Rolex

For other uses, see Rolex (disambiguation).

Rolex SA
FormerlyWilsdorf and Davis (1905–1919)
Rolex Watch Co. Ltd (1919–1919)
Montres Rolex SA (1919–1920)
Company typeSociété anonyme
IndustryWatchmaking
Founded1905; 119 years ago (1905) in London
Founders
Headquarters
Geneva
,
Switzerland
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Jean-Frédéric Dufour (CEO)
ProductsWatches
Production output
Increase 1.24 million pieces (2023)
RevenueIncrease CHF 10.1 billion (2023)[1]
OwnerHans Wilsdorf Foundation
Number of employees
30,000
SubsidiariesMontres Tudor SA
Bucherer AG
Websiterolex.com
Rolex watch in original packaging

Rolex SA (/ˈroʊlɛks/) is a Swiss watch brand and manufacturer based in Geneva, Switzerland.[2] Founded in 1905 as Wilsdorf and Davis by German businessman Hans Wilsdorf and his brother-in-law Alfred Davis in London, the company registered Rolex as the brand name of its watches in 1908 and became Rolex Watch Co. Ltd. in 1915.[3][4][5][6] After World War I, the company moved its base of operations to Geneva because of the unfavorable economy in the United Kingdom. In 1920, Hans Wilsdorf registered Montres Rolex SA in Geneva as the new company name (montre is French for watch); it later became Rolex SA.[2][4][7][8] Since 1960, the company has been owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, a private family trust.[5][9][10]

Rolex SA and its subsidiary Montres Tudor SA design, make, distribute, and service wristwatches sold under the Rolex and Tudor brands. In 2023, Rolex agreed to acquire its longtime retail partner Bucherer,[11][12] and in 2024, Rolex began construction of a new headquarters on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, near Billionaires' Row.[13]

  1. ^ "Morgan Stanley and LuxeConsult publish Swiss watch industry's top 50 companies for 2023". 28 February 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  2. ^ a b "History – Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie". www.hautehorlogerie.org. Archived from the original on 1 February 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  3. ^ "1905–1919". Rolex. Archived from the original on 24 November 2018. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Hans Wilsdorf – Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie". www.hautehorlogerie.org. Archived from the original on 24 November 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  5. ^ a b "The Rolex Story – Hans Wilsdorf". www.watchmasters.net. Archived from the original on 24 November 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :7 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ "1905–1919". Rolex. Archived from the original on 24 November 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  8. ^ "Company Overview of Rolex SA". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  9. ^ "Rolex: Secretive and powerful, a canton within a canton". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 24 November 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  10. ^ Stone, Gene (2006). The Watch. Harry A. Abrams. ISBN 0-8109-3093-5. OCLC 224765439.
  11. ^ Nooy, Robin (24 August 2023). "Industry News: Rolex Buys Bucherer". Monochrome Watches. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  12. ^ Rolex To Acquire Watch Retailer Bucherer Archived 27 August 2023 at the Wayback Machine Hypebeast, Dylan Kelly, 24 August 2023
  13. ^ Natalie Wong. "Chanel Eyes NYC Fifth Avenue Tower That LVMH Is Also Targeting". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 27 May 2024. Meanwhile, Swiss watchmaker Rolex is constructing a headquarters building at 665 Fifth Ave.