Oyster Story

The Oyster was born from Hans Wilsdorf’s vision. One hundred years after revolutionizing watchmaking, the Oyster family continues to evolve and accompany those who wear it in achieving their goals.

The challenge of precision

In 1910, a Rolex watch received a chronometric precision certificate from the Official Watch Rating Centre in Bienne, Switzerland. In 1914, another Rolex wristwatch obtained a class “A” certificate from Kew Observatory.

From the Oyster to the Oyster Perpetual

The invention of the Oyster case in 1926 was a milestone in watchmaking. In 1927, Mercedes Gleitze crossed the English Channel wearing a Rolex Oyster. In 1931, the Perpetual rotor added self-winding to precision and waterproofness.

A living laboratory

Hans Wilsdorf’s philosophy of testing in real-life conditions placed Oyster watches on the wrists of explorers, scientists, athletes, pilots, sailors, mountaineers and divers.

A collection shaped by innovation

Greater resistance to pressure and magnetism, graduated rotating bezels and a second time zone: the first Oyster grew into a family of watches that became archetypes of their categories.

A commitment to the future

Rolex continues to support exceptional individuals and institutions in sport, the arts and exploration through its Perpetual Arts and Perpetual Planet initiatives.

The new Superlative Chronometer certification

In 2026, Rolex expanded its Superlative Chronometer certification to seven pillars of excellence: resistance to magnetism, reliability and sustainability join precision, waterproofness, self-winding and autonomy.