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One hundred years after the creation of the Oyster, Rolex has chosen Shanghai as the stage for Oyster Story, an exhibition dedicated to the watch that forever changed the history of the manufacture. Held from June 10 to June 28, 2026, at the West Bund Dome, the exhibition brings together historic timepieces, rare collector’s watches, original documents and immersive installations that retrace a century of innovation. It also marks the opening chapter of a broader programme of celebrations dedicated to the Oyster’s centenary.
The exhibition begins with Hans Wilsdorf’s vision of creating a waterproof and dustproof wristwatch capable of delivering precision and reliability in every environment. That idea became the Oyster in 1926 and laid the foundation for a family of watches that would later include icons such as the Submariner, Explorer, GMT-Master, Cosmograph Daytona and Yacht-Master, each developed to meet specific challenges while shaping the future of watchmaking.
Photo courtesy of ©Rolex Anthony Reed
Photo courtesy of ©Rolex Anthony Reed
Throughout the exhibition, visitors discover movements, cases, dials, bracelets and individual components that reveal the work behind every Rolex timepiece. One section is dedicated to the evolution of the Superlative Chronometer certification, which, beginning in 2026, expands its standards to include resistance to magnetism, reliability and durability alongside precision, waterproofness, self-winding performance and power reserve.
Oyster Story also explores the relationship between Rolex and the remarkable individuals who wore these watches during some of the defining achievements of the past century. The journey begins with Mercedes Gleitze, who crossed the English Channel in 1927 wearing an Oyster, proving the reliability of Rolex’s first waterproof wristwatch. From that moment on, explorers, scientists, athletes and artists helped write the history of the Oyster, while their experiences inspired the continuous evolution of its performance.
Photo courtesy of ©Rolex Anthony Reed
Photo courtesy of ©Rolex
The exhibition also features a cinema, a library lounge and dedicated spaces highlighting Rolex’s long-standing commitments to culture, sport, exploration and the preservation of the natural world. More than a look back at the past, Oyster Story shows how an invention introduced a century ago continues to shape Rolex today while opening new chapters in the history of watchmaking.
