I see a lot of people write about Rolex’s “artificial scarcity” and business tactics online. Also many people know it is a “non-profit” or charity, but most don’t seem to know how it works. It is sort of a unique situation for a luxury goods manufacturer, so I thought I would make this post. Hopefully it helps people understand why they might not operate like other luxury brands.

TL;DR - There are no investors who get any of the profits made by the company. Selling the most watches they could is not necessarily the goal of the business.

Longer version - The founder of Rolex set up a charitable trust when his wife died to do charity activities in Switzerland. He was the owner of the company and never sold ownership to outside investors. He and his wife also never had children and named no human heirs. When he died, he left the ownership of the company to the charity he had set up which has no beneficiaries. There is a board of trustees who oversee operations. They hire employees like the CEO and other executives and these people manage the company. All of those executives get paid, presumably a lot. In many ways the business is similar to a regular business. But the big difference is that there is no owner. No one gets any of money made by operating this company. The foundation donates all the money that isn’t paid to employees or used to grow the business. This isn’t some tax evasion technique where a company was designated non-profit for tax reasons or something shady - there is no person who owns the equity of the company. A charitable trust that cannot distribute profits owns the entire business.

This is very odd and I don’t know of any other international brand that doesn’t have an owner who wants profits. I don’t have any inside information about their business. I’m just a watch enthusiast. But when I learned this it made so much sense. They are likely more focused on keeping the brand prestigious and relevant and ensuring survival of the business. This would make them less focused on selling as many watches as they can or raising prices as high as they could. It’s an interesting situation. I hope it’s interesting to anyone reading.

im not Picasso but i did my best!

Which would be your 2 watch collection? Choose wisely. These watches CANNOT be status symbols. It needs to be two companies, or specific models that don’t come off as ostentatious yet “carry respect”. No mickey mouse watches/companies. Go!

*edit* found it thanks, it's Rolex
326938-0005

BEN STILLER in GREENBERG, 2010, directed by NOAH BAUMBACH

https://preview.redd.it/kg98vydyz40e1.jpg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e9dd40e79924deef7850359271f50bafc4bbc015

Hi everyone,

Today i was resizing my Tissot watch, and when i was taking out pins, all the pins i was camecame out straight except one. This one came out looking like an open hairpin. This is either the first or second time that pins has been pulled out since the initial purchase from the store.

Is this normal, or is there an issue with this pin? Is it still usable? Why could this happened? Thanks for all the help.

I don’t know. I doubt it but I admit to being a crypto guy and nothing makes me think of RM more than watching meme coins pop which is just about to happen. I think if you would tell RM you will become a meme but you will be the 5th largest watch companies by revenue he would have said ok.

A watch I regretted buying and barely wore... until I changed the strap. Removed the thick, stiff, bulky and uncomfortable brown leather strap and put this nato on it. Now the regret has evaporated! It’s still not perfect, a bit of a chunky watch and less accurate than most of my other automatics, but just fine for a lazy Sunday!

Finally purchaed my first ever watch: Longines Master Collection Chronograph Moon Phase

After months of looking at different watches, I finally decided on this one, and I’m so happy with it. I’ve been wearing it non-stop since I bought it a few days ago. I can’t wait to continue my watch journey and keep adding to my still very small collection.

https://preview.redd.it/2iya6tmmt40e1.jpg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c779c88716a7105d2c20e4d2aafc18f28c116027

Hi all,

I'm looking for a small (dainty) yellow gold tone square/rectangle women's watch. I have personally loved watches for over a decade, and have gained my fair collection. Now, I want to get my girlfriend her first watch that isn't an Apple Watch. Reputable brands such as seiko or citizen are preferred, but anything works as long as it isn't a fashion brand.

Budget: 300 USD, but around 200USD is preferred

Thank you all!

To celebrate our honeymoon in Switzerland, I had to find a unique watch. Came home with the Breitling Super Ocean Heritage B20 42mm Lucerne Edition. The caseback is adorned with the monuments of Lucerne! 1 of 88 pieces made only available at the Lucerne AD, making it that much more special.

I also had to get my wife her first Automatic here. I got her the Longines Mother of Pearl Master Collection with Moon Phase complication in 34mm.

What do you think?

Hello everyone! I recently bought an entry-level Seiko watch, and I’m pretty new to the world of watches. I've noticed that the date function doesn’t seem to update correctly, even after I’ve gone through a lot of cycles trying to set it. I’d really appreciate any help or advice on what might be going wrong, or if there’s a specific technique to fix this. Thanks in advance!

Hey y’all,

Just curious about how my watch works. Bought it about 4 months ago. Love it.

Off wrist it gains about +0 a day.

While wearing it varies depending on activity level. Sedentary, maybe +1. Walking a ton and being generally more active, maybe up to +3.

The only time it will ever lose time is if it sits for 2 days and the power reserve gets a bit lower.

So just interested in the technical side of why unmoved it’s near perfect but as I wear it, it gains 1-3 spd depending on activity. Thanks!!