
Rolex has taken an extraordinary measure to protect the company's security and secrets, banning the flying of drones over the site of its new factory in Bulle, in the Swiss canton of Fribourg, until December 31, 2032.
The Swiss luxury watch giant is building a new complex where around 1,000 people are expected to work. The decision to close the airspace over the construction site was published in the canton's Official Gazette, reports "La Repubblica".
According to the company's request, the measure was taken due to the "worrying increase in the presence of drones" over the construction area, creating a risk to employee safety and the possibility of privacy violations and disclosure of sensitive information.
Fribourg cantonal police have announced that they will have the right to neutralize and seize any drone that violates the ban.
Rolex, known for its discretion and lack of publication of financial results, is believed to have taken similar measures for its factory in Biel/Bienne, where watch movements are produced.
The company has also argued that the need for protection has increased after a theft at the construction site in May 2025, when materials worth around 100,000 Swiss francs were stolen.
Security experts warn that drones can easily overcome industrial facility fences, monitor truck movements, collect data on company activity and even identify vehicles' Bluetooth signals.
While many companies use advanced systems to detect and neutralize drones, Rolex has chosen a stronger solution: a complete ban on flights over the construction site and enforcement by police authorities.