Walter Fischer of Rolex Watch U.S.A. Inc. and Edward J. Gately of Fleet Precious Metals will be honored by the American Jewish Committee at a gala event on Nov. 4 in New York City. The two industry leaders will be presented with AJC’s prestigious Jewelry Division Human Relations Award for their professional excellence and commitment to community service.

Fischer, who has been president and CEO of Rolex Watch U.S.A. Inc. since 1998, has enjoyed a distinguished career in the international watch industry for more than four decades, beginning in his native Switzerland at Girard-Perregaux. After moving to London, he accepted a position with Swiss watch firm Jaeger-LeCoultre. He moved to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1962 to join the retail organization of Little Switzerland, where he was promoted to president and CEO. In 1993, he joined Rolex Watch Company in Geneva, overseeing marketing and sales in the Caribbean and Central America.

Fischer sits on the boards of The Jewelers Security Alliance, the American Watch Association, and St. Christopher’s Inn, a men’s shelter.

Gately, executive vice president of Fleet Precious Metals Inc., joined the company in 1986. Following his initial post as commercial field examiner, he joined its lending staff and was later named senior vice president and team leader. In the mid 1990’s he assumed responsibility for Fleet’s industrial precious metal lending and the integration of the former National Westminster Bank Diamond and Jewelry Group post-acquisition. In 1999 he was named senior lender and division manager, responsible for the company’s entire lending function.

Gately has written extensively and lectured widely on the precious metal industry. He is a board member of MJSA and is involved with numerous community organizations including the Rehoboth, Mass., Youth Board and other charities within the industry.

For more information about the event, call Susan Tannenbaum at (212) 891-1423.