She defied the elements and made history In 1927, the young Mercedes Gleitze dreamed of swimming across the English Channel and making history. When she meets Hans Wilsdorf, the visionary founder of Rolex, he comes up with an ingenious plan: the popular swimmer is to wear a waterproof precision watch, the new Rolex Oyster, around her neck on her daring record-breaking course. And although Mercedes' endeavor fails, her unwavering will creates a legend that changes everything - the young swimmer and the Rolex brand become world famous overnight. But Mercedes' real journey has only just begun... How the willpower of a courageous swimmer inspired the success of an entire watch brand is told by SPIEGEL bestselling author Charlotte Jacobi in her latest novel 'Heroine of the Tides'. Let yourself be carried away into a world full of adventure, wild courage and inventiveness. Told according to a true story.