The Orphan Boy Who Created Rolex
Rolex is one of the most Luxury Brands in the World, valued today at around $8 Billion Dollars. Its history dates back a century ago and began with an orphan teenager whose inheritance was stolen away from him. After a few years working his way out, he decided to follow his passion and opened a watchmaking business. Little did he know that this business venture would lead him to pioneer modern wristwatches, changing its whole industry and creating a Billion-Dollar Empire. This is the story of Hans Wilsdorf.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:40 A Series of Misfortunes
02:47 On His Own
05:14 Wilsdorf and Davis
08:06 Rolex
12:05 The Genius Mind of Marketing
14:31 New Models
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Artlist artlist.io/Jose-698017
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EVERY FAMILY HAS A PERSON WHO BREAKS THE CHAIN OF POVERTY. I PRAY YOU BECOME THAT PERSON. LEARN TO INVEST AND KEEP INVESTING UNTIL IT BECOMES A HABIT.
Most people are so poor that all they have is money, invest some of it no matter how small, when you invest you are buying a day that you don't have to work.
@Mark Anderson crypto investment, but you will need a professional guide on that.
Facebook 👇
Evelyn C. Sanders
he is a good man, I have heard alot about him from my colleagues at work.
I have 1972 oysters perpetual that originally belonged to my father,He passed onto to me as hi-school graduation present in 81. Even since it is on my wrist every day, I was fortunate enough to buy couple of another one later in life but ‘72 is very special to me. I’m wearing every single day with amazement that 50 years old watch never skip the ticking, still accurate enough ( gets behind 2~3min a month), jubilee band fits so snugly yet securely, it reminds me of my youth and fantastic father I had. I miss him…
Poirot Love Song Tom Burke & Jaime Winstone kzhead.info/sun/qdylpNqejJOYpo0/bejne.html
Never sell it, pass it down! Maybe its due for service ;)
Good for Hans, passion, patience and creativity all served him well, then to leave it all to a charitable foundation. This was a man of high integrity.
Meh,Rolex doesn't pay taxes though
With the amount of money donated to all the charities company there shouldn't be any hungry people out there yet they hold that money for there profit
@@tolotonga69 Exactly. Screw these bullshit "charities".
@@dividedstatesofamerica2520 yes just like that Bush fire that happened in Australia, $130 million was donated an the charity company keeps 10c in every dollar so they kept $13 million of the $130 million, these charity company don't need 13mil to run its all bullshit
Do you people hear yourselves. Stfu with the charity talk. Do you see the lunacy you speak? People work hard to make their lives better. It’s not on them to be a charity for others. If you rely on people to take care of you, you will inevitably become lazy. Go out and work hard and become something. The system is rigged to make everyone poor so no matter what charities are given money, they all have the vicious cycle of poor people coming to them. The faces may change, but it’s not because those people became something and started a business. It’s likely because they overdosed and died. Work hard. Be responsible and accountable and don’t have your hand stretched out for a handout. These comments are exactly why we are all screwed. Lazy humans after lazy humans. Screw you all.
I've worked hard for a company for 25 years and still am not going any further with my life and then you come across stories like this is just amazing 🤩
@@Veronique487 that's when you've got to change job if your not Financially free your doing something wrong remember you can only change that good luck buddy.
Why hang around that company for so long?
There are so many reason to be stuck . Fear , lack of fund and immediate family issues that not allow you work on your dream , gradually you compromise with the position where ever you are
That's not the place from you. Please leave. You cannot stay in a place that's not interested in your growth. You may be able to use the skills you've learned in another place or working for yourself.
His true genius was the Wilsdorf foundation and given them 100% ownership of Rolex. Now they never have to pay taxes again. Incredibly smart and what a legacy to his wife and to himself.
@notfiveo Is it really? Kindly explain further please cause I recently watched a video which illustrated and showed some of the Rolex research facility and how the watch testing are done
Yes, great legacy - avoiding 100% of your taxes so you don’t contribute to society like everybody else…….a big pat on the back for that one.
