Why Is the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation Important?

The Hans Wilsdorf Foundation is important to any Rolex fan because it ensures that Rolex, the watch company founded by Hans Wilsdorf, continues to exist. One the foundation's important purposes is to ensure the continued existence of Rolex. It owns and controls Rolex and uses a portion of Rolex's profits to improve the company. Because Rolex is owned by the foundation, it doesn't pay corporate taxes and isn't legally required to disclose financial or charitable donation information. 

But is that it?

Not at all. Although the ongoing existence of Rolex is an important purpose, the foundation’s main purpose is to contribute to the world. The foundation donates a large portion of its income to charitable causes, including social welfare, education, and culture. The foundation supports thousands of individual projects each year, such as helping families pay rent, supporting students, and providing equipment for children's circuses. The foundation was established by Wilsdorf to honor his wife and to continue his legacy of contributing to society, so contributing to society is an ongoing, unwavering goal.

The foundation supports a variety of causes, including watch education such as the Geneva School of Watchmaking but also education completely unrelated to mechanical watches. It supports the University of Geneva's Faculty of Economics and Management as well as the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology SA.

In addition, the foundation supports women in financial difficulty, the General Hospice, and the Central Office of Social Assistance in Geneva. The foundation supports humanitarian assistance as well as the arts and cultural endeavors. The foundation has made a dramatic impact on efforts to help people and animals, to save ecosystems and human beings. With a multi-pronged approach to serving humanity, the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation makes an impact.

It's nice to know that the Rolex on your wrist isn’t just flashy, right?

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