Hans Wilsdorf, a legend in watchmaking. Founder of Rolex

Hans Wilsdorf in 1905
His early years
Hans Wilsdorf, founder of Rolex Watch Company , was a man with a great character and an interesting history. Born on March 22nd, 1881, he loses his parents at the age of 12, but continues his education at a Swiss leading boarding school.
Entering into the fascinating world of watches
He enters into the world of watches thanks to a good friend from school who proposes him to join the firm he was working at, which exported watches worldwide.
At the age of 19 he starts working at Messrs. Cuno Korten in La Chaux-de-Fonds, from Switzerland. As the company was in full growth, he had the chance to build a strong knowledge in this domain, as he later declared:

“… it provided an excellent opportunity to study the watch making industry closely and examine every type of watch produced both in Switzerland and abroad.”

Wilsdorf's signature

The journey to his own path
He traveled to London where he settled in and he began to work for another watch making company. After Wilsdorf developed his skills well enough, he decided to start his own firm.
He was helped financially by Alfred Davis, his brother-in-law to establish the firm named “ Wilsdorf and Davis “(click for more information).
His own company is founded
In the first period the firm didn't manufactured any wristwatches, as there were considered not masculine enough, but also due to the wrong concept that this kind of watches were very hard to make. At that time watchmakers encountered problems in producing a movement small enough to fit the case that was supposed to be worn at the wrist and also were trying to find a way to protect the case from dust.
As any inovator full of hope towards technology, Hans Wilsdorf wanted to overcome this difficulty. While working at Chaux-de-Fonds, he heared about Hermann Aegler, a very skilled watchmaker who could manufacture rough movements small and low-priced enough to be utilized in a large order of wristwatches. So in 1905, Wilsdorf orders the greatest commision registered until then, at a value of several hundred thousand French Francs.
The first problem was fixed, but a solution for an impenetrable case that wouldn't allow any dust or moisture to enter was found after 20 years.

Naming the company
Though the firms were usually named after their founders, Hans wanted to change it from “Wilsdorf and Davis” to a name that would represent the company. This is how Rolex was born on July 2nd, 1908 .
Though the origin or significance of the name is unclear, being chosen for its sonority, Wilsdorf affirmed that the name was:
” … short, yet significant, not cumbersome on the dial and above all a word easy enough to memorise, with a pleasant sound and have its pronunciation unchanged whatever European language it is spoken. ”
The tradition in watch making was to inscript the importer's name and not the producer's onto the dial, so Rolex put much effort, time and money in changing it, but it finally succeeded. Wilsdorf was allowed to inscript his name in one from every 6 watches made, then it slowly increased to half of the production.
Genius in advertising
He started spending £12,000 every year to increase the aware of the brand on the market, action that allowed him to inscript 5 from 6 watches with the “Rolex” name. The company finally could write its name on all the watches they produced when the Oyster was invented.

The original Oyster system
The collection that made history
In order to establish strongly and outline themselves from other watch makers, Wilsdorf and his employees aimed to create
” … a watch case so tight that our movements will be permanently guaranteed against damage caused by dust, perspiration, water, heat and cold. Only then will the perfect accuracy of the Rolex be secured.”
In 1926 the miracle happens with the patented “ Oyster ” case which was so powerful and impenetrable like an oyster. At first the invention wasn't looked at with trust and by time and by appearing at numerous events the Oyster began to be popular. Though it was initially received with scepticism, now every sport watch is measured after this standard.

The Oyster Perpetual
In that period watches needed constant winding by the owner in order to have energy to function. Rolex was the first company that solved this problem, creating a model that didn't require any intervention.
Rolex introduced the Perpetual self winding mechanism, a system that worked due to a rotor weight which pivots around its axis leading to winding the watch at the easiest motion of the wearer's hand.
Oyster Perpetual was the first watch which had a mechanism small enough to be worn at wrist and with a system that allowed it to function permanently. This was the begining of a brand already successful that will continue to grow so much until it became an international symbol of luxury and good taste.

Hans Wilsdorf dies in Geneva, Switzerland, July 6th, 1960. Though a great genius dies, his work will always remain in the world honoring perfection, accuracy and innovation. vedere di piu watches replica e Breitling Chronomat Evolution