@@louisbrandt5386 He Hans Wilsdorf paid is taxes. The aims of the foundation is to make donations to various charities listed in the statutes as well as to the Geneva Watchmaking School, the Decorative Arts School of Geneva, the Social and Economic Sciences University of Geneva, the Swiss Watchamking Research Laboratory in Neuchâtel. It’s not just about given your hard earned money to a government that sends it recklessly.
@@cliffordagwanwor880 then maybe you should watch it again
How incredibly smart omg so genius not paying taxes in Europe woohooooo
"Follow Your Passion" One of the hardest steps in doing this is not letting the ones that You Love change Your mind...
Poirot Love Song Tom Burke & Jaime Winstone kzhead.info/sun/qdylpNqejJOYpo0/bejne.html
Yeah, good luck with this statement in these days, this statement is probably as stupid as "money doesn't make you happy". How many of these big people followed their dream/passion? 0.001%? Most of the success men had a big spark at the right time in the right place and they took advantage of that, which is better than dreaming. This is the key to success, to think, not to dream.
It's still true today, look at freaks like Mariyn Manson, and all these other idiots here on KZhead... It takes as they would say, "A PAIR OF BALL"... Maybe that's just something YOU don't have, but instead YOU are the ONE that tries to rain SHIT on someone else's DREAM??? Because YOUR comments shows the WORLD that YOU are aLOSER...
turn Dreams into a vision then to the goal
Jesus said it is very hard for the rich to enter heaven. balance is key
This guy had wealthy help, great ethics. Smart business tactics.
But a bad time to be a German during WW2. Should've stayed in England....
Why hard working people must share $ with lazy parasite only communists building their fake programs robbing hard working people s money and collecting for herself called it in name of equality and democracy. Veg fascists!!!!
Yeah he wasn't the poor orphan boy lol.
What an innovator, and a brilliant businessman! This is one of the best entrepreneurial stories I've ever heard.
Really inspiring story, hats off to the narrator who done his job well
Excellent channel. Great content👍👍👍
@@ian1856 The irony of you commenting about proper grammar while simultaneously spelling your second “your” when technically it should be “you’re” is pretty hilarious. Just saying🤔
Tremendous man..! My Rolex Sea Dweller DRSD 1974 is 50 years old and is like new...works perfectly. it changed colour from white to Pumpkin by the years. Beautifull vintage collector example
Every generation has it's own Steve Jobses. People who disrupt an entire industry with new ways of building products. Hans was one of them.
Yep. Musk is making this kind of history right before our eyes
Can you Americans please stop mentioning Steve Jobs as the #1 innovator? He invented NOTHING! He simply introduced a way of selling technology to the everyday person in the street. The kind of person who didn't want to be called a "Nerd".
Wow this compelling story has inspired me to work hard for anything I wish to achieve. I give many kudos and thanks to Hans for creating the ultimate watch. Man owning the world’s universally beloved watch Rolex would be cool but the problem is that they cost a fortune and they are really hard and rare to find.
Holy crap, have heard of this company of course all my life. But had no idea of its humble beginnings. Stumbled across this video in my main feed. Pretty cool.
“Humble”??? 😂🤣
Rolex is as much a marketing company as it is a watch company.
Why? Why? Do these interesting stories pop up for no reason? So glad.
3 P's : Passion, perserverance and patience.Thanks for this upload. Very interesting insights. He overcame so many obstacles. He is so so wise. He even takes steps to set up a foundation and legally ensures "greed" will never ever destroy his hard work. Another MOVER and SHAKER
This was great! Thank you Hans for creating the iconic Submariner, Daytona, GMT and so many others. You are up there with my other favorite Hans, Hans Metzger who created the Porsche Metzger flat six engine for the GT3 and GT2.
A marvelous inventor who overcame all disadvantage and became a legend by sheer effort and dedication.
