Aesthetic Exploration: Rolex Watches

The Rolex watch aesthetic originates in 1905 when Hans Wilsdorf designed a practical and accurate wrist watch. These watches are so sought after because of their durability in material, accuracy to keep time within the piece, and the classy look and feel of the dial and band. The Rolex brand can be found “on the wrists of pioneers, artists, athletes and visionaries and journey to the very highest summits and the deepest part of the oceans.”(rolex.com).

Some distinctive features that fit the Rolex watch aesthetic:

  • The distinctive face of a Rolex watch, most responsible for its identity and readability.
  • Characterised by hour markers fashioned from 18 ct gold to prevent tarnishing.
  • Featuring thousands of unique variations in colour, texture and motifs exclusive to Rolex.
  • Designed and manufactured in-house, largely by hand, to ensure perfection.
  • The Rolex Crown logo at the top of the watch.
  • Using IIII instead of the traditional IV to represent “4” on the dial.

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit: All photos and images are from the official Rolex website.(https://www.rolex.com/).

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2 Comments. Leave new

  • Hey Jason, it is interesting to find someone else with a common aesthetic interest. I was pretty impressed seeing the featured picture itself as I love watch brands, Rolex being one of them. The post takes me through detailed aspects about Rolex and features that distinguish it from the rest. The Roman number nomenclature that Rolex uses is very unique and it sets apart their dials from other brands and they can’t go unnoticed. It definitely is a status symbol and is endorsed by the leading world personalities. However, I would also like to know, as Benjamin stated, as to why was it named as Rolex and how was it’s journey on becoming one of the leading watch makers?

    Reply
  • Benjamin Robles
    January 22, 2020 2:09 pm

    Hey Jason, I like your post on the aesthetic of Rolex. One of the things that struck me was that when I read Rolex aesthetic (before opening your post) I immediately had a clear image of a guy in a fancy suit with a ferrari next to him. This leads me to believe that Rolex has done a great job at creating their brand image and target market. I also did not know they were all made from 18 ct gold, that is really cool. One comment would be to include in your post the type of people that wear Rolex. Also, do you know the reason why Hans Wilsdorf chose the brand name Rolex as opposed to “Wilsdorf,” since he is the one who designed it?

    Reply

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