Today, we’ll be revealing the best-kept secrets on Rolex watches,
and why they cost a fortune!
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high-quality people.
Stick around to the end to find out which celebrity
once sent his VIP guests an
invitation card each with a $40,000-Rolex...
Now that’s an invite in style!
Number Nine: The history
Before it’s skyrocketing commercial success,
Rolex was your proverbial watch-making company.
In its maiden years, it was in no way synonymous to luxury
and opulence; rather, it appealed to the masses with cheap
and affordable watches…
But in 1910, everything changed.
The brand became the first wristwatch company to obtain the
highly-coveted Swiss Certificate of Precision by the Official Watch
Rating Centre in Bienne.
It was further awarded a Class A certificate by Kew
Observatory in the United Kingdom in 1914.
By achieving these tremendous feats, Rolex cemented itself
as a pioneer luxury wristwatch brand in Europe; consequently,
moving head and shoulders above the competition.
At the time, these certifications were only permitted
to marine chronometers.
So, as soon as Rolex received them, it was only a matter
of time before the brand became synonymous with quality, precision,
and accuracy.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a watch collector
or an enthusiast; there’s something
about Rolex that is quite stunning, to say the least.
Rolex watches have even featured in a number of high-profile
Hollywood movies.
For example in 1962, when British actor Sean Connery
played the insatiable ladies’
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man; 007 agent, James Bond.
His watch of choice? A Rolex Submariner, reference 6538.
Let’s also not forget the 1989 film, License to Kill, where Timothy
Dalton played the enigma that is 007; also donning the same
Rolex as Sean Connery to track down his arch-nemesis, Dr.No.
With such a rich history in functionality, elegance, and fame;
would you dispute that the Rolex is one of the finest luxury Swiss
watches in the world?
Perhaps this is the reason why its audience consists
primarily of the crème de la crème in society.
For example, in August of 2020, a private buyer
at the Fellows Auction House in
Birmingham, England, purchased the Military Submariner
(MilSub) for a mind-blowing $213,000.
Number Eight: The use of 904L stainless steel
Here’s a fun fact: did you know that President John F. Kennedy
wore an Omega Ultra-Thin, Reference OT3980,
when he took the Oath of Office?
Indeed, for a Rolex to stand out from the crowd, it’s got
to have a timeless, unrivalled design.
Therefore, engineers at Rolex only insist on 904L
Stainless steel; the highest quality steel in the market.
Unlike the proverbial steel used in standard watches,
this particular type is much stronger and thinner; proving quite
difficult to produce.
The steel became a regular add-on to Rolex watches
in 2003; thanks to its distinct
Corrosion-Resistant Superalloy.
ecause most Rolex Watches are constructed in-house,
Rolex had to do a complete overhaul of their previous
construction equipment just to produce the 904L Stainless
steel in their premises.
The process is quite rigorous, requiring plenty of skill and
manpower.
Which, in itself, is a statement; because most watchmakers
rely on 316L stainless steel, a lower-quality variant.
Number Seven: Investing heavily in research
Rolex has a highly-structured Internal Research
and Development department.
They have several professional facilities and labs where
scientists and researchers take their time to design and develop
Rolex watches using the most advanced
manufacturing techniques today.
This plays a critical role in guaranteeing
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their clients’ perfection
and satisfaction with the final product.
The company only employs the most qualified scientists
in their production facilities to conduct a series of rigorous tests
that ensure only the best oils and lubricants are used to run
their machines.
The quality control room even has a dedicated test facility
with gas spectrometers and electron microscopes to monitor
each watch’s meticulous movements; as well as to
test the braces and cases for durability and rigidity.
Still curious about our mystery celebrity? You’re one step closer.
Here’s a hint: he’s married to one of the most influential
singers in the music industry.
Number Six: A complex mechanisation structure
As one of the largest luxury brands in the world, Rolex
has invested heavily in advanced machinery to simplify the
manufacturing process.
