The first time I arrived at the Rolex boutique, my father had told me, son, when I am rich, I must buy a Rolex, I asked why, my father said …… no reason, maybe this is the Rolex in my father’s generation branded mark it
Today, let’s talk about Rolex, why it has endured, look at it is indeed shocking!
Rolex as one of the world’s top watches, why a hundred years can continue to maintain the heat?
In a word, Rolex is tough enough. Reliable, accurate and durable, these are the shining labels of Rolex.
- Having its own laboratory
Rolex has several laboratories at its headquarters in Switzerland, equipped with a strong team of researchers. The team even includes chemists and geologists. This team is “obsessed” with researching and improving all kinds of watch-making techniques: there is a chemistry laboratory, lubricants to make the production lines run more smoothly, geologists to study the purity of diamonds, and people to formulate Rolex’s exclusive gold.
They get 24-carat gold from their suppliers, but they don’t use it directly in their watches. Instead, they have their own research and development team take this 24-carat gold and blend it to create a gold that is gold-toned, non-tarnishable, resistant to oxidation and corrosion, beautiful and durable, and made to be used in Rolex watches.
- All movements are assembled and tested by hand
Rolex is assembled by hand, from movement to bracelet, except for the steps that are not suitable for assembly by hand. Historically, watchmakers were able to certify their own chronometers, a process that clearly entailed the risk of fraud. To guarantee the quality of its chronometers, Rolex has chosen to submit its watches to official certification, regardless of the cost and the extra time required. The constant-force movements are renowned for their chronometric performance. The movements are not only works of art, but extraordinary miniature creations, combining at the same time a variety of shapes, forms, volumes, colours and surfaces, some finishes polished, some with circular graining, meticulously crafted.
- Rolex has no supplier of accessories
A Rolex Submariner (self-winding mechanical watch, calibre 3135) comprises a total of more than 200 parts. These 200 or so parts are entirely forged, polished, machined and assembled by Rolex itself, part by part, in a factory in Switzerland, taking rough steel. In other words, this factory only imports raw materials from outside, such as steel, gold and diamonds.
All the forging and post-processing of raw materials is carried out in Rolex’s own closed factory. This is why their technology is so confidential and independent that they do not rely on any suppliers, and the outside world has no access to the methods, moulds or channels used to process these components.
This is why the watch industry has a saying: “Rolex watches are just as good as money”.
- Only Rolex uses 904L steel in the world.
This type of steel has several advantages: firstly, it is more resistant to corrosion and rust than other steels, and it is also stronger. Secondly, it is clear that 904L steel gives a more beautiful finish to bracelets and dials, whether brushed or polished.
But 904L is more expensive and costly than other steels. This is because 904L steel has the disadvantage that as the steel gets harder, it becomes more difficult to forge. Rolex had to change all the production lines associated with forging steel in order to use this steel. No watchmaker has ever had to change an entire production line at any cost for the slightest difference in the polish of the steel, which is very costly. Rolex’s steel watches are a drop in the bucket, so to speak, much more so than Omega’s!
- With sophisticated watchmaking instruments
Rolex has more sophisticated, high-class watchmaking machinery than any other watchmaker, and adheres to a watchmaking philosophy that brings out the best in machines and human hands.
- A rigorous production process is followed
It usually takes around a year to complete all the formalities, from forging the metal, machining the parts, fitting the movement, assembling the bracelet, testing, secondary testing and re-checking, to the completion of a top-quality chronometer, certified by the Swiss Chronometer Testing Centre (COSC) and, after assembly, certified by Rolex and packaged for shipment (despite an annual production of one million pieces or more). Each Rolex is produced through a rigorous process and there are no shortcuts.
So when you get a brand new Rolex watch from an authorised dealer, don’t doubt its quality, because the watch has been abused in the Rolex factory for I don’t know how many hundreds of times.
So how exactly do you pick a Rolex?
It’s really quite difficult, but if you really want to get your hands on a Rolex, leave us a comment and we’ll give you a recommendation based on your situation ^^