Rolex

Founded in London by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis and moved to Geneva. Gave the wristwatch the waterproof Oyster case in 1926 and the automatic Perpetual rotor in 1931; Submariner, GMT-Master, Daytona and Datejust.

Hans Wilsdorf started the firm in London with his brother-in-law Alfred Davis and bought movements from Switzerland. He moved the company to Geneva after the First World War and backed the wristwatch when most people still carried pocket watches.

The Oyster case of 1926 was waterproof, and Mercedes Gleitze wore a Rolex when she swam the English Channel. The Submariner, GMT-Master and Daytona became tool watches for divers, pilots and racing drivers. Rolex is owned by Hans Wilsdorf's foundation.

Reference and serial numbers between the lugs (on later watches on the rehaut under the crystal); a crown on the winding crown and a magnifier over the date.

• Clocks and watches
• Rolex Submariner
• Rolex Oyster Perpetual
• Rolex Bubbleback
• Rolex Air-King
• Rolex Datejust
• Rolex Explorer
• Rolex GMT-Master
• Rolex Day-Date
• Rolex Milgauss
• Rolex Cosmograph Daytona
• Rolex Sea-Dweller
• Rolex Cellini
• Rolex Explorer II
• Rolex Yacht-Master
• Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea
• Rolex Sky-Dweller