Now you can help Rolex spend some of its money on a good cause
- Each year the Swiss watch giant honours five individuals in science, health, technology and exploration
For the past four decades, Rolex SA has been supporting trailblazing scientists and explorers through its Awards for Enterprise. This year it’s letting the rest of us help choose the recipients.
Since 1976 the Swiss watch giant has used the awards to honour five individuals working on projects that support work in science, health, technology and exploration. Winners receive 200,000 Swiss francs (US$197,915) to advance their projects, along with a Rolex chronometer and access to a network of mentors.
Now, for the first time, members of the public can vote on 10 finalists through the Rolex website, which profiles the applicants and the work they hope to accomplish.
Voting continues until June 12, with the winners to be announced on June 14. A jury of experts will take the public votes into consideration when making the final selection.
Drawing attention
“These are all great projects,” says Rebecca Irvin, who heads the Rolex Awards for Enterprise programme. “We want all of them to get exposure and get recognition.”
While helping the finalists gain publicity was one of the main reasons for the change, the company also hopes the open voting will better tell the public about the awards programme in general, as well as the philanthropic work Rolex is doing.
“It’s one of the oldest and most prestigious corporate awards programs,” Irvin explains. “It was a pity that people didn’t know more about it.”
Rolex has received tens of thousands of votes through the website, with voters tweeting and sharing their favourite projects – another way the awards are gaining more exposure.