A lot of collectors look down at their Rolex watches and see what seems to be a tiny Mercedes-Benz logo sitting near the tip of the hour hand. This feature, now a ubiquitous characteristic found on countless models from a myriad of different manufacturers, first made an appearance on Rolex sports watches during the mid-1950s. These days, this style of handset is universally referred to as “Mercedes-style” hands, but why do fake Rolex watches use Mercedes hands and more importantly, what does it mean?
The emblem of Mercedes-Benz, the internationally renowned luxury automotive manufacturer, is easily among the most famous company logos in existence, and examples of it can be found scattered throughout virtually every corner of the globe. The actual Mercedes-Benz logo is a three-pointed star, with each point representing a distinguished way of transportation: land, sea, and air.
However, Mercedes style hands can be found on certain Rolex watches that pre-date the release of the GMT-Master, and while there is always the possibility that the “air” environment is represented by the early Rolex watches that were worn by pilots during WWII, it is rather unlikely that this is the explanation for the Mercedes-style hour hand on Rolex sports watches.
Rolex used Mercedes Gleitze’s attempt of the English Channel as the center of an advertising campaign that showcased the superior water-resistance of its Oyster case. At the time, many watch manufacturers made claims about water resistance; however, Gleitze’s swim provided the public with well-documented and irrefutable proof of the fake Rolex Oyster case’s ability to fully protect against water intrusion.
If you thought that it was a bit of a stretch for Rolex’s Mercedes handset to be an allegorical reference to Mercedes Gleitze, then this next myth isn’t likely to be all that much more believable. However, there are some who believe that the Mercedes-style hands were created by Hans Wilsdorf as a subtle tribute to his homeland of Germany.
Rolex choosing to model its hour hand after the German automotive manufacturer’s logo as a way of paying tribute to the country of Germany makes about as little sense as the theory about Mercedes Gleitze. Given that replica Rolex has not released any official information in regards to the shape of its iconic hour hand or its history of origin, various theories will continue. In any case, the Mercedes hour hand is a cornerstone feature in Rolex sports replica watches, and its practical yet visually appealing design has gained traction throughout the watch industry.