why is Rolex called Rolex

[spoilsofwar01]

Not sure if anyone can shed some light on this the internet threw this up

Hans Wilsdorf wanted his watches to bear a name that was short, easy to say and remember in any language, and which looked good on watch movements and dials.....

However I understand that before he died Hans Wilsdorf was non committed to an answer when asked,

My watch maker seem to think that he read its a French abbreviation for
"exquisite timepiece"

does anyone know for sure?

[Bob the brush]

HoROLogical EXcellence?

[locutus49]

RObocop Like, EXcels.

[123Blueface]

Because "Rollie" was too long.

[Cold904L]

The short answer is magic. But here it is from the most definitive source...


GENIUS IN
FIVE LETTERS
1908
Rolex's Name Origin

Hans Wilsdorf wanted his watches to bear a name that was short, easy to say and remember in any language, and which looked good on watch movements and dials.
He said, “I tried combining the letters of the alphabet in every possible way. This gave me some hundred names, but none of them felt quite right. One morning, while riding on the upper deck of a horse-drawn omnibus along Cheapside in the City of London, a genie whispered ‘Rolex’ in my ear.”

From: https://www.rolex.com/rolex-history/1905-1919.html

[sensui]

I don't think there is an exact documented source and only assumptions and folklore....I heard an interesting one @ the Wynn last time I was there, it made a lot of sense to me....Seems like Hans wanted a name that was easy to pronounce/rolls off the tongue in different languages....that was one of the considerations for Rolex.....who knows if it's really true or not.

[Wcdhtwn]

If the founder never said where it came from how could anyone know for sure?

There is a lengthy thread in here somewhere about this very topic. The reason I found most probable (of those listed) is that Rolex is easily pronounced in many languages. And as it has no meaning it can't be found to be offensive or off putting in any language. Kind of like Chevy's Nova, which they tried to sell in Latin American countries and Mexico. Nova, No Va, in Espanol means "No Go". Not a good name for a car.

[tommy91]

Originally Posted by sensui

I don't think there is an exact documented source and only assumptions and folklore....I heard an interesting one @ the Wynn last time I was there, it made a lot of sense to me....Seems like Hans wanted a name that was easy to pronounce/rolls off the tongue in different languages....that was one of the considerations for Rolex.....who knows if it's really true or not.

That's what I've heard

[James_]

On the Rolex website - “I tried combining the letters of the alphabet in every possible way. This gave me some hundred names, but none of them felt quite right. One morning, while riding on the upper deck of a horse-drawn omnibus along Cheapside in the City of London, a genie whispered ‘Rolex’ in my ear.”

[Manzy8]

In reference to the post by James. This is the story I remember reading on the Rolex website as well.

[The Libertine]

Just because.

[drm20]

Originally Posted by Cold904L

The short answer is magic. But here it is from the most definitive source...


GENIUS IN
FIVE LETTERS
1908
Rolex's Name Origin

Hans Wilsdorf wanted his watches to bear a name that was short, easy to say and remember in any language, and which looked good on watch movements and dials.
He said, “I tried combining the letters of the alphabet in every possible way. This gave me some hundred names, but none of them felt quite right. One morning, while riding on the upper deck of a horse-drawn omnibus along Cheapside in the City of London, a genie whispered ‘Rolex’ in my ear.”

From: https://www.rolex.com/rolex-history/1905-1919.html

Same thing I've heard, I agree

[Floorguy]

Originally Posted by drm20

Same thing I've heard, I agree

Me too!!

[Mystro]

It's a fictional word he made up to look good on a dial. He also claims a angle whispered it in his ear after combining many letters to find the word. He started the company in England. He then only moved it to Switzerland from England to avoid taxes.

[MovieGuy]

Originally Posted by sensui

I don't think there is an exact documented source and only assumptions and folklore....I heard an interesting one @ the Wynn last time I was there, it made a lot of sense to me....Seems like Hans wanted a name that was easy to pronounce/rolls off the tongue in different languages....that was one of the considerations for Rolex.....who knows if it's really true or not.

In fact there is a document that was found in Rolex' archives that Mr. Wilsdorf wrote regarding the origin of Rolex. There was a copy of it in the training material I received when I went to Rolex training. The document mentioned the genie whispering 'Rolex' in his ear while riding a carriage. You can read about it in Rolex' own website:

https://www.rolex.com/rolex-history/1905-1919.html

[rolexnub]

Maybe Hans W. derived it from the Spanish word for clock "Reloj"

[Old Expat Beast]

The most reiable/believable source I have seen is in this letter of provenance owned by Mike Wood. https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...ighlight=Davis

[tritium8]

Because you're suppose to roll the X, not the R.

[sensui]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

The most reiable/believable source I have seen is in this letter of provenance owned by Mike Wood. https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...ighlight=Davis

Thanks for sharing this Adam.

This thread has been pretty educational for me gang, seems like the guys @ the Wynn read up on similar training mentioned by Movieguy. Interesting for sure, appreciate the education.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by rolexnub

Maybe Hans W. derived it from the Spanish word for clock "Reloj"

Ah, so that's why they spell it like that in Guangzhou.

