“Founded by Hans Wilsdorf in London in 1905, registered as 'Rolex' in 1908, relocated to Geneva in 1919.”

GRAIL ATLAS · RolexShare

Image courtesy of Rolex, official press kit

Geneva, Switzerland

RolexIn-house manufacture

Brand history

Founded in London by Hans Wilsdorf, relocated to Geneva in 1919 to be inside the Swiss watchmaking trade and closer to its movement suppliers.

Founded by Hans Wilsdorf in London in 1905, registered as 'Rolex' in 1908, relocated to Geneva in 1919. Rolex's modern identity is built on three pillars: precision (the 1910 Bienne precision certificate and the 1914 Class A certificate from Kew Observatory, both predecessors of the modern COSC, which itself dates to 1973), reliability (Oyster case, 1926), and the in-house manufacturing capability that allows the brand to produce nearly every component itself. The Submariner, GMT-Master, Daytona, and Datejust are the most-collected sport-watch families of the 20th century; the modern product catalog is sub-1M units per year across all references.

• 
  Submariner Date · 126610LN

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 3235: in-house automatic, 28,800bph, 70h PR, 31j; Chronergy escapement, paramagnetic Parachrom hairspring, Superlative Chronometer41mm2020–presenteditorial
  Open
• 
  Submariner (no-date) · 14060M

  luxuryneo-vintageRolex Cal. 3130: in-house automatic, 28,800bph, 48h PR, 31j; Parachrom hairspring, Glucydur balance; no-date derivative of the 313540mm1999–2012editorial
  Open
• Cosmograph Daytona (Zenith-era) · 16520

  luxuryvintageRolex Cal. 4030: base Zenith El Primero, modified to 28,800bph (down from 36,000bph), 50h PR, 31j; column-wheel; Rolex replaced El Primero escapement40mm1988–2000editorial
  Open
• 
  Datejust · 16234

  luxuryvintageRolex Cal. 3135: in-house automatic, 28,800bph, 48h PR, 31j; Parachrom hairspring, Glucydur balance; long-running COSC-certified movement36mm1988–2006editorial
  Open
• 
  GMT-Master II (pre-ceramic, aluminium bezel) · 16710

  luxuryvintageRolex Cal. 3185: in-house automatic GMT, 28,800bph, 48h PR, 31j; bidirectional rotor, Nivarox hairspring; predecessor to current 328540mm1989–2007editorial
  Open
• 
  Explorer II (Polar) · 16570

  luxuryvintageRolex Cal. 3185: in-house automatic GMT, 28,800bph, 48h PR, 31j; bidirectional rotor, Nivarox hairspring; predecessor to current 328540mm1989–2011editorial
  Open
• 
  Explorer (vintage, "the 1016") · 1016

  luxuryvintageRolex Cal. 1570: in-house automatic, 19,800bph, 44h PR, 26j; Glucydur balance, self-compensating Microstella regulator; COSC-certified36mm1963–1989editorial
  Open
• Cosmograph Daytona (manual-wind, pre-Zenith) · 6263

  luxuryvintageValjoux Cal. 727: manual-wind column-wheel chronograph, 18,000bph, 45h PR, 17j; lateral clutch; used in Rolex Daytona 6263 and 626537mm1971–1988editorial
  Open
• Sea-Dweller (4000) · 16600

  luxuryvintageRolex Cal. 3135: in-house automatic, 28,800bph, 48h PR, 31j; Parachrom hairspring, Glucydur balance; long-running COSC-certified movement40mm1989–2008editorial
  Open
• 
  GMT-Master II "Root Beer" (two-tone) · 16713

  luxuryvintageRolex Cal. 3185: in-house automatic GMT, 28,800bph, 48h PR, 31j; bidirectional rotor, Nivarox hairspring; predecessor to current 328540mm1988–2007editorial
  Open
• 
  Datejust 36 · 126200

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 3235: in-house automatic, 28,800bph, 70h PR, 31j; Chronergy escapement, paramagnetic Parachrom hairspring, Superlative Chronometer36mm2018–presenteditorial
  Open
• 
  Datejust 41 (Fluted Bezel, Jubilee) · 126334

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 3235: in-house automatic, 28,800bph, 70h PR, 31j; Chronergy escapement, paramagnetic Parachrom hairspring, Superlative Chronometer41mm2016–presenteditorial
  Open
• 
  GMT-Master II "Pepsi" (Cerachrom) · 126710BLRO

