ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
26 May 2017, 05:31 AM | #1 |
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why is Rolex called Rolex
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? |
26 May 2017, 05:38 AM | #2 |
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HoROLogical EXcellence?
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26 May 2017, 05:42 AM | #3 |
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RObocop Like, EXcels.
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26 May 2017, 05:51 AM | #4 |
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Because "Rollie" was too long.
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26 May 2017, 06:02 AM | #5 |
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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 |
26 May 2017, 06:08 AM | #6 |
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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.
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26 May 2017, 06:11 AM | #7 |
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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. |
26 May 2017, 06:12 AM | #8 | |
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26 May 2017, 06:19 AM | #9 |
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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.”
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26 May 2017, 06:41 AM | #10 |
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In reference to the post by James. This is the story I remember reading on the Rolex website as well.
Last edited by Manzy8; 26 May 2017 at 06:43 AM.. Reason: Added the posters above my comment name. |
26 May 2017, 07:01 AM | #11 |
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Just because.
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26 May 2017, 07:36 AM | #12 | |
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Same thing I've heard, I agree |
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26 May 2017, 08:25 AM | #13 |
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26 May 2017, 08:27 AM | #14 |
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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.
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26 May 2017, 08:32 AM | #15 | |
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Quote:
https://www.rolex.com/rolex-history/1905-1919.html |
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26 May 2017, 08:33 AM | #16 |
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Maybe Hans W. derived it from the Spanish word for clock "Reloj"
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26 May 2017, 08:42 AM | #17 |
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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
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26 May 2017, 09:37 AM | #18 |
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Because you're suppose to roll the X, not the R.
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26 May 2017, 09:46 AM | #19 | |
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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. |
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26 May 2017, 10:30 AM | #20 |
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26 May 2017, 11:48 AM | #21 |
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Because it sounds better than XELOR. :-)
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26 May 2017, 11:59 AM | #22 |
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26 May 2017, 01:08 PM | #23 | |
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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...... |
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26 May 2017, 02:31 PM | #24 | |
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26 May 2017, 03:22 PM | #25 | |
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26 May 2017, 05:19 PM | #26 |
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Because if We say it backward we will return back to our original dimension ,,,,
Wha??????????? |
26 May 2017, 11:42 PM | #27 |
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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. Last edited by azs.77; 26 May 2017 at 11:43 PM.. Reason: typo :( |
27 May 2017, 03:34 AM | #28 |
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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 :)
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27 May 2017, 03:38 AM | #29 |
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Gosh,
Thank you everyone for your comments.... either way its Rolex, forever Rolex.
Kind Regards "H" |
27 May 2017, 09:58 AM | #30 |
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Called Rolex because Orwell only wrote 1984 in 48... getting sick and tired of the CCTV/Watch company's antics.
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