Hans Wilsdorf was a German businessman, best known as the founder of Rolex and Tudor. Wilsdorf's philosophy for the companies was 'only great marketing is needed to make a company successful'.
Photo of Hans Wilsdorf (unknown date) taken from Rolex's website
The photo above shows Hans Wilsdorf (front row right) standing in front of his father, with his mother sitting down between his sister and brother.
Hans Wilsdorf, Rolex founder pictured above in 1908 in London England riding Omnibus
Tomb of Hans Wilsdorf. Kings Cemetery, Geneva.
Rolex SA is a Swiss watch designer and manufacturer based in Geneva, Switzerland. Founded in 1905 as Wilsdorf and Davis by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis in London, the company registered Rolex as the brand name of its watches in 1908 and became Rolex Watch Co. Ltd. in 1915. After World War I, the company moved its base of operations to Geneva because of the unfavorable economy in the United Kingdom. In 1920, Hans Wilsdorf registered Montres Rolex SA in Geneva as the new company name ; it later became Rolex SA. Since 1960, the company has been owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, a private family trust.
Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland
A clock near the Congressional Country Club manufactured by Rolex
A Wilsdorf & Davis pocket watch. Wilsdorf & Davis was the precursor to what would become Rolex
Wristwatch Tudor Prince Date Day (ref. 76200)
