The Rolex Legacy
The history of Rolex through 120 seminal and rare watches: the perfect luxury Christmas gift
Published on 16. October 2025
Book
Hardback
336 pages
978-1-78840-596-6 (ISBN)
Description
'Brings Rolex's incredible story alive like none before it... A fascinating and joyfully accessible read'
- Robin Swithinbank, journalist, author and podcaster
The perfect Christmas gift for fans of the brand and lovers of exceptional design.
In celebration of 120 years, this book offers a unique decade-by-decade journey through the legacy of Rolex, featuring 12 chapters that tell the story of the brand and the exceptional watches that cemented its fame and prestige.
Explore 120 stunning Rolex timepieces, which showcase the diversity of the models, cases, movements, dials and bracelets. From the iconic Oyster, Datejust, Submariner and Daytona series, to the opulence of the Cellini and Masterpiece strands. Each era enhanced Rolex's reputation for innovation and quality. Their evolution is vividly and expertly described by James Dowling ('Mr Rolex').
With hundreds of images, archive material, ephemera and specially commissioned photography, this is the comprehensive story of the world's most recognized watch brand.
- Robin Swithinbank, journalist, author and podcaster
The perfect Christmas gift for fans of the brand and lovers of exceptional design.
In celebration of 120 years, this book offers a unique decade-by-decade journey through the legacy of Rolex, featuring 12 chapters that tell the story of the brand and the exceptional watches that cemented its fame and prestige.
Explore 120 stunning Rolex timepieces, which showcase the diversity of the models, cases, movements, dials and bracelets. From the iconic Oyster, Datejust, Submariner and Daytona series, to the opulence of the Cellini and Masterpiece strands. Each era enhanced Rolex's reputation for innovation and quality. Their evolution is vividly and expertly described by James Dowling ('Mr Rolex').
With hundreds of images, archive material, ephemera and specially commissioned photography, this is the comprehensive story of the world's most recognized watch brand.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Octopus Publishing Group
Product notice
Trade binding
Dimensions
Height: 296 mm
Width: 243 mm
Thickness: 42 mm
Weight
2362 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78840-596-6 (9781788405966)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
10/2025
Cassell
€2.99
Available for download
Person
James is an avid collector with a passion for horology, his fascination with watches began more than four decades ago, sparking a journey that led him into the world of timepiece collecting and trading, earning him the sobriquet 'Mr Rolex'.? Over the years, his interest in watches evolved from a mere curiosity into an active involvement in buying, selling and collecting these horological treasures.?
This deep dive into the intricacies of timepieces not only honed his discerning eye for quality and craftsmanship, but also fostered a profound appreciation for the creativity and innovation inherent in watchmaking and in its history. With each acquisition and transaction, James's knowledge and expertise in the realm of watches grew, solidifying his reputation as a seasoned collector and connoisseur in the horological community, with a passion for research and a dedication to spreading the results of his research as widely as possible.
His areas of interest are vintage and military timepieces and he is acknowledged as an authority on Rolex within the industry. He has been a moderator of several online watch forums and has written on watches and collecting for magazines and newspapers on every continent except South America and Antarctica.?He gave the 1999 Dingwall Beloe, Worshipful Company of Clockmakers Lecture at the British Museum, he is a Member of the Academy of the?Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve and a member of the committee of the 2023/24 Louis Vuitton Prize for Independent Watchmaking.
This deep dive into the intricacies of timepieces not only honed his discerning eye for quality and craftsmanship, but also fostered a profound appreciation for the creativity and innovation inherent in watchmaking and in its history. With each acquisition and transaction, James's knowledge and expertise in the realm of watches grew, solidifying his reputation as a seasoned collector and connoisseur in the horological community, with a passion for research and a dedication to spreading the results of his research as widely as possible.
His areas of interest are vintage and military timepieces and he is acknowledged as an authority on Rolex within the industry. He has been a moderator of several online watch forums and has written on watches and collecting for magazines and newspapers on every continent except South America and Antarctica.?He gave the 1999 Dingwall Beloe, Worshipful Company of Clockmakers Lecture at the British Museum, he is a Member of the Academy of the?Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve and a member of the committee of the 2023/24 Louis Vuitton Prize for Independent Watchmaking.