Hans Wilsdorf was twelve years old when both of his parents died. His uncles sold the family business and sent him away to boarding school.

Forty years later he owned the most recognisable watch brand on earth. Then he gave it away — to a foundation — so that no person could ever own it again.

This is the story of an invented word, a waterproof case nobody believed in, the swimmer who proved it worked, and a man who built a company specifically so it could not be taken from anyone the way his family's was taken from him.

Sources: company archives, published biographies and contemporary press. Where a claim is disputed, it's marked as such in the video.

New episodes every week. Subscribe so you don't miss them.