Rolex world`s records
Some Rolex watch case backs include references to a certain number of "World's Records." While the exact nature of these records is not entirely known, historical advertisements suggest that they likely pertain to records for accuracy achieved at observatories in Kew, Geneva, and Neuchâtel. These observatories conducted tests to evaluate the timekeeping accuracy of watches over several days in various positions and at different temperatures, assigning results in the form of marks. The more marks a watch received, the better its performance. Watches that exceeded a certain threshold of marks could earn an "observatory certificate" of a specific class, with Class A certificates being the most prestigious.
The results of the Kew watch trials, which later moved to the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington in 1912, do not reveal that Rolex watches set absolute records, but they did achieve notable accuracy. For example, in 1927, a Rolex wristwatch received a "Class A, especially good" certificate, earning a total of 86.5 marks.
It's important to note that the "World's Records" claimed by Rolex likely don't refer to absolute records but instead to records of accuracy for watches of particularly small sizes. For instance, a Rolex advertisement in 1928 promoted a watch with a movement measuring 15 by 24 millimeters as their "20th World Record." This achievement was extraordinary, given the watch's diminutive size.
In subsequent advertisements, Rolex emphasized their expertise in producing small-sized movements and their commitment to precision. They claimed to have attained a position of pre-eminence, as evidenced by the numerous Observatory Quality certificates they received. Rolex watches from 5½ ligne to 10½ ligne could be ordered with Swiss Class "A" certificates in the UK, albeit at an additional cost. However, these certificates did not substantially affect the watch's quality, and they were often perceived as an expensive extra.
The number of claimed "World's Records" on Rolex case backs increased in steps from seven to thirty-one, which can help in dating undated watches. By analyzing dozens of case backs with British hallmarks, researchers have identified the approximate dates of these increments. For example, the transition from seven to sixteen "World's Records" seems to have occurred between the 1923/24 hallmarking year and 1928. The progression continued, reaching 34 "World's Records" by around 1941.
These records represent a significant aspect of Rolex's historical marketing, showcasing their dedication to precision and innovation in watchmaking.
