Rolex
Rolex SA (/ˈroʊlɛks/) is a Swiss watch designer and manufacturer based in Geneva, Switzerland. Founded in 1905 as Wilsdorf and Davis by Hans Wilsdorf and 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. 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 clock or watch); it later became Rolex SA. Since 1960, the company has been owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, a private family trust.
Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland | |
| Formerly | Wilsdorf and Davis (1905–1919), Rolex Watch Co. Ltd (1919–1919), Montres Rolex SA (1919–1920) |
|---|---|
| Company type | Société anonyme |
| Industry | Watchmaking |
| Founded | 1905 in London |
| Founders | |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Jean-Frédéric Dufour (CEO) |
| Products | Watches |
Production output | 1.05 million pieces (2021) |
| Revenue | $13 billion (2021) |
| 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.