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 3285: in-house automatic GMT, 28,800bph, 70h PR, 31j; Chronergy escapement, Parachrom hairspring; successor to 3185 with increased PR40mm2018–presenteditorial
  Open
• 
  Cosmograph Daytona (Ceramic Bezel, White) · 116500LN

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 4130: in-house automatic chronograph, 28,800bph, 72h PR, 44j; column-wheel, vertical clutch, integrated construction; no cam-and-lever system40mm2016–2023editorial
  Open
• Cosmograph Daytona (Everose, Oysterflex) · 116515LN

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 4130: in-house automatic chronograph, 28,800bph, 72h PR, 44j; column-wheel, vertical clutch, integrated construction; no cam-and-lever system40mm2011–2023editorial
  Open
• 
  Explorer II (Modern 42mm) · 226570

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 3285: in-house automatic GMT, 28,800bph, 70h PR, 31j; Chronergy escapement, Parachrom hairspring; successor to 3185 with increased PR42mm2021–presenteditorial
  Open
• 
  Sea-Dweller (43mm Modern) · 126600

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 3235: in-house automatic, 28,800bph, 70h PR, 31j; Chronergy escapement, paramagnetic Parachrom hairspring, Superlative Chronometer43mm2017–presenteditorial
  Open
• 
  Air-King (2016 generation) · 116900

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 3131: in-house automatic, 28,800bph, 48h PR, 31j; soft iron inner cage anti-magnetic; used in Milgauss 116400; paramagnetic Parachrom hairspring40mm2016–2022editorial
  Open
• 
  Yacht-Master 42 (White Gold) · 226659

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 3235: in-house automatic, 28,800bph, 70h PR, 31j; Chronergy escapement, paramagnetic Parachrom hairspring, Superlative Chronometer42mm2019–presenteditorial
  Open
• 
  Day-Date 40 · 228238

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 3255: in-house automatic with day and date, 28,800bph, 70h PR, 31j; Chronergy escapement, Parachrom hairspring; used in Day-Date 4040mm2015–presenteditorial
  Open
• 
  Sky-Dweller (Rolesor, Steel + White Gold) · 326934

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 9001: in-house automatic with annual calendar and second time zone, 28,800bph, 72h PR, 40j; Saros annual calendar; used in Sky-Dweller42mm2017–presenteditorial
  Open
• 
  Cellini Time · 50505

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 3132: in-house automatic, 28,800bph, 48h PR, 31j; Parachrom hairspring, Glucydur balance; used in Cellini Time and Milgauss; simple time-only39mm2014–2023editorial
  Open
• 
  Lady-Datejust 28 · 279174

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 2236: in-house automatic, 28,800bph, 55h PR, 31j; silicon Syloxi hairspring; used in Lady-Datejust 28; Rolex first silicon hairspring caliber28mm2015–presenteditorial
  Open
• 
  Milgauss (Green Sapphire) · 116400GV

  luxuryneo-vintageRolex Cal. 3131: in-house automatic, 28,800bph, 48h PR, 31j; soft iron inner cage anti-magnetic; used in Milgauss 116400; paramagnetic Parachrom hairspring40mm2007–2023editorial
  Open
• 
  Submariner (no-date, 41mm modern) · 124060

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 3230: in-house automatic, 28,800bph, 70h PR, 31j; Chronergy escapement, Parachrom hairspring; no-date variant used in Submariner 12406041mm2020–presenteditorial
  Open
• 
  Datejust 36 (Steel Predecessor) · 116200

  luxuryneo-vintageRolex Cal. 3135: in-house automatic, 28,800bph, 48h PR, 31j; Parachrom hairspring, Glucydur balance; long-running COSC-certified movement36mm2009–2018editorial
  Open
• 
  Day-Date 36 · 128238

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 3255: in-house automatic with day and date, 28,800bph, 70h PR, 31j; Chronergy escapement, Parachrom hairspring; used in Day-Date 4036mm2019–presenteditorial
  Open
• 
  Datejust 41 Jubilee · 126300

