In the world of luxury watch brands, one name stands above the rest: Rolex. With a legacy that spans over a century, Rolex has become synonymous with exceptional craftsmanship, timeless elegance, and unrivalled prestige. But how did this remarkable brand come into being? It all started with one man, Hans Wilsdorf.
The Man Behind The Brand : Hans Wilsdorf
Wilsdorf was born in 1881 Germany to two protestant parents who had a total of three children. At the tender age of 12 he became an orphan and was placed under the care of his uncles who decided to sell the family business and used a portion of the money to send the orphan children to boarding school. Although he disagreed with their decision at the time in retrospect he believed that “much of (his) success is due” to his uncles.
Wilsdorf excelled in school and learned to read and write English, which would eventually land him his first job in the watch industry. In 1900 he moved to La Chaux-de Fonds where he worked as an English correspondent and clerk for watch making company Cuno Korten. he used this as an oppourtunity to learn about the watch making. This came to an end when he had to return to his home country ,Germany, and serve in the army.
Wilsdorf & Davis
After his service at age 22 he moved to a new watch company in London where he had much success. During this time, he met Florence Frances May Crotty who would go on to be his wife. Later down the line Hans discussed his vision with his brother in law Alfred Davis. He told him that he believed he could create a successful watch business but needed capital to get it going. Davis took a chance on him and decided to invest which lead to the creation of Wilsdorf & Davis.
At the time pocket watches were the preferred timepieces, wristwatches were seen as inaccurate and something only women wore. Wilsdorf had the vision to create an accurate wristwatch and normalise them for men. In 1914 Wilsdorf said “pocket watches will almost completely disappear and wrist watches will replace them indefinitely”. He spent the next few years on a mission to create the perfect wrist watch, one that was both fashionable and reliable. By 1908 Wilsdorf & Davis became a renowned watch company in England, but it was time for a change.
The beginning of Rolex
When the brand started achieving some success Wilsdorf decided it was time for a name change. , When searching for a new name Wilsdorf said “I tried combining the letters of the alphabet in every possible way…One morning, while riding on the upper deck of a horse-drawn omnibus along Cheapside in the City of London, a genie whispered ‘Rolex’ in my ear.” He trademarked the name under Wilsdorf & Davis in 1908 and the rest was history.
Today and Beyond: A Legacy of Greatness
As we fast-forward to the present day, Rolex reigns supreme as the undisputed titan of luxury watches. Its iconic models, including the revered Daytona, the prestigious Day-Date, and the versatile Sky-Dweller, continue to capture the imagination of watch enthusiasts worldwide.
With an annual revenue of a staggering $13 billion in 2021 and a commanding 30% market share in the Swiss watch industry, Rolex stands tall as a testament to Hans Wilsdorf’s indomitable spirit and unwavering pursuit of perfection. From the humble aspirations of a young man to the globally celebrated symbol of excellence it is today, Rolex’s story is a testament to the power of passion, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of one’s dreams.