Whether you are a collector, hopeful first-time buyer, or simply curious wishing to crack the mystery of ROLEX's success open, you have an ally. Prolific author and business historian Pierre-Yves Donzé released his latest book titled, The Making of a Status Symbol: A Business History of Rolex, published in June 2025 by Manchester University Press.
It is expertly researched, accessibly written, and, easily, the definitive historical account of how ROLEX came to be ROLEX. As the minds behind the iconic watch brand have maintained, "if you have already created perfection, why would you strive to innovate?"
Pierre-Yves Donzé is a professor of business history at the University of Osaka, Japan, and a visiting professor at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. His work focuses on the dynamics of creative industries (watchmaking, luxury and fashion) and the business history of multinational enterprises. His last books include The Making of a Status Symbol: business history of Rolex (Manchester University Press, 2025) and Capitalism’s Favorite Child: Global Fashion Business since 1850 (co-authored with Ben Wubs, Bloomsbury, forthcoming in 2026).
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