Rolex was started in 1908 by Mr. Hans Wilsdorf, a German National Citizen. At this point in time, the company was named Wilsdorf & Davis as Wilsdorf founded the company jointly with his brother in law. During that time period, mostly pocket watches were being made by Swiss watch makers. Manufactures at the time had difficulty producing accurate and reliable movements in wrist watch sizes. Hans Wilsdorf was a perfectionist who raised the bar on the standards for watch making. He strived for a smaller more accurate movement, and changed the style and fashion from large pocket watches to smaller and more usable wrist watches. Aegler, a small Swiss watch company agreed with Hans to create movements small enough to be placed inside wrist watches. Wilsdorf produced three main designs: formal, casual, and sporty.

In 1910, Rolex sent their first Rolex watch movement to the School of Horology in Switzerland. It was given the first ever wrist watch Chronometer Award. Wilsdorf saw the need for two requirements in wrist watches: #1 To accurately keep time, and #2 To be reliable. With the Chronometer Award, the accuracy of the Rolex wrist watch was up to par and Wilsdorf started working to improve the reliability of the Rolex watch. One of largest problems at that time was that fine dust and water would get into the wrist watch case and over time it would damage in movement. To overcome this, Hans knew he would need to design an entirely waterproof watch case, which would also defeat the dust problem as well. Water and dust was getting in through the crown and the caseback. Wilsdorf created a screw down crown and a casebook mechanism that screwed down as well. This simple invention revolutionized the wrist watch industry.

The first waterproof Rolex watch was advertised around the world in an ingenious manner. During this time, the general population was a bit skeptical about the watch really being waterproof. However, the new Rolex watch was being displayed all across the world in an aquarium of water in various jeweler windows! This new advertising method created a huge brand awareness for Rolex watches. Since then, Rolex watches have been known by everyone in almost every country. Today most watches are waterproof after following the example of the Rolex watch.

The Rolex Prince Watch was sold in1928, and was a hit with its dual dial and rectangle shaped case. In 1931 Rolex invented the "Rotor" - a semicircular plate of metal that with movement and/or gravity it moves freely within the watch to keep it wound. This is the the kinetic or perpetual (also knows as automatic) movements. The popularity of Rolex watches has grown exponentially since then. Everyone wants a Rolex watch because it’s a symbol of success in life. Rolex is something that you aspire to as is a symbol of wealth.

History of Baume & Mercier For over 75 years, Baume & Mercier has been crafting precision timepieces for those Men and Woman with discriminating tastes. Today, a Baume&Mercier Watch is a sign of success and sophistication. But the Baume and Mercier watch-making dynasty actually had its start in 1830, in the heart of the Swiss Jura Mountains. It was here that two brothers, Louis Victor and Pierre Joseph Celestin Baume, first put their renowned watch-making skills and experience to good use, primarily in the design and manufacture of pocket watches. The Baume brothers formed a family business, known as Freres Baume. This collaboration soon made a name for itself. Beyond the borders of Switzerland, the Baum reputation grew. And in 1851, the Baume Brothers corporation was founded in London.

In 1912, William Baume met watchmaker and jeweler, Paul Mercier, resulting in a successful partnership. On November 26th, 1918, an agreement was signed for the establishment of the Baume and Mercier Company in Geneva. The Baume&Mercier Watches espoused the finest in Swiss tradition, elegance and craftsmanship. The very careful and regimented Baume and the free-spirited, passionate Mercier greatly complemented each other, resulting in high levels of mechanical precision. 1920 stands out as the start of the long-standing relationship between womens desires and Baume & Mercier. That year saw the creation of the first Baume and Mercier bracelet watches, a true milestone in jewelry watch-making, as well as the Baume Mercier emphasis on men’s and women’s character and design. In fact, so well-regarded were Baume&Mercier watches that in 1921 the Baume Mercier company was awarded the coveted “Poincon de Geneve,” which symbolized the official recognition of flawless quality products. Baum & Mercier Watches continued to reap acclaim and prestigious awards.

Baume&Mercier achieved three hard-fought victories at the Kew Observatory chronometer competitions -- one of most respected accomplishments for a Baume Watch, or any watchmaker. In 1885, three Baum Mercier Watches were featured within the seven best watches selected. 1887 saw a Baume&Mercier split-second chronograph achieve the highest score -- 85.1 points out of 100. And in 1893, a Baume Watch, a keyless chronometer with a tourbillion movement, was awarded an unprecedented score of 91.9 points! Over the next few decades, the Baum and Mercier Watch became synonymous with quality, and the Baume Mercier name grew in prominence and acclaim the world over. In the years following World War II, Baume and Mercier focused on the design and manufacture of conventional men’s watches, ladies jewelry watches, and sports chronographs. 1965 saw new ownership for Baume&Mercier, as well as the prominence of both quartz and electronic tuning fork movements (the Tronosonic). In 1993, the Cartier group became sole owners of Baume and Mercier. And the Baum Mercier name has never once faltered in its design and performance. Rather, a Baum Watch has meant continued success and eye-catching appeal. The artistic appeal of Baume & Mercier is illustrated by the adoption of the Greek letter PHI as the company emblem. For both Men and womens styles, a Baume & Mercier Watch provides a stylish and sophisticated counterbalance to the trials and tribulations of the day.

