History of the brands

The true story of Elida watches

Elida

This discreet Fleurier-based manufacturer struggled to differentiate itself in the 1950s and disappeared in the 1960s.

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History of the brands

The true history of Orfina watches

Orfina

Now defunct, this Grenchen manufacturer was very interested in chronographs, and was even the first to collaborate with Porsche Design on the development of their first range of watches.

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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 history of Breitling watches. Part One: from the origins to 1950

Breitling

Breitling is a major company in the history of the Swiss chronograph. It was behind such legendary models as the Chronomat and Navitimer, which are still in production today, and of which there have been many versions. The company's history is difficult to reconstruct, not because period sources are lacking, but because it has been repeatedly rewritten...

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History of the brands

The true story of Pronto watches

Pronto

Unusually, for over a century, Pronto watches were run by the same family, from the company's creation in 1890, to its demise in 2000.

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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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