Founders · Jul 8The Founder of Rolex: Hans Wilsdorf
Hermann Aegler's 1902 small movements made the wristwatch practical, and Wilsdorf first ordered in 1905. A handshake deal with nothing in writing had Aegler make movements only for Rolex for about seven decades, until Rolex bought it in 2004.
Tips
- Wilsdorf sealed a handshake deal with Aegler that lasted until Rolex bought the firm in 2004▶ 21:10The relationship ran unbroken for about seven decades with no contract before the 2004 acquisition.
- Wilsdorf pushed for observatory timekeeping certificates and won the first Class A for a wristwatch▶ 32:16A small Rolex wristwatch won the Class A certificate at Kew Observatory on July 15th 1914, the first ever awarded to a wristwatch.
