A group of watch experts got together and did some math based on some publicly available information in order to either validate or invalidate Rolex's claim that it takes a year to make a Rolex that Rolex uses in their advertising.

This group determined that Rolex produces nearly 1,000,000 watches per year.  800,000 of those watches are recorded by the COSC.   Rolex also produces pieces that are not certified by the COSC.

Rolex publicly claims to have approximately 5,000 employees.

Watch experts know from figures released by other mass producers of watches that approximately 2/3 of employees of watch companies work in the production of the watches.

This means that approximately 3,000 employees are producing nearly 1,000,000 Rolex watches per year.

Each of these employees  is not a watchmaker.  Many are involved in running machines that produce massive quantities of components and watch cases, etc. Take into account that people typically only work 5 days a week and also have a couple of weeks of vacation time and also have sick time and holidays off of work and you come up with 1,000,000 watches per  approximately 240 days.   So that means that Rolex is churning out  something like 4100 watches per day.  Every day of the work week.

Rolex watches are not rare.  They are mass produced and very overpriced for what they are.  And here is a news flash.  The stainless steel that they use is no better than the steel that anybody else uses.  And the brass that is used in making the movements is very inexpensive.  Rolex mass produces probably more watches than those who make the replicas of the Submariners that sell for $50.00.  And the materials cost probably very, very similar amounts.  What do you think the markup is on a $5,000.00 Rolex with a stainless steel case from pure manufacturing cost?  It is enormous!

Many other high end Swiss brands follow similar business models.

Hope this helps.
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Best watch brands...
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Sure there are many others, but these are very good watches.