Hans Wilsdorf
1881-1960
Timeline of Innovation & Achievement
• 1881 - Birth of Hans Wilhelm Wilsdorf was born on March 22, in Kulmach, Bavaria (which is now part of Germany) to Ferdinand and Anna Wilsdorf.
• 1905 - Hans Wilsdorf founds his first watch company with his older brother in law and names it Wilsdorf & Davis Ltd.
• 1908 - Hans Wilsdorf registers Rolex trademark name. He seeks to create a new name that is simple to remember and pronounce as well as a name that cannot be misspelled. Instead of using an existing name he makes up a name from scratch, much like Eastman did when he created the Kodak brand in 1888. Hans Wilsdorf said "With Rolex I sought to create a name that would be easy to pronounce in all European languages and could easily and elegantly grace the dial of a watch."
• 1910 - Hans Wilsdorf sends his first movement to the School of Horology in Switzerland and was awarded the world's first wrist watch Chronometer rating.
• 1912 - Hans Wilsdorf opens Wilsdorf & Davis offices in Bienne, Switzerland to facilitate movement business with Mr. Aegler.
• 1905 - Hans Wilsdorf founds his first watch company with his older brother in law and names it Wilsdorf & Davis Ltd.
• 1908 - Hans Wilsdorf registers Rolex trademark name. He seeks to create a new name that is simple to remember and pronounce as well as a name that cannot be misspelled. Instead of using an existing name he makes up a name from scratch, much like Eastman did when he created the Kodak brand in 1888. Hans Wilsdorf said "With Rolex I sought to create a name that would be easy to pronounce in all European languages and could easily and elegantly grace the dial of a watch."
• 1910 - Hans Wilsdorf sends his first movement to the School of Horology in Switzerland and was awarded the world's first wrist watch Chronometer rating.
• 1912 - Hans Wilsdorf opens Wilsdorf & Davis offices in Bienne, Switzerland to facilitate movement business with Mr. Aegler.