blue dial gradient from blue to black, and a unidirectional rotating bezel with black Cerachrom disc.

The Rolex Deepsea is inseparable from director James Cameron known worldwide for numerous films including “Titanic”. Out of passion for the abyss and to prepare the film “Abyss”, he co-financed with Rolex an expedition to the Mariana Trench (the deepest place in the earth's crust at -10,908 meters). The prototype Rolex Deepsea Challenge having been attached to the submarine used by Cameron. Rolex will use the patents tested during this expedition to launch the Rolex Deepsea.

Rolex Perpetual 1908

The Rolex Perpetual 1908 is an elegant and contemporary watch, part of the Rolex Perpetual collection. Here are its main characteristics. The watch sports a slim 18-carat (750/000) yellow or white gold case, measuring 39mm in diameter, with graceful lines and a subtly fluted bezel. The dial is available in intense white or intense black, featuring Arabic numerals 3, 9 and 12 as well as faceted indexes.

The Perpetual 1908 is equipped with caliber 7140, an automatic movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. It incorporates technological innovations such as the Chronergy escapement and the Syloxi silicon hairspring for high precision and shock resistance. Like all Rolex models, the 1908 benefits from the Rolex “Certified Chronometer” certification which guarantees performance in terms of precision of -2/2 seconds per day.

The Rolex Perpetual 1908 combines tradition and modernity in a timeless design, embodying the brand's watchmaking excellence and celebrating its aesthetic heritage.

How much does a Rolex watch cost? 

Prices for new Rolex watches change every year, but most Rolex models cost between $ 6,000 and $ 40,000. A Rolex Oyster Perpetual costs around $ 5,000, while a Rolex Day-Date 40 in yellow gold costs almost $ 40,000. Rolex also offers models made from precious materials and set with diamonds at much higher prices.

Rolex: The brand of all superlatives!

Rolex is more than a watch brand, it is an institution in the world of watchmaking. Renowned for the exceptional quality and reliability of its watches, the brand has carved out a unique place for itself in the world of luxury. Rolex is a preferred choice for those looking for a watch that combines traditional craftsmanship, cutting-edge technology and timeless design. To own a Rolex is to own a piece of watchmaking history, a symbol of success and distinction.

To find out more about the brand and its models, I invite you to consult the official Rolex website. Finally, remember that each Rolex is often considered a work of art, an investment that is passed down from generation to generation. Unsurprisingly, Rolex is part of the Ranking of the most popular Swiss watch brands and the Ranking of the best luxury watch brands.

To choose the Rolex model that best suits you, Dialicious owners’ reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating different models through real customer experience. Other customers might prefer Tudor, but that's another story... 

(Updated March 2025)