I have heard many successful stories Of two people meeting at the right time and creating something....TIMELESS What a designer 👏 😍
Bro shut up
G.
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@@tomboyle7068 Thankyou Wonderful Cinema in historical places.
Nice
Very well written script and overall a nicely put together video. Look forward to seeing more good content like this.
@Emanuel Monte ??? get some positivity for your life.
@Emanuel Monte Yes the dedication, time and quality they put in. I also can't afford it but I can't crucify them it. I afford the Chinese.
🎪
Yes, this is top, everything was done correctly)
Amazing true story! Passion, determination, discipline and hard work. Love it.
I always wanted one and was very proud when I was able to purchase one. A watch for life.
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I've actually always been curious myself and an admirer of his work. But never knew his or their story. Thanks for this upload. Very interesting. But great rags to riches story. That's the best earned wealth a person can find financially.
I purchased my first Rolex in 1970, a submariner, for $105, my most recent Rolex, a Daytona for $13,000. This company is doing well.
Do you know how to sell rolex sir? I got my rolex from my grandfather and i want to sell it
@@Nobodyss21 go to a jeweler who sells used jewelry. But, I would keep it were it mine.
@@erichaskell Oh thx sir. I appreciate a lot😇
Sell it
@@Nobodyss21 If your grandfather left you a heirloom you shouldn't sell it, but instead keep it and pass it on to your son I have never sold anything other people gave me as a gift, because I find that disrespectful
Good old days.... 25 years ago, as a (good) student at the Geneva music Conservatory I received some 6.000 swiss francs from Rolex (Hans Wilsdorf Foundation). I Will allways remember that with gratitude!
wow! That was quite some history. The real grit, determination and belief in self! And clever business sense.
Love my Rolex Datejust..owned since 1987....
Poirot Love Song Tom Burke & Jaime Winstone kzhead.info/sun/qdylpNqejJOYpo0/bejne.html l
I enjoyed listening to The Story behind The Man. And his continuing influence.... Mine is a 1972 Submariner..!! And I did use it while SCUBA diving..!!
@Text me on Telegram👉@Official_Big_Company Are you about to offer to buy it for silly money...?
Uma grande história, porém pouco contada entre muitos. Um verdadeiro gênio.
“Inconvenient to reach in your pocket to see the time”. Modern day …. Pulls phone out to see time. 😂
Good observation
Patek-Philippe and Cartier created wrist watches earlier than Rolex. Patek created the wristwatch as a woman's watch, and Cartier popularized it for men
They can make a billion dollars a week thanks to the young generation rappers but they don’t know the watch only cost 500.00
But phones are multi functional hence makes sense that people do it. The pocket watches served the same purpose as a wrist watch, hence were inferior.
Its easier to glance at watch ⌚ instead of having to grab phone 📱 out of pocket. Plus ➕ it looks nice 👍
9:39 It was Kew Observatory, nothing to do with James Bond's gadget man. Another point worth mentioning: until Rolex hit the big time, watches were more often branded by their retailers, the actual makers were just backroom boys beavering away somewhere. Rolex spent lots of efforts on building the brand's reputation, and the brand was reputable enough to get the retailers to sell them without the usual rebranding, and this gradually became the norm in the industry.
Exactly, lots of watch brands have the Swiss made movement and many of them are even better made and with better design. Rolex just spent energy on building a brand. And boom inflated prices
The man is truly remarkable!! I love rolex watches but I have love for the man who started it all too!
The man was a genius well ahead of his time.
From ground zero to legendary status. Love stories like this, against all odds.
Poirot Love Song Tom Burke & Jaime Winstone kzhead.info/sun/qdylpNqejJOYpo0/bejne.html
I love this , and the one about Henry Ford.
there needs to be a movie about this man
You are right
I'm not sure why there is a need to perpetuate the belief that Hans Hanswildorf was some disadvantaged orphan. His parents passed away but he was cared for by his wealthy family. He was given an elite education. It's not like he crawled off the dirt streets of Mogadishu and put Rolex together after a leprosy induced feverish dream.
