Revelations about Rolex Founder and WWII Allegations
A recently uncovered British intelligence report shows that MI5 suspected the founder of Rolex, Hans Willsdorf, of holding pro-Nazi sentiments and possibly acting as a spy during World War II.
Documents from the National Archives label Willsdorf as “the most offensive” and suggest he might have leveraged his influence to spread propaganda on behalf of Adolf Hitler’s regime, according to a report.
The records, dated between 1941 and 1943 and known as “Box 500” at MI5, highlight British officials’ fears regarding his loyalty during a tumultuous period.
Bavarian-born in 1881, Willsdorf relocated to London in 1903, where he began producing watches in Hatton Garden and eventually established Rolex. He married a British woman, Florence Clotti, before moving the company’s base to Geneva in 1919.
By the early 1940s, British authorities had grown increasingly cautious about Willsdorf. A 1941 report from the British Consul in Geneva noted his deep ties to the Nazi ideology, mentioning his brother Carl’s alleged connections to Joseph Goebbels’ Ministry of Propaganda.
The Swiss federal police were already keeping an eye on Willsdorf due to concerns he might be propagating Nazi messages globally.
An MI5 report from 1943 indicated the agency was surveilling Rolex’s operations in Bexley Heath, suspecting Willsdorf of being involved in espionage for the enemy.
Documents repeatedly referred to him as being well-known for his political alignment with the Nazis.
Watch expert Tom Bolt, who previously interacted with Rolex, remarked that the newly revealed files highlight the British authorities’ concerns about Willsdorf. He noted that blacklisting him had detrimental effects on the company.
Rolex acknowledges awareness of these archival findings and is taking them seriously.
A company spokesperson mentioned that an independent review is underway, headed by Dr. Mark Perenoud, a Swiss historian focused on Switzerland’s role during World War II. He has assembled a team of historians from various nations to aid in this research.
“For transparency, once the review is complete, we will share the findings publicly,” the spokesperson said.
Questions arose about Willsdorf’s motivations behind his wartime gestures, including a notable instance in 1940 when a German officer seized a watch from a captured British soldier, Corp. Clib Nutting. Nutting reached out to Willsdorf for an exchange, and Willsdorf complied, telling him not to worry about payment until after the war. He also sent care packages to some prisoners.
These actions helped enhance Rolex’s public image, yet British officials of the time were skeptical that they stemmed from genuine kindness or a strategic attempt to build goodwill.
Historian Jose Pereztroika, who found the MI5 file, leans toward the idea that Willsdorf had sympathies for the Nazis. While his gifts to allied prisoners can be interpreted as supportive gestures, Pereztroika argued they might have been strategically advantageous for Rolex amid the British government’s monitoring of imports.
A 1941 communication from the Ministry of Economic and War suggested considering whether Willsdorf should be placed on a trade blacklist. However, the ministry ultimately determined against it, noting that much of Rolex’s trade linked back to British territories.
Despite MI5 hailing him as “the most uncomfortable,” there was no conclusive evidence of malice from Willsdorf, though his financial ties to German bankers raised concerns over potential conflicts with Rolex’s operations in Switzerland and Britain.
By 1943, MI5 had decided not to blacklist Willsdorf, despite substantial reservations about his views, which were well-known at the time.
Experts believe the skepticism was partly fueled by Rolex’s connections to the Italian Navy’s elite forces, which were aligned with the Axis powers.
