Rubber B was the first company worldwide to develop custom rubber watch straps exclusively for Rolex timepieces, and since then, the company has added several other prominent watchmakers to its product portfolio. Rubber B also creates custom rubber watch bands for watches produced by Panerai, Rolex, and Audemars Piguet.
Rolesor is a term that has been around for decades in horological history, and yet, there are many people who are completely unfamiliar with the term. Depending on what country a person lives in, even if they are a watch collector, they may have not seen a watch labeled as a “Rolesor” piece before.
With that in mind, Rubber B has decided to produce a brief piece explaining what Rolesor is, and why, if you are collecting Rolex watches, it is something you should be familiar with.
What is the History of the Term Rolesor?
Rolesor is actually a patented Rolex term, and its first usage was noted in 1933. It was created by combining the words “Rolex” and “ore,” which is French for gold.
However, its first appearance on a watch was in 1948, with the release of Oyster Perpetual Datejust. After that, it appeared on several other watches throughout the years, with some of those pieces gaining more prominence than others.
It most recently appeared again in 2011, in the “Pink Rolesor” variation of the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II.
What is Rolesor?
While it is helpful to know the history of the term, that does not answer the most pressing question presented here, which is, what does Rolesor actually mean?
Simply put, Rolesor is a proprietary combination of gold with stainless steel. It is more commonly referred to among collectors as “two-tone,” though the terms can be used interchangeably in this particular instance. It can refer to the combination of steel with yellow gold, white gold, or rose gold.
It is interesting to note that while two-tone is much more common among collectors and vendors, the company itself actually prefers the term Rolesor to be used. Rolex has a long and somewhat complicated history of naming things they develop after themselves in some fashion, so this is not entirely surprising to learn, especially if one has been following the brand for several years.
Why Do Some Countries Use the Term Rolesor, and Others Do Not?
The answer to this question actually turns out to be an interesting intersection of nomenclature and the law. While the brand itself does prefer to use the term “Rolesor,” in some countries, especially European ones, the company is required to do so by law. But why is this the case?
The reason for this has to do with the European Union’s consumer protection laws. The European Union has some of the strictest consumer protection laws in the world on its books. This includes labeling products that are considered to be gold alloys as “gold.” Because it is not technically 100% gold, Rolex is required to use the term Rolesor so as to not be accused of misleading consumers into thinking that the watch is pure gold.
It is also important to note that other countries, such as the United States, do not have such stringent consumer protection laws. As a result, it is important to note what type of watch you are buying and make sure that it is an authentic Rolex piece, before making any finalized purchase.
Are You in Need of a Custom Rubber Watch Band For Your Luxury Watch? Visit Rubber B Today
All of Rubber B’s watch straps are made from 100% vulcanized rubber and are crafted exclusively by experts in Switzerland. Orders are shipped out within 24 to 48 hours of receiving them, and Rubber B also offers shipping options to its international clientele as well.
If you would like to learn more about our complete list of products, shipping policies, and pricing, or have questions about our custom rubber watch straps, please visit the Rubber B website today for more information. One of our valued team members will be happy to answer your inquiry in a timely manner.
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