No Rolex watch leaves the Geneva headquarters without undergoing a series of extremely stringent tests and quality control operations.
WATERPROOF TESTING
One of the factors that has contributed most to the international success of Rolex is the waterproof case.It is therefore vital to make sure that each watch offers a guaranteed level of protection.
To this effect, each watch is checked individually in actual condition of use.
The watch is submerged in a tank of water in which the pressure is raised to a value exceeding the guaranteed water resistance depth.Rolex Oysters are guaranteed waterproof at depth of at least 100meters/330 feet.
The Submariner and Sea-Dweller Deep Sea models are guaranteed at depth of 300 meters/1000 feet and 3900 meters/12000 feet respectively, thereby giving ever greater security to the diver.
DEPENDABILITY
Each Rolex undergoes tests designed to check its precision and its perfect operations of use.These tests concern, initially, the movement alone, and then the complete watch.
Electronic equipment enables simultaneous testing of ten complete watches.
The tests are carried out over 24-hour period, in five different positions.The results are then stored in a computer memory and printed, so that any necessary adjustments can be made and any potential faults eliminated.
A Rolex Oyster watch is designed to provide stable operation for years.Accordingly, no effort is spared to ensure that each watch will be able to survive in the most severe conditions of use.One of the most stringent tests involves taking a few Oyster models at random and shutting them up in a test chamber subjected to severe climatic conditions.In this simulated environment, they are exposed to an extremely corrosive climate of recycled steam which, in the space of four weeks, can replicate a stay of several years in the ambient humidity of Hong Kong!
“SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED” C.O.S.C.
Rolex customers sometimes confuse the words “chronometer” and “chronograph”.
A chronograph is a watch – instrument designed to measure a time interval precisely.That is why a chronograph seconds – hand is found in the center with two counters that can count the total hours and minutes.
A Swiss chronometer, on the other hand, is a watch that has successfully undergone the stringent tests of the Swiss official chronometer testing organization “Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometres” (C.O.S.C.).
The title of chronometer is therefore an official title that a manufacturer cannot assign to its watches itself.
Each Rolex Oyster movement is tested by the C.O.S.C. for 15 days and 15 nights.
During this period, the watch undergoes tests in five different positions and rapid temperature cycles.It should be noted that these tests are carried out on every movement equipping Rolex’s models not just a few samples.
The red seal that accompanies each watch and the marking “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” on the dial means that each Rolex Oyster has deserved the prestigious official commentary: “Especially good results”.
