Rolex
The reference for precision and value retention
No manufacture has shaped the image of the modern wristwatch as lastingly as Rolex. What began in 1905 in London as a trading house is today the benchmark against which the entire secondary market measures itself.
The evolution of Rolex
Hans Wilsdorf founded the company Wilsdorf & Davis in London in 1905, initially fitting movements of Swiss origin into his own cases. The name Rolex followed in 1908 — short, pronounceable in every language and easy to read on the dial. In 1919 Wilsdorf moved the company's seat to Geneva.
The technical breakthrough came in 1926 with the Oyster case: a screwed bezel, screwed case back and screwed crown. In 1927 Mercedes Gleitze swam the English Channel with an Oyster on her wrist — the first great demonstration of a product feature, one that still carries the brand's reputation today.
In 1931 came the Perpetual rotor, the foundation of the modern automatic movement. With the Datejust (1945) and Day-Date (1956), Rolex established calendar functions in everyday use, while from the 1950s onward the Submariner, GMT-Master and Explorer created the family of tool watches that forms the core of today's collector market.
Since 1960 Rolex has been wholly owned by the non-profit Hans Wilsdorf Foundation. The company answers to no stock exchange, publishes no production figures and tightly controls the availability of its models — a key reason for the dynamism of the secondary market.
- Founded
- 1905 in London
- Headquarters
- Geneva, Switzerland
- Founder
- Hans Wilsdorf
- Owner
- Hans Wilsdorf Foundation
- Milestone
- Oyster case, 1926
- Material
- Oystersteel, Everose, 950 platinum
Core Models
Submariner
The dive watch against which every other is measured
Explore the modelsince 1963Cosmograph Daytona
The chronograph that became a myth
Explore the modelsince 1955GMT-Master II
Two time zones, one icon
Explore the modelsince 1945Datejust
The watch that invented the date
Explore the modelsince 1956Day-Date
The President
Explore the modelsince 1992Yacht-Master
Nautical precision in precious metal
Explore the modelWhat matters with Rolex
- 01
Rolex is the most liquid brand on the secondary market. Almost every reference has an international pool of buyers, which makes valuation and resale predictable.
- 02
Completeness pays off measurably: original box, warranty card and service records can noticeably affect a reference's value.
- 03
With steel sports models in particular, checking case proportions, bezel insert and movement number is decisive. Reworked or over-polished cases lose value permanently.
Rolex at Predeluxe
Questions about Rolex?
Book a complimentary live call with our specialists. We will explain the process, answer detailed questions and guide you in your decision — regardless of whether the piece is currently available.
We purchase Rolex — discreetly, verified and at fair market terms.
Send us a few details about your watch. You will typically receive an initial assessment from our experts in Zurich and Dubai within 24 hours.