Totally agree!
Clickbait
Poirot Love Song Tom Burke & Jaime Winstone kzhead.info/sun/qdylpNqejJOYpo0/bejne.html ed
Fucking right ✅
🤣🤣🤣🤣 Mogadishu
Beautiful story and heritage for the brand. Always pushing the frontier in the industry, innovating and keeping the great quality.
cool historical mega-stories of success and deaths on my channel
Don't stop Doing inspirational videos like this thanks
Salam
America should cancel old and higher denomination dollars to capture black money
What an inspirational story, great story telling
Que vídeo incrível, adoro aprender! Espero ansiosamente por mais conteúdos como esse. 😊
I love stories like these. Very inspirational!!!
Congratulations You won a gift on my giveaway Telegram only 🎁🎁🎁 ..
Excellent video. The marketing quote is something I can relate to. 👌
I posted the link to my Instagram stories for others to watch
How are you not a big youtuber like your videos are better then most youtubers nowadays
One reason I believe that the creator is not as big as he should be is that the Majority of the population does not want or care to learn about history. You can really learn a lot from history.
Nah it’s because he’s new. I’m sure if he’s consistent he’ll get a lot of subs
Need more original topics. There's hundreds history of Rolex videos already
Damm true 💯
what i learned from this 🤔 start my charity organization TODAY!
What a wonderful uplifting story! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼💙💎
nice. thanks for putting the effort to make these clips. Good visuals as well.
That’s amazing. Never knew Rolex was owned by a foundation. That is a very cool bit of new knowledge for me. Thank you!! 👍🏻😎👍🏻
This is awesome. No matter the industry. Keep pushing to make the perfect product. Pure genius. Great job on this video
I have never been disappointed since I became a customer of NKUWAN . Their timepieces are of exceptional quality.
Absolutely amazing , what a story & how many brands today which were started or invented and they would never see the real success of there inventions and Brands ,
The world was smaller and much simpler back then. Inspiring video.
Hans is one of the few people who can make me spend over $10,000 on a wristwatch.
Nobody likes a braggart Mr Harris.
Nice it’s like catching butterflies
do you know how many people you can feed for 10k and they don,t care what time it is you sad human being.
Joe Biden can make you spend $30,000 on the same exact watch
@@sputumtube only broke people view it as bragging, you should view it as motivation
Hard work, patience, timing & publicity are the key
He was very much concern about all the situation of his life made him to find a great Solution of Great Brand 👍👏👌
Thanks. I commend him for getting taller by the indices that were prepared to shrink him. Rolex is not just a brand but full of elegance, beauty and elegance. It kept innovating.
Very inspiring story hard work never goes off!
Why don’t you disappear
I have collected Rolex watches for over 10 years.I love them all and their value has increased over the years.Not meant as an investment but they make bank interest look like crap.
One of the only watches that holds its value at the least
Spot on mate! That's why i'd rather collect watches then put my bucks in those blood sucking bank!
Poirot Love Song Tom Burke & Jaime Winstone kzhead.info/sun/qdylpNqejJOYpo0/bejne.html
well said Aston....
THE BANK INTERIST IS CRAP! 0.5%
What a fesinating story of a true character and will. A great motive for a script.
I have so much respect for Rolex after this. I will own one me and my kids
The father of a friend of mine used to be a biker. Many years ago he was at a biker meeting and a man came up to him and wanted to buy his bike (im not gonna lie don’t know how much) and said he would add a watch to the money for his bike. The watch was a Rolex but back then they werent as prestigious as they are today at least when it comes to switzerland. The man who came up to him was the brother of Hans which created rolex. Hans made 3 watches where the rolex symbol was red. One he kept for himself, the other he gave to his brother and the other one idk. However his brother traded the watch and money for my friends father his bike. Today this watch can’t be found anywhere and no matter where he takes it, no one takes their eyes of the watch. I tried find anything about it which I did however there is no price known for this watch and no one at a jewelry can give him a price on that and they all just stand there stunned. Its pretty funny how big and yet so small the world is.
