Hans Wilsdorf Foundation

The Hans Wildorf Foundation is a private foundation under Swiss law, established in Carouge, a municipality in the canton of Geneva. The foundation is the exclusive owner of the Rolex watch group.
Goals
The principal goal of the foundation is to ensure the continuation of the Rolex Group. Under its charter it makes grants for charitable purposes and supports such groups as the Ecole d'Horlogerie de Genève, the Ecole des Arts Décoratifs de Genève and the Swiss laboratory for watch research in Neuchatel. Additionally, it provides allocations for the nephews and nieces of Rolex's founder and their descendants, covering their education and living costs.
History
The foundation was created on August 1, 1945 by Hans Wilsdorf (chairman and founder of Rolex) after the death of his wife in 1944. Upon his death, his will bequeathed all his shares in Montres Rolex SA to the foundation to assure its continuation. The current legal form of the foundation dates from January 21, 1986.
Management
The Hans Wilsdorf Foundation is managed by a board of seven people, traditionally notables of Geneva, influential politicians from the canton and members of the Wilsdorf family. Since 1995, Pierre Mottu, a Geneva notary, has served as chairman of the board.

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