Alfred Davis

Alfred James Davis was a British businessman, best known as the co-founder of Rolex. In 1905, he co-founded the company as Wilsdorf & Davis Ltd. with Hans Wilsdorf in London. Davis remained a 50% partner of the company that would become Rolex until Wilsdorf bought out Davis's share of the company in 1919.[1]

Alfred Davis
Born
Alfred James Davis
Known forFounding Rolex

Early life

Davis was said to be older than his business partner, Hans Wilsdorf,[2] meaning Davis was born prior to 1881.

Founding Wilsdorf & Davis

In 1905, Davis met Hans Wilsdorf and partnered with him to found a watchmaking company named Wilsdorf & Davis, located at 83 Hatton Garden in London. The goal of Wilsdorf & Davis was to provide high-quality timepieces at affordable prices. While Wilsdorf brought watchmaking experience, Davis had expertise in financing and international trade.

At around the same time, Davis married Wilsdorf's younger sister.

Wilsdorf-and-Davis Placard from 1905

Leaving Rolex

In 1915 the British government implemented a 33% customs duty that prompted Rolex to move its international headquarters from London to Bienne, Switzerland.

In 1919, the same year in which Davis left the company, Rolex moved its headquarters to Geneva, Switzerland.

References
  1. "Rolex History". BeckerTime. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  2. Baines, Brandon (August 22, 2021). "A Brief History Of Time: Rolex's Complete Brand History — Part One: 1905–1945". Fratello Magazine. Retrieved June 8, 2023.


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