Rolex Watchmaking | Excellence in the making | Newsroom (2024)

Every Rolex watch is designed, produced and tested with constant attention to the tiniest of details. This ‘superlative’ approach is expressed through eight fundamental qualities that characterize every Rolex watch: precision, waterproofness, autonomy, robustness, simplicity, craftsmanship, comfort and durability.

THE PROMISE OF AN EXCEPTIONAL WATCH

These eight major technical and aesthetic principles have always guided the work of the Rolex manufacture. They promise the wearer the experience of an exceptional watch, whose features express unique expertise.

The uniqueness of the Rolex manufacture is expressed in the promise of unfailing reliability that applies to each of its watches. It is a pledge of trust between the brand and its wearers, symbolized by the green seal and accompanied by a five-year international guarantee.

RIGOROUS CHECKS AT EACH STEP

Inside Superlative Control, the in-house unit that tests all watches before they leave the manufacture, the requirements are draconian. Those related to chronometric precision, for example, even surpass applicable industry standards.

But this unwavering determination is also expressed throughout the manufacturing process. In order to guarantee the performance of the watch once assembled, meticulous checks are carried out on each timepiece at every stage of the manufacturing process, from the blank to the final assembly, as well as component storage, which is managed by a fully automatized system.

These exacting standards are also apparent in the kind of constant communication that takes place between the various departments. This is why the needs and limitations of the after-sales service watchmakers, for example, form an integral part of the creation process, right from the design phase.

MORE THAN A SIGNATURE: A MINDSET

The ‘Superlative’ signature, which appears today on the dials of Rolex watches, is much more than a promise of quality and reliability. It is also a mindset that permeates every department of the company and drives every individual working for Rolex, whatever their role.

Rolex has always pursued a perpetual quest for excellence, ceaselessly pushing back the technical and technological limits in the production and testing of its watches in order to guarantee their extraordinary performance. This is achieved through industrial and human effort, based on a permanent questioning of what has been learned and the constant improvement of techniques, tools and tests. This innovation is inherent to the brand, as evidenced by the numerous patent applications filed by Rolex since its creation.

Rolex Watchmaking | Excellence in the making | Newsroom (2024)

FAQs

How much does a Rolex watchmaker make? ›

Rolex Certified Watchmaker Salary
Annual SalaryHourly Wage
Top Earners$83,500$40
75th Percentile$59,000$28
Average$57,077$27
25th Percentile$47,500$23

How long does it take a watchmaker to make a Rolex? ›

After all the parts are completed (a ceramic bezel is supposed to take 40 hours to create), it's estimated that Rolex watchmakers need at least 3 hours and 30 minutes to assemble and complete the build of a Rolex watch.

Is there a shortage of Rolex watches? ›

Not all Rolex watches are in short supply. Instead, the actual reality is that the vast majority of Rolex buyers are now all after the exact same models – both on the retail level and on the secondary market. The Rolex models that typically have the most extreme shortage are the brand's stainless steel sports watches.

Why is getting a Rolex so hard? ›

The combination of high demand and limited supply makes Rolexes very difficult to get. Rolex watches are often sold for above the retail price, and it is possible that you may have to wait months or even years to get one.

How many watches do Rolex make a day? ›

As said at the start, Rolex maintains top-level secrecy throughout the watchmaking process and is known to be a very secretive & private company. However, estimates have it that Rolex manufactures over 2000 watches/day. The yearly production is approximately between 700000-1million timepieces every year!

How much did a Rolex cost in 1970? ›

Yet, by the 1970s there hadn't been a huge price increase for the Rolex Submariner, despite its tremendous success. I'll give you a few examples, starting with the stainless steel Submariner with date that was going for just $230 at the time, only $1,200 today.

What is the hardest Rolex to get? ›

The Sky-Dweller is Rolex's most complicated watch and takes more than a year to make. They just can't meet demand. Or should I say, “couldn't meet demand”. Because after just 7 years of limited production, Rolex discontinued the watch in 2023: No more being made.

How long is the Rolex waiting list? ›

Average Rolex Waiting List Times at a Glance
Rolex CollectionReported Wait Time
Submariner3 months to 3 years
DaytonaOne to 5 years
Datejust3 months to one year
GMT Master II6 months to 5 years

What percentage of people own a Rolex? ›

All in all, 23% of watches users in the United States use Rolex. That means, of the 87% who know the brand, 26% use them. How loyal are the owners of Rolex? Around 18% of watches users in the United States say they are likely to use Rolex again.

Is it better to buy a Rolex in Switzerland? ›

Switzerland is the heartland of watchmaking, where Rolex watches are meticulously crafted to perfection. Buying a Rolex here not only often guarantees a wider selection of models but also offers the authenticity and experience that can't be replicated elsewhere.

Why can't you just buy a Rolex? ›

Every one of the approximately one million watches that Rolex produces every year is sold. You won't find any extra inventory of Rolex watches at retail shops. Demand outstrips supply, year after year.

Will Rolex prices drop in 2024? ›

Following a significant increase in 2023, Rolex comes back to a more standard price increase for 2024. Without surprises, the arrival of a new year also means subsequent price changes for brands (and this isn't limited to watch brands, but you'll find these in multiple other industries).

Do watchmakers make good money? ›

As of May 31, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Luxury Watchmaker in the United States is $27.44 an hour.

How much can you make on a Rolex? ›

Those that are in pristine condition can still fetch 50% to 75% of their purchase value. If you are interested in buying a Rolex that you would want to resell at some point, research and find out which ones appreciate in value over time.

How much do Rolex builders make? ›

$75K (Median Total Pay)

The average Watchmaker base salary at Rolex is $65K per year.

What is the income level of a Rolex? ›

American who owned Rolex watches 2018, by income

In 2018, 17.78 of respondents who came from a household where the average monthly net income was between 9,000 and 10,000 U.S. dollars stated that they own Rolex watches.

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