Rolex

Buying guide

About Rolex

Rolex was founded in London in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and moved to Geneva after the First World War. Its reputation rests on a few inventions that shaped the modern wristwatch: the waterproof Oyster case of 1926 and the self-winding Perpetual rotor of 1931. Nearly every Rolex today still combines the two.

The company is owned by a private foundation and makes its own movements, cases and bracelets. Current references carry Rolex's Superlative Chronometer certification and a five-year international guarantee.

Signature models

Submariner

The dive watch introduced in 1953: rotating bezel, 300 m water resistance, and the template most divers still follow.

Datejust

Launched in 1945 as the first self-winding wristwatch with a date in a window. Today it comes in 31, 36 and 41 mm.

GMT-Master II

A second time zone read on the 24-hour bezel, created for airline pilots in the 1950s.

Cosmograph Daytona

The chronograph named after Daytona Beach, with the tachymeter on the bezel, introduced in 1963.

Day-Date

Rolex's flagship since 1956, made only in precious metals, with the day spelled out at 12 o'clock.

What to know before you buy

• Read the reference: the first digits tell you the model family and the last digit the material (for example, 0 is steel, 3 is steel and yellow gold).
• Box and papers matter most on Rolex. The warranty card shows the date of sale, which supports value when you sell.
• Condition changes the price more than the year. Compare an unworn piece with a lightly worn one of the same reference before deciding.