Here you will find an overview of market launches and the calibers of the Rolex brand. At the bottom of this page we have a few milestones and highlights of the Rolex company
compiled.

Market launches

1926 Introduction of the Oyster case
1927 Introduction of the engraving of the serial number in the Oyster case
1931 Introduction of the self-winding rotor “Perpetual”
1945 Datejust launched as the world’s first chronometer with an automatically changing date display
1950 Introduction of the “Mercedes pointer”
1953 Introduction of the Submariner “100m 300ft”
1954 Introduction Oyster Perpetual Chronometer for ladies
1954 Introduction GMT – Master I
1954 Introduction of the Submariner “200m 600ft”
1956 Introduction Oyster Perpetual Day Date
1961 Introduction of the Cosmograph Perpetual Daytona
1967 Introduction of the Seadweller 610ft=610m “double Red”
1971 Introduction Explorer Orange Hand (Steve McQueen)
1972 Introduction “Hacking Movement”
1974 Introduction of “Sapphire Crystal”
1977 Introduction of the quick date switch
1978 Introduction “Sea-Dweller 4000”
1979 Introduction Submariner “300m 1000ft” Leaf “Sapphire Crystal”
1983 Introduction “Submariner Rolesor”
1988 Introduction of the “Zenith movement with Perpetual Rotors” in the Daytona
1994 Introduction Yachtmaster Lady & Medium
2000 Introduction of the in-house manufactured movement, caliber 4130, for the Daytona
2001 Introduction Laser Holograms (crown at 6 o’clock) Sapphire Crystal
2004 Introduction Submariner anniversary model Ref. no. 16610 (LV)
2004 Introduction of the serial number on the inside of the bezel
2004 Introduction of the new Datejust case
2005 Introduction of the new Yachtmaster (caliber 3186)
2005 Introduction of the new GMT Master (caliber 3186)
2005 Introduction of the “Rolex Prince” based on the model of the Prince developed in 1920.
2007 Introduction GMT Ref. 116710 Ceramic
2007 Launch of the Yacht – Master II Regatta Chronograph Ref. 116689 WG and Ref. 116688 in gold.
2007 Introduction of the modified caliber of the Daytona 4160 (YM II)
2007 Introduction of the new “certificates” in the form of “check cards”
2007 Introduction of the “Rolex” engravings on the inside of the bezel ring at the end of 2007
2007 Introduction of the modified caliber of the Daytona 4160 (YM II)
2007 Introduction of the Milgauss, Ref. 116400 GV Anniversary model.
2008 Introduction of the Submariner in white gold.
2008 Introduction of the Deep Sea, Ref. 116600.
2008 Introduction of the ceramic bezel.
2009 Introduction of the Deep Sea
2011 Introduction of Explorer II, Ref. 116570 42mm diameter.
2011 Introduction of the Yachtmaster in steel/gold.
2011 Introduction of the Daytona in Everose gold.
2012 Introduction of the Sky Dweller in different versions.
2014 Launch of the GMT Master in white gold.
2015 Launch of the Yachtmaster in rosé and rubber strap

