Rolex
Swiss watch designer and manufacturer / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Rolex SA (/ˈroʊlɛks/) is a Swiss watch brand and manufacturer based in Geneva, Switzerland.[3] Founded in 1905 as Wilsdorf and Davis by German businessman Hans Wilsdorf and his brother-in-law Alfred Davis in London, the company registered Rolex as the brand name of its watches in 1908 and became Rolex Watch Co. Ltd. in 1915.[4][5][6][7] After World War I, the company moved its base of operations to Geneva because of the unfavorable economy in the United Kingdom. In 1920, Hans Wilsdorf registered Montres Rolex SA in Geneva as the new company name (montre is French for watch); it later became Rolex SA.[3][5][8][9] Since 1960, the company has been owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, a private family trust.[6][10][11]
Formerly | Wilsdorf and Davis (1905–1919) Rolex Watch Co. Ltd (1919–1919) Montres Rolex SA (1919–1920) |
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Company type | Société anonyme |
Industry | Watchmaking |
Founded | 1905; 119 years ago (1905) in London |
Founders |
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Headquarters | , |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Jean-Frédéric Dufour (CEO) |
Products | Watches |
Production output | 1.05 million pieces (2021)[1] |
Revenue | $13 billion (2021)[2] |
Owner | Hans Wilsdorf Foundation |
Number of employees | 30,000 |
Subsidiaries | Montres Tudor SA Bucherer AG |
Website | rolex.com |
Rolex SA and its subsidiary Montres Tudor SA design, make, distribute, and service wristwatches sold under the Rolex and Tudor brands. In 2023, Rolex agreed to acquire its longtime retail partner Bucherer,[12][13] and in 2024, Rolex began construction of a new headquarters on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, near Billionaires' Row.[14]