Lesser Known Facts About the King of Watches- Rolex

Lesser Known Facts About the King of luxury watches – Rolex

Fancy watches are a hard-earned fashion statement/luxury that have become a significant sign of power in recent memory. It’s becoming more and more common to see high ranking officials and politicians bear a nice timekeeper on their wrists to hint at their government and business standings.

And when you think of high-class, luxury watches, Rolexes should be one of the first watch makers on your mind. These beauties are high class, high end, and high priced. They are the kings of all fancy watches, and you make a big statement if you own one. It’s not hard to see why, either. They’re some of the most precise watches to ever exist. If you’re big on accuracy, these watches are the way to go. Seldom available online, Rolex watches are popular with retailers like Zimson. However, despite their worldwide popularity, there are some facts about these timekeeping behemoths that you may not be aware of. Behold, the lesser known facts about Rolexes:

• It All Began in London

Rolex is a Swiss company. This we all know. However, it wasn’t always that way. According to dailynewsdig.com, back in 1905, Rolex began not as a watchmaker, but as a watch assembler. The company would order parts from Switzerland and place them into watch cases made in England. After some time, though, the owners became so bogged down by taxes in their area that they moved to Switzerland in 1919 and began making their own line of watches. The company has been there ever since.

• “Rolex” Doesn’t Really Mean Anything 

Here’s a shocking twist! Naturally, when people make a product or begin a business, the name of their merchandise or company itself almost always has a meaning to it. Rolex, however, does not. Many people have speculated that it originates from the French phrase that means “exquisite clockwork,” says hiconsumption.com, but even then, people are reaching a bit. There have been other theories as to what Rolex could mean, but even the founders themselves didn’t really know. All they stated was that they wanted a word that could be pronounced in all languages and would look good on a watch. Hey, at least they succeeded, right?

• They Became Known for Their Activity in the War

Watches were used very commonly in war by the British, so naturally, when Rolex began introducing their new line, soldiers and pilots picked up some for themselves to use. After operating with Rolexes for many days, the British soldiers found that they preferred the brand over anything they had used before because they were sturdier and more reliable. Better yet, if they were captured and lost their watches as a result, Rolex would send them replacements as needed. Once the soldiers got back from the war, they spread the word about how great the watches and company were.

• Every Rolex is Handmade (Still) 

If we were speaking in terms of the early 1900s, this wouldn’t come as much of a surprise. We are not in the 1900s anymore. This is 2015, folks! Think of all the Rolexes that are out, all the ones you have seen, etc. Every single one of them was made by hand. Wonderfulengineering.com states that some machinery is used for basic assistance, but all the important stuff is handled by hand so that you are guaranteed you get that perfect watch for your needs.

• Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Ain’t No Valley Low Enough 

This is definitely one of the more impressive feats of these watches. In the year 1953, the first recorded scaling of Mount Everest was successfully completed. Each of the explorers was armed with their very own Rolex to accompany them on their journey. Never once did the watch falter or slow down, despite the high altitudes. The precision was still on point.

In 1960, a different expedition was made by a great submarine and her loyal crew to the depths of the Marianas Trench: the deepest point in the entire world. Wanting to know if the watch would still work, some of the crew members stuck a Rolex on the outside and were amazed to see that the watch never slowed down, even when exposed to over 14,000 pounds of force.

Despite how expensive they can be, Rolexes are definitely worth the cost. They are some of the most durable watches ever made, they are crafted beautifully, and they look great no matter what corner of the world you live in. They’re true marvels to behold, and their known feats make them all the more desirable for everyone who sees them.