History of Tavan

One of the most recognized watchmakers in Switzerland during the 19th century was a man by the name of Antoine Tavan. His lifelong work to conceive and redesign watch escapements and movements would go on to become some of the most distinguished advancements in watch making history.

But what exactly is a watch escapement? Well by the simplest definition, it is the larger gear in a watch or clock that connects the train wheel with the pendulum or balance to maintain a steady rhythm of seconds. The name is derived from the gear's function to 'escape' from a pallet as it revolves. A precise and steady hand is required to chisel the escapements of each timepiece to exact proportions with a great deal of patience.

In 1805 the Genéva manufacturing firm, Melly Freres specifically requested Tavan's craftsmanship to create a new breed of watch escapement. The commissioned task went on to produce not just one, but 12 new watch escapements including 3 of his own unique vision and design. In fact, these exact models are still on display in the Museum of École d'Horlogerie to this day.The Society of Arts has always been a tremendous innovator of the watch making world. In the spring of 1816, it announced a competition for the regulating of clocks and watches. The challenge was to create a watch so precise that the variations could not exceed 3 seconds within a 24-hour period. However there was a catch; this feat had to be accomplished without any regard for outside temperature or the positioning of the watch itself, whether it was sitting flat, suspended, or worn. Antoine Tavan walked away victorious with 800 florins in his pocket and a whole new level of prestige in his community.

And that prestige would only continue to grow as years passed. Tavan astounded the watch making world yet again in 1825 when he introduced an entirely new creation. This device was a watch with two systems of second hands on the same dial. One hand had standard sweep seconds and the other could start or stop by means of a push-button. The concept of the chronograph had been around since the 1500's, but using "running" seconds and "dead" seconds on the same dial was an unconventional idea for that time period.

Antoine Tavan, among other watchmakers of his time, left behind a legacy that contributed greatly to the establishment of superior watch making. So today we introduce you to Tavan, the brand. True to Tavan tradition, we are committed to bringing you this stunning classical collection of timepieces that are master crafted with the same precision and dependability in mind.

1749: born
1836: died
An eminent maker of watches and chronometers.
made 10 large scale models of escapements about 1805, to the order of Melly Frères, now in 'Museum of École d'Horlogerie', Geneva.
They included the verge, virgule, dupley, lever, 'Arnold' with spring and pivoted detent and three of hisown invention.
Watch with ordinary seconds hand and independent sweep central seconds hand (Geneva Museum)
Devised a chronometer escapement in 1819, and a lever escapement, called 'échappement anchor' with pointed teeth.

History of Movado

Movado, a company whose name means "always in motion" in Esperanto, began its life in 1881 in a small workshop in La Chaux-de-faunds, Switzerland. Founded by talented watchmaker Achille Ditisheim and his team of six employees, all watches were manufactured and assembled by hand.

By 1899, their hard work and determination had paid off. They were awarded six first-class Official Rating Certificates in their class, and in the following year, they were awarded the Silver Medal at the Universal Exhibition in Paris.

By 1905, the company had settled on its now famous name, Movado, and began in earnest its now famous pursuit of excellence in design and function. They won the 1910 Grand Prix Exhibitions in Paris, Rome, Brussels and Rio de Janeiro for their introduction of 8 ligne wristwatch movements. The introduction of the Polyplan watch in 1912 took the watch community by storm, and these watches are highly sought after at auction today.

In 1947, American designer Nathan George Horwitt created the first Museum Watch. It featured an uncluttered dial, with a simple gold dot marker at the 12:00 position. He likened the design to that of a sun-dial, like recognizing the sun at its zenith at high noon. Movado later teamed up with designers and artists such as Andy Warhol to create one-of-a-kind limited edition watches, which reside in museums, galleries, and collections today.

Movado is returning to its roots today. It has re-introduced the KingMatic series, which was originally introduced in the 1950's, and featured the first automatic movement and sweeping second hand, both driven from a central rotor. Today, the KingMatic features an all stainless steel case, stainless steel or leather bracelet, sapphire crystal, automatic movement, and is water resistant to 50 meters.

History of Rado

Famous wristwatch making company Rado was founded in 1917. Originally its name was Schulp & Co because it was founde. From the beginning they did not produced watches, they produced watch movements and supplied them to other companies. The company is now in its 90 year. It has grown to 300 employees in Biel, Switzerland.

However , not much is known about the company before 1957, when they started to release wrist watches under brand Rado. Some years later Rado released DiaStar , timepiece famous for its scratchability. DiaStar made Rado extremely popular. And even nowadays Rado produces a collection which carries DiaStar brand.

Rado is very popular for its non standart approach in producing watches. These may be shapes or materials that are not used by other wristwatch producing companies.

