Geneva, 15 November 2024 – On 17 November, the prestigious Governors Awards, proudly supported by Rolex, will honor Quincy Jones, who recently died on 3 November, and Juliet Taylor with an Honorary Oscar®; Richard Curtis with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award; and producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli with the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award. All awards are Oscar statuettes.

The annual Awards attract members of Hollywood’s A-list, from major stars and filmmakers to industry leaders. Unlike the Oscars®, which are presented for a film or achievement in a single year voted on by members of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, these Awards are conferred through a vote by the Academy’s Board of Governors, which took place in June 2024.

For Rolex, the Governors Awards provide an opportunity to celebrate the creative journey and commitment of a filmmaker or artist who, over the long-term, navigates all the milestones and challenges of a career in cinema to reach the height of achievement.

ABOUT THE HONOREES
Honorary Oscars® will go to the late legendary composer and producer Quincy Jones and casting director Juliet Taylor in recognition of their talent and outstanding careers.

The recipient of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, screenwriter and director Richard Curtis is responsible for beloved comedies such as Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) and Love Actually (2003). A longtime philanthropist, Curtis co-founded Comic Relief UK and USA, and his fundraising work over 40 years has helped raise more than $2 billion and supported over 170 million people.

Sibling producers of the James Bond franchise, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli will receive the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, which is periodically “presented to a creative producer whose body of work reflects a consistently high quality of motion picture production”.

ROLEX AND CINEMA
Rolex has a long association with the world of cinema. It has been present at every milestone in cinematic history with its watches appearing in many numerous films, including multiple Oscar®-winning masterpieces. Today, through its tangible, consistent and long-term support of artistic and technical distinction in filmmaking, Rolex itself has become an active participant, creating an exceptionally strong link between the brand and the industry.

In 2017, Rolex partnered with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, becoming the Exclusive Watch of the Academy and Proud Sponsor of the Oscars®, also hosting the event’s Greenroom; in 2018 the company became Exclusive Sponsor of the Governors Awards. It is also a Founding Supporter and Official Watch of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, which opened in 2021.

Rolex encourages budding talents and celebrates Martin Scorsese, James Cameron and Jia Zhang-Ke who exemplify excellence in film. Central to Rolex’s Perpetual Arts Initiative is the promotion of artistic excellence and achievement and the transmission of artistic heritage, in this case, the cinematic arts. Through its partnership with the Academy and the Museum, Rolex is assisting in the preservation of cinema’s legacy for new generations of filmmakers.

ABOUT ROLEX

AN UNRIVALLED REPUTATION FOR QUALITY AND EXPERTISE
Rolex is an integrated and independent Swiss watch manufacture. Headquartered in Geneva, the brand is recognized the world over for its expertise and the quality of its products – symbols of excellence, elegance and prestige. The movements of its Oyster Perpetual and Perpetual watches are certified by COSC, then tested inhouse for their precision, performance and reliability. The Superlative Chronometer certification, symbolized by the green seal, confirms that each watch has successfully undergone tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories according to its own criteria. These are periodically validated by an independent external organization. The word ‘Perpetual’ is inscribed on every Rolex Oyster watch. But more than just a word on a dial, it is a philosophy that embodies the company’s vision and values. Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of the company, instilled a notion of perpetual excellence that would drive the company forward. This led Rolex to pioneer the development of the wristwatch and numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism, invented in 1931. In the course of its history, Rolex has registered over 600 patents. At its four sites in Switzerland, the brand designs, develops and produces the majority of its watch components, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Furthermore, the brand is actively involved in supporting the arts and culture, sport and exploration, as well as those who are devising solutions to preserve the planet.