What is the name of the model! Or post a picture?
@@gfgf174 I asked him right after I posted this comment but since we live in different time zones now he hasn't replied. Also I've tried to find a picture again and its not easy man. Thats another level of rarity I've never seen before!
I'd love to see a picture also
@@UncleBen-fd5xi if you happen to get a picture of it from him, do post. Interesting fact nonetheless.
That watch must be worth a fortune today. Surprised your friend has not bothered getting it auctioned and live a wealthy luxurious lifestyle. Only fools and horses episode comes to mind.
That was one of the most oddly satisfying summaries I've ever watched on KZhead. Thank you guys for such enrichment. As soon as I finished the video, I hit the subscribe button and made "Big Company" my A channel.
We need a biopic about Hans Wilsdorf and his watch making journey. His story would make an incredible movie
I’m very happy with my Cal. 3135 submariner.. the feel of the Rolex quality is just superb you have to experience it to understand this 👍
A man who knows watches, starts with the calibre. A 3135 is a must, in anyone's cabin.
@@danielaortiz8946 how much does it cost?
@@Jason.cbr1000rr Depends on the model it's on. If it's to your liking, I recommend an Explorer II, with the similar 3185.
A truly strong and very intelligent man Hans was! I had no clue about Rolex as a company, just how expensive there watches are. After watching this video, I have the utmost respect and admiration to this most brilliant company formed by the excellence of Hans Wilsdorf.
very great work, keep at it with your style of documentary, and what an amazing story
Inspiring. I live in Geneva and I see the Rolex building everyday. I will get one of these to commemorate my work appointment here (which will end in a few years).
We should play a game....let's name all the movies that are featured in this video!
wolf of wallstreet only one i knew ha
Poirot Love Song Tom Burke & Jaime Winstone kzhead.info/sun/qdylpNqejJOYpo0/bejne.html
I saw Vito Corleone...
Rocky
shawshank redemption
Excellent work. Just watched several of your vids . All around great. Good dialogue, excellent voice, good background music. I could go on. Okay I will. Great subject knowledge. A pleasure. Thanks
Poirot Love Song Tom Burke & Jaime Winstone kzhead.info/sun/qdylpNqejJOYpo0/bejne.html
Inspirational story of a Man whose done great work with his grit & mindset. I will tell this story to other young men of 🇺🇸 to remind them what a man can do with hard work.
USA is fucked.
Very nice content, thank you for your work! Subscribed
Some people already talk about the help he had, the advantages he had. So many people with wealth went the other way as well. In the end, it is the path you choose that takes you where you want to go. You will attract the right energy and connections. People notice, people see what you are doing, people will want what you are bringing if it is right to them.
"Some people already talk about the help he had, the advantages he had. So many people with wealth went the other way as well." I think the issue is that this type of video can, often unintentionally, be used as a means of bashing the poor by effectively saying "look what other poor people did" and ignore the element of luck altogether. It isn't about taking away people's achievements it is more about placing things in the correct context.
As mentioned in the video, WWI made wristwatches popular, in part because of Rolex itself. Horatio Alger rags to riches story, nicely done.
Wow! I couldn't take my eyes and ear away from this story its very amazing and interesting 🤔
This is really the story of how a chance friendship during school. Set a young orphaned child who’d been raised by his extended family, on a pathway to success. Which is why networking is so important.
Thanks for sharing the Rolex story. Excellent production except for one particular element. The historical stock footage brought the story to life but the modern movie footage took the viewer on an uncomfortable ride between eras. Other than this time period distraction, I found your production to be of very high quality. I hope you appreciate my feedback.
Wat a great history lesson i got today i feel like i went too school today !!!!!!!!! ANd this was this mans calling period !
