Welcome to the Ultimate Rolex Glossary! Whether you’re a seasoned Rolex collector, a new owner, or simply a watch enthusiast, understanding the terminology associated with Rolex watches can greatly enhance your appreciation and understanding of these luxury timepieces.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ve compiled an extensive list of key terms that every Rolex aficionado should know. From the basics like “Bezel” and “Crown” to more specialized terms like “Triplock” and “Parachrom,” we’ve got you covered. Each term comes with a brief definition to help you become fluent in the language of Rolex.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into the world of Rolex terminology!

 

Rolex Glossary

A

Automatic Movement

A type of movement that winds itself while worn on the wrist.

Air-King

A Rolex model designed as an homage to aviation.

B

Bezel

The top ring of the watch that surrounds the crystal.

Bracelet

The metal links that hold the watch to your wrist.

Bubbleback

A term for older Rolex watches with a thicker case back.

C

Caliber

The internal mechanism of the watch.

Case

The metal housing that contains the internal parts of the watch.

Chronograph

A watch feature that acts as a stopwatch.

Crown

The small knob used for setting the time and date.

 

D

Datejust

A Rolex model known for its date window and Cyclops lens.

Day-Date

A Rolex model that displays both the date and the day of the week.

E

Explorer

A Rolex model designed for rugged outdoor use.

Endlinks

The pieces that connect the bracelet to the watch case.

F

Fluted Bezel

A bezel with a corrugated pattern, often seen on Datejust models.

Folded Link

A type of bracelet link made from folded metal.

G

GMT Master

A Rolex model designed for travelers, featuring a second time zone.

Guilloche

A type of intricate engraving often seen on watch dials.

H

Hacking

A feature that stops the second hand when setting the time.

Helium Escape Valve

A feature on dive watches that allows helium to escape.

I

Indices

Markers on the watch dial that indicate hours or minutes.

In-House Movement

A watch movement manufactured by Rolex itself.

J

Jubilee

A type of Rolex bracelet with five-piece links.

Jubilee Dial

A dial with a repetitive Rolex logo pattern.

K

Karat

A unit of measure for the purity of gold.

King Midas

A vintage Rolex model made entirely of gold.

L

Lugs

The four protrusions on a watch case that hold the strap or bracelet.

Luminova

A luminescent material used on Rolex watch hands and markers.

M

Milgauss

A Rolex model designed to resist magnetic fields.

Minute Repeater

A complication that chimes the time when activated.

N

NATO Strap

A type of watch strap originally designed for military use.

Nephrite

A type of jade used in some Rolex dials.

O

Oyster

A Rolex case design that offers water resistance.

Oysterlock

A safety clasp used on some Rolex bracelets.

P

Perpetual

A Rolex movement that is self-winding.

Platinum

A precious metal used in some Rolex watches.

Q

Quartz

A type of movement powered by a battery.

Quickset

A feature that allows rapid date setting.

R

Rehaut

The inner rim of a watch case, sometimes engraved with the Rolex logo.

Rolesor

A combination of gold and steel in a Rolex watch.

S

Sapphire Crystal

A type of watch crystal that is highly scratch-resistant.

Sea-Dweller

A Rolex watch model designed for deep-sea diving.

T

Triplock

A triple waterproofness system used in some Rolex watches.

Twinlock

A double waterproofness system used in some Rolex watches.

U

Unidirectional Bezel

A bezel that can only be turned in one direction, often used in diving watches.

V

Vintage

Refers to Rolex watches that are at least 25-30 years old.

W

Water Resistance

The ability of a watch to withstand water ingress to a certain depth.

White Gold

A type of gold alloy used in some Rolex watches.

Y

Yellow Gold

A type of gold alloy used in some Rolex watches.

Y

Yacht-Master

A Rolex watch model designed for sailing enthusiasts.

Z

Zephyr

A vintage Rolex model with a distinctive cross-hair dial.

Numbers

18K Gold

An alloy containing 75% gold, often used in Rolex watches.

24-Hour Display

A feature in some Rolex watches that allows for the time to be displayed in a 24-hour format.

904L Steel

A type of stainless steel used in Rolex watches known for its corrosion resistance.

3135 Movement

A self-winding mechanical movement developed by Rolex.

3255 Movement

A newer self-winding mechanical movement developed by Rolex, known for its improved efficiency.

Additional Terms

Air-King

A Rolex model designed as an entry-level watch, originally created for pilots.

Anti-Reflective

A type of coating applied to watch crystals to reduce glare.

Automatic Movement

A type of watch movement that winds itself using a rotor.

Bezel

The ring that surrounds the watch’s face, often functional in Rolex models.

Caliber

A term used to describe a watch movement.

Certified Chronometer

A watch that has been tested and certified to meet precision standards.

Clasp

The mechanism used to fasten the watch band.

COSC

Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres, the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute.

Crown

The small knob used for winding the watch and setting the time and date.

Cyclops

A small magnifying lens on the date window of many Rolex watches.

 

Wrapping Up: Mastering the Language of Rolex

We hope this Ultimate Rolex Glossary has been an invaluable resource for you. Whether you’re buying, selling, or simply admiring Rolex watches, understanding these terms can provide deeper insight into what makes these timepieces so extraordinary.

Remember, the world of Rolex is as intricate as the watches themselves. The more you know, the more you’ll appreciate the craftsmanship, history, and innovation that go into every Rolex watch.

Thank you for taking the time to expand your Rolex vocabulary with us. We encourage you to bookmark this page for future reference and to share it with other Rolex enthusiasts who might benefit from it.

Happy timekeeping!

Mark.

PS: Please note that the world of Rolex is constantly evolving, and so is this glossary. While we’ve made every effort to provide a comprehensive list of terms, new terminology and innovations may emerge over time. We intend to update this glossary periodically to reflect any such changes. If you have suggestions for terms that should be included, feel free to contact us.