The Odyssey of the Rolex Oyster: a watch born to brave the oceans

At the beginning of the 20th century, the wristwatch began to become popular on the wrists of the general public, but remained fragile in the face of the elements. Water, dust and humidity were the sworn enemies of watchmaking precision at this time. 

Hans Wilsdorf, visionary founder of Rolex, understands very early on that reliability comes through the water resistance of a watchIts ambition is simple: to create a watch capable of withstanding all everyday situations, even the most extreme.

1926: the birth of the Rolex Oyster

In 1926, after several years of research, Rolex unveiled the world's first waterproof wristwatch: the Rolex Oyster. Its name, inspired by the oyster shell, evokes protection and robustness. The secret of this innovation lies in a hermetic case, composed of a screw-down caseback, bezel, and crown. For the time, it was a true technical revolution that allowed the watch to resist water and dust, thus guaranteeing unprecedented reliability.

The Channel race: public recognition for the Oyster

Despite this progress, the public remained skeptical. To prove the effectiveness of his creation, Hans Wilsdorf orchestrated a daring media stunt in 1927: he entrusted an Oyster to British swimmer Mercedes Gleitze, who crossed the English Channel wearing the watch on his wrist. After more than ten hours in cold water, the Oyster emerged in perfect working order. This feat, widely reported by the press, established Rolex's reputation and made the Oyster a symbol of robustness.

The Evolution of the Rolex Oyster Concept

Building on the success of the Oyster, Rolex continued to innovate. In 1931, the brand added the automatic winding system. "Perpetual", which uses wrist movements to wind the watch. This new advancement makes the Oyster even more practical and reliable. Over the decades, the Oyster case became the basis for many iconic creations: there Datejust (1945), first wristwatch with automatic date; the Submariner (1953), pioneer of diving watches; or even the Day-Date (1956), first watch to display the date and day in full.

The Rolex Oyster today: a symbol of excellence

Today, the Rolex Oyster remains an absolute benchmark in the world of watchmaking. Its timeless design, robustness, and water resistance make it a favorite choice for lovers of fine watches and adventurers. 

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