Ask most people to name the 'best watch', and they probably will say Rolex by habit. I don't think there really is a best watch. Still, Rolex deserves its praise. I used to have a prejudice against Rolex, for no good reason, although most of their recent watches don't appeal to me at all. I finally bought a vintage Rolex Submariner. I then went and bought a vintage Explorer. I am really only interested in vintage Rolex, but with these two watches, I think that's enough anyway.
Here is Hans Wilsdorf, former chief of Rolex Watch Company. Hans came up with the idea of a waterproof watch. He basically ran the company. Whatever you may think about Hans, you can't disagree that his hair was most impressive. .
Mercedes Gleitze swam the English Channel in 1927, wearing a Rolex 'Oyster.' Both the Rolex and Mercedes were successful. James Bond wore a Rolex Submariner in Dr.No, his first film, prompting many men to go out and buy a Rolex, thinking that women like Ursula Andress might fancy them, forgetting that a Scottish accent, dashing good looks and employment with MI6 might have had something to do with it.
Tenzing Norgay wore a Rolex Explorer when he and Edmund Hillary summited Mt. Everest in 1953. (Hillary, was also issued a Rolex, but wore a Smiths watch during the ascent, because it was British made, they say.) Hillary was named a Sir, at some point. So were Cliff Richard, Paul McCartney, and Elton John. Hillary Clinton to my knowledge never wore a Rolex.
