Mercedes Gleitze

MERCEDES GLEITZE d1981. British professional swimmer. She was the first person to swim the Straits of Gibralter and the first British woman to swim the English Channel. The name of Mercedes Gleitze was used to market Rolex's new waterproof case, the "Oyster". She established endurance records for swimming including a record of 46 hours in 1932. She died in London aged 80 on February 9th 1981