Rolex's new GMT-Master II features a rare green ceramic dial, left-hand crown, and dual time zone function. crafted in white gold with a robust oyster bracelet, it's priced at $56,700 and built for collectors and travellers alike.

Rolex's new GMT-Master II features a rare green ceramic dial, left-hand crown, and dual time zone function. crafted in white gold with a robust oyster bracelet, it's priced at $56,700 and built for collectors and travellers alike.

Rolex unveils green GMT-Master II that collectors dream of owning

Most people see Rolex as the gold standard of luxury watches. However, behind the scenes, the company runs very differently from most luxury giants. Rolex is owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, a charitable trust set up by the brand&rsquo;s founder in 1944. That means it doesn&rsquo;t have shareholders or public investors. It&rsquo;s not even listed on any stock exchange. On paper, Rolex operates under a non-profit umbrella. However, it&rsquo;s still a business&mdash;one that reportedly made over $11 billion in revenue in 2024 alone. The foundation owns the company entirely and by Swiss law, this setup qualifies for certain tax benefits. That&rsquo;s where the debate begins.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/photos/7-ultra-luxurious-watch-brands-that-arent-a-rolex-9004884">7 ultra-luxurious watch brands that aren't Rolex</a> The brand&rsquo;s charitable status has raised eyebrows. How can a company known for selling some of the most exclusive&mdash;and expensive&mdash;watches in the world be considered a non-profit? Critics argue that while Rolex may technically qualify due to its ownership, its commercial operations are no different from any other for-profit business. While the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation is known to fund projects in education, science, and the arts, the scale and specifics of its giving remain opaque. Details about how much money actually goes toward those efforts aren&rsquo;t publicly shared because Rolex isn&rsquo;t a public company. It doesn&rsquo;t have to release detailed financial reports. That leaves outsiders guessing about the internal structure and where the money is actually going.&nbsp; What Rolex gains from this structure is stability and freedom. With no investors to please, it can focus on long-term goals. It controls every aspect of production and deliberately limits supply, which keeps its products in high demand. This strategy isn&rsquo;t just about prestige, it&rsquo;s also smart business.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/photos/even-after-100-years-rolex-still-rules-the-luxury-watch-world-heres-why-9025443">Even after 100 years, Rolex still rules the luxury watch world! Here's why</a> Supporters of Rolex have defended the organisation and said that the foundation model allows Rolex to stay independent and focused on quality, rather than chasing profits every quarter. However, others see it differently: a wealthy company using a legal structure that shields it from taxes and financial scrutiny. At the end of the day, Rolex is walking a fine line, balancing philanthropy with profit. Whether that makes it a clever outlier or an example of outdated loopholes depends on your view of how companies should behave in today&rsquo;s economy.

On paper, Rolex operates under a non-profit umbrella. However, it’s still a business—one that reportedly made over $11 billion in revenue in 2024 alone.

Most people see Rolex as the gold standard of luxury watches. However, behind the scenes, the company runs very differently from most luxury giants. Rolex is owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, a charitable trust set up by the brand’s founder in 1944. That means it doesn’t have shareholders or public investors. It’s not even listed on any stock exchange. On paper, Rolex operates under a non-profit umbrella. However, it’s still a business—one that reportedly made over $11 billion in revenue in 2024 alone. The foundation owns the company entirely and by Swiss law, this setup qualifies for certain tax benefits. That’s where the debate begins. Also read: 7 ultra-luxurious watch brands that aren't Rolex The brand’s charitable status has raised eyebrows. How can a company known for selling some of the most exclusive—and expensive—watches in the world be considered a non-profit? Critics argue that while Rolex may technically qualify due to its ownership, its commercial operations are no different from any other for-profit business. While the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation is known to fund projects in education, science, and the arts, the scale and specifics of its giving remain opaque. Details about how much money actually goes toward those efforts aren’t publicly shared because Rolex isn’t a public company. It doesn’t have to release detailed financial reports. That leaves outsiders guessing about the internal structure and where the money is actually going. What Rolex gains from this structure is stability and freedom. With no investors to please, it can focus on long-term goals. It controls every aspect of production and deliberately limits supply, which keeps its products in high demand. This strategy isn’t just about prestige, it’s also smart business. Also read: Even after 100 years, Rolex still rules the luxury watch world! Here's why Supporters of Rolex have defended the organisation and said that the foundation model allows Rolex to stay independent and focused on quality, rather than chasing profits every quarter. However, others see it differently: a wealthy company using a legal structure that shields it from taxes and financial scrutiny. At the end of the day, Rolex is walking a fine line, balancing philanthropy with profit. Whether that makes it a clever outlier or an example of outdated loopholes depends on your view of how companies should behave in today’s economy.

