Rolex, the timepiece of choice for celebrities

In 1905, Alfred Davis and his brother-in-law, German businessman Hans Wilsdorf, founded Wilsdorf and Davis, the London watchmaking company that served as the foundation for Rolex. Indeed, in 1908 Wilsdorf established Rolex. Fifty years later, Wilsdorf revealed how he originally conceived the Rolex name. Apparently he was sitting on the upper level of a omnibus powered at that time by horses, driving along Cheapside in London. During the journey, according to Wilsdorf, a genie whispered in his ear "Rolex." By chance, a photograph exists of the Rolex founder in 1908 riding a similar London Omnibus. The image was originally published in Rolex Magazine.

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Cristiano Ronaldo -

For over 100 years, Rolex has been the timepiece of choice for numerous celebrities. Here, Portuguese soccer ace Cristiano Ronaldo attends the Quinas de Ouro 2019 awards ceremony in Lisbon dressed typically stylish and wearing his trademark Rolex. Ronaldo is a high-profile personality who enjoys a close association with the luxury watchmaker.

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Brad Pitt -

Brad Pitt has also established a long and successful marketing relationship with the brand. The actor has been seen wearing many different Rolex models, both in his films and privately.

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Clint Eastwood -

Clint Eastwood and Angelina Jolie attend the 'Changeling' photo-call at the 61st Cannes International Film Festival in 2008. Eastwood wears a Rolex on his wrist.

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Steve McQueen (1930–1980) -

Steve McQueen as racing driver Michael Delaney is seen wearing a stainless steel Rolex Submariner watch while on set for the film 'Le Mans,' around 1970. It was the actor's trademark timepiece.

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Paul Newman (1925–2008) -

Paul Newman also enjoyed motorsport as much as he did acting. Newman in fact is forever associated with the Rolex Daytona Cosmograph. He's pictured collecting his first-in-class trophy at the 1995 Rolex 24 at Daytona.

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Exotic White Dial Daytona -

Newman wore several Rolex Daytona models, including this vintage 1966 Rolex Daytona. Eventually, Newman had a Rolex named after him, the highly emblematic and iconic Exotic White Dial Daytona. This unique timepiece is the single most expensive Rolex ever sold. It was purchased for US$17.8 million during an auction in October 2017.

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Rolex Daytona -

Not as rare as Newman's model, but still much sought after, this is a yellow gold diamond-encrusted limited edition Rolex Daytona watch.

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Rolex and Bond -

Rolex watches appeared in many James Bond movies, not surprising really given that 007's creator, Ian Fleming (1908–1964), actually wrote in his novels that his famous secret service character wore a Rolex. Fleming's preferred model was a stainless steel Rolex Explorer.

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Sean Connery (1930–2020) -

Sean Connery on the set of 'Thunderball' (1965). James Bond became synonymous with the Rolex Submariner.

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Elvis Presley (1935–1977) -

An 18ct gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch given as a festive gift to Elvis Presley by his manager, Tom Parker, in 1976.

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Festive gift -

Engraved on the reverse of Presley's watch is: "Elvis Merry Christmas Your Pal Col. Tom Parker."

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Leonardo DiCaprio -

Leonardo DiCaprio looking the part as seen on the set of 'Wolf of Wall Street' in New York City in 2012. His character is the real-life flashy and fraudulent Jordan Belfort, who was jailed for his part in a stock-market manipulation scam.

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Jennifer Aniston -

Jennifer Aniston, hands on hips and Rolex on wrist, at an event in 2013 in New York City.

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Victoria Beckham -

Victoria Beckham seen shopping in 2013 in Notting Hill, London. The former Spice Girl is somewhat of a Rolex aficionado and is even known to wear husband David Beckham's own Rolex models.

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Sophia Loren -

Italian actress Sophia Loren photographed during an interview in March 1979 in New York City. A loose-fitting Rolex is clearly visible clinging to the legendary movie star's arm.

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Elle Macpherson -

Australian model and businesswoman Elle Macpherson is a Rolex fan. Here she is at the Elle Style Awards 2006 in London.

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Zac Efron -

Zac Efron, wearing a distinctive Rolex, leaving BBC Radio One studios in London after promoting his film 'Baywatch' (2017).

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Clark Gable (1901–1960) -

Rolex and Tissot watches belonging to Clark Gable are placed on display with portraits as part of a 2006 sale of objects from the late actor's estate in New York City.

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Dizzy Gillespie (1917–1993) -

Jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie keeps time with his Rolex as he plays his famous bent trumpet during a 1965 concert in St. Louis, Missouri. The jazz great was another enthusiastic ambassador for Rolex.

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Dalai Lama -

The Dalai Lama indulging in his only hobby, repairing watches, at his residence in McLeod Ganj. He still has a Rolex watch given to him by late US President Franklin Roosevelt.

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Ashanti -

Singer-songwriter Ashanti, her diamond-studded Rolex glinting in the glare of spotlight, attends the Giant Night of Comedy event at Gotham Comedy Club in New York City, in 2015.

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Patrick Dempsey -

Patrick Dempsey following the completion of his first running of the Rolex 24 hours of Daytona at the Daytona International Speedway in 2008 at Daytona Beach, Florida. The actor, of course, is wearing a Rolex.

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Rolex Awards For Enterprise -

Chris Pine speaks on stage during the 2016 Rolex Awards For Enterprise in Hollywood, California. The awards ceremony supports individuals with innovative ideas to improve life in the planet, expand knowledge, and preserve natural and cultural heritage.

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Selena Gomez -

A relaxed Selena Gomez arrives to the premiere of 'Behaving Badly' (2014) in Hollywood, California. She's wearing her Rolex way above her right wrist.

