Why does Rolex use primarily English Language on models

[WhiskyVerb]

Why do they use English Language instead of German/French/Italian/Romansch?

For instanc
Explorer becomes Explorateur, Forscher, Esploratore

Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified becomes Chronomètre superlatif Certifié officiellement, Superlative-Chronometer Offiziell zertifiziert, Cronometro superlative ufficialmente certificate

As a Swiss Company, why not use one of the official languages of Switzerland?

[speedmaster73]

Originally Posted by WhiskyVerb

Why do they use English Language instead of German/French/Italian/Romansch?

For instanc
Explorer becomes Explorateur, Forscher, Esploratore

Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified becomes Chronomètre superlatif Certifié officiellement, Superlative-Chronometer Offiziell zertifiziert, Cronometro superlative ufficialmente certificate

As a Swiss Company, why not use one of the official languages of Switzerland?

Romansch is not an official language


The four national languages of Switzerland are German, French, Italian and Romansh.[2] All but Romansh maintain equal status as official languages at the national level within the Federal Administration of the Swiss Confederation.[3]


other than that i cant answer your question....i think it would be cool if Rolex did what you suggested however

[Old Expat Beast]

Rolex was originally a British company, Hans Wilsdorf was an Anglophile and Rolex's first overseas target markets were primarily in the British Empire.

[minute_man]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Rolex was originally a British company, Hans Wilsdorf was an Anglophile and Rolex's first overseas target markets were primarily in the British Empire.

Tudor brand was also named after the royal house and the Tudor rose adorns dials and crowns. English language on dials makes perfect sense.

Many thanks to GradyPhilpott for the very informative and educational post, we always learn here

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by minute_man

Tudor brand was also named after the royal house and the Tudor rose adorns dials and crowns. English language on dials makes perfect sense.

Many thanks to GradyPhilpott for the very informative and educational post, we always learn here

Yes, Wilsdorf was quite the Royalist, as were many Germans up to the First World War, due to Royal family connections on both sides. And of course his wife and her brother (Rolex co-founder Alfred Davis) were British.

There were many other regal-sounding Rolex-registered brands, models and lines over many decades, such as Prince, Princess, Viceroy, Queen, Royal, King George, Prince of Wales, Queen Alexandra, Crown Jewels, Coronation, Prince Imperial, Monarch, etc.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Yes, Wilsdorf was quite the Royalist, as were many Germans up to the First World War, due to Royal family connections on both sides. And of course his wife and her brother (Rolex co-founder Alfred Davis) were British.

There were many other regal-sounding Rolex-registered brands, models and lines over many decades, such as Prince, Princess, Viceroy, Queen, Royal, King George, Prince of Wales, Queen Alexandra, Crown Jewels, Coronation, Prince Imperial, Monarch, etc.

Not to mention the crown trademark. A crown for every achievement!

[Juantxo]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Rolex was originally a British company, Hans Wilsdorf was an Anglophile and Rolex's first overseas target markets were primarily in the British Empire.

Perfect response. Of course, with time English has also overtaken French as the international language of preference. Furthermore, and now in the realm of opinion and imagination, English appeals to consumers the world over. Hans was an incredibly brilliant marketer.

[GradyPhilpott]

Hans Wilsdorf began his watch selling business in England.

He bought watches from Switzerland and put the names of jewelers on the dials.

Eventually, he began to put the name Rolex on his watch dials and then required jewelers to buy a Rolex or two for every few watches they bought with their names on the dials.

During WWI, Wilsdorf packed up his business and moved to Switzerland to avoid the high taxes of the time.

I would imagine that by the time Wilsdorf went international with his watches, there was no reason to use any other language on the dials or perhaps it was too cumbersome.

They do use other languages on the day wheels, but that's only been since the 50s

And then, of course, there's Adam's explanation, which is probably the correct one.

[Rain49king]

I believe Chinese English and Spanish are top three spoken languages in the world and I think English is the number one second language of people around the world. That's probably why not to mention English also is easy to learn from what I hear.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Rain49king

That's probably why not to mention English also is easy to learn from what I hear.

I've always heard the opposite.

English is a lot more succinct than other languages, which makes it good for business.

[2ltdjorn]

Rolex transcends all language

[GB-man]

I'll take Adams word for it and enjoyed your lesson as well Grady

[Al1969]

Originally Posted by GB-man

I'll take Adams word for it and enjoyed your lesson as well Grady

Well said. X2.

[michael067]

Ssdd

[77T]

I'd like there to be less English on the dials. Just "Rolex" & the model #. No more names, no Superlative this or Certified that.

That way it'd be universal language and cleaner looking dials.

[ceas00ceas]

Primarily English,
But what about the last letters in the ref. ?
116610 LN ( lunette noir)
116613 LB ( lunette blue)

And so on,
Maybe it s not only English after all what do you think ?




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[Benjo74]

Originally Posted by ceas00ceas

116613 LB (lunette blue)

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bleu



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[Thuilln]

Originally Posted by Benjo74

bleu



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Actually, it's bleue. Lunette is feminine in french.

[Benjo74]

Originally Posted by Thuilln

Actually, it's bleue. Lunette is feminine in french.

You're right - my pedantry has been trumped!


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[AK797]

Originally Posted by Benjo74

You're right - my pedantry has been trumped!


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This is why simple English is so much better, apart from the obvious reasons.

[Ragna]

Originally Posted by ceas00ceas

Primarily English,
But what about the last letters in the ref. ?
116610 LN ( lunette noir)
116613 LB ( lunette "bleue")

And so on,
Maybe it s not only English after all what do you think ?

You make a very good point.

[regnant]

Not only Rolex but also other premium Swiss Brands use English on their dials, the most prominent one is SWISS MADE

[teb1013]

Originally Posted by regnant

Not only Rolex but also other premium Swiss Brands use English on their dials, the most prominent one is SWISS MADE

Correct. Omega definitely uses English names like Speedmaster, Seamaster and has English on its dials. While other brands like Breitling and Zenith seem to use French with things like Chronometre, they all use Swiss Made. Japanese watches like Grand Seiko have the writing stamped on them exclusively in English, I think even for Japan only models (but that may be a cultural preference in Japan that might not exist in Switzerland).


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[AK797]

Hans was a big fan of Last night of the Proms.

[Amileon]

Luckily in English and not in Romansh. Romansh is spoken by only 36,000 or so. Marketing could be more difficult.

[KBM]

Because English is TRF's official language.

[77T]

The Day wheel on DD's come in many languages.
But isn't it ironic that the Date wheels all come in English numbers - yet we call those numerals "Arabic"

[R. Francis]

It's not so ironic. It wasn't until much later that the more superior numeral system (due to the use of the numeral 0 as a placeholder for intergers), as developed and spread by Arabs, was introduced to the west. During this time while the middle east used to be the worlds center for scientific advance, Europe was still in it's dark ages.

Originally Posted by 77T

The Day wheel on DD's come in many languages.
But isn't it ironic that the Date wheels all come in English numbers - yet we call those numerals "Arabic"

[MonBK]

Because it's easier to read and say Monday then this: երկուշաբթի

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Because it's easier to read and say Monday then this: երկուշաբթի

Makes you wonder if Thursday is an even longer word?

Anyone speak the language?