TIME ZONE
The challenge of precision In 1910, a Rolex watch was awarded a certificate of chronometric precision from the Official Watch Rating Centre in Bienne, Switzerland. This wristwatch was therefore proven to be as precise as a pocket watch, the benchmark at the time. A few years later, in 1914, the watchmaking world was astounded once more when another Rolex wristwatch received a Class A certificate from Great Britain’s Kew Observatory. This distinction had hitherto been generally reserved for hefty marine chronometers. Through these achievements, Rolex made a major contribution to the credibility of the wristwatch, which had previously been regarded as mere jewelry and highly unreliable in terms of accuracy. Having overcome the challenge of precision, Rolex turned its attention to designing flawless armor to protect its movements.
A living laboratory “Performance under pressure” — such was the philosophy of Hans Wilsdorf, who, in the wake of Mercedes Gleitze’s achievement, entrusted Oyster watches to various explorers, scientists, athletes, pilots, seafarers, mountaineers, and divers. These men and women were to test the reliability of Rolex watches from the highest peaks to the deepest oceans, turning our planet into a living laboratory. Their feedback allowed the manufacture’s engineers to perfect Oyster watches and constantly improve them. A collection driven by innovation Enhanced resistance to pressure and strong magnetic fields, graduated rotatable bezels, a second time zone. From the mid- 1940s onwards, models multiplied, becoming increasingly specialized to meet a wide range of requirements. And so, from the first Oyster a whole family of watches emerged. Each has set the standard in its category, and many have been hailed as icons of watch design.
From Oyster to Oyster Perpetual The invention of the Oyster in 1926 was a major breakthrough in watchmaking. The case, which was to lend its name to a wristwatch, was entirely waterproof and dustproof thanks to its system of screwing down the bezel, case back, and winding crown against the middle case. This watchmaking revolution would be put to the test in 1927 when Englishwoman Mercedes Gleitze swam the Channel between France and England, spending over 10 hours in freezing seas. The watch that she wore — a gold Oyster — remained in perfect working order. The development in 1931 of a groundbreaking self-winding system, the Perpetual rotor, further enhanced the performance of Rolex watches. Precise, waterproof, and now autonomous, the Oyster had become “Perpetual”.
Oyster Story
It was born of Hans Wilsdorf’s vision.The founder of Rolex sought to make the wristwatch an integral part of the technological innovations transforming society at the turn of the 20th century. One hundred years after revolutionizing the watchmaking world, the Oyster continues to expand, helping every wearer to pursue their personal goals.
16 | RUMMELE’S JEWELERS MAGAZINE
17 | RUMMELE’S JEWELERS MAGAZINE
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