Caliber

Caliber 3135, automatic with COSC three-hand watches
Caliber 3185, additionally with GMT function
Caliber 3186, since 2005 GMT Master, since 2006 GMT Master Rolesor
Caliber 4130, Daytona (’88-’00 based on the EL-Primero movement from Zenith)
Caliber 3035, automatic without COSC, three hands (Sub without Date and Air-King)
Caliber 4160, automatic winding (Yacht – Master II)
Caliber 3255, Chronergy escapement (launched in 2015 – power reserve 70 hours)
Caliber 9001, manufacture movement, annual calendar, 2nd time zone, 72h GR.
Caliber 1560, automatic COSC bidirectional winding, 18,000 A/h, 25 jewels.
Caliber 1570, automatic COSC early Sub models
Caliber 1575, automatic based on d. Caliber 1570 Mod. e.g.1680, 1665, 1655.
Caliber 1520, automatic without COSC, early sub-models.
Caliber 1530, automatic without COSC, early sub-models.
Caliber 3075, automatic COSC, GMT models e.g. 16700.
Caliber 1161, automatic COSC winding on both sides , date display.
Caliber 1200, hand-wound 18000 A/h, 17 jewels – small seconds.
Caliber 1210, manual winding center second, 58 hours power reserve.
Caliber 1215, manual winding like 1210 only with date.
Caliber 1225, manual winding 21,600 A/h like 1210 used in Rolex Precision.
Caliber 1400, manual winding 21,600 A/h, 17/18 jewels, Power reserve 44h.
Caliber 1600/1602, manual winding exclusively used in the Cellini series.
Caliber 2030, automatic COSC bidirectional winding, installed in of the Datejust
Caliber 2035, automatic COSC, like 2030 with 28,800 A/h, 28 jewels.
Caliber 2130, automatic COSC, date quickset, Lady Datejust.
Caliber 2135, automatic COSC, like 2130 from approx. 1983.
Caliber 2230, automatic COSC, without date Lady Datejust.
Caliber 2235, like 2230 with date, ca. 1999 Lady Datejust and Midsize.
Caliber 3000, automatic COSC without date, 1999 to 2000 Airking, Ex I, Sub.
Caliber 3055, automatic COSC date and weekday, Day Date.
Caliber 3075, automatic COSC GMT function, GMT I – 1981 to 1988.
Caliber 3085, automatic COSC GMT function, GMT II and Explorer II
Caliber 3130, automatic COSC no date, Airking and Explorer I.
Caliber 3131, automatic COSC no date, Milgauss.
Caliber 3155, automatic COSC date and weekday, Day-Date from 1988.
Caliber 3156, automatic COSC date weekday, Day-Date II from 2008.
Caliber 3175, automatic COSC GMT function, with stop-second function
Caliber 4030, automatic COSC El Primero/Zenith modified for Daytona.
Caliber 4130, automatic COSC, from the year 2000 for Daytona.
Caliber  620, 1930 1st automatic movement worldwide (E. Borer + H. Wilsdorf).

current caliber

Caliber 3135, automatic with COSC three hands
Caliber 3185, additionally with GMT function
Caliber 3186, since 2005 GMT Master, since 2006 GMT Master Rolesor
Caliber 4130, Daytona – 1988 – 2000 based on the EL-Primero movement from Zenith
Caliber 3035, automatic without COSC, three hands (Sub without Date and Air-King)
Caliber 4160, automatic winding (Yacht – Master II)
Caliber 3255, Chronergy escapement (introduced in 2015 – power reserve 70 hours)
Caliber 9001, manufacture movement, annual calendar, 2nd time zone, 72h GR. GR.

Highlights

Rolex is the first wristwatch manufacturer in the world to be awarded the chronometer certificate in Switzerland. chronometer certificate.
1914 the KEW Observatory in the UK awards Rolex the first “Class A Precision Certification” ever awarded for the precision of a wristwatch. These Award was reserved exclusively for marine chronometers .
1926 Rolex patents the world’s first tested waterproof watch case for a wristwatch, the Oyster case.
1959 Rolex appears as a sponsor for the first time. The Daytona 24-hour race will not only be the first sporting event in which Rolex is involved, but will shortly be then renamed “Rolex 24 at Daytona” at .
1963 André J. Heininger takes over the helm at Rolex and will continue to do so for the next 30 years. years successfully.
1976 André J. Heininger founds on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Oyster case. “Rolex Awards of Enterprises”. www.rolexawards.com
1977 Rolex has been present in the USA for 30 years and opens a branch in a own building on Fifth Avenue.
1979 Rolex becomes the official timekeeper (timekeeper/timekeeper) at the Wimbledon Championship’s.
1990 The C.O.S.C. testing institute awards Rolex the official title of “Swiss watchmaker”. Chronometer”.
1993 Patrick Heininger, son of company director André J. Heininger is appointed CEO of Rolex is appointed and the Yacht Master is born.
1995 Rolex opens its headquarters in Parc Monceau, Paris.
2000 Patrick Heininger founds the “Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative” whose The aim is to secure the artistic heritage from generation to generation.
Patrick Heininger leaves the company (2000 to the end of 2008) and Rolex is replaced by Bruno Meier (54).
He will take over as Chairman of Rolex SA at at the end of 2008. Bruno Meier was head of the Swiss branch of the German bank before his Rolex career (CFO at Rolex since 2005).

In May 2011, there will be another change at the top of Rolex. Bruno Maier leaves the company. The chairmanship will be taken over by Gian Riccardo Marini. Marini has been head of Rolex Italy since 2000.

In 2014, the former head of Zenith, Jean – Frédéric Dufour, took over the helm at Rolex.