Rolex Explorer and Submariner Models Released in 1953

.History.
Rolex released many of the professional models that would go on to become their most popular in the 1950s. The world became intrigued by exploration, experimentation, aviation and diving in this decade. Hans Wilsdorf remained tapped into the zeitgeists of the time and made sure that Rolex wristwatches went along for the ride. 
picture of the first rolex explorer model 1953
First Rolex Explorer Model, 1953 (photo: Rolex)
The Explorer was the first of the professional models to be released in 1953. The watchmaker equipped Tenzing Norgay with an experimental Oyster Perpetual model when he reached the summit of Mount Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953. The information collected on that and many other prior expeditions would bring the Explorer model to life.

That same year, Rene-Paul Jeanneret, one of the directors of Rolex and an avid diver, suggested that they create a dive watch that was as elegant as it was useful underwater. Years prior, Rolex had worked on dive watches with Panerai, but had not come up with anything resembling the Submariner pictured below.

picture of the first rolex submariner from 1953
First Rolex Submariner Model, 1953 (photo: Rolex)
The first Submariner had straight, pencil shaped hour and minute hands that would later be replaced by the iconic Mercedes hands that are still used on today's model. This was the first diver's watch that was water resistant up to 100 meters. 

The Submariner made its documentary film debut on Jacques Cousteau's wrist in The Silent World in 1956. It also took a plunge into the depths strapped onto the hull of Swiss physicist and explorer Auguste Piccard's Bathyscaphe Trieste submersible in 1953. The watch was still ticking upon its return to the surface, giving Hans Wilsdorf and Rolex reason to move forward in their horological exploration of land, air and sea.

>>BACK TO TIMELINE

First Rolex Datejust Model Released in 1945

.History.
The year 1945 marked the 40th anniversary of Rolex and to commemorate the occasion, the watchmaker released the first wristwatch to display the date through an aperture at the 3 o'clock position of the dial. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust would go on to become the quintessential Rolex model for years to come.

First Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Model, 1945 (photo:  Rolex)
The end of World War II brought new life to the watchmaking industry and by 1947 Rolex submitted their 100,000th wristwatch for certification. In keeping with his tradition of tying the Rolex brand to excellence in leadership, Hans Wilsdorf decided that the 100,000th certified chronometer would go to 'an illustrious gentleman' who was worthy of the honor.

Rolex's brochure for the current Datejust model makes mention of the 100,000th certified chronometer in 1947
In the brochure for the current Datejust model, Rolex does not identify the gentleman, however, Jake's Rolex Blog offers documentation about the gifting of a rose gold Datejust to Sir Winston Churchill, including scans of letters to and from Churchill mentioning the timepiece.

Although the letter does not indicate that said timepiece was in fact the 100,000th certified chronometer produced by Rolex, the theory certainly fits into the timeline. It seems unlikely that the watchmaker would reveal the mystery man after so much time has passed, especially considering their preference for discretion when it comes to public relations. So for now, the mystery man will remain unconfirmed.

>>BACK TO TIMELINE

Rolex Patents the Oyster Perpetual in 1931

.History.
In 1910, a Rolex wristwatch was the first of its kind to receive a First Class Chronometer Certificate from the Horological Society of Switzerland. A few years later, the company moved production to Bienne, Switzerland and by 1915 officially changed its name to The Rolex Watch Company. 

first swiss chronometer certificate awarded to rolex wristwatch
First Chronometer Certificate Awarded to Rolex in 1910 (image: Rolex) 
The iconic crown logo was registered in 1925 and by this point Alfred Davis, who founded Wilsdorf & Davis with brother-in-law Hans Wilsdorf in 1905, is no longer a part of the company. The first waterproof Rolex Oyster case was patented the following year. In 1927, a Rolex Oyster crossed the English Channel with swimmer Mercedes Gleitze, the first Englishwoman to accomplish the feat unaided. 

Rolex's First Perpetual Movement Patented in 1931 (photo: ablogtowatch.com)
It was 1931 when Rolex developed and patented the first automatic rotary winding mechanism known as the Oyster Perpetual. The movement, photographed above, harnessed the energy generated by the movement of the wearer's wrist to power the movement. A half-moon shaped oscillating weight on a axle would wind the mainspring and provide a constant source of energy to the movement without the need to wind it up manually. The principals used to develop the original Oyster Perpetual are still at work in the movements Rolex uses today.

>>BACK TO TIMELINE

Mercedes Gleitze Crosses English Channel Wearing Rolex Oyster in 1927

.History.
On October 7, 1927, Mercedes Gleitze became the first Englishwoman to swim across the English Channel unaided. After several failed attempts, the typist was heralded across the globe for her athleticism. 

Unfortunately, the English Channel Swimming Association refused to recognize her accomplishment due to lack of witnesses, though some would argue that they doubted the validity of her claim based on her gender. Unfazed, the athlete set out to swim the channel once again in what would be known as a vindication swim.

Word's First Waterproof Watch Case
Rolex Oyster, 1927

The year before her swim, Rolex had released its first waterproof wristwatch - the Oyster. Capitalizing off of the media coverage of the vindication swim, Hans Wilsdorf saw an opportunity to prove to the world that the Rolex Oyster could withstand the raging waters and live up to its promise. 

Mercedes Gleitze agreed to swim the channel with a gold Oyster hanging from her neck. She also agreed to write a testimony about her experience in exchange for the timepiece. After 10 hours of battling fatigue, jellyfish stings and strong currents, she emerged from the water victorious, with the watch still ticking. 

A triumph for Gleitze and the fledgling Rolex brand, the company took out a full page ad in The Daily Mail commemorating the swim and putting Rolex's innovation on the map. 

Daily Mail Ad Rolex Oyster Mercedes Geitze
Full Page Ad by Rolex in 1927 Commemorating Mercedes Gleitze's Swim

Featured Post

Rolex Online Resources