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 3235: in-house automatic, 28,800bph, 70h PR, 31j; Chronergy escapement, paramagnetic Parachrom hairspring, Superlative Chronometer41mm2020–presenteditorial
  Open
• 
  Day-Date 36 (Vintage White Gold) · 1803

  luxuryvintageRolex Cal. 1556: in-house automatic, 18,000bph, 44h PR, 25j; used in Day-Date 1803 from 1970s; quickset date predecessor; Rolex gilt movement era36mm1957–1977editorial
  Open
• Submariner 40 "Non-Serif" (Vintage) · 1680

  luxuryvintageRolex Cal. 1575: in-house automatic, 19,800bph, 44h PR, 26j; used in Submariner 1680; non-quickset date; Rolex workhorse caliber from 1960s-70s40mm1966–1980editorial
  Open
• 
  Yacht-Master 37 Rolesor · 268622

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 3235: in-house automatic, 28,800bph, 70h PR, 31j; Chronergy escapement, paramagnetic Parachrom hairspring, Superlative Chronometer37mm2022–presenteditorial
  Open
• 
  Datejust Perpetual (Vintage Steel) · 1601

  luxuryvintageRolex Cal. 1570: in-house automatic, 19,800bph, 44h PR, 26j; used in vintage Datejust 1601; non-quickset date; COSC-certified Superlative Chronometer36mm1960–1977editorial
  Open
• 
  GMT-Master II "Coke" (Vintage Steel) · 16700

  luxuryvintageRolex Cal. 3085: in-house automatic GMT, 19,800bph, 48h PR, 31j; used in GMT-Master 16700; predecessor to 3185; 24-hour hand independently set40mm1988–2000editorial
  Open
• 
  Air-King 40 (2022) · 126900

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 3230: in-house automatic, 28,800bph, 70h PR, 31j; Chronergy escapement, Parachrom hairspring; no-date variant used in Submariner 12406040mm2022–presenteditorial
  Open
• Sky-Dweller (Yellow Gold) · 326938

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 9001: in-house automatic with annual calendar and second time zone, 28,800bph, 72h PR, 40j; Saros annual calendar; used in Sky-Dweller42mm2014–presenteditorial
  Open
• GMT-Master II "Batman" (Cerachrom) · 126710BLNR

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 3285: in-house automatic GMT, 28,800bph, 70h PR, 31j; Chronergy escapement, Parachrom hairspring; black/blue bicolor Cerachrom bezel insert (the "Batman" colorway)40mm2019–present
  Open
• Explorer I (2021) · 124270

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 3230: in-house automatic, 28,800bph, 70h PR, 31j; Chronergy escapement, Parachrom hairspring; no date — the purist Explorer configuration; 36mm re-set to original dimensions36mm2021–present
  Open
• Cosmograph Daytona (2023 In-House, Ceramic Bezel) · 126500LN

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 4131: in-house automatic chronograph, 28,800bph, 72h PR, 47j; column-wheel, vertical clutch, Chronergy escapement, blue Parachrom hairspring; successor to cal. 4130, introduced March 202340mm2023–present
  Open
• GMT-Master II "Sprite" (Destro, Cerachrom) · 126720VTNR

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 3285: in-house automatic GMT, 28,800bph, 70h PR, 31j; Chronergy escapement, Parachrom hairspring; black/green bicolor Cerachrom bezel (the "Sprite" colorway); left-hand ("Destro") crown and crown guards40mm2022–present
  Open
• Submariner Date "Hulk" (Green Ceramic) · 116610LV

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 3135: in-house automatic, 28,800bph, 48h PR, 31j; Glucydur balance, blue Parachrom hairspring; the ceramic-bezel "maxi case" Submariner Date generation, 2010–202040mm2010–2020
  Open
• Oyster Perpetual 41 · 124300

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 3230: in-house automatic, 28,800bph, 70h PR, 31j; Chronergy escapement, blue Parachrom hairspring, Paraflex shock absorbers; Superlative Chronometer, -2/+2 sec/day after casing41mm2020–2025
  Open
• Oyster Perpetual 41 (2025 generation) · 134300

  luxurymodernRolex Cal. 3230: in-house automatic, 28,800bph, 70h PR, 31j; Chronergy escapement, blue Parachrom hairspring, Paraflex shock absorbers; Superlative Chronometer, -2/+2 sec/day after casing. Unchanged from the 124300 it replaced41mm2025–present
  Open

← All brands