For example, the brand’s master supply room employs
high-tech robotics to execute
repetitive tasks in the manufacturing process
of their watches; such as packaging and
retrieval of trays with all the different parts.
Apart from this, Rolex also employs the use of robots
in the initial stages of polishing
before human workers take over the assembly and testing processes.
Number Five: Hand-assembled movements
Even though Rolex relies heavily on the use of robotics during
the production process, most of the assembly is actually carried
out by skilled, human labour.
Did you know that the meticulous hand movements,
as well as the stunning designs
and patterns of a Rolex wristwatch bracelet, are actually
assembled by hand?
Once the assembly process is complete, the watches
are transferred to COSC, Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres,
for chronometer certification; as well as to
be double-checked and tested in the quality control process.
Number Four: Water impermeability testing
Accidentally dived in a pool with your Rolex
still on your wrist? Not to worry:
Rolexes are some of the most durable watches in the world;
crafted with remarkable durability and impermeability.
Some Rolex watches, like the submariner models,
have a water-resistant depth of up to 300 meters.
While the deep-sea watches can with stand
pressure to a depth of up to 12,000 meters.
To ensure the water resistance of these impeccable time-pieces
is maintained, Rolex engineers further test the watches in a
highly-specialised pressure tank developed using COMEX.
So you never have to worry about going for a dip
in the jacuzzi with your Rolex on. It
will still be ticking for years to come!
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Number Three: A professional group of gemologists at the
company
With an army of the best gemologists from around the world,
Rolex uses their keen attention to detail and extensive knowledge
of gems to examine, sort, and purchase
different rubies, emeralds, and diamonds to be incorporated onto
their watches.
These gemologists use top-of-the-line X-ray machines
to differentiate between real and fake diamonds.
As such, fake diamonds rarely find their way onto a Rolex watch.
But to be 100% sure, the company goes the extra
mile by conducting a series of tests for maximum precision.
With such a prestigious reputation to protect, they wouldn’t
want to risk selling watches with as much as a grain of fake diamond,
would they?
The primary diamond grade the company employs
is IF clarity and D-G colour.
Plus they even have a team dedicated to hand-selecting
these precious stones for a more sentimental feel to the watch.
Still here? Great! Another clue about our mystery
celebrity; he recently grew his hair out.
Number Two: Top-tier security
Because of the time, money, and energy expended in creating
a Rolex watch, security is a key aspect for the company.
And they spare no expense when it comes to protecting
their invaluable assets!
From the gates to the foundry, the company employs top-of-the-line
security systems consisting of numerous
security checks and policies to be adhered to.
Every Rolex employee has to have their ID badge docked,
and their fingerprint scanned as they move from one section of their
premises to another.
And that’s only scratching the surface
of their tight security regulations.
Once you arrive at the bank vault door, you’ll have
to look through an iris scanner just to be verified.
And only the top-level employees in the company get such
confidential access.
As for transporting their valuable goods to respective jewellery
stores, the company only operates with unmarked trucks
to blindside robbers.
These trucks have thick armour-plating and are driven
around with a tight security convoy.
Number One: Inhouse production of gold
The most unique part of the Rolex brand is that all the
gold it uses is constructed in-house.
But it doesn’t end there:
If you see a Rolex with diamonds as well, just know that the
platinum is manufactured internally by the company.
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They create their illuminating cases and bracelets
from metals that are melted and mixed under searing flames.
As such, they guarantee perfection and quality in the
production of gold.
This takes place in the company’s own foundry;
something that very few luxury companies can boast of having!.
We’re glad you’ve made it to the end. So, now for our celebrity
mystery reveal. Well, it’s…
...Jay-Z. In 2019, Jay Z sent VIPs invitations to his
guests together with $40,000
watches ahead of the Shawn Carter Foundation Gala.
So iRichers, after knowing all this, do you think
it’s worth it to buy a $100,000 Rolex?
Let us know in the comment section.
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Bye iRichers... see you in our next video.