Rolex
In 1905 Hans Wilsdorf and his brother-in-law Alfred Davis founded the company "Wilsdorf and Davis" in London. Their main business at the time was importing Hermann Aegler's Swiss movements to England and placing them in quality English cases.
In 1908 Wilsdorf registered the trademark "Rolex" and opened an office in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. The company name "Rolex" was registered on 15 November 1915. The name "Rolex" was an obscure name which was supposed to be easily pronounced in any language. In 1919 Wilsdorf moved the company to Geneva, Switzerland where it was established as the Rolex Watch Company. Its name was later changed to Montres Rolex, SA, and finally Rolex, SA. The company moved out of the United Kingdom because taxes and export duties on the case metals (silver and gold) were driving costs up.
Rolex watches have achieved records under some of the most hazardous conditions. Edmund Hillary wore a Rolex when he conquered Mount Everest, as did Jacques Piccard during his exploration of the ocean depths, and Sir Malcolm Campbell when he set the lands speed record in his car Bluebird.
Rolex have specialised in a unique type of watch; a skillful blend of sturdiness, preciousness, and of sporting elegance. Today Rolex are in the top six of the largest Swiss watch manufacturers, and are the largest purchaser of precious metal for industrial purposes in the whole of Switzerland.
