Rolex Precious Stones

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As they are with most of their materials, Rolex is meticulous about the selection and setting of their precious stones. All of the diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires used in their watches are inspected by their in-house gemology department to ensure quality. 

Photo of Rolex Precious Stones
Rolex Precious Stones (photo: Rolex/Cédric Widmer)
The criteria used by Rolex to determine diamond quality are carat, cut, clarity and color. All diamonds must be clear and colorless. In terms of cut, they only use full, brilliant, trapeze or baguette cut stones from the top of the professional classification scale. For colored stones, they use professional machinery usually only found in gemological laboratories to make sure that all stones selected are uniform in color.

Aside from choosing the highest quality precious stones, Rolex also ensures that the stones are set properly by hiring skilled gem-setters who specialize in bead setting, channel setting, bezel setting and prong setting. Their gemology department is located in their Chêne-Bourg site in Geneva, Switzerland.

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Where are Rolex Watches Made?

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All Rolex watches are manufactured in Switzerland at four sites located in Geneva and Bienne. The Bienne site is their newest, completed in 2012. The other three sites, Acacias, Plan-les-Ouates and Chêne-Bourg, are located in Geneva. 

Photo of Rolex World Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland
Rolex World Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland (photo: Rolex/Cédric Widmer)
Each Rolex site is dedicated to different aspects of their wristwatch production. Their world headquarters are located in the Acacias site. This building houses management, research and development, design, communications, sales, service and quality control.

The Plan-les-Ouates location is where the cases and bracelets are made. This is also the location of Rolex's gold foundry, where they make their own gold and other proprietary materials used for their cases and bracelets. At Chêne-Bourg, the watchmaker focuses on dial production as well as gem setting and jewelry.

Photo of Light Wells of Bienne Site
Light Wells of Bienne Site (photo: Rolex/Roger Frei)
The Bienne site is where Rolex manufactures their movements. The building features a modern architectural design aesthetic incorporating natural light, solar energy and geometry. Aside from that, it is yet another step toward complete vertical integration of their production processes. The site currently employs over 2,000 people, which may surprise those who think that most of their production is completed by robots.

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