A Swiss made watch famous for its quality and price. Rolex watches are most famous for the "Oyster
case" milled from a single piece of metal. The
case has a
screw-down back and a
screw-down crown that makes it inpenetrable by the elements.
Most Rolex watches are automatic wind, meaning that a
semi-circular disc inside the watch turns with the slightes movement of the wrist thus winding the watch. Older Rolexes are also manual wind. These mechanical watches tick five times per second thus giving the illusion of a sweeping seconds hand. This feature is often seen as the distinguishing
mark of an authentic Rolex. There are, however, Oysterquartz Rolexes that are powered by batteries. These watches tick once per second but they are authentic Rolexes nonetheless.
Rolexes come in various models. The lowest priced are "
Air Kings" and the higher-priced Rolexes are Presidents, Daytona's and other exclusive models. Rolexes range in price from about $3,000 to more than $100,000.
Rolex watches are made of stainless steel and solid 18k white or yellow gold, or a combination of both. While the mechanisms are virtually identical in both the lowest- and highest-priced Rolexes, the higher costs of the priciest Rolexes is due to features such as entirely gold cases and bracelets, meteorite dials and diamonds and other
precious stones on the dials, bracelets and bezels.
Authentic Rolexes are
indeed a status symbol because of their price. They are recognized worldwide and considered the
mark of someone who demands only the best.
The most
popular Rolex models are the gold and stainless steel Datejust, the Rolex Submariner -- which can withstand diving depths of up to 1000
feet -- and the Rolex Explorer, which was used in 1953 on the Expedition to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. Other models include the Sea-Dweller, Date,
Air King,
Day-Date, Daytona, etc.
