Newly released files from British intelligence have revealed a controversial chapter in the history of one of the world’s most famous watch brands. The documents suggest that British intelligence suspected the German-born founder of Rolex during World War II of holding strong Nazi sympathies and even acting as a spy.
The records, kept by MI5 between 1941 and 1943, describe the founder as a person with possible links to high-ranking officials in Nazi Germany. They also raise concerns that he may have spread propaganda for Adolf Hitler’s regime. The UK National Archives store the files and include the wartime code name “Box 500” used by British intelligence.
A 1941 report from the British consul in Geneva described the watchmaker as “well known” for his sympathy towards the Nazi cause. The report also claimed that his brother worked for the propaganda ministry in Germany. Swiss police monitored him over fears that he might help spread German messaging around the world.
This was during a period when Switzerland, although officially neutral, was under close scrutiny by both Allied and Axis powers. Many businesses faced pressure from both sides, and any sign of leaning towards one camp could trigger serious consequences.
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MI5 papers from 1943 show that British intelligence was keeping a close watch on Rolex’s operations in the UK. Authorities suspected that there could be “espionage on behalf of the enemy.”
The doubts even extended to one of the most famous stories linked to the brand — sending free Rolex watches to Allied prisoners of war. In 1940, German forces confiscated watches from captured soldiers. One prisoner reached out to the Rolex founder, who responded by sending him a replacement without asking for payment until after the war. He also sent food parcels and tobacco to prisoners.
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This act earned the company a reputation for generosity, but some wartime officials believed it might have been more than just kindness. They speculated it could have been a smart move to win favour with Britain during a time when most Swiss watch imports to the UK were banned.
The files show that hundreds of such watches went to camps across Europe. This increased the brand’s visibility among soldiers. For many, Rolex became a symbol of reliability and trust. But intelligence officers questioned if this wide distribution was also a way to build influence or goodwill during the war.
Why a Trade Blacklist Never Happened
The 1941 records show that the Ministry of Economic Warfare’s Blacklist Section considered banning the Rolex founder from trading. This could have caused serious damage to the brand’s business across the British Empire. However, officials later decided against it. The reason was that much of the company’s trade benefited Allied markets, making a ban less appealing.
By 1943, MI5 had chosen not to blacklist him, but their suspicion remained. One British diplomat in Geneva wrote there was “no doubt whatever” about his political beliefs. The diplomat also questioned whether his help to prisoners of war was truly an act of goodwill.
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A spokesperson for the watchmaker has since confirmed that they are aware of the old MI5 file. The company has launched an independent investigation led by a Swiss historian who specialises in the country’s wartime history. The findings will be made public once the research is complete.
The files also reveal that distrust of the founder lasted throughout the war. While no formal charges or punishments were given, his name remained linked to wartime suspicion, and the story continues to raise questions today.
