Cover art for The Making of a Status Symbol
Published
Manchester University Press, July 2025
ISBN
9781526188410
Format
Softcover, 272 pages
Dimensions
13.8cm × 21.6cm × 1.5cm

The Making of a Status Symbol A Business History of Rolex

Not yet released
Due July 1, 2025.
Fast $7.95 flat-rate shipping!
Only pay $7.95 per order within Australia, including end-to-end parcel tracking.
100% encrypted and secure
We adhere to industry best practice and never store credit card details.
Talk to real people
Contact us seven days a week – our staff are here to help.

'Reads like a thriller. An essential epic for anyone interested in Swiss economic history.' Le Temps

Discover the fascinating story behind Rolex, the world's most iconic luxury watch brand. In The making of a status symbol, acclaimed business historian Pierre-Yves Donze offers a captivating and deeply researched exploration of how a small Swiss watch company transformed itself into a global emblem of success, wealth and prestige.

Challenging the myth that Rolex's dominance is solely due to superior craftsmanship, Donze reveals the brand's strategic partnership with an American advertising agency and its genius for storytelling, which allowed it to turn a simple timepiece into a powerful status symbol. Spanning the twentieth century, this book provides a compelling case study of how creative industries have shaped consumer culture and the global luxury market.

This book is a must-read for anyone fascinated by fashion and luxury, the evolution of consumer culture or the power of branding. Whether you're a scholar, student or general reader intrigued by the enduring allure of Rolex, The making of a status symbol offers an engaging and insightful journey through the history of a brand that has become synonymous with excellence and success.

Related books