The house
Rolex is a Swiss watchmaker and manufacturer headquartered in Geneva. Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis founded the business in London in 1905. The company adopted Rolex for its watch brand in 1908, moved its operations to Geneva after World War I, and has been owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation since 1960.
What Rolex does
Rolex makes watches. The company is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and is listed in the horology, precision engineering and optical industries.
Rolex on the wrist
The record names watches as Rolex's product. It does not list specific collections, case sizes, water ratings or other watch specifications.
There is no phone or smartwatch pairing information in the facts.
Getting started
A first look at Rolex starts with its Swiss base, its 1905 founding as Wilsdorf and Davis in London, and its later move to Geneva.
The available record gives no buying steps, account process, trial or setup instructions. For wider context, see [[list:swiss-watch-brands|Swiss watch brands]].
Strengths
Rolex has a clearly recorded history: the name Rolex was registered for its watches in 1908, the company became Rolex Watch Co. Ltd. in 1915, and Montres Rolex SA was registered in Geneva in 1920.
Its current ownership is stated plainly: the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, a private family trust, has owned the company since 1960.
Catches
The supplied facts do not name Rolex models, styles, calibres, materials, prices or technical figures. Check those details for the particular watch you are considering.
No smartwatch features, phone integrations or app support are listed.
Pricing
No Rolex prices are provided in the facts, so there is no published amount to compare here.
Who it suits
- Readers tracing Rolex's Swiss company history
- Buyers who want to confirm present ownership
Who should look elsewhere
- You need a model-by-model comparison or current price
- You are looking for smartwatch pairing or app details
Worth knowing
- Swiss watchmaker headquartered in Geneva
- Founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis
- Owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation since 1960
- Company history records the move to Geneva
Before you buy
- No model names or collections are provided
- No calibre, case or water-resistance figures are listed
- No prices are supplied
- No smartwatch or phone features are identified
The short of it
Rolex is a Geneva-based Swiss watchmaker with roots in a London business founded by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis in 1905. Its corporate history includes the 1908 Rolex name registration, the 1920 Geneva company registration and ownership by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation since 1960. This page can establish who the house is and who owns it, but it cannot guide a model choice or price decision because those particulars are not supplied. Use the individual watch’s published specifications before buying.
What buyers ask
Where is Rolex based?
Rolex is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
When was Rolex founded?
Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis founded the business in London in 1905 as Wilsdorf and Davis.
Who owns Rolex today?
The Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, a private family trust, has owned Rolex since 1960.
When did the Rolex name begin?
The company registered Rolex as the brand name of its watches in 1908.
When did Rolex move to Geneva?
After World War I, the company moved its base of operations to Geneva. Montres Rolex SA was registered there in 1920.
What does Rolex make?
The supplied facts identify watches as Rolex's product.
Where can I see other watch houses?
Browse [[list:all-watch-brands|watch brands A to Z]] for other houses.