Great video, thank you for sharing 🙂👍. Interesting and informative.
mr. wilsdorf would be blown away by todays technology and the emerging time keeping systems available on our cell phones.
i feel like they should make a movie on this.
Like the no taxes ,Yeagh it’s a watch .
Great, now I REALLY WANT a Rolex!
Poirot Love Song Tom Burke & Jaime Winstone kzhead.info/sun/qdylpNqejJOYpo0/bejne.html
Watching this video makes me want to buy Rolex, Kind of the BEST Rolex Ad i've ever seen. Excellent video, thumbs up 👍
Hollywood should make a movie about him and Rolex!
During WW2, Rolex, through the red cross sold watches to officers who were prisoners in Europe. Payment was postponed . The prestige of Rolex was much enhanced when those officers returned home with gratitude that was not kept private.
You can also get a Rolex if you manage a Domino's pizza store.
An incredible story and masterfully well put together video. Very well done.
Very interesting and well made. Chapeau!
Really genius boy great work on Rolex watches
Very well narrated and interesting story, thank you.
Your welcome:)
@@BigCompanyYT Hii
sweet documentary with a lot of things I never knew. I carry a cell phone so its like a pocket watch all over again! Has the time right on the front!
Wonderful story, Thank you!!
Hello Duane.. how are you doing
يستاهل الولد انسان مبدع قدر يعمل شي من لا شيء .و حياته التعيسه تحولت الى نجاح
All we need now is a Rolex dealer that is actually willing to sell to the public.
You can easily buy online from official sellers if you have enough money
@@Chriscs7 True, but by 'enough' do you mean more than the recommended retail price?
Great video, very informative and surprising...
Poirot Love Song Tom Burke & Jaime Winstone kzhead.info/sun/qdylpNqejJOYpo0/bejne.html t
Truly amazing. Would love to own a Rolex after hearing the beginning of Rolex. But to expensive for me
That shot of the passenger jet landing while the narrator talks about Wildorf traveling Europe in the early 1900s made me chuckle. Cool story, though!
Omega utilised 904L stainless or 'Uranus Steel' on their PloProf watch in 1971-72. Thirteen years before Rolex.
I love how Rolex became known for accurate time keeping...... however, nowadays they are known for NOT keeping time very well!!! My Datejust II goes one minute out every day or so, even when constantly kept wound up.
I find myself saying the same sadly
Get it serviced , should only be +-1-2 secs per day
They need annual servicing.
It's probably overwound. Let it rest. I only wind mine maybe once a month. Just do the wrist shake to keep it wound.
Unfortunately all these vintage brands that made their name on building amazing products (Rolex, Mercedes, Omega, etc.) now sadly make crap products. Both my Omega and Breitling actually don't tell time very well and jump ahead plenty like your Rolex. So much for fine engineering. Dont even get me started on the cheap plastic cars Mercedes makes these days. They survive on the lineage.
I have to say that NKUWAN 's watches is amazing!
Watching this video reminds me of my grandfather who owned a ROLEX watch because he was a SURGEON from OXFORD UNIVERSITY IN LONDON 1st CHINESE AMERICAN to do that
love my Casio under $20 and not just me but a lot people serving in special forces around the world. would like Rolex watch as a second watch "for special occasion " if priced for around $1.000 whot really is the price of this watch to manufacture and sell.
Amazing idea for a movie..i mean they already made openheimer ..cillian murphy would be perfect for this role aswell.
Nothing can stop passion and a determined brain
❤incredible story. thank you for sharing.❤
Founded in 1905 as Wilsdorf and Davis by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis in London, England, the company registered the word 'Rolex' as the brand name of its watches in 1908, and it became Rolex Watch Co. Ltd. in 1915. Founded: London, United Kingdom; 1905; 117 years ago (Wilsdorf and Davis); 1915 ... Founders: Hans Wilsdorf; Alfred Davis Owner: Hans Wilsdorf Foundation Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland