Why is everyone wearing a Rolex?
Are they fake? or there is giving away we weren't noticed about it?
You may have noticed that almost everybody in the paddocks is wearing Rolexes as if they were given away in morning cereal breakfast packs. When it comes to racing, all paddocks look the same, with Rolexes everywhere. But why are they so popular?
When you think of luxury watches, chances are your mind goes straight to Rolex—ours certainly does. Rolex has been the luxury watch of choice for the rich and famous for nearly 100 years. But what is it about these watches that makes them so highly regarded?
A quick history lesson: Rolex was originally founded in London in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis. Before the brand became known as Rolex, it was (fittingly) called Wilsdorf and Davis. It wasn't until 1908 that the duo changed the brand's name and moved to Switzerland after World War I due to the poor economic situation in post-war London.
But returning to racing, why does everybody have one? Are they fake? Do people really spend all this money just to show off that they've made it? So, what's the real story?
The reason Rolex became popular in the first place is its incredibly high quality and longevity. These watches keep time well for decades and are built to last, with sturdy construction and no unnecessary complications. Plus, with all the features (many of which were innovated by the brand), Rolex watches do everything you need them to—and they do it well.
Features like waterproof housing, chronometer certification, automatic winding mechanisms, and date windows are standard in a Rolex today. This is a timepiece that will just keep going and going.
Having a Rolex on your wrist is a subtle way of telling the world that you're a high roller with taste and class. Everyone knows what a Rolex means, so it's immediately obvious to anyone who spots it that you're a person of means (that said, don't point it out—that's fairly gauche). As a result, there is a legion of lifelong fans of the brand who debate the finer points of each model and will wax lyrical about their favorites—even though for many people, they'll never actually see that watch in real life.
While some people buy a Rolex for its high quality, there is a similar number who buy a Rolex for brand recognition alone. The wear-forever build is a bonus.
Nothing is more enticing to the luxury consumer than exclusivity, something Rolex knows well. Rolex only sells a limited number of each new release—especially their DNA watches, the Submariners, which are artificially restricted to drive up demand. Long waiting lists around the world make the search for a Rolex like the hunt for a pot of gold.
We can guarantee that some of them in the areas that we move, the racing industry, are fake, basically because people will tell you when you ask them, and the websites and social media profiles that sell them are well-followed and the demand is huge. Maybe it's because the original ones have a waiting list… maybe.
So, we've found some places where you can get a real Rolex for much less than the cost of the originals.
Here are some websites and accounts that give away Rolexes for the price of a ticket, selling for around 35€-45€ each. We will sign up and let you know how our experience went!
Where is Rolex Present in Motorsport?
Rolex has made its mark in the world of motorsport, and it's not just because of the famous brand ambassadors like Nico Rosberg, Mark Webber, Jackie Stewart, Sir Malcolm Campbell, Jason Button, Tom Kristensen, Jamie Chadwick, and others. Rolex has a significant presence in various racing domains, including Formula 1, endurance racing, motorsport events, and classic car races and shows.
You'll find Rolex as a partner of prestigious events like the Goodwood Revival, the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance® and the Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance® by Rolex, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, The Quail, and many more. The brand's commitment to motorsport goes beyond sponsorship, as Rolex plays an active role in celebrating the beauty and history of these remarkable events
*We recommend one thing: don't go crazy trying to wear one just to impress people because they don't care, and it's even worse if it puts you at financial risk*