The Omega story begins in 1848, with its founder Louis Brandt, hand assembling pocket watches put together from parts made in the local La Chaux-de-Fonds. Louis Brandt passed away in 1879, leaving the company to his two sons Louis-Paul and Cesar, who moved the company to Bienne in January 1880.
The name OMEGA made it’s debut in 1894, as it was used as the name of one of the Brandt brother’s watch movement calibers.
Both Brandt brothers died in 1903, placing the fate of the company in the control of four people, the oldest of which, Paul-Emile Brandt, was only 23 years of age.
Following a merger with Tissot in 1930 a new parent company, SSIH, Société suisse pour l'industrie horlogère SA, Geneva, was created. This group eventually grew to over 50 companies including, Lanco, Lémania and Hamilton. Eventually SSIH became the third largest producers of finished watches and movements in the world.
During this period Omega produced some of its most collectible vintage watches Omega is famous for today.
Omega Constellation watches, the Omega Speedmaster chronograph, the Omega Seamaster waterproof sports watch and Seamaster Diver watches were all developed during this period. Omega also made a name for itself proving military watches and pilots watches during World War 2.
Through an economic crisis in the 1980’s the company merged with another large Swiss conglomerate, ASUAG, makers of Swatch, Longines and Rado, to create a new company ASUAG-SSIH. Eventually this pairing fell on hard times and the company was taken over by a private group and renamed SMH, which still exists today.

The first company to successfully pursue the elusive dream of a battery-powered watch was the Hamilton Watch Company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Research began in 1946, but it was to take more than ten years to develop a viable watch. On January 3, 1957, Hamilton held a press conference to announce the "World's First Electric Watch." The idea of a watch which never needed winding was very exciting to 1950's consumers, who were captivated by progress and modernity. The Hamilton Electric was an instant hit. Its popularity was enhanced by the fact that Hamilton released a number of very dramatic case styles with non-traditional asymmetrical styling; they were visual reminders of the ultra-modern movements inside the case. The life span of the Hamilton Electric Watch was brief, but it spanned one of the most exciting and tumultuous decades of the century -- from the launch of Sputnik, the first space satellite, of the Hamilton Electric Watch was brief, but it spanned one of the most exciting and tumultuous decades of the century -- from the launch of Sputnik, the first space satellite, to man's first step on the moon. When it was first released in 1957 it really was "the watch of the future," but unfortunately for Hamilton the future passed them by faster than anyone could have imagined. By 1969, when production ended, advanced technology (quartz) had rendered the Hamilton Electric obsolete. Today these watches are avidly sought by collectors, who appreciate the unique character of this pioneering invention. It is the grandfather of all battery-powered watches produced today, an important milestone in the history of watchmaking.

The first company to successfully pursue the elusive dream of a battery-powered watch was the Hamilton Watch Company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Research began in 1946, but it was to take more than ten years to develop a viable watch. On January 3, 1957, Hamilton held a press conference to announce the "World's First Electric Watch." The idea of a watch which never needed winding was very exciting to 1950's consumers, who were captivated by progress and modernity. The Hamilton Electric was an instant hit. Its popularity was enhanced by the fact that Hamilton released a number of very dramatic case styles with non-traditional asymmetrical styling; they were visual reminders of the ultra-modern movements inside the case. The life span of the Hamilton Electric Watch was brief, but it spanned one of the most exciting and tumultuous decades of the century -- from the launch of Sputnik, the first space satellite, of the Hamilton Electric Watch was brief, but it spanned one of the most exciting and tumultuous decades of the century -- from the launch of Sputnik, the first space satellite, to man's first step on the moon. When it was first released in 1957 it really was "the watch of the future," but unfortunately for Hamilton the future passed them by faster than anyone could have imagined. By 1969, when production ended, advanced technology (quartz) had rendered the Hamilton Electric obsolete. Today these watches are avidly sought by collectors, who appreciate the unique character of this pioneering invention. It is the grandfather of all battery-powered watches produced today, an important milestone in the history of watchmaking.