A billion-dollar secret! How Rolex operates as a luxury 'NGO' in plain sight

A Swiss&nbsp;watch manufacturer in collaboration with an Indian retailer has launched a Ram Janambhoomi limited edition watch that costs a whopping Rs 34 lakh&nbsp;($41,000). The watch comes in two editions, and&nbsp;commemorates the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony held earlier this year in the northern Indian city of Ayodhya.&nbsp;

The luxury watch has been launched in collaboration between Ethos and Jacob &amp; Co, based on the latter's signature Epic X Skeleton series.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"The watch is designed to serve as a homage to the profound cultural heritage of India and will be one of the most unique collaborative timepieces ever made," the company said.&nbsp;

The timepiece shows the Ram Temple&nbsp;at&nbsp;9 o'clock, while it states "Jai Shree Ram" at 6&nbsp;o'clock.&nbsp;Lord Rama and Lord Hanuman feature prominently on both editions of the watch that has a saffron bracelet.&nbsp;

"The colour chosen for the watch is deeply symbolic, representing spirituality, purity, and the essence of prayer, which are central to the values it embodies in Hindutva. Every detail is designed to resonate with cultural and spiritual significance."

According to the company, only 49 limited edition watches have been manufactured with 35 already out of the shelf.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ayodhya-ram-mandir-inauguration-ram-mandirs-consecration-ceremony-explained-682194">Watch |&nbsp;Ayodhya Ram Mandir Inauguration: Ram Mandir's consecration ceremony explained</a>

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&nbsp;

<h2>Ram temple consecration ceremony</h2>

After years of court cases and several controversies, the Indian Supreme Court in 2019 granted the land to the Hindu side to build the temple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone (Bhumi puja) in August 2020 and&nbsp;nearly four&nbsp;years later,&nbsp;took part in&nbsp;the consecration ceremony held in the grand temple, with Ram Lalla installed in the sanctum sanctorum.&nbsp;

The temple is central to the beliefs of Hindus and the entire complex has been built in the traditional Nagara style. Upon completion, the temple will be 380 feet long (east-west direction), 250 feet wide and 161 feet high. Each floor of the temple will be 20 ft high with a total of 392 pillars and 44 gates.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/how-ram-lallas-outfits-were-made-with-divine-connection-with-regal-craftspersonship-683454">Also read |&nbsp;How Ram Lalla's outfits were made with 'divine connection' with regal craftspersonship</a>

In the lead-up to the consecration ceremony, an international airport named after&nbsp;Maharishi Valmiki, the wise saint who wrote the epic "Ramayana" was also opened in the city.&nbsp;

Prior to being named Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya Dham, the airport was known as&nbsp;'Maryada Purshottam Shri Ram Ayodhya International Airport'.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A Swiss watch manufacturer in collaboration with an Indian retailer has launched a Ram Janambhoomi limited edition watch that costs a whopping Rs 34 lakh ($41,000).

