For many years, watches have been the status symbol for most people. An exquisite timepiece on the wrist isn’t just used to tell the time, but also to complete any outfit. You’re never really fully dressed without a wristwatch because it’s the icing to the cake. It adds a touch of elegance and sophistication. One of the most popular brands of high-quality luxury watches is Rolex. It was coined as “the only watch that matters,” and it deserves that saying for many reasons!
Today, we’ll share with you eight facts about the ever-so-famous Rolex; why its watches are truly the most coveted of all the other luxury brands out there today, and some random fun trivia about the brand, too. Interested? Well, keep on reading!
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The meaning of “Rolex”
First up on our facts list is the meaning of Rolex–or the lack of! Well, no one knows what “Rolex” actually means. But watchmakers assume that the brand’s name comes from “Horlogerie exquise,” which is a French term that means “exquisite clockwork.” However, Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of the brand said that “Rolex” was a short name that would look good on a watch face. It’s also a name that is very unlikely to be mispronounced in any language. So, that was that.
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Each Rolex watch is handmade
Machines make everything in this modern age. But it’s different with Rolex. Each Rolex watch is handmade by watch artisans in Switzerland. The brand aims to give attention and dedication to each piece to ensure that the brand’s strict standards are met. The base materials of the watches are all made in-house and after all the parts are completed, everything is assembled by hand and tested individually. Rolex truly has an intense process for quality assurance, which is why they will surely last you a lifetime and more!
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They conduct pressure tests before a product is released
Rolex is known to be at the forefront of water-resistant technology. This means many steps pass through a single product to test its capability. Each Rolex watch is individually placed in a sensitive air-pressure chamber to test if the case of the watch has any leaks. The watch is scrapped if there are any findings of condensation or water infiltration by a medical-grade optical sensor.
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The brand uses 904L stainless steel
904L is the most expensive stainless steel in the world! And only Rolex uses this type of material for their products. You will find that other luxury brands only use 316L stainless steel. But the one that Rolex uses is the best out there since it does not rust, corrode, or pit. This is a significant advantage for salt-water divers because other watches aren’t capable of. So your Rolex watch can handle all your adventures as much as you do!
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Rolex makes their gold
All the gold watches by Rolex are made by an in-house foundry. This means that the gold used by the brand isn’t just of high quality, but also made with the most extraordinary materials. They undergo strict quality measures; the brand boasts the fact that they make their gold and have their real foundry in-house!
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The 6239 Daytona watch was sold for $17.75 million
This is the most expensive Rolex to date, costing nearly $18 million! It’s popularly known as the “Paul Newman Daytona” which has exotic dials, a stainless steel case, and a leather strap. It’s considered as one of the most iconic watches from the Rolex brand, and it was sold during Phillips’ inaugural watch auction in October 2017 in New York City.
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Rolex has high-level security for its headquarters
Being one of the most coveted and most luxurious brands, Rolex has to maintain a high level of security for its headquarters. But that’s already a given. The fact that it also has Everose gold costing $1 million, it’s only fair for them to take a step higher in terms of security level. This means their employees need to have their fingerprints and irises scanned before entering their bank, which is secured by a vault door. When Rolex parts need to be transported from one place to another, unmarked armoured trucks are used. Talk about keeping their goods safe, huh?
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The “IIII” on their Roman numeral dials
The number four is written as “IV” in Roman numerals, but for Rolex, it’s “IIII” because it means “Watchmaker’s four.” It doesn’t have much meaning to it except for aesthetics and to balance the visual symmetry.
“A Crown for Every Achievement”
This is the tagline for Rolex, and with its achievements in undeniably being the best watch brand out there, it truly deserves it! A watch from this brand is worth the investment because of its quality and craftsmanship. When you finally get the chance to spoil yourself with an exquisite watch, you’ll never go wrong with choosing a Rolex. Visit WatchShopping.com for an array of authentic Rolex watches. You’ll surely find one that’s best suited for you!