[Rolex] Rolex Brand Value, How to Identify Rolex Genuine
There are many good things called luxury goods in the world, but the symbolism of 'Golden Rolex' is the best among them.
1. Rolex watches
Rolex is a brand with a very consistent and clear concept. It is a thorough classification of models according to usage and lifestyle. Other brands also categorize them according to their use to some extent, but it is rare to find a brand that clearly divides the categories by model without any ambiguity like Rolex. In other words, it is in line with the concept of a high-end tool watch that maximizes field use.
Rolex puts the precision and durability of its watches first. Contrary to the image of a luxury watch, Rolex originated as a tool watch that was used harshly, so the durability of the movement and accuracy in the harsh conditions that followed were important. Therefore, the keywords to understand Rolex are 'accuracy' and 'reliability'. Only watches that have passed a strict self-accuracy verification process and are precisely adjusted to within 2 seconds of error per day are self-inspected and shipped together with the 'Green Seal', a proof that they provide a 5-year warranty.
Unlike other luxury watch brands, Rolex does not have a separate fan base, and is the most popular luxury brand that everyone knows but not everyone can own. The watch that Marilyn Monroe gave as a birthday present to President John F. Kennedy, and the watch that Che Guevara, a Cuban revolutionary hero, untied from his wrist before his execution, are also Rolex watches. James Bond of the '007 series' also wore a Rolex.
Rolex has been synonymous with gift watches in Korea since it first appeared in the 1970s. Even if it was a gift, it was a property that was purchased with great intentions for Inryunji Ambassador and kept deep in the closet, not used to check the time. At the time, it was the object of envy for the newcomers of society, and a medium of show for middle-aged men who had quite a bit of money.
Rolex continues to be popular. In Jo Jung-rae's novel <Manly of the Jungle>, there is a passage that Rolex is used as a bribe in China. It is said that Rolex watches are among the most frequently found smuggled items at airport customs even these days. It is said that a $10,000 Rolex watch is a must-have item for the North Korean elite and the wealthy North Koreans who made money at the market.
Rolex was founded by German-born Hans Wilsdorf. He founded Rolex in London in 1905, and five years later received the first official chronometer certification in the history of wristwatches. At that time, Europe did not have the technology to make the movement small, so pocket watches were mainly used. Wilsdorf introduced a wrist watch with a small, very precise movement made by a watchmaker in Bienne, Switzerland.
At the time, the public thought that the movement used in wristwatches was not as accurate as a pocket watch because of its small size. Wilsdorf devoted itself to the development of precision and quality with the belief that wristwatches would replace pocket watches if they were accurate. In 1914, Rolex became the first wristwatch to receive a Class A chronometer certification from the Kew Observatory in England, which had only awarded chronometer certification for nautical watches. Since then, Rolex watches have become more precise.
Wilsdorf wanted to give his watch a short, impressive name that would be easy to pronounce and remember by Europeans. Still, he had to look good when engraved on the watch's movements and dials. He came up with hundreds of names, but he seldom liked them. He recalled that as he sat on the second floor of a London cabriolet, the name 'Rolex' came to mind like magic.
In 1919, Rolex moved its headquarters to Geneva, a city famous for its watches. Since then, Rolex has taken the world by surprise. In 1926, the world's first waterproof watch, the Oyster, was introduced. The Oyster is designed to prevent water and dust from entering the inside of the watch by locking the case made entirely of metal so that there are no seams and the watch's crown (crown) that adjusts the time by winding the mainspring in a screw type like a submarine hatch. It was blocked by . The Rolex Oyster was also present at the historic moment in 1953 when Sir Hillary and Sir John Hunt successfully ascented the world's highest peak, Everest. The Rolex Oyster watch became an important starting point for the development of all future wristwatch technologies.
In 1931, Rolex made another innovation. It was the birth of the Perpetual Rotor, the progenitor of the self-winding mechanism of all modern automatic watches, which allows the mainspring to be wound by the movement of the wrist. As you know, almost all watch brands adopted this system, and after that, Rolex introduced the 'Datejust' with automatic date setting in 1945, and the 'Day-Date' with the date and day in 1956. Date)' and many other patents during its 100-year history have brought a change in the history of wristwatches.
Rolex also developed the first professional watch for professionals. Durable enough to withstand the strong magnetic field of 1000 Gauss, the Milgauss is designed for scientists, engineers and technicians working in telecommunications, aerospace, medical imaging and research laboratories, and more. The Sea-Dweller Deepsea, a diver's watch, is water-resistant to a depth of 3900m, and features a case that can withstand the enormous pressure of the deep sea.
Designed to be configurable according to the countdown time of the regatta, the Yacht-Master II with a programmable countdown memory function, the Yacht-Master for yachting competitions, and other explorers Watches for professionals are continuously being developed, such as the Explorer for the driver, the Daytona for the racer that can calculate the driving time and average speed, and the GMT-Master with the dual time function for the pilots. have.
Rolex's spirit of insisting on the highest quality continues in the selection of materials. The steel used by Rolex is 100% 904L high-grade special steel used in medical surgical instruments or the aerospace industry. In addition, Rolex devised Everose Gold using a unique alloying technology with added platinum so that it does not discolor even when exposed to environments such as chlorine in the sea and swimming pools.
If Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex, laid the foundation for Rolex through technological innovation, André Heiniger, the second CEO, insisted on manufacturing mechanical watches with the belief that 'luxury is a mechanical watch', making cheap and accurate Japanese electronic watches. Contrasting with the current luxury Rolex has created a reputation. The third CEO, Patrick Heiniger, has established a system in which Rolex, Switzerland, produces 100% of all movements and parts used in the manufacture of Rolex watches in-house.
As a luxury watch with a classic feel, Rolex, which gives a somewhat old-fashioned feel, is actually an icon of innovation when looking back on its history. While solidifying its reputation as the world's best luxury watch brand, it is the driving force behind Rolex's long standing position as the best dream watch in the world.
2. Brand Value
Although there are watches that are more expensive than Rolex in terms of individual watch prices, they cannot match Rolex in terms of pure corporate sales. As of 2019, among watch brands, Rolex ranked second in sales behind Apple, which introduced the Apple Watch.
As of 2016, it ranked 64th among Forbes 100 global companies and is the only watch single-item brand in the top 100, and is evaluated as a brand with a value of over 10.6 trillion won. Other luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton (19th), Gucci (44th), Hermès (48th), Cartier (58th), Chanel (80th) and Prada (90th) are also on the list and they do not sell watches. However, in general, fashion is the main brand, and Cartier is also a brand that focuses on precious metals, so it is not a brand that sells only watches as a single item.
As well as popular perception, it is considered a symbol of expensive watches in many countries. In fact, in the 2016 World Brand Reputation Rankings surveyed by Forbes, consumers are satisfied with the products to such an extent that they overtook the Walt Disney Company and Google to take first place.
3. Authenticity identification method
The best way to determine this is to get overhaul service from a Rolex service center, and the next best thing to do is to get a service such as shortening the line directly from a Rolex shop. The method below is only a remedy in case it is not possible and is not accurate.
Here's how to tell the fake from the real thing:
- In the case of yellow gold gold box, white gold gold box, platinum, and combination models, there is a difference in weight because Rolex manufactures products with real gold. In the case of fakes, simply use a metal with a similar color or plated stainless steel. Therefore, it is the most accurate and convenient way to check for fakes. Since the bracelet is plated without using real gold, you can check whether the bracelet is golden or not. there is a car When a diamond is fixed on a watch, cubic is mainly used, and it can be confirmed by the quality of the diamond.
- The most standard way is to check whether the warranty card and the number engraved on the watch case match, and in the case of a plastic warranty card, the green line on the front side should repeat ROLEX when you use the loupe.
- One sure way is to open the back case and check the movement. For some movements, there are Chinese copy movements, but there are significant differences in balance wheel, movement finish, hair spring material, and cog wheel paint. However, Rolex has to use a special tool to remove the back bag, and it may be difficult to recognize for ordinary people without prior knowledge.
- Rolex never makes see-through bags or see-through dials, except for very old "Prince" models. In addition, the Prince model is difficult to obtain, and since it is a completely discontinued model that can never be seen in official stores at present, you can think of the see-through bag and see-through dial Rolex as all fakes.
- You should be careful when checking the unique points of a genuine product. This is because there are differences in age and individual differences between genuine products in font shape and thickness. Even if you look at the photos of the editorial shop or look at the genuine product on YouTube, there are quite a few cases where there is a level difference or a minor finish quality, even if it is a Rolex product. Commonly used points are the shape of the case, the hands, the finish of the bracelet, the gap and step difference of the end piece, the three-dimensional effect of the hands, the luminous color, the luminous ability and duration, the shape and clarity of the Rehaut (referred to as Rehat) engraving, and the The angle, the size of the hands, the color of the dial and the shape of the indexes, the position of the crown and the feeling of the crown, the fondness and thickness of the date wheel, the sharpness, and the piercing are all factors. However, it may be difficult to distinguish between unskilled people. The items below are related to the above.
- The latest model has a very small crown pattern laser engraved on the surface of the glass at 6 o'clock. In the case of genuine products, it is difficult to find them with the naked eye because they are engraved very finely and precisely, but fakes can be easily found. However, be careful as there are models without engraving on the genuine product depending on the year and model.
- Limited to movement number 3135, if the rotor buzzes when the watch is shaken, it is a fake. Genuine is quiet
- In the case of fakes, the depth of Rehaut engraving (repetition of ROLEX engraving) on the inner wall of the glass is lacking and the spacing between engravings is sloppy. The angle of the engraved surface is slightly different. There is a difference in the light reflectivity of the corresponding surface.
- The transparency of glass and cyclops lenses is different. In the case of genuine Cyclops, if you look directly at the Cyclops lens in the date window, the date is located in the center of the lens. In fakes, the date is not right in the center, but is tilted to either side of the top, bottom, left, and right, which hurts readability in many cases. The magnification is known to be about 2.5 times. The height, curvature, and side view of the Cyclops lens and the glass may be slightly different.
- In the case of colored dials, there are subtle differences in color, the shape of the sun ray, the level of paint finish, the correct positioning of the indexes and fonts, and the three-dimensional effect.
- There is a difference in the number font, thickness, and position of the date window. In the case of fakes, there is a difference in the pitch, spacing, location, and thickness of the numbers. For some products, only a specific date wheel is fitted.
- The part where the metal strap of the watch meets the watch case is dense with no gap in the case of the genuine product, but the gap is severe in the case of a fake. And the bracelet has no weight and the finish is sloppy.
- If you crown the crown, it will come out immediately. Genuine products have less play when adjusting the hour and minute hands, and have a unique feel when winding.
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