Rolex Crown History
The famous Rolex Crown Logo, Also Known as The Rolex Coronet is one of the coolest and most recognizable iconic logos in the world. Ever wonder where it came from and what it stands for?
Put very simply, the Rolex crown is highly regal while remaining equally simple, elegant, and timeless. Rolex's founder, Hans Wilddorf, was absolutely fascinated with Royalty, and all things elegant. Despite the fact he experimented like crazy with many different brand names, the one that completely defied and transcended obsolescence was the ROLEX name mark and brand.
There has long been considerable controversy and conflicting information surrounding precisely when the Rolex Coronet, or crown logo, was first introduced and registered. For years, various sources have claimed that Rolex began using the iconic emblem as early as 1925, while others have suggested 1931. However, the available historical evidence does not substantiate either of these claims.
Nick Gould appears to have perhaps finally answered that question on October 10, 2026 with his revelation discovery of the two following 1934 Rolex crown registrations.
This first one is from the Swiss Trade Journal:
This next one is from a trademark book, and one of the most outstanding and interesting details is the fact that the crown has Rolex's founder, Hans Wilsdorf's last name as port of the crown logo. It's interesting as it was NEVER published this way, which is all just a big mystery to me.
The Rolex Magazine Christmas ad pictured below was published in late 1933, and from our research represents the very first use of the Rolex crown in commerce.
The Rolex logo pictured above is from 1942, and notice the ROLEX word mark uses a simplified sans serif typeface.
The earliest versions of the Rolex Coronet logo were somewhat similar to the modern version, yet radically different in that it featured five fingers that were of equal length, as apposed to the more modern versions that are more hand-like with the center finder being the longest. Below we see several different Rolex Coronet logos Rolex registered in 1943. The first example registered in May of 1943, is for just the Rolex Crown/Coronet logo, and the second version includes "OYSTER" with the Crown, and the third version includes the world "PERPETUAL" with the crown.
The 1978 Rolex Magazine ad image pictured below of the five fingers with a watch on the wrist offers an fascinating genesis clue from the Rolex Awards for Enterprise.
If you compare the Rolex logo below from 1963 to the current Rolex logo which is pictured below it, it's amazing how little it has changed in 61 years! In the future, I plan to add many more dated images to this story, as well as a chronological evolution of the crown. In the meantime enjoy all these great Rolex Crown images...
If you compare the Rolex logo below from 1963 to the current Rolex logo which is pictured below it, it's amazing how little it has changed in 61 years! In the future, I plan to add many more dated images to this story, as well as a chronological evolution of the crown. In the meantime enjoy all these great Rolex Crown images...
The Rolex Crown logo seen above was first used in 1947, although the "ROLEX" text part of the logo used a different serif typeface.
Rolex Day-Date
Blue Lapis Lazuli Dial
[Reference 18238]
On the back of a Milgauss
[Rolex Reference 116520]
Rolex Coronets
The applied 3-D Rolex Coronet logo is found on the dial of many Rolex Models, including the Rolex Day-Date as well as the Rolex Daytona. The photo below shows several of them on a table before they have been applied to a Rolex dial. In my opinion, the Rolex Coronet is one of the coolest and most iconic logos in the world. Many people say the Rolex Coronet is a crown, while others believe the logo symbolizes a watch on a hand.
Rolex Crown Logo Collage
@Stockegsix from Instagram created this AMAZING Rolex Crown collage comprised of six Rolex models and I almost fell out of my chair when I first saw it!?!! I have to say in my opinion this is one of the coolest looking Rolex Studio Shots I have ever seen!!! Just AMAZING!!!!
