WHY ROLEX WATCH IS MORE EXPENSIVE?
The famous trademark name 'Rolex' was first created in 1908. The founder Hans Wilsdorf created the first waterproof wristwatch – the Oyster – and developed into a range of timepieces that have become icons of watchmaking. Individuals who desire a luxury timepiece to adorn their wrist often opt for Rolex, known for its authentic, sophisticated designs and precise timekeeping capabilities.
But Rolex manufacturing is no easy feat. The brand dedicates nearly an entire year to the creation of each new collection, meticulously ensuring the impeccable quality of every timepiece produced.. They take no shortcuts.
Rolexis the world’s most widely recognized luxury watch brand. The brand's worldwide recognition is the result of its long history of accomplishments spanning various industries, from its early contributions to timekeeping accuracy to a series of groundbreaking innovations, as well as its presence in the film industry appearances and associations with James Bond,Paul Newman, and other notables. Rolex offers a total of 170 different models, which can be customized in approximately 3,200 different combinations to suit individual preferences!
Whenever you hear people talking about Rolex watches the question is often asked “but why are Rolex watches so expensive", hopefully we can answer that question for you on today’s blog.
Design
First of all, watch making is a meticulously tiring and challenging profession that costs a lot of money and the Rolex watches are a prime example of that.
The Rolex brand has its very own research and development department, and several at that. What’s more, is that these departments are highly professional and utilize the latest ground-breaking tools and equipment. Not only that, but they always come up with new manufacturing methods and techniques to stay ahead of the competition. Plus, Rolex for first using highly experienced and trained scientists in their labs. This is so that they can research lubricants and oils for their machines.
Rolex watches take years to design, with countless designers working on them. The meticulous attention to detail that goes into every aspect of a Rolex watch requires both ample resources and a significant amount of time to achieve. Every element is carefully crafted to ensure the highest level of quality.
Rolex takes development so seriously that they have established their own research and development laboratory, staffed by countless people, solely to improve, refine and improve their products..
Using Precious Materials
In order to consistently offer the finest luxury watches to its customers, Rolex employs a large team of expert gemologists and utilizes the skills of traditional jewelers for hand-picking and hand-setting diamonds and precious gems. This ensures that every timepiece is of the utmost quality and elegance.
Rolex only uses the finest materials in its timepieces, such as 950 platinum and 18K gold. Its signature 18K pink gold is a proprietary alloy known as Everose, ensuring that each watch is not only beautiful, but also made with the highest quality materials. Its ceramic is an extra-hard, proprietary ceramic called Cerachrome, which is virtually scratch-proof and does not discolor with UV exposure.
As the only watchmaker to produce its own gold, it's no wonder that Rolex's timepieces, particularly those crafted from this precious metal, frequently appear on lists of the most expensive watches. This level of control over the materials used in its watches sets Rolex apart and helps to establish its reputation for crafting exceptional, high-end timepieces. Rolex usually refines24K goldinto 18K yellow, white, or Everose Gold for their products.
Mechanical movements
Mechanical watch movements are also not the cheapest things to make. Due to the small size of many of the components, there is a high rate of defects during the assembly and production process.
Most are even polished and finished by hand as well. Also, they're made in Switzerland, with its high labor costs, and you should start to get compliments for their "tops".
As a top-notch watch brand with high demand, Rolex has invested heavily in machines, many of which are in the form of robots, in order to efficiently meet customer demand and maintain its reputation for exceptional quality.
All Rolex watches are manufactured with mechanical movements.
Hand-Assembled Movements
Although Rolex utilizes advanced technology, including robots, in its production process, the tasks performed by these machines are relatively simple, such as sorting, cataloging, and filing. The more complex and intricate aspects of watchmaking, such as the assembly of watch movements and bracelets, are typically performed by hand. Additionally, before being sent for chronometer certification by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), each watch undergoes a thorough quality control process, including double-checking and testing by human technicians, to ensure the highest level of precision and quality.
Quality control
Rolex has extensive quality control for their watches. Each deadline is carefully scrutinized and scrutinized for any deficiencies. In addition, Rolex subjects its watches to a variety of tests to verify their durability and reliability. These tests include drop testing, testing by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), temperature testing, and more. This rigorous testing helps to ensure that every Rolex watch meets the brand's high standards for quality and performance.
Water Resistance
Another factor that goes into the high price tag of Rolex watches is their water-resistance. Some models are able to withstand water depths of up to 300 m. To confirm those levels, Rolex dive watches are first tested under pressurized tanks before being tested in actual waters.
Some Rolex models, such as the Submariner watches, are even capable of withstanding water depths of up to 300 meters. To verify their water resistance, each dive watch from Rolex undergoes testing both in pressurized tanks and in real-life aquatic conditions. The Deep Sea model is tested using a high-pressure water tank that has been specifically re-engineered by COMEX.
Rolex’s Uses Stainless Steel
Rolex sets its luxury watches apart from the competition with its timeless and distinctive design. This includes the use of high-quality 904L stainless steel, which is stronger and shines brighter than the commonly used 316L steel utilized by other watchmakers.
904L stainless steel is not only costly, but also difficult to manufacture. Rolex started using this steel (usually referred to as Corrosion-Resistant Super alloy) extensively in 2003.
Rolex uses 904L steel
This steel is stronger and has a brighter shine than its counterpart.. This steel is not only expensive to purchase, but its machining is much more complicated as well.Most importantly, 904L steel is corrosion-resistant which prevents rusting.
A Rolex will last
These watches are not fragile. A Rolex timepiece is known for its exceptional durability and resistance to the elements, even under extreme conditions such as changes in temperature, altitude, movement, and humidity that would cause other luxury watches to fail. This is evidenced by the famous story of Edmund Hillary, the first man to reach the summit of Mount Everest, who wore a Rolex Oyster Perpetual on his wrist during his historic ascent.