Why Are Rolex Watches very Expensive ?

Why Are Rolex Watches very Expensive ?

 If you ask most people around the world to name the finest brand of wristwatch in the world and the answer will usually be Rolex.  A status symbol, Rolex watches is one of the world's most loved luxury brands. Worn by everyone from Winston Churchill to James Bond, Rolex brand is one of the most recognizable and sought-after brands worldwide. The most expensive Rolex sold at auction fetched over 17 million dollars. But why Rolex very expensive ?  Is it purely clever branding or are there valuable parts inside these iconic watches of incredible worth ? Or is the value of these watches owed to the rich and historic journey of the brand ? In today's episode of the infographics show we will look at the history of the company and figure out why is Rolex so expensive ? So first of all just how much does a Rolex cost ? Prices for a mechanical Rolex watch start at around thirty two hundred and fifty pounds for the Rolex oyster ladies watch, and the James Bond Rolex Submariner will cost you as much as five thousand pounds. A cult Daytona costs around eighty two hundred and fifty pounds.

moving up the range, a platinum ice blue diamonds Daytona costs over fifty thousand pounds. In 1955, the GMT master

was born. This timepiece was designed for Pan Am pilots, allowing them to see the time and day in different parts of the

world. This model with a rotating dial retails at 5,600 pounds. Thus, while being expensive, Rolex offers a wide range of models that most people could afford if they were to save up or land a high-paying job. Despite their high cost, Rolex watches are obtainable to most consumers, and once you own one you might feel like you have arrived. Rolex began when Hans Wilsdorf founded a watch distribution company in London. At the time wrist watches were imprecise, 

but wilsdorf  had a dream of making a watch that was not only precise but also elegant. He use small movements manufactured by a watch making firm based in Bienne, Switzerland. He came up with the name Rolex as it was short thus able to fit on the timepiece and was easy to pronounce in any language. The firm concentrated on the quality of the

movements, and its quest for chronometric precision eventually led to a successful product.

In 1910, a Rolex wristwatch was the first of its kind to receive the Swiss certificate of precision by the official

watch rating Center in Bienne. In 1914 Kew observatory in Great Britain awarded Rolex with a Class A certificate. At that time such a certification had only been awarded for marine chronometer. From this point onwards, Rolex was a brand name associated with quality products. In 1919, Rolex shifted its headquarters to Geneva. By 1926, Rolex had launched the oyster. this was the first waterproof wristwatch with a sealed case to protect the inner movements. The next year an english swimmer named Mercedes Gleitze wore the oyster watch while swimming across the English Channel. The watch survived the 10-hour journey and remained in good working order on the other side. This is an example of the company's excellent early branding and marketing strategies.

in 1933, a team of explorers flew over Everest all wearing Rolexes. In September of 1935, Sir Malcolm Campbell set a land speed record of over 300 miles an hour. And what was he wearing on his wrist ? Yes a Rolex watch.

Sir Edmund Hillary climbed Everest wearing a Rolex watch. By this time, Rolex watch was well established as the wristwatch worn by high achievers. This was the watch for Winners, record – breakers, and adventurers.

In the year 2000, the 4130 chronograph movement was developed and put together by Rolex. It was an admirable simplistic chronograph made of just 290 components, which is far less than the standard chronograph movement. Rolex continues to lead the wristwatch market today. Each watch that leaves the factory in Bienne is tested to a high standard. They are also tested by the independent Swiss chronometer Testing Institute. Each watch earns the title of superlative

chronometer. Each Rolex watch is accurate to minus 2 to plus 2 seconds a day, surpassing the stringent standards of  minus 4 to plus 6 seconds per day. The inner movements of the watch are costly to develop and take both time and money to perfect to the desired level. Watch movements are expensive to make. The parts are small and have a high failure rate during the manufacturing process.

These parts need to be put together by Hand, and the Swiss have one of the highest labor costs in the world. Also the

materials are expensive to acquire. Rolex uses 904L steel instead of the standard luxury market 316L steel, and

this adds to the manufacturing cost. Rolex had to replace most of its production machines and tools when it

made the switch to 904L steel. The quality of workmanship is normally higher than say an Omega or Tag Heuer. Rolex is unable to prices its watches at the same level of other brands. Rolex makes between eight hundred thousand to a million watches each year, and it does everything itself, including the melting of its gold and steel. It could be said that Rolex watches are reasonably priced because their retail prices are close to their resale values. If you were to buy a

new Rolex watch and wear it for a year or so and then sell it to a new buyer, you wouldn't lose much money with the transaction. Some popular models after a period of ten to twenty years might

actually rise in value from their original retail price. This appreciation and value is rare with watches but is in line with Rolex’s intelligent marketing and brand value. 

Despite the high price tag of a Rolex wristwatch, you will find it difficult to find another product with the same level of quality. Over time,

Rolex has built a reputation based on the length of time and quality of workmanship that goes into its watches. 

          Mechanical watch is not only cost a lot to manufacture but they are also expensive to design. The movements must

be designed and developed for each new timepiece. Rolex spends time developing products that will keep ahead of the

industry curve. Rolexes are more than just practical objects to tell the time with. They are fusion of engineering and

watch making art, and their rich heritage adds to the brand value. They are highly desirable among collectors. The stainless steel Rolex Daytona that once belonged to actor Paul Newman holds the title of being the most expensive watch ever sold at auction. The Philips auction house in New York sold the timepiece for seventeen point eight million dollars beating a prior record of five million

dollars for the bow-tie Rolex. So when we consider the cost of the Rolex, we must consider the development, workmanship, and materials cost of the watches as well as the brand value that has been established over the years by the achievements of Rolex customers. 

Do you think a Rolex wristwatch is worth the price on the box ? Is there a better watch out there on the market ?