About Rolex - Sustainability - Key achievements 2025

The highest sustainability certification for the future site in Bulle

By 2029, Rolex will open a new site in Bulle. By accessing a new labour pool in the Fribourg region, we will be able to support our development further and continue to guarantee the level of quality the brand is renowned for. This project aims to reach the highest category of certification in the framework laid out by BREEAM (Building Research Establishment + Environmental Assessment Method).

BREEAM serves as a global benchmark for assessing the environmental impact of buildings, having already certified more than 600,000 in more than 89 countries. It evaluates the performance of a building across five levels of classification, from “Pass” to “Outstanding”, which is the level we are aspiring to for our future site in Bulle.

We have voluntarily committed to obtaining this prestigious certification for our fifth site, with the aim of making it the first industrial building of this scale to receive such a distinction in Switzerland.

Rolex Bulle future site — This image is a 3D illustration.

Designing and building to the highest standards

In order to achieve the “Outstanding” classification from BREEAM, we have implemented a set of exemplary measures that concern both the design and execution of the project. These technical and organizational undertakings therefore require particularly optimized management of energy, water and material resources.

Rolex Bulle protoype building — This image is a 3D illustration.

“In order to achieve the “Outstanding” classification from BREEAM, we have implemented a set of exemplary initiatives that concern both the design and execution of the project.”

Health and well-being at the project’s core

This new site will fully embody Rolex’s focus on placing the health and well-being of all its employees at the forefront of its operations:

• In addition to being surrounded by both long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing materials, future employees will be able to enjoy extensive views outside as well as plentiful exposure to natural light.

• All materials and products used will meet the strictest of requirements concerning emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde (affecting air inside) and other dangerous substances.

• Lastly, despite a substantial reduction in energy requirements compared to traditional builds, the employees of the future site in Bulle will still be able to enjoy an environment with optimal thermal and acoustic conditions.

Key dates:

• 2023: launch of the project and the Rolex Executive Team’s decision to aim for the “Outstanding” classification from BREEAM for the future Bulle site.

• 2024: procurement of planning permission.

• 2025: start of construction work.

• 2029: move-in date of the Bulle site.

New Bulle site — This image is a 3D illustration.

“This new site will fully embody Rolex’s focus on placing the health and well‑being of all its employees at the forefront of its operations.”

Limiting the environmental impact of pre-existing buildings

Our three sites in Geneva have been certified as “In-Use” by BREEAM since 2024. This certification – intended for buildings already in operation – is awarded based on 170 criteria spanning across nine areas including workplace health and well-being, water management and the maintenance of green spaces. The Bienne site received the BREEAM “In-Use” certification in 2025. Such distinctions reflect the continuous efforts made to limit the impacts associated with the general use of our buildings.

Limiting environmental impacts — This image is a 3D illustration.

Sustainability

Solid foundations for water and biodiversity strategy

Water management and biodiversity protection are at the forefront of our priority topics, outlined as such in our sustainability strategy. This strategy, ambitious and clearly defined, is part of a wider global context of increasing water-related risks and the degradation of biodiversity and natural resources.

An initial impact map

In order to define a coherent action plan, we started by mapping out the impacts on and risks posed to water and biodiversity as a direct result of our operations, but also throughout our supply chain.

We then sought to understand the repercussions faced by nature throughout our value chain by following the steps recommended by the SBTN framework (Science Based Targets Network). In particular, we focused on indicators of species “abundance” and ecosystem “conversion” near the operating sites of our supply mines. “Abundance” denotes the density of a particular species in any given ecosystem, while “conversion” refers to the alteration or disappearance of an ecosystem after a change in land use (agriculture, urbanization, etc.).

This initial mapping enabled us to establish the foundations of an informed, coherent action plan, which will help us to launch initiatives to reduce negative impacts and preserve nature in the future.

Measuring our impact on water resources

In a constant effort to deepen our understanding of the repercussions faced by nature as a result of our operations, we also established our first water footprint by following the principles laid out by the ISO 14046 standard. This enabled us to identify our impact in terms of water consumption and pollution as a direct result of our operations, as well as throughout our supply chain.

“Owing to the various initiatives undertaken this year, we have a solid foundation upon which to build our water management and biodiversity protection strategy.”

Such a study will allow us to make our goals a reality, owing to impact-reducing practices and positive contributions to the sustainable management and protection of local water resources. In a similar vein, we also analysed the risks to water quality and availability in both production and supply zones, with a particular emphasis on ensuring the human right to drinking water.

Owing to the various initiatives undertaken this year, we now have a solid foundation upon which to build our water management and biodiversity protection strategy.