[JUSTIFIED]

Because it sounds better than XELOR. :-)

[wizman]

Originally Posted by Bob Kendall

HoROLogical EXcellence?

you are quite right!
The name is taken from the French phrase horlogerie exquise – meaning ‘hoROLogical EXcellence’

[meganfox17]

Originally Posted by James_

On the Rolex website - “I tried combining the letters of the alphabet in every possible way. This gave me some hundred names, but none of them felt quite right. One morning, while riding on the upper deck of a horse-drawn omnibus along Cheapside in the City of London, a genie whispered ‘Rolex’ in my ear.”

Can I offer my alternative hypothetical explanation Sir ?

Mr Hans Wilsdorf was fluent in Latin (language and Maths were his favourite subjects) and actually penned volume I of the Rolex Jubilee Vade Mecum in Latin during WW2 which was later translated into English.Latin was THE lingua franca of Ancient Rome civilization and Rome was THE centre of the universe.I'm emphasizing this important points because the key to solving the puzzle lies on two words: Roman and Latin

The double decker horse drawn omnibus on which Mr Hans got his inspiration from was a reminiscence of the horse drawn carriage of ancient Rome travelling on the pebbled roads.
Mr Hans said and I quote "combining every letters of the alphabet in every possible way" The Latin word for alphabetical arrangement in a language is LEXICON

I suspect Mr Hans was also trying to create an easy to pronounce two syllable word like the word "Roman" or "Latin". Subconsciously thinking in Latin (not English),when the genie whispered to him what Mr Hans meant was
" Eureka ! I have found it ! "
( genii is the plural form of genie derived directly from the Latin word for genius).The so-called story of the genie ( Jinni ) in the bottle Tales of Arabian Nights )is some0ne else's idea of romanticising one of the greatest brand names in Human History

Mr Hans being the perfect dashing gentleman,was not actually referring to the Genie from the magical lamp BUT recalling that fateful morning when suddenly everything fell perfectly into place....by a moment of pure genii(genius)

ROman+LEXicon+Dual syllable=
RO+LEX= ROLEX

The photo below is one of the first W&D pendant watches made by Rolex.Oh!Of course. Mr Hans Wilsdorf made sure the dial had the Roman numerals......

[sensui]

Originally Posted by meganfox17

Can I offer my alternative hypothetical explanation Sir ?

Mr Hans Wilsdorf was fluent in Latin (language and Maths were his favourite subjects) and actually penned volume I of the Rolex Jubilee Vade Mecum in Latin during WW2 which was later translated into English.Latin was THE lingua franca of Ancient Rome civilization and Rome was THE centre of the universe.I'm emphasizing this important points because the key to solving the puzzle lies on two words: Roman and Latin

The double decker horse drawn omnibus on which Mr Hans got his inspiration from was a reminiscence of the horse drawn carriage of ancient Rome travelling on the pebbled roads.
Mr Hans said and I quote "combining every letters of the alphabet in every possible way" The Latin word for alphabetical arrangement in a language is LEXICON

I suspect Mr Hans was also trying to create an easy to pronounce two syllable word like the word "Roman" or "Latin". Subconsciously thinking in Latin (not English),when the genie whispered to him what Mr Hans meant was
" Eureka ! I have found it ! "
( genii is the plural form of genie derived directly from the Latin word for genius).The so-called story of the genie ( Jinni ) in the bottle Tales of Arabian Nights )is some0ne else's idea of romanticising one of the greatest brand names in Human History

Mr Hans being the perfect dashing gentleman,was not actually referring to the Genie from the magical lamp BUT recalling that fateful morning when suddenly everything fell perfectly into place....by a moment of pure genii(genius)

ROman+LEXicon+Dual syllable=
RO+LEX= ROLEX

The photo below is one of the first W&D pendant watches made by Rolex.Oh!Of course. Mr Hans Wilsdorf made sure the dial had the Roman numerals......

I must say, this is a pretty well thought out hypothesis....we'll never know but that's as good a guess as anyone can make heh.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

The most reiable/believable source I have seen is in this letter of provenance owned by Mike Wood. https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...ighlight=Davis

Yes, that was a good joke.

[rolex aficionado]

Because if We say it backward we will return back to our original dimension ,,,,



Wha???????????

[azs.77]

Hans Wilsdorf wanted a friend's suggestion when naming his new watch company. He didn't know the friend's number so he asked his secretary to bring him his ROLodEX!

The rest is history my good sir.

[ferrissteve11]

I always liked the theory that it was a combination of the words 'Relax and Royalty'. Not sure where I read that, but seems to make sense :)

[spoilsofwar01]

Thank you everyone for your comments.... either way its Rolex, forever Rolex.

Kind Regards "H"

[AK797]

Called Rolex because Orwell only wrote 1984 in 48... getting sick and tired of the CCTV/Watch company's antics.