Secret service agents suspected the German founder of Rolex was a Nazi spy, formerly classified documents at the National Archives reveal.
MI5 feared Hans Wilsdorf should be blacklisted due to his ‘strong’ sympathies for Adolf Hitler’s regime, The Telegraph reports.
The Second World War papers, dated between 1941 and 1943, state that Wilsdorf was ‘most objectionable’ and ‘suspected of espionage’.
Despite his status as a naturalised British citizen, the papers suggest that MI5 viewed Wilsdorf as a potential threat to Allied interests during World War II.
British authorities first became concerned that Wilsdorf supported the Nazis in 1941.
A report that year from the British consul in Geneva said he was ‘well known for his strong Nazi sympathies’.
And, a 1941 letter from the Blacklist Section of the Ministry of Economic Warfare stated it was desirable to review blacklisting Wilsdorf, but noted it may not be in the best interests at the moment.
Wilsdorf’s blacklisting may have hurt Rolex and a large amount of overseas trade with the Empire countries, the papers revealed.
Secret service agents believed the German founder of Rolex was a Nazi spy, formerly classified documents at the National Archives show. MI5 feared Hans Wilsdorf (pictured) should be blacklisted due to his ‘strong’ sympathies for Adolf Hitler’s regime, The Telegraph reports
Hans Wilsdorf was born in Bavaria in 1881 and moved to London in 1903. He started making watches in Hatton Garden before registering the name Rolex and marrying British-born Florence Crotty. Pictured: Hans Wilsdorf (front row right) standing in front of his father, with his mother sitting down between his sister and brother
A later report from 1943 stated: ‘Wilsdorf and his wife are majority shareholders, and he is suspected of espionage on behalf of the enemy.’
The documents also suggest that Wilsdorf’s offer of free Rolex watches to British prisoners of war (POWs) may have been motivated by publicity rather than patriotism.
‘The fact Rolex offered watches to Allied POWs in German camps suggested Wilsdorf was on the right side of history,’ Jose Perez, a horological historian who discovered the existence of the MI5 file told the publication.
‘But, I believe it was a stunt to gain favour with the British government.’
Responding to the allegations, Rolex said it was well aware of the file in the National Archives and had constituted a team of historians for further research.
Wilsdorf was born in Bavaria in 1881 but his parents died shortly afterwards.
He moved to England in 1903 and started making watches in Hatton Garden before registering the name Rolex and marrying British-born Florence Crotty.
In 1919, he based the company headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
Wilsdorf died in 1960, leaving his ownership stake in Rolex to the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, which continues to own the company and supports charitable causes.
