The Making of a Status Symbol

Author: Pierre-Yves Donze

History of fashion | History of specific companies / corporate history

Published on 3^rd June 2025 by Manchester University Press in the United Kingdom.

Paperback / softback | 272 pages, 56 black & white illustrations
216mm x 139mm x 23mm | 356g

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 Donzé 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, Donzé 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. -- .