Who Really Created the First Waterproof Watch?

Many people believe that Rolex was the pioneer of the waterproof watch, but the truth is that the first waterproof timepiece was created 75 years before the iconic Rolex Oyster.

In 1926, Rolex unveiled the Oyster, proudly announcing it as the world’s first waterproof wristwatch. It was a groundbreaking moment in horology, and the Oyster quickly became legendary after it survived the treacherous journey across the English Channel, remaining entirely watertight.

This feat captured the public’s imagination, and jewellers capitalized on it by displaying the Oyster submerged in fishbowls within their shop windows. This brilliant marketing strategy solidified the perception that Rolex had invented the first truly water-resistant watch.

However, Rolex was shrewd in its choice of words and marketing tactics. While they were indeed the first to obtain a waterproof wristwatch certificate, the emphasis should be on the word ‘wristwatch.’

If we turn back the clock another 75 years, we find that a brand called Messrs had already secured the certificate for the first-ever waterproof pocket watch. This remarkable piece was first showcased at the Great Exhibition in Crystal Palace, London, in 1851. And just like Rolex’s Oyster, it was displayed in fishbowls surrounded by gold and silver fish—a strikingly similar marketing approach that predates Rolex by decades.

So, while Rolex may have perfected the art of waterproof wristwatches and masterfully marketed their innovation, they were not the first to dive into the waters of horological history.