A Swiss watch manufacturer in collaboration with an Indian retailer has launched a Ram Janambhoomi limited edition watch that costs a whopping Rs 34 lakh ($41,000). The watch comes in two editions, and commemorates the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony held earlier this year in the northern Indian city of Ayodhya. The luxury watch has been launched in collaboration between Ethos and Jacob & Co, based on the latter's signature Epic X Skeleton series. "The watch is designed to serve as a homage to the profound cultural heritage of India and will be one of the most unique collaborative timepieces ever made," the company said. The timepiece shows the Ram Temple at 9 o'clock, while it states "Jai Shree Ram" at 6 o'clock. Lord Rama and Lord Hanuman feature prominently on both editions of the watch that has a saffron bracelet. "The colour chosen for the watch is deeply symbolic, representing spirituality, purity, and the essence of prayer, which are central to the values it embodies in Hindutva. Every detail is designed to resonate with cultural and spiritual significance." According to the company, only 49 limited edition watches have been manufactured with 35 already out of the shelf. Watch | Ayodhya Ram Mandir Inauguration: Ram Mandir's consecration ceremony explained × Ram temple consecration ceremony After years of court cases and several controversies, the Indian Supreme Court in 2019 granted the land to the Hindu side to build the temple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone (Bhumi puja) in August 2020 and nearly four years later, took part in the consecration ceremony held in the grand temple, with Ram Lalla installed in the sanctum sanctorum. The temple is central to the beliefs of Hindus and the entire complex has been built in the traditional Nagara style. Upon completion, the temple will be 380 feet long (east-west direction), 250 feet wide and 161 feet high. Each floor of the temple will be 20 ft high with a total of 392 pillars and 44 gates. Also read | How Ram Lalla's outfits were made with 'divine connection' with regal craftspersonship In the lead-up to the consecration ceremony, an international airport named after Maharishi Valmiki, the wise saint who wrote the epic "Ramayana" was also opened in the city. Prior to being named Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya Dham, the airport was known as 'Maryada Purshottam Shri Ram Ayodhya International Airport'. (With inputs from agencies)

Limited edition Ram Mandir watch selling for whopping Rs 34 lakh goes viral

Olympic boxer Amir Khan's $84,000 Franck Muller watch was stolen at gunpoint. Khan has a collection of one of the most expensive watches in the world. What makes these luxury watches so special? Mohammed Saleh brings you a report.

Gravitas: Boxer Amir Khan's luxury watch stolen

Here’s a tricky and rather expensive question for you.

If I say the words “Michael Kors” and “Bradshaw”, what comes to your mind?

Another Sex and the City reprisal which no one asked for?

A luxurious indulgence? A fashion show, perhaps?

Wrong, wrong, and wrong.&nbsp;

We’re talking about a smartwatch with a rather glamorous name.

This is the Michael Kors Gen 6 Bradshaw, an eye-catching smartwatch brought into the Indian market by American company, the Fossil Group. In the last few years, India’s working professionals have been turning to smartwatches to track their health and fitness goals, their notifications and a fast-paced lifestyle. The space has been traditionally dominated by Apple, Samsung and other fitness trackers.

And then there are some who want the features of a smartwatch without the looks of a smartwatch. And that’s why the uber-luxe designer smartwatch market has plenty of scope for disruption.

The Bradshaw, reminiscent of the famous SATC character played by Sarah Jessica Parker, has plenty of variants starting at Rs 24,995.

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 500px;">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Specifications</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			<blockquote type="cite">
			<ul>
				<li>Price: Rs 24,995 onwards</li>
			</ul>
			</blockquote>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			<blockquote type="cite">
			<ul>
				<li>Bluetooth 5</li>
			</ul>
			</blockquote>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			<blockquote type="cite">
			<ul>
				<li>1.28-inch AMOLED display</li>
			</ul>
			</blockquote>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			<blockquote type="cite">
			<ul>
				<li>Compatible with iOS/Android</li>
			</ul>
			</blockquote>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			<blockquote type="cite">
			<ul>
				<li>SpO2, heart rate, sleep tracking</li>
			</ul>
			</blockquote>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			<blockquote type="cite">
			<ul>
				<li>One-day battery life</li>
			</ul>
			</blockquote>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

Perhaps the most common complaint people have with smartwatches is that they come with rather mundane rubber straps. So, you end up doling out more for a metallic one. The Bradshaw comes with a stunning rose gold strap which blends seamlessly with the dial and the crown. You’d have to look closely at the dial to know that it’s not your everyday designer watch. My personal favourite is the rose gold variant. You’ll have to splurge more for flashy colours if that’s what you’re looking for.

JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF BLING

Here’s what I don’t like about metal straps — they just don’t fit well enough no matter how hard you try. And that is a big problem if you’re using a smartwatch to track your heart rate, steps and more. Unlike a rubber strap, if it’s too snug, you won’t be wearing it at night. So, you’ll have to see what matters more to you, a snug fit or a stylish fit.

PLENTY OF SCREEN REAL ESTATE

The 44mm AMOLED screen is large enough to see all your notifications and you wouldn’t have to squint in daylight either. The touchscreen is responsive and if you don't want smudges, you can use the crown and buttons on the side to navigate. I rarely use a voice assistant on my smartwatch but if that is something you need, the crown can be used to activate Google Assistant.

If you're driving, you can use the watch to answer calls and the built-in speaker and microphone will not disappoint. I was pleasantly surprised with the volume and clarity which is comparable to the more-expensive Apple Watch if not better.

HOW SMART IS THE BRADSHAW?

Like all smartwatches, this one also connects with your smartphone using Bluetooth 5 connectivity and runs on Wear OS. This may put off iOS users who want a seamless experience between their smartwatch and smartphone. It took me some time to connect to the Wear OS app so I wasn't too happy with that. Having said that, the watch works well as a standalone device so if you're an iOS user, you can make the most of that.

Android users will have very few complaints since the Wear OS operating system works smoothly and you'll be able to enjoy Google's many offerings on the smartwatch -- from Maps, Translate, Youtube and more. The Bradshaw is rated 5 ATM for water resistance so you can indulge in a leisurely swim in shallow waters with it.

Here's where the watch disappoints -- fitness tracking. No matter how snug the fit is, working out with the Bradshaw isn't a comfortable proposition. This is also why the SpO2, step tracking and calorie count readings were all over the place when compared with the Apple Watch.

But here's what I think. A watch that looks as chic and eye-catching as this, will not be bought for its fitness features. Those who buy it, will be flaunting it for the looks and perhaps, a rare notification or two!

BATTERY

The Bradshaw can be charged with the magnetic charger that comes in the box. There are claims of a battery life between one and three days depending on usage. 
Unfortunately, for me, the watch barely lasted through the day. Maybe it's because I used it to track notifications, answer calls, change watch faces and even used the Assistant. Let's be frank, anyone who buys a smartwatch is likely going to do the same so the battery left me asking for more.

USP: LOOKS

While it may sound flippant to buy a watch simply for its design but fact remains, this is what sways most consumers in favour of a wristwatch. The Michael Kors Gen 6 Bradshaw wins big on this front.

The Bradshaw is a decent combination of a fantastic design and basic smartwatch functionality. The battery life is underwhelming and leaves scope for improvement as does the fitness tracking.

If you're looking for a stunning wrist-candy which can answer calls and read out notifications while not looking like a run-of-the-mill smartwatch, the Bradshaw is a great buy.

Here’s a tricky and rather expensive question for you. If I say the words “Michael Kors” and “Bradshaw”, what comes to your mind? Another Sex and the City reprisal which no one asked for?

