Glossary

Mercedes Hands

Rolex sports watches, such as the Submariner and the GMT-Master, use "Mercedes" hands as a design feature. These hands derive their name from Mercedes Gleitze, a young British secretary, who etched her name in watchmaking history through a noteworthy feat. During her swim across the English Channel in 1927, the 26-year-old wore a Rolex Oyster, enduring over 10 hours in the cold waters between France and Great Britain. Following the swim, the waterproof wristwatch was proclaimed to be in a working condition, marking a significant moment in horological innovation.