In this episode of The Brand Architects Series, we unpack the visionary marketing strategies of Hans Wilsdorf, the man who transformed Rolex from a small wristwatch company into one of the most powerful luxury brands in the world.
You’ll learn how Wilsdorf:
Reimagined the wristwatch at a time when pocket watches ruled.
Used proof-based marketing by sending Rolex watches on extreme adventures — from swimming the English Channel to summiting Mount Everest.
Created testimonials with impact, launching the now-famous "Testimonee" model.
Balanced Rolex's image as both a reliable tool and a status symbol worn by presidents and explorers alike.
Maintained exclusivity through tight distribution, premium pricing, and elegant design.
Used storytelling and newsjacking before the marketing world even had terms for them.
Launched Tudor as a flanker brand to protect Rolex's high-end positioning — a tactic way ahead of its time.
We also explore the key lessons modern marketers can take from Wilsdorf’s playbook — from controlling brand perception to building timeless identity.
Whether you're in luxury branding, product marketing, or just love great brand stories, this episode delivers insight, inspiration, and strategy from a true master of marketing.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Boysober
Have you ever wondered what life might be like if you stopped worrying about being wanted, and focused on understanding what you actually want? That was the question Hope Woodard asked herself after a string of situationships inspired her to take a break from sex and dating. She went "boysober," a personal concept that sparked a global movement among women looking to prioritize themselves over men. Now, Hope is looking to expand the ways we explore our relationship to relationships. Taking a bold, unfiltered look into modern love, romance, and self-discovery, Boysober will dive into messy stories about dating, sex, love, friendship, and breaking generational patterns—all with humor, vulnerability, and a fresh perspective.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com