If there is only one luxury watch brand that almost everyone knows, it’s Rolex. From Mad Men’s Don Draper’s Rolex Explorer to former President Barack Obama’s Rolex Cellini, Rolex can be found anywhere and everywhere. But, the availability of the brand doesn’t take away from the luxury of owning one. Learn more about collecting watches from the experts, or read more about it below. 

ROLEX: OVERVIEW

Originally founded in England, Rolex now resides in Geneva and is perhaps one of the most recognizable watchmakers in the world. It’s also one of the more obtainable luxury watch brands for the average person—and a symbol of clout in real life and in cinema as well. Check this rolex replica deal.

There are few watch brands that have had the kind of impact on fashion and society that Rolex has. That’s evident when it comes to buying or selling one of these luxury watches. The pre-owned market for Rolex timepieces is robust, which is only compounded by the fact that the company’s models rarely receive dramatic re-styles, so an older Rolex is instantly recognizable as a version of its current-collection counterpart. The Rolex brand seems to reject obsolescence and if the luxury watch marketplace is any indication, collectors are fine with that. 

Key Facts every collector should know about the Rolex brand:

> Founded in London, England by Hans Wilsdorf in 1905. The company was originally called Wilsdorf and Davis. The Rolex name came a few years later.

> Rolex was the first wristwatch to be given the Swiss Certificate of Chronometric Precision.

> In 1919, the brand moved from London to Geneva, Switzerland.

> Every year, Rolex produces roughly 800,000 to 1,000,000 watches. 

> There are four Rolex manufacturing facilities in total rather than just one. They are all in Switzerland.

> There is a lot of history behind Rolex; read it all on Rolex History: Everything You Need to Know About Rolex Watches. 

KEY FEATURES AND INNOVATIONS

In their over 100 years of operation, Rolex has become the most successful watchmaker of all time. The company is responsible for numerous innovations and has over 500 patents. Here are just a few ways they have changed watchmaking:

• Twin-Locking Winding Crown. This guarantees that their waterproof guarantee remains valid. For screw-down crowns, this prevents water from compromising the watch. 
• Ring Command. A newer innovation, the ring command allows wearers to easily adjust the time and date in the watch.

The list of Rolex innovations and achievements is quite long. The watch brand has worked hard to establish itself as a high-quality luxury watch brand that isn’t just accessible to the very wealthy. Read more about Rolex’s innovations. 

ROLEX NICKNAMES

There’s one takeaway that any collector will have when it comes to Rolex watches. The nicknames are awesome. Whether it came from Rolex or from pop culture, many Rolex watches are better known for their nickname than the collection they belong to. Whether it’s the Rolex Pepsi, Root Beer, Coke (we’re sensing a theme), or the Clint Eastwood, there are numerous creative nicknames for Rolex watches. Here are a few more:

THE HULK: SUBMARINER DATE, REF. 116610LV-0002

Read more about the history of the Rolex Submariner “Hulk” history and why this is such an excellent collector’s item.The Hulk, as a character, is known for being larger than life and well, rather angry. Generally speaking, the submariner doesn’t inspire one to toss prankster gods around, but the large casing and bold colors certainly make the nickname “Hulk” a fitting one.

Submariner Date, ref. 116610LV

THE BATMAN: GMT-MASTER II, REF. 116710BLNR

Read more about this watch, also called “The Dark Knight” here as well. We have Marvel, now it’s time for DC to shine. The GMT-Master II is an impressive watch and, when their 2013 watch was released, it earned a nickname: the Batman. The blue and black coloring and font style for the numbered bezel make it eye-catching for collectors and a fan favorite for those of us who are honorary Gothamites.