Sustainability report 2023

Rolex is an integrated and independent Swiss watch manufacturer that produces watches designed to last. Established in Geneva, the brand is renowned the world over for its expertise and the quality of its products.

The concept of sustainability has always underpinned our brand’s development: Rolex itself, and its watches, are built to last, with a laser focus on quality in the pursuit of longevity. The product, durable and timeless, lies at the heart of our Perpetual philosophy based on the steadfast quest for excellence and a long-term commitment to the generations ahead.

Rolex’s industrial and commercial activities are underpinned by rigorous business ethics and effective governance. In concrete terms, this means introducing an organization and tools to guarantee, among other things, compliance with its due diligence and transparency obligations with regard to the law and to its stakeholders.

Responsible supply chain management is an important topic for Rolex, as it directly and significantly influences the sustainability of its activities. To control it, the brand relies on the legislative and regulatory framework and has formalized its approach in collaboration with its partners.

Innovation is at the heart of Rolex’s values. It guides the brand’s activities to help it meet the challenges of tomorrow, and to develop and guarantee reliable, sustainable products of exceptional quality for its customers. To satisfy its own requirements and those of its stakeholders, the brand strives to improve its watches, its environmental performance and its impact on society every day by continuously updating its industrial and commercial practices. It invests significant resources in achieving these goals, aligning the company with the principles of a circular economy and attempting to systematize eco-design practices internally.

For Rolex, reducing the impact of its business is a priority. With this in mind, the brand invests to sustainably control its consumption of resources. It has established various performance indicators to measure its overall carbon footprint and, for its industrial activities in Switzerland, control its waste production and environmental impact. Committed to a continuous improvement process, the brand has set greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets and will now prioritize the analysis of impacts upstream of its supply chain.

Human capital and industrial expertise are a company’s two greatest assets. In this sense, Rolex is committed to offering its workforce optimal working conditions, solutions to ensure a healthy work-life balance, well-being initiatives and opportunities to enable every employee’s personality and skills to shine.

Rolex’s founder, Hans Wilsdorf, was a visionary entrepreneur who left his mark on the world, far beyond the realm of watchmaking. True to his memory, the brand keeps his entrepreneurial spirit alive along with his desire to pass on his expertise through a broad range of apprenticeships. Rolex is also recognized for its long-standing and ongoing commitment to the environment, society and culture.

Rolex’s sustainability policy and related initiatives have been reported internally since 2017. This year, the brand is making this report public to highlight its commitment to CSR.