If you own a Rolex timepiece, or if you don’t, you can probably still name one feature of their design. That’s how huge Rolex, as a luxury brand, is. But when it comes to naming a feature from a Rolex watch, which one do you name? There are so many, from the iconic gold crown logo, the Day-Date cyclops to the timeless Oyster bracelet. How many unique Rolex features do you really know?
Is Rolex a recognisable brand worldwide?
Rolex is recognised as a luxury brand no matter where you end up in the world. That’s part of the reason why their timepieces make for great investments. That little crown logo on the watch will have no such luck if you’re wanting to go under the radar with it. Rolex will always stand out from the crowd, no matter where in the world you are.
How did Rolex achieve the domination in the watch world they have today?
To get to the status Rolex is at now, it has taken years and years of continuous innovation and craftsmanship. It’s no accident that Rolex has the following they do. For example, Rolex was the first watchmaker ever to invent the waterproof case, self-winding watch and the first watch with a date window. Watches were originally just seen as tools and something to tell the time on. Now, thanks to Rolex’s work and innovations, a watch is seen as much more than that. It has more than one practical use and can now withstand water, making it a much more versatile and wearable piece.
The features most people are able to recognise on a Rolex timepiece
A Rolex watch is not just any old watch. It has features that no other watch has. On top of that, it has elements that are easily recognisable wherever in the world. From Europe to the Americas, to Antarctica. Here are some watch features that you might just recognise.
The cyclops
The cyclops lens, which we all know and love now, actually has a pretty sweet history behind it. Supposedly, Hans Wilsdorf (the founder of Rolex) added the date into his watches because his wife couldn’t tell the date easily. Named after Greek Mythology and a one-eyed giant, the cyclops lens on a Rolex is located outside of the watch crystal and on top of the date. This was done to magnify the date, so people could take one glance at it and be able to read what it was showing. Two of Rolex’s designs were released with the cyclops lens on them already; the GMT Master and the Day-Date. This special lens was added to Rolex watches in 1953.
The Oyster bracelet
Rolex uses the Oyster bracelet in many of their designs, and it’s the most recognisable bracelet too. Made by Gay Frères in the 20th century, it’s a struggle to find a Rolex without an Oyster bracelet, after all, this is the bracelet Rolex has been using in their timepieces for over seventy years. The Oyster bracelets are most recognisable because of their triple flat link look to them, with a larger link that sits in the middle of two smaller links. This is the bracelet you will see on many iconic Rolex designs, from their GMT Master to their Submariner.
The Oyster case
The Oyster case acts as a symbol of the watches versatility and waterproofness. The great thing about the Oyster case is that it is immaculately proportioned to the size of the watch, and your wrist. The Oyster case isn’t as historic as the Oyster bracelet, but it still acted as an important innovation. In 1926, this case was created as the first waterproof one on a wristwatch. This design changed watchmaking forever thanks to the craftsmanship and process of screwing down the bezel, case back, and the winding crown to the middle of the case. We’re sure you’d be able to recognise an Oyster case, whether it is crafted in Oystersteel, 18 ct gold or 950 platinum.
The level of quality
Another thing that is extremely recognisable with a Rolex timepiece is the level of quality you will receive when purchasing. The craftsmanship behind a Rolex watch is second to none. In fact, you won’t get this type of quality from any ordinary watchmaker. This is because Rolex has their own machinery and creates their own special parts in-house. You won’t have to sell your Rolex, as their watches stand the test of time. From hairsprings to silicon which holds five patents, Rolex remains at the top of their game when it comes to innovation and craftsmanship.
The Rolex crown logo
This wouldn’t be a ‘most recognisable features’ article without mentioning the iconic Rolex crown logo. Like the McDonalds ‘M’ or Apple’s logo, the Rolex crown is up there as one of the most recognisable logos in the world. Sometimes people decide to purchase a Rolex timepiece because of the crown logo alone. This shows the power of the Rolex branding, people would spend thousands of pounds on a watch to own a piece of their branding. The logo itself is in the shape of a crown and has small dots at the tip of each of the five crown points. It’s never been confirmed as to what the logo is supposed to represent, but most agree that it symbolises power and status, much like the crowns that are worn by members of the royal family. The colour of the Rolex logo on a timepiece does tend to differ, however in advertising the brand name is always coloured in dark green and the crown in gold.
You can guarantee that a Rolex will stand out from the crowd
A Rolex will never be one of those timepieces to go under the radar. Their watches are quite simply, too well known. Rolex has established itself as the market leader when it comes to mixing technology with innovation, and we certainly have seen that here. Although most of their recognisable features are not new, this is the charm behind a Rolex watch. You know what you’re buying, and you know that what you’re buying will be exceptional.
