68. On Vanity, Charity and Timeless Eternity.

Dearly Beloved,

A contemplative life is certainly challenged by a suffocating sense of time passing and the distracting feeling that things need to be done. The idea that God is timelessly eternal is difficult for us to grasp, as are the memories of the brief moments when we may experience timelessness. A watch on one's wrist is not an aid to contemplative prayer.

Unfortunately for the luxury goods industry, male vanity demands only a few items: cufflinks, signet rings, a tie pin – and of course a luxury watch.

Some years ago I was part of a Royal Geographical Society project which was studying what was then called the Wahiba Sands but now called the Eastern sands of Oman. This is a desert of rolling dunes of calcareous sand blown in from the sea over the millennia. The RGS project comprised teams of Geologists, Biologists and Anthropologists and the leader of each team was promised the gift of a Rolex watch. However in due time only one watch arrived which was claimed by the director of the expedition. When the expedition featured in Rolex's advertising the headline was along the lines of “On the Wahiba Sands Project, only one watch would do!” Quite so.

Of course I thought the company that produced Rolex were basically profiteers benefiting from male vanity as acted out in the first three James Bond films, when he wore the famous Rolex Submariner Ref 6538. When I expressed this view to a friend in Geneva who is much involved in her church's charitable work, I was sharply rebuked. It turned out that the Rolex business is the cash cow of a huge and generous charity. That is the Wilsdorf Foundation. It was set up in 1945 by the brilliantly successful inventor, technician and businessman Hans Wilsdorf in honour of his wife who had died the previous year. Hans Wilsdorf developed both the watches and the Rolex brand. That included the first waterproof watch, the Rolex Oyster, one of which accompanied Mercedes Gleize in her cross channel swim in 1927. After that the promotion and advertising of Rolex watches was always associated with acts of daring do.

In 1960 Hans Wilsdorf transferred ownership of the Rolex enterprise to his foundation. It is a rather discreet, not to say highly secretive organisation. It may or may not restrict itself to donations within the Canton of Geneva. Sources suggest as much as 5 billion SFR are generated annually by the watch business. From what little is known, the foundation certainly supports a huge range of causes, including saving a local football team, schools, bridges, food banks and individuals in poverty or with projects of their own, but there is no public record of its projects or finances.

The late HM Sultan Qaboos of Oman took to giving away Oyster Rolexes to people who had done special service to the Sultanate. They were produced with either a red or a gold khunjar motif on the dial. Some were made in conjunction with the jewellers Asprey. The khunjar is the distinctive curved dagger which is portrayed on the Omani flag. Recently a red khunjar watch sold at auction for SFR 1.2 m. (£1m.).

Surely we should have reservations about wearing watches and not just those worth £1 million? They ensure we are bound to passing time and capture us in a net of anxiety comprising the constant pursuit of inconsequential moments. On the other hand if you feel you cannot do without one, buy a Rolex and contribute to charity.

Peace and Grace to you all,

Completed 2nd April 2022


Public Domain

St Jerome in the Wilderness. National Gallery London NG6563



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