Rolex truly isn't like any other watch brand. In fact, the independently held, individually run entity isn't such as most various other firms. I can claim this currently with a great deal more clarity than the majority of people since I was there. Rolex rarely allows any person right into its solemn halls, however I was welcomed to visit their four manufacture locations in Switzerland and experience first-hand just how Rolex makes their famous watches. Rolex is a cosmos of its very own: valued; appreciated; valued; as well as understood across the globe. Sometimes I sit back as well as consider all that Rolex is as well as does and find it unsubstantiated that at the end of the day, they simply make watches. Rolex does simply make watches as well as their timepieces have tackled a duty past that of simple timekeeper. Having stated that, the reason a "Rolex is a Rolex" is because they are excellent watches and also tell pretty good time. It's taken me over a decade to totally value the brand name, as well as it will probably take longer before I find out every little thing I want to learn about them. The purpose of this post isn't to provide you a completely inside take a look at Rolex. That isn't possible due to the fact that already there is a stringent "no photography" policy at Rolex. There is a really genuine mystique behind the manufacture because they are reasonably shut as well as their operations aren't public. The brand takes the principle of Swiss discreetness to a brand-new level, and in a great deal of manner ins which is good for them. So since we can not reveal you what we saw, I want to share with you some interesting realities that every Rolex as well as view lover needs to understand. 1. They Use An Expensive And Also Tough To Device Steel Because It Looks Much better. Lots of watch lovers are familiar with the reality that Rolex utilizes a type of steel that no person else makes use of. Stainless steel is not all the same. Steel can be found in different types and qualities ... as well as most steel watches are made from a sort of stainless-steel called 316L. Today, all the steel in Rolex watches is made from 904L steel, and regarding we understand, practically no one else does. Why? Rolex made use of to utilize the same steel as every person else, however in around 2003 they moved their whole steel manufacturing to 904L steel. In 1988 they released their initial 904L steel watch with a couple of versions of the Sea-Dweller. 904L steel is more corrosion as well as corrosion immune, as well as is somewhat more challenging than other steels. Most important to Rolex, is that 904L steel, when functioned correctly, is able to take (and also hold) polishes incredibly well. If you have actually ever noticed that steel on a Rolex watch looks various than other watches, it is as a result of 904L steel, as well as how Rolex has learned to work with it. A natural question is why doesn't everyone else in the watch industry use 904L steel? A good guess is because it is much more expensive and much more complex to machine. Rolex needed to replace most of their steel functioning devices and devices to handle 904L steel. It made sense for them because of the quantity of watches they create, and due to the fact that they make all their parts in-house. A lot of other brand names obtain their cases made from outdoors vendors. So even though 904L steel is far better than 316L steel for watches, it is a lot more expensive, calls for unique devices as well as skills, and also is in general harder to work with. This has actually prevented various other brands (until now) from making use of it, as well as is something unique that Rolex has. The advantage is apparent once you deal with any type of steel Rolex watch. 2. Rolex Has Its Own Scientific research- Provided everything Rolex has corrected the years it shouldn't come as a surprise that they have an interior Study & Advancement division. Nevertheless, Rolex takes it well past that. Rolex has not one, but numerous different sorts of incredibly well-appointed expert scientific research labs at their numerous facilities. The objective of these labs isn't simply to research brand-new watches and points that may enter into watches, yet likewise to study much more reliable and also effective production techniques. One means of looking at Rolex is that they are an exceptionally skilled and also practically fanatically organized producing company - that just takes place to make wrist watches.
Rolex laboratories are as diverse as they are outstanding. Maybe one of the most visually fascinating is the chemistry lab. Filled with beakers as well as tubes that carry fluids and also gases, the Rolex chemistry lab teems with highly educated researchers. What is it mainly made use of for? Well one thing that Rolex specified is that the lab is utilized for creating and investigating oils and lubes that they make use of in devices throughout the manufacturing process.
