Rolex’s outgoing USA boss Stewart Wicht will receive the applause of the industry in January when he returns to collect a special Lifetime Achievement award in New York.
Mr Wicht is due to step down as president and CEO of Rolex Watch USA at the end of the year, but will be the toast of the GEM Awards, which are organized by trade association Jewelers of America.
He will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement for his efforts to enhance the jewelry and watch industry’s image and set a standard of excellence that inspired industry colleagues throughout the course of his career at Rolex.
“A bigger-than-life personality and an astute businessman, Stewart significantly elevated Rolex’s partnership with its dealers, thus allowing the entire industry to benefit from this development,” said GEM Awards Chair Olivier Stip of Chanel.
“Very generous with his time, Stewart supports several trade organizations making him an undisputed leader in the watchmaking world. We are honored to be presenting Stewart with the 2019 GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement,” he added.
Mr Wicht’s career at Rolex spans more than four decades – beginning in 1975 at Rolex in Geneva, Switzerland, and since 2011 at Rolex Watch USA, in his current role as president and CEO.
Over the course of his 36 years in Switzerland, he was responsible for the oversight of numerous markets in Asia and the South Pacific, as well as having established and managed the intellectual property department.
His professional and personal interests led him to join the boards of industry and cultural organizations, including the American Gem Society, the American Swiss Foundation and the International Tennis Hall of Fame. He is the Chairperson of the Jewelers’ Security Alliance, a position he has held for the past three years.
Born in London, England, he spent his formative years in Pakistan, India and England, where he graduated with a BA in Business Studies from Ealing Technical College, now the University of West London.
Mr Wicht will retire in December but will remain on the board of directors of Rolex Watch USA.
