The first true diver's watch, the "Submariner"

Born in 1953, it featured a water resistance of 100 meters, groundbreaking for its time. Today, it has evolved to 300 meters, boasting a recognition so high it's considered "the standard for all dive watches."

From its inception, Rolex aimed to create the ultimate practical watch. In an era when pocket watches were the norm, they focused on producing more practical wristwatches. As a tool worn on the wrist, durability against water and sweat was paramount. In 1926, they patented the "Oyster," a hermetically sealed case. By further reinforcing this proprietary waterproof case and equipping it with a rotating bezel for measuring dive times, the world's first true diver's watch, the "Submariner," was born.



BRAND HISTORY

Founded in the early 20th century, when wristwatches were still a nascent invention, Rolex has walked alongside them for over 100 years, achieving remarkable advancements.

The history of Rolex began in 1905 with the establishment of "Wilsdorf and Davis," the precursor to the brand, in London, England. Founder Hans Wilsdorf was a visionary entrepreneur who recognized the potential of wristwatches in an era dominated by pocket watches. By 1907, he had already moved the company's operational functions to Switzerland to focus on watch manufacturing. The following year, he conceived the brand name "ROLEX" and registered it as a trademark.

In 1910, Rolex achieved its first official chronometer certification from a public accuracy testing institute, attesting to the high precision of its products. In 1926, they invented the "Oyster" case, a hermetically sealed, dustproof structure, overcoming the vulnerability of wristwatches to water and dust.

Subsequently, they developed the "Perpetual" self-winding system, which winds the mainspring through the rotation of a rotor, and the "Datejust," which features a digital display at the 3 o'clock position and automatically changes the date at midnight. Rolex's role in the evolution of the wristwatch cannot be overstated.

The 1950s saw a diversification of the product line, with the creation of watches for professionals undertaking specialized tasks, such as the "Submariner," the world's first dive watch, and the "Explorer," a wristwatch for adventurers. Naturally, this focus on creating watches for extreme conditions also enhanced the reliability of Rolex products for general users.

This spirit of ambitious development continues today. In 2000, they succeeded in in-house production of chronographs. In 2007, they introduced next-generation models of the anti-magnetic "Milgauss" and a new chronograph for regattas. While consistently at the center of attention in the watchmaking world, they continue to steadfastly produce watches grounded in practicality.

Year Founded: 1905
Place of Founding: London, England
Main Series: Oyster Perpetual, Cellini
Inquiries: Rolex Japan Public Relations, 03-3216-5671

Official Website: http://www.rolex.com/ja/