Is Rolex a Public Company? Here’s the Answer!
The popularity of Rolex has grown immensely in the last couple of decades. Rolex is one of the most – if not the most well-known and respected luxury brands in the world. In many people’s eyes, it is also one of the most prestigious in the world.
Rolex’s market share has increased in the last couple of years and Rolex has become so popular and sought-after that many of its models have long waiting lists at the retailers. This goes to show just how popular Rolex’s watches are today.
With all of this said, it certainly seems that Rolex’s popularity isn’t stopping anytime soon. With that said, Rolex certainly seems like a promising investment opportunity. So this makes us wonder, is Rolex a public company? And can you buy Rolex stock?
The short answer to that question is, unfortunately, no.
Rolex is a 100% privately owned company. And as if that wasn’t enough, Rolex’s shares are owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, which Hans Wilsdorf set up after the death of his Wife in 1945. Hans Wilsdorf nor his wife never had any children and so when he died in 1960, he left his 100% ownership stake in Rolex to his foundation. Still, to this very day, the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation owns and controls 100% of Rolex.
Much of the profits are donated to charity and social causes, just as Hans Wilsdorf wanted. Because Rolex is owned by a foundation, it pays no income taxes and does not have any requirements to disclose financial or charitable donations under law, making it difficult to know just how much of Rolex’s profits are being donated.
But the bottom line is that Rolex is not a public company and never will be. It is 100% owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation and that is how it will always remain.
Other prominent Swiss watch brands, however, are public and if you are intrigued by the idea of investing in Swiss watch companies, you can look at Swatch Group, which owns Omega and Swatch (amongst others). LVMH is another luxury group that owns multiple watch brands, including TAG Heuer.
