Rolex is a famous brand of Swiss watches. They have a well-deserved reputation for being both pricey and prestigious.
Both are rooted in the fact that they are a marvel of mechanical design and manufacture, so they can last for years. In fact, Rolex watches can keep working perfectly for decades if they are properly maintained.
Patience is a Virtue
Rolex is a company dedicated to producing quality products. Rather than seek to dramatically remake their products for short-term razzle-dazzle, they improve things in small steps over time. They value consistency over making a splash. Fast fashion is antithetical to their ethos.
They use the same models repeatedly and make incremental tweaks to already solid designs. They often keep the same name but update the model number. As one example, the Submariner has come out with model numbers 6528, 5512, 16610, and 114060, among others.
Solid Parts
Rolex gives a five-year warranty with the purchase of a new watch and extends it another two years if you get the watch serviced properly. This speaks to the confidence they have in their product.
That confidence starts with selecting high-quality materials and parts. This includes ceramic inserts and high-quality stainless steel mechanical parts. These parts are well designed from high-quality materials. In the spirit of “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it,” the designs change only slowly.
Proper Care
As noted above, they actively encourage customers to properly maintain their watches. The high price and prestigious name further encourage people to handle it with care.
Someone who only wears the watch to the office and social engagements is likely to see it last for decades. Even those who subject it to more stress are likely to see it last several years.
Wearing it while engaging in outdoor sports, like golf or cycling, will expose it to moisture, temperature extremes, and other hardships. This makes it more likely that mechanical parts will rust.
With ordinary usage and proper care, Rolex watches last for decades. They are popular with collectors because they still work, sometimes even after a century.