When it comes to luxury watches, Rolex undoubtedly is one of the first big names that come into mind – it even just sounds expensive. It is represented by a crown logo, making it look as the most royal timepiece among all the other watch brands. The story behind the brand says that a genie whispered the name into the air of Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of the company. Even though he had come up with thousands of names previously, Rolex is said to have a divine origin.
Rolex was the first wristwatch ever to receive a “Class A” chronometer certificate. It is a hallmark of excellence reflecting the highest level of accuracy. To achieve that, ultra complex mechanisms are created, consisting hundreds of cogwheels. To make sure of the quality, each watch is put through serious testing – 15 days and nights under different conditions by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute. It is said that a Rolex can function anywhere on the Planet.
Rolex watches are high-end luxury watches, meaning that the timepieces are created by the finest watchmakers and from the finest materials – precious metals and pure gemstones instead of artificial crystals. Not only is the price made up of the high-quality raw materials, there is a lot of intangible value that is invested in the Rolex – there is even a special innovation department that works on improving the mechanisms.
When it comes to choosing a wristwatch, the Swiss watches are known to be the best choice – they have set the standards of the industry and are proud to be considered worldwide as the leaders within the industry. Rolex is one of the best-known Swiss watch brands – it is a watch of utmost quality, a good investment and a sign of status, wealth and achievements. Many choose their first Rolex to celebrate a milestone – some kind of accomplishment.
As I am a keen admirer of luxury watches and I myself love to own things that have a story behind to tell, I decided to go deeper into the research of Rolex to find out why it stands out as a number 1 watch in the watchmaking industry and why one should choose to buy it from among others.
The history behind Rolex
The company is more than a century old – it was founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis. First it started operating in London, but later on in 1920 it moved to Geneva, Switzerland. At the time wristwatches were not very reliable as they were not as precise and were considered mainly as a jewelry for women; however, Hans Wilsdorf was dreaming of changes and he believed in the accuracy of the wristwatches in the future.
That is why he is known as a pioneer and a visionary that foresaw the potential of the wristwatches, making them useful for everyday life. Rolex first put an effort into the quality of the movements. The hard work resulted in receiving Swiss Certificate of Chronometric Precision in 1910 – Rolex was the first wristwatch to receive it. Only four years later it was also granted “A class” certificate – Rolex was the first wristwatch in the world to receive that.
It defined Rolex as a watch not only of elegant design, but also a watch one can rely on. That is what changed the role of the wristwatches and made them a trustworthy companion of their wearers. However, Rolex did not rest for long on laurels – they continued to work on innovations and improvements of the mechanisms.
Rolex – a survivor anywhere on the Planet
In 1926 the first waterproof wristwatch was manufactured – Rolex Oyster. That allowed the watch world to enter into a completely new environment. In the next year Mercedes Gleitze gained fame as the first British woman to swim the English Channel. A thoughtful move from Hans Wilsdorf was to grant her Rolex Oyster to take it along – after being taken out of the water, Rolex was still running without losing a second.
In 1953 it also conquered the top of Everest – it proved that Rolex can survive in high altitude. However, not only it conquered the highest peaks, it also dived into the depths of the oceans. In 1960 the US Navy sent a research marine in the Mariana trench that is known as the deepest place in the ocean – Rolex was taken along and came back as precise and moving as it had entered.
Its performance can be compared to one with world-class sportsmen, artists, actors and actresses. That is why many of them choose to wear it – as it is known for its utmost quality. The same as Rolex is continuing to seek new limits, push boundaries and look for new opportunities, the same goes for every personality that works their way into becoming better and performing better. It is a brand for the elite – the ones that believe in big dreams and opportunities.
What does a Rolex watch say about you?
As an exquisite, exclusive watch it tells about its wearer without words. In every timepiece of Rolex its history is incorporated and it tells a story of pushing forward and believing the future possibilities. That is a watch for anyone that wants to grow and improve oneself and reach excellence. It shows the ability to focus on goals, achievements and self-realization. Every Rolex wristwatch embodies a philosophy of long-term quality and achieving the highest potential.
That is why it is so appealing as it is not only a watch and it does not only show a precise time. It is a special detail that can be added to one’s style, a resemblance of belief in one’s abilities. There is a whole history behind it. And that is an intangible value that is added to each Rolex – a perpetual heritage and years that it took for it to stand where it is now.
As much as it took for Rolex to perfect its watches, it takes for someone to arrive at a point in their lives to be able to afford one – to do so, one has to perfect his or her abilities, reach the potential and gain recognition. Therefore, I would say that not only Rolex is a trustworthy watch, it is a philosophy and language, way of thinking, way of living.
Rolex – a watch for every occasion
When it comes to choosing the right Rolex model, there is plenty from where to choose. The watch resembles one’s values and personality; therefore, the model should go hand in hand with the lifestyle of its wearer and meet the needs of every occasion. There are models that are more suitable for special occasions and models that can be worn in everyday life. There are sporty and classy models and even versatile – suitable both on formal and informal events.
There are classic timepieces that will always look timeless – and you cannot go wrong with that look. A timeless classic, in my opinion, are Rolex Datejust or Rolex Perpetual models. That is a piece of art that will be highly valued and appreciated also after a decade and more – a model that can be left to the grandchildren. Even after a century such models are going to be seen as beautiful and elegant.
The other question to consider is whether to obtain a new and unworn model or vintage. Clearly a vintage model is less expensive. When it comes to quality and reliability of a vintage watch, it is smart to choose a boutique store to try on the watch. For example, Baltic Watches offer warranty for each watch – each pre-owned watch has undergone rigorous testing. When buying a vintage watch, it is better to make sure it goes together with a warranty.
Where to try on a Rolex watch in Baltics?
In the Baltic countries there is one special boutique store that is home to the Swiss watches – it is the first full-service watch store in the Baltics. It is located in the old town of Riga, Jana street 3. Every model that can be found on the Baltic Watches website, can be tried on and looked at in the watch store as well. There are also Rolex models from which to choose. Every watch from Baltic Watches comes with a warranty.
That is where I bought my first serious watch as well. It is an important decision and a special moment in one’s life – it requires to reach a certain level of prosperity in order to be able to afford a Rolex watch. To me it is important to go in the store and be able to try on the watch, to see how it fits my wrist. Sometimes a watch can seem appealing visually, but only when it’s tried on it is possible to say whether it suits one’s personality and how comfortable it feels.
Besides, in Baltic Watches not only it is possible to purchase a Rolex watch, it is also a workshop that offers a licensed Swiss watch repair. Whether it is a small detail that needs to be changed or a more complex situation, the watchmakers can deal with it. As a noteworthy advantage is the fact that each watch after its repair receives a warranty – thus the owner can leave with a calm heart knowing that the watch will keep on ticking.
Also, if you already own a Rolex and want to change your model for another one, Baltic Watches offer repurchase and exchange services. It is possible to sell your watch – you just need to fill out the form on their website.
To conclude, just one last small detail – Rolex watches actually do not tick, they simply move forward smoothly. That is one of the aspects that allows us to differentiate between a fake and a real Rolex watch. If you are looking for a classic and timeless wristwatch, Rolex is certainly a sound investment. The knowledgeable staff of Baltic Watches can tell more about each model. Visit the store in the very heart of Riga and find the one that speaks to you.