Rolex Watches

During over one hundred years of watch making history, the name Rolex has become synonymous with craftsmanship and style. Rolex is probably one of them most recognizable brand names in history and is well known throughout the world. These watches are among some of most popular and sought after watches, prized by prince and pauper alike. As a result of this enormous cultural popularity, the Rolex name has long been the target of those seeking to capitalize on this famous brand by flooding the world market with a seemingly endless supply of cheap knockoffs and outright fakes which can sometimes fool even a savvy watch buyer. More than just a cottage industry, copies of the genuine article can be found in great abundance.

Unlike many manufacturers of fine Swiss timepieces, Rolex got its start in England, with founder Hans Wildorf setting up his first operation in London in the year nineteen and five. Wildorf emigrated from his birthplace of Bavaria in Germany and was orphaned at a young age. Almost from the start he focused on producing fine quality wrist watches at a time when watch buyers were being abandoning their more cumbersome pocket watches in favor of the convenience and style of the wrist watch. Like many watch makers of his day, Wildorf purchased movements from more established firms in Switzerland.

Unlike the pocket watch which, as the name implied, fit snugly in ones watch pocket, the wrist watch was more exposed to the elements and to the wear and tear of everyday use. Many early wrist watches had problem with water and dirt intruding into the internal workings causing premature wear and requiring regular cleaning. Wildorf strove to create a watch that was water and dust proof and her succeeded by marketing one of the first watches that featured a waterproof case.