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Dakota Fanning -

Dakota Fanning, a Rolex already wrapped around her right wrist, is seen after shopping at the Rolex boutique in Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California.

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World war watch? -

Geneva-based auction company Antiquorum displays a stainless steel Oyster Chronograph Rolex watch sold to a prisoner of war during the Second World War, with the manufacturer's guarantee certificate. The Rolex wristwatch was ordered directly from the Swiss watchmaker by a British Army corporal, James Nutting, during his detention in German Stalag Luft III camp, the infamous POW camp portrayed in Hollywood's 'The Great Escape' (1963).

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Bernie Madoff (1938–2021) -

A stainless steel vintage Rolex Dato Compax watch that once belonged to disgraced financier Bernie Madoff is readied for auction. Madoff was responsible for operating the biggest Ponzi scheme in history, at one point worth about US$64.8 billion.

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Zara Tindall -

The Queen's eldest granddaughter and British equestrian and Olympian Zara Phillips, the daughter of Anne, Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips, is seen at the 2018 Cheltenham Festival in England, her Rolex prominent against her color-coordinated outfit.

Sources: (Robb Report) (Rolex Magazine) (Luxe Digital) (Rolex)

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Hans Wilsdorf (1881–1960) -

Public Domain

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Cristiano Ronaldo -

Getty Images

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Brad Pitt -

Brad Pitt has also established a long and successful marketing relationship with the brand. The actor has been seen wearing many different Rolex models, both in his films and privately.

Getty Images

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Clint Eastwood -

Clint Eastwood and Angelina Jolie attend the 'Changeling' photo-call at the 61st Cannes International Film Festival in 2008. Eastwood wears a Rolex on his wrist.

Getty Images

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Steve McQueen (1930–1980) -

Steve McQueen as racing driver Michael Delaney is seen wearing a stainless steel Rolex Submariner watch while on set for the film 'Le Mans,' around 1970. It was the actor's trademark timepiece.

Getty Images

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Paul Newman (1925–2008) -

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Exotic White Dial Daytona -

Getty Images

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Rolex Daytona -

Not as rare as Newman's model, but still much sought after, this is a yellow gold diamond-encrusted limited edition Rolex Daytona watch.

Getty Images

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Rolex and Bond -

Getty Images

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Sean Connery (1930–2020) -

Sean Connery on the set of 'Thunderball' (1965). James Bond became synonymous with the Rolex Submariner.

Getty Images

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Elvis Presley (1935–1977) -

An 18ct gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch given as a festive gift to Elvis Presley by his manager, Tom Parker, in 1976.

NL Beeld

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Festive gift -

Engraved on the reverse of Presley's watch is: "Elvis Merry Christmas Your Pal Col. Tom Parker."

NL Beeld

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Leonardo DiCaprio -

Getty Images

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Jennifer Aniston -

Jennifer Aniston, hands on hips and Rolex on wrist, at an event in 2013 in New York City.

Getty Images

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Victoria Beckham -

Victoria Beckham seen shopping in 2013 in Notting Hill, London. The former Spice Girl is somewhat of a Rolex aficionado and is even known to wear husband David Beckham's own Rolex models.

Getty Images

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Sophia Loren -

Italian actress Sophia Loren photographed during an interview in March 1979 in New York City. A loose-fitting Rolex is clearly visible clinging to the legendary movie star's arm.

Getty Images

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Elle Macpherson -

Australian model and businesswoman Elle Macpherson is a Rolex fan. Here she is at the Elle Style Awards 2006 in London.

Getty Images

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Zac Efron -

Zac Efron, wearing a distinctive Rolex, leaving BBC Radio One studios in London after promoting his film 'Baywatch' (2017).

NL Beeld

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Clark Gable (1901–1960) -

Rolex and Tissot watches belonging to Clark Gable are placed on display with portraits as part of a 2006 sale of objects from the late actor's estate in New York City.

Getty Images

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Dizzy Gillespie (1917–1993) -

Getty Images

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Dalai Lama -

The Dalai Lama indulging in his only hobby, repairing watches, at his residence in McLeod Ganj. He still has a Rolex watch given to him by late US President Franklin Roosevelt.

Getty Images

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Ashanti -

Singer-songwriter Ashanti, her diamond-studded Rolex glinting in the glare of spotlight, attends the Giant Night of Comedy event at Gotham Comedy Club in New York City, in 2015.

Getty Images

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Patrick Dempsey -

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Rolex Awards For Enterprise -

Getty Images

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Selena Gomez -

A relaxed Selena Gomez arrives to the premiere of 'Behaving Badly' (2014) in Hollywood, California. She's wearing her Rolex way above her right wrist.

Getty Images

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Dakota Fanning -

Dakota Fanning, a Rolex already wrapped around her right wrist, is seen after shopping at the Rolex boutique in Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California.

NL Beeld

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World war watch? -

Getty Images

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Bernie Madoff (1938–2021) -

Getty Images

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Zara Tindall -

Sources: (Robb Report) (Rolex Magazine) (Luxe Digital) (Rolex)

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Rolex, the timepiece of choice for celebrities

Find out who wears one of these iconic and desirable watches

25/07/24 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Watches

Rolex, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer, is responsible for handcrafting some of the most iconic and desirable timepieces in the world—and some of the most expensive! The prestigious brand is a byword for technical innovation and impeccable production processes, and owning a Rolex wristwatch has come to symbolize wealth, success, styl,e and quality. No wonder the brand has found favor with the rich and famous for over 100 years.

Click through and see the stars with time on their hands.