Rolex has an area with multiple electron microscopic lens and also some gas spectrometers. They are able to take a very close look at metals as well as other materials to explore the effects of machining as well as production techniques. These big locations are incredibly excellent and also are utilized seriously often to remedy or avoid feasible problems. Obviously Rolex likewise utilizes its science laboratories on one's guard themselves. An interesting space is the cardiovascular test room. Right here see movements, arm bands, and also cases go through substitute wear and abuse on tailor-made machines as well as robotics. Allow's just state that it would certainly not be unreasonable to assume your common Rolex is created to last a life time (or two). 3. Their Motions Are All Hand-Assembled And Also Tested- One of greatest misconceptions regarding Rolex is that makers construct their watches. The rumor is so pervasive that also individuals believed it to be mainly real. This is because traditionally Rolex didn't interact a lot on this subject. Well the truth is that Rolex watches are provided all the hands-on human focus that you 'd like to expect from a fine Swiss made watch. Rolex makes use of machines while doing so for certain. As a matter of fact, Rolex conveniently has the most advanced watch making equipment worldwide. The robots and other computerized jobs are really used for tasks that human beings aren't as efficient. These include sorting, filing, cataloging, and also really delicate procedures that include the kind of treatment you want a device to deal with. The majority of these equipments are still human-operated though. And everything from Rolex motions to arm bands are constructed by hand. An equipment however assists with doing points such as using the appropriate stress when attaching pins, lining up parts, as well as weighing down hands. Having claimed that, all Rolex watch hands are still set by hand through a qualified service technician. It would certainly be an exaggeration to suggest that Rolex is obsessive about quality control. A primary motif in the manufacture is that points are examined, re-checked, and then checked once again. It feels as though their objective is to make sure that if a Rolex watch falls short, it does so prior to it leaves the factory. Large teams of watchmakers as well as setting up individuals work with each and every single activity that Rolex produces. This is before and after their motions are sent to COSC Check over here for chronometer accreditation. As well as in addition to that, Rolex re-tests their motions for precision after they are cased for numerous days while imitating wear before they are sent out to retailers.4. An In-House Foundry Makes All Their Gold
Rolex makes their own gold. While they have a little handful of vendors that send them steel (Rolex still functions the steel in-house to make all the components), all the gold and also platinum is made internal. 24k gold enters into Rolex and also it is developed into 18k yellow, white, or Rolex's Everose gold (their non-fading version of 18k rose gold). Large kilns under hot flames are used to melt and mix the metals which are then become situations as well as arm bands. Since Rolex controls the manufacturing as well as machining of their gold, they have the ability to purely make sure not just top quality, yet the most effective looking components. To our expertise Rolex is the only watch manufacture that makes their very own gold or perhaps has an actual shop in-house. 5. Modern technology Is A Watch manufacturer's Best Friend- The philosophy at Rolex seems to be very practical, if a human does it much better, after that allow a human do it, if an equipment does it much better, after that allow an equipment do it. Actually the factor extra watch manufacturers do not make use of equipments is two-fold. First off equipments are massive financial investments and also in several circumstances maintaining individuals around to do it is more economical. Second, they do not have the manufacturing needs that Rolex does. As a matter of fact, Rolex is lucky to have the capability to furnish its facilities with robotic help where needed. The epicenter of Rolex's automation expertise is the master supply area. Substantial columns of components are addressed by robot slaves that keep as well as obtain trays with parts or total watches. A watchmaker requiring components need to just put an order with the system, and it is delivered on a collection of conveyor systems to them in concerning 6-8 mins. Robot arms occupy the Rolex manufacture places when it mostly comes to repetitive or very thorough jobs that call for uniformity. Numerous Rolex parts are given an initial maker polish by a robot, but exceptionally they are hand-finishing as well as polished also. The fact is that while modern innovation is a massive part of the "Rolex production maker," robotic devices is there to assist what is a really actual, human watch making procedure.