History of the brands

The true story of Cattin & Cie, Mortima watches

Mortima

For once, here is the story of a manufacturer that is not Swiss, but French. And not just any manufacturer: in the 1970s, it produced up to 2 million watches per year and designed watches with unique designs that delight collectors today.

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History of the brands

The true story of Invar watches

Invar

Achille Hirsch created a number of businesses in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The Compagnie des Montres Invar was intended to produce precision watches with their own calibers. The Invar brand was subsequently used by Achille Hirsch's sons, and the company ceased to exist in 1992.

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History of the brands

The true story of Degoumois et Cie, makers of Avia watches

Avia

This La Chaux-de-Fonds-based manufacturer marketed its watches under the Protector name before taking over the Avia brand following the bankruptcy of The Rode Watch. Its director is best known for having created the Société des Garde-Temps (SGT) in 1968.

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History of the brands

The true story of Rila watches

Rila

Rila is one of the many factories created by the Choffat family in Tramelan. Active until the "quartz crisis", it subsequently merged with the Dulux factory.

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History of the brands

The true story of Hoeter & Cie, Triton and Tritona watches

Hoeter

This former La Chaux-de-Fonds company specialized in water-resistant watches from the 1930s onwards. The company was taken over by Breitling in 1944.

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History of the brands

The true story of Buttes Watch

Buttes Watch

Officially founded in 1923, Fabrique d'Horlogerie Buttes Watch, which specializes in chronographs, actually dates back to the 19th century.

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History of the brands

The true story of The Rode Watch Co, Fabrique Avia

Rode Watch

This American-Swiss manufacturer from the very early 20th century produced high quality watches, and created the Avia brand, taken over much later by Degoumois & Cie.

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