Rolex closes all Swiss factories amid pandemic fears
Rolex has announced it will close its watchmaking facilities across Geneva, Bienne and Crissier for ten days, effective today.
The move was announced by Rolex CEO Jean-Frederic Dufour via a statement conveyed to the company.
The closure is just one of many across the world, as many companies temporarily shut down and encourage employees to work from home to halt the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
The spread has continued in many regions across the world, and Europe is now being described s the epicenter.
According to Swiss newspaper Neue Zuercher Zeitung, the number of Swiss cases has risen to 2,330, with 17 deaths. Several Swiss cantons have declared a state of emergency on Monday.
Rolex is not the first watchmaker to be affected by the coronavirus, but looks to be the first to shut up shop for two weeks.
Earlier this year, LVMH (who makes TAG Heuer, Hublot and Zenith watches) donated US$2.2 million to the Red Cross Society of China, to help combat the virus. Days later, Richemont (who look after brands such as IWC, Cartier and Panerai) donated US$1.4 million.