Here’s a tricky and rather expensive question for you. If I say the words “Michael Kors” and “Bradshaw”, what comes to your mind? Another Sex and the City reprisal which no one asked for? A luxurious indulgence? A fashion show, perhaps? Wrong, wrong, and wrong. We’re talking about a smartwatch with a rather glamorous name. This is the Michael Kors Gen 6 Bradshaw, an eye-catching smartwatch brought into the Indian market by American company, the Fossil Group. In the last few years, India’s working professionals have been turning to smartwatches to track their health and fitness goals, their notifications and a fast-paced lifestyle. The space has been traditionally dominated by Apple, Samsung and other fitness trackers. And then there are some who want the features of a smartwatch without the looks of a smartwatch. And that’s why the uber-luxe designer smartwatch market has plenty of scope for disruption. The Bradshaw, reminiscent of the famous SATC character played by Sarah Jessica Parker, has plenty of variants starting at Rs 24,995. Specifications Price: Rs 24,995 onwards Bluetooth 5 1.28-inch AMOLED display Compatible with iOS/Android SpO2, heart rate, sleep tracking One-day battery life Perhaps the most common complaint people have with smartwatches is that they come with rather mundane rubber straps. So, you end up doling out more for a metallic one. The Bradshaw comes with a stunning rose gold strap which blends seamlessly with the dial and the crown. You’d have to look closely at the dial to know that it’s not your everyday designer watch. My personal favourite is the rose gold variant. You’ll have to splurge more for flashy colours if that’s what you’re looking for. JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF BLING Here’s what I don’t like about metal straps — they just don’t fit well enough no matter how hard you try. And that is a big problem if you’re using a smartwatch to track your heart rate, steps and more. Unlike a rubber strap, if it’s too snug, you won’t be wearing it at night. So, you’ll have to see what matters more to you, a snug fit or a stylish fit. PLENTY OF SCREEN REAL ESTATE The 44mm AMOLED screen is large enough to see all your notifications and you wouldn’t have to squint in daylight either. The touchscreen is responsive and if you don't want smudges, you can use the crown and buttons on the side to navigate. I rarely use a voice assistant on my smartwatch but if that is something you need, the crown can be used to activate Google Assistant. If you're driving, you can use the watch to answer calls and the built-in speaker and microphone will not disappoint. I was pleasantly surprised with the volume and clarity which is comparable to the more-expensive Apple Watch if not better. HOW SMART IS THE BRADSHAW? Like all smartwatches, this one also connects with your smartphone using Bluetooth 5 connectivity and runs on Wear OS. This may put off iOS users who want a seamless experience between their smartwatch and smartphone. It took me some time to connect to the Wear OS app so I wasn't too happy with that. Having said that, the watch works well as a standalone device so if you're an iOS user, you can make the most of that. Android users will have very few complaints since the Wear OS operating system works smoothly and you'll be able to enjoy Google's many offerings on the smartwatch -- from Maps, Translate, Youtube and more. The Bradshaw is rated 5 ATM for water resistance so you can indulge in a leisurely swim in shallow waters with it. Here's where the watch disappoints -- fitness tracking. No matter how snug the fit is, working out with the Bradshaw isn't a comfortable proposition. This is also why the SpO2, step tracking and calorie count readings were all over the place when compared with the Apple Watch. But here's what I think. A watch that looks as chic and eye-catching as this, will not be bought for its fitness features. Those who buy it, will be flaunting it for the looks and perhaps, a rare notification or two! BATTERY The Bradshaw can be charged with the magnetic charger that comes in the box. There are claims of a battery life between one and three days depending on usage. Unfortunately, for me, the watch barely lasted through the day. Maybe it's because I used it to track notifications, answer calls, change watch faces and even used the Assistant. Let's be frank, anyone who buys a smartwatch is likely going to do the same so the battery left me asking for more. USP: LOOKS While it may sound flippant to buy a watch simply for its design but fact remains, this is what sways most consumers in favour of a wristwatch. The Michael Kors Gen 6 Bradshaw wins big on this front. The Bradshaw is a decent combination of a fantastic design and basic smartwatch functionality. The battery life is underwhelming and leaves scope for improvement as does the fitness tracking. If you're looking for a stunning wrist-candy which can answer calls and read out notifications while not looking like a run-of-the-mill smartwatch, the Bradshaw is a great buy.

Review of Michael Kors Gen 6 Bradshaw: All about the looks

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