The Rolex Institute

Driven by an unwavering pioneering spirit, Rolex SA is renowned for its many technical innovations in watchmaking that have made it a symbol of excellence around the globe. The company brand values of quality, know-how and individual achievement pervade all of its endeavours. Rolex is closely linked to many of the world’s highest achievers and, since its beginnings, has supported visionary men and women in a variety of fields.

The Rolex Institute embodies this philosophy. Comprising the company’s philanthropic programmes, patronage and educational initiatives, it aims at recognizing excellence and making a significant contribution to society. A dedicated team at Rolex Geneva spearheads the institute’s activities, among which are the following initiatives:

Rolex has created and runs two international philanthropic programmes: the Rolex Awards for Enterprise and the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative.

The Rolex Awards for Enterprise, inaugurated in 1976 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Rolex Oyster – the world’s first waterproof watch – foster pioneering men and women who are advancing human knowledge and well-being in the areas of science and health, applied technology, exploration and discovery, the environment and cultural heritage. The Awards help far-sighted individuals worldwide to carry out innovative and ongoing projects. In 2010, Rolex expanded the Rolex Awards to support young pioneers between the ages of 18 and 30.

The two variations of the Rolex Awards for Enterprise will alternate every two years.

The Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative brings together promising talents with world-renowned masters in six artistic disciplines for a year of one-to-one collaboration. Every other year, a new mentoring cycle begins in this programme that, since its launch in 2002, has built a remarkable artistic community sponsored by Rolex.

Through the Rolex Institute, Rolex makes special donations in support of the charitable activities of many of the company’s brand ambassadors and other cultural and sports personalities associated with Rolex, for example the Solti Te Kanawa Accademia di Bel Canto and Our World Underwater Scholarship Society.

The Rolex Institute underwrites highly respected educational activities in the watchmaking and technological fields. The company was, for example, a major funder of the new Rolex Learning Center at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland.

Rolex-funded watchmaking schools in Pennsylvania (United States), Tokyo and Mumbai are designed for professional watchmakers and prepare them for the most demanding requirements of the industry. Graduates are not obliged to work for Rolex.