Timeless Rolex Still Going Strong
Founded: London, England – 1905 Founder: Mr. Hans Wilsdorf and Mr. Alfred Davis The History of Rolex 1905: The Rolex, SA company was founded in London by Mr. Hans Wilsdorf and his brother-in-law, Mr. Alfred Davis. So the original name of the company was naturally, Wilsdorf & Davis. The company imported Swiss movements and resold them to jewelers, who put their own names on the dials. 1908: The trademark name “Rolex” was registered in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. No one seems to have an accurate recount of how the name Rolex ever came about, although one story claims it came from the French phrase “horlogerie exquise”, which means exquisite watch industry. 1912: Wilsdorf & Davis moved out of London because of high taxes and export duties on silver and gold case metals. The owners wanted to keep the timepieces affordable, but it was becoming more difficult, so they relocated to the watch capital of the world, Geneva, Switzerland. 191...