(OT - but Mil related) Rolexes given to PoWs?

[notenoughwrists]

Anyone see that the sreies "Colditz" is being re-run on (one of the Virgin channels - I forget which one)? Anyway, it reminded me that someone once told me that if you were a Prisoner of War during WW2 and wrote to Rolex, they would send you a watch.

It seems pretty far-fetched, but he was a good chap and not prone to bullsh*tting - so anyone know if there's anyhting to this?

Cheers
Rob

[wajhart]

It seems to be true. The watches weren't free, but Rolex were fairly relaxed about the repayment terms. Have a read of this.

[ralphy]

Can't see Seiko doing the same, somehow. :wink:

R

[A.Pottinger]

Did happen during the latter part of the war. It appears to have been an effort to gain business in the run-up to the, by then, inevitable German defeat.
There are some eg.s of the letter on the net floating about and examples.

HTH,
AP.

[MWR has some threads regarding this also as I recall- pls link them if you can recall which ones, it'd be a useful reference, imho]

[Carlton-Browne]

I beieve that Bernard Madoff collected these. On a related subject I notice from yesterday's FT that there is soon to be another auction of his effects.
http://www.txauction.com/auction_details.cfm?id=229

[Chris_in_the_UK]

Some info here also:-

http://www.network54.com/Forum/207593/m ... W+Rolex---

[A.Pottinger]

Great link Chris, I recall that being posted. Very interesting.

Br,

AP :)

[sundial]

They are offered for sale occasionally but provenance is all important ... viewtopic.php?f=1&t=21940&p=228930&hilit=stalag#p2 28930 ... an old post thus the links are out of date apart from the following :

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/commen ... 633310.ece ... see last paragraph of Tom Hawthorn's letter

dunk

[Seabadger]

Interesting reading...

http://www.timezone.com/library/extras/200704246126

[notenoughwrists]

Interesting reading...

http://www.timezone.com/library/extras/200704246126

Outstanding stuff. I'm not sure if it's a real altruistic gesture or an absolutely unbelievable marketing ploy. Do you think they would do similar today if I was holed up in some Tora Bora cave with Terry Terrorist pointing one of Mikhail's finest 7.62mm bullet-chuckers at my oh-so-pretty face?

[wajhart]

Interesting reading... http://www.timezone.com/library/extras/200704246126

Err, didn't I say that two days ago?

Have a read of this.

[Seabadger]

Interesting reading... http://www.timezone.com/library/extras/200704246126

Err, didn't I say that two days ago?

Have a read of this.

A thousand apologies :roll:

[seadog1408]

Interesting reading... http://www.timezone.com/library/extras/200704246126

Err, didn't I say that two days ago?

Have a read of this.

calm down newb, your probably on his ignore list :wink: :D

[Seabadger]

It's just one of those things that happens from time to time, even with the best will in the world :)

[A.Pottinger]

Seabadger, there was a lot of strange stuff going on at the time with Rolex and it was a combination of reasons, imho. It was clear by this time that the allies were going to win the war, and a number of Swiss concerns were changing their tack from supplying the Germans to a greater degree in all kinds of things to the allies. They also realized that the US would be the big economic winner out of ww2 (in fact the only one), so it was a good idea and well worth it to gain goodwill. SOme interesting discussions as I recall on some of the fora about this.

Br,
AP.

[Seabadger]

Whilst I value your thoughts, I have no idea why that was addressed to me.

[A.Pottinger]

thought you might find it interesting :lol: Actually I should have addressed it to all, in any case hope it was of interest.

Br,

AP. :)

[Seabadger]

It was of interest - don't get me wrong. I was just a little confused, particularly as this sort of thread comes up here and elsewhere reasonably regularly and I suspect that in the absence of new primary research, I'm not sure what much further there is to say about it.

Having said that, venturing into speculation; the cost of a Rolex has risen considerably over the last 50 years or so using either of the main indices for comparison. I've no idea if this pattern continues back to WWII (nor officer's salaries during that period), but if so, one has to bear in mind that whilst still a gesture that relies heavily on all concerned acting in good faith, it may not be quite the same as Rolex sending out a modern watch at close to £4k, but actually something rather less expensive.

[A.Pottinger]

Oh well, I'll not bother to post anything or relate that other things have been posted about it as I did originally. It's good to have the links in this thread though for quick reference, and thanks to those who did so.

Well, the point about lots going on perhaps may be news to some, and the fact that the war trade agreement of '41 meant that the lion's share of goods went to Germany and not the UK. Later Switzerland was remonstrated with and also changed it's tack as the war turned. From some of the threads on other fora, I can add, though I may be repeating what some have already stated (so pls forgive me :wink: ) that Rolex was suspected of some dealings with Germany that were not regarded as friendly to the allies. it was not the only swiss firm to be so suspected.

'43 was certainly a time of change in Switzerland's overall approach to the allies.

Br and HTH,

AP.