Another popular model produced later by Rado is V10K. This particular model won lots of awards is 2002 and 2005 for its toughness. They are considered to be “Hardest watches in the world”.

In 1983, Rado joined the SMH Group, from then known as The Swatch Group.

All other famous wristmaking companies use materials like gold,steel or brass, Rado uses such materials as: hardmetal, saphyre and ceramics along with diamonds. Despite the materials involved in watches creation , Rado watches will always carry a harmony between design and quality.

Biography and History of Louis Vuitton

Born August 4, 1821, died February 27, 1892
opened a luggage store in Paris in 1854. More than a century later, Vuitton's handbags and luggage are now a status symbol around the world and are often looked to in the world of fashion.

Vuitton moved from his hometown of Anchury, Jura, France in 1835 at the age of fourteen. Two years later, he arrived in Paris and started working with Monsieur Marechal making trunks.

The Louis Vuitton CompanyEarly Days (1854-1892)
Louis Vuitton did not succeed until just after his death. Vuitton started with flat luggage. This luggage was lightweight, and was bought by France's Empress Eugénie in its first year of sale. In 1860, Vuitton was forced to relocate, where he expanded due to increasing demand. 7 years later, in Louis Vuitton won a bronze medal at the World's Fair. In 1871, Vuitton gained ground in the industry although many of his works were getting copied. In 1880, his son Georges married. On their wedding day, Louis gave over control of the business to Georges. Only 3 years later, Louis became a grandfather as Georges son Gaston-Louis Vuitton was born. In 1892, Louis Vuitton started selling handbags. On February 27th, Louis Vuitton died. Georges now had full control of the company.

Golden Age of Louis Vuitton (1893-1936)
After Louis' death, Georges made Louis Vuitton a worldwide corporation. Just a year after Louis died, Georges displayed Louis Vuitton at the 1893 World Fair in Chicago, Illinois. Georges continued to run Vuitton well as it spread internationally and his book "Le Voyage" [The Journey] was published in 1894.

In 1896, nearing the turn of the century, Louis Vuitton put out its trademark canvas. The 'Monogram Canvas', as it came to be called is shown to the right, as it uses various symbols and the Louis Vuitton logo, LV. Georges then sailed to the United States, in which he toured various cities such as New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago. He sold Vuitton products during the visit.

In 1899 Georges exhibited Vuitton products at the maiden Paris Auto Show.

At the turn of the century, in 1900, Georges Vuitton was given the honor to set up the "Travel Items and Leather Goods" section of the 1900 Paris World Fair. In 1901, the Louis Vuitton Company introduced the 'Steamer Bag', a small handbag to be kept inside Vuitton luggage trunks.

3 years later, in 1904 Georges chaired the jury for the St. Louis World Fair. In the same year, the Louis Vuitton company introduced a new line of trunks that have special compartments for items such as perfumes, clothing, and other goods.

In 1906, Georges' son Gaston-Louis married Renee Versille and Louis Vuitton introduces trunks for automobiles.

In 1914, the Louis Vuitton Building opens in Champs-Elysees. The building was the largest travel-goods store in the world at that time. Store locations open in New York, Bombay, Washington, London, Alexandria and Buenos Aires as World War I begins.

In 1924, only eight years after the end of World War I, the 'Keepall' is invented. This bag foreran the duffel bag in a travel bag for light travel to keep necessities in.

In 1929, the seventy-fifth anniversary of Louis Vuitton, a toiletry case is introduced specifically for opera singer Marthe Chenal. It could fit bottles, brushes, mirrors, powder boxes and more toiletries.

In 1931, Louis Vuitton introduced exotic bags such as a handbag of crocodile skin, as well as elephant hide handbags for the Colonial Exhibition.

In 1932, Louis Vuitton introduced the Nóe bag. This bag was made for champagne vinter to transport bottles.

In 1933, the Louis Vuitton Speedy bag was introduced.

In 1936, the golden age of Louis Vuitton ends as Georges Vuitton passes away. Estimates attribute Georges Vuitton with over 700 new Vuitton designs. Gaston-Louis Vuitton assumes control of the company. The secretary trunk is introduced for Leopold Stokowski, a conductor.

The Corporate Age of Louis Vuitton (1937 - Present Day)World War II lasts from 1939 to 1945.

In 1946 Vuitton decides to go toward other industries instead of laying off workers in the post-war situation.

In 1951, Louis Vuitton supplies all the travel items for President Auriol of France's tour of America after World War II.

In 1959, new innovations in the treatment of canvas allow more bags to be made, and Louis Vuitton releases a set of Monogram canvas bags.

Between 1959 and 1965, 25 new models of travel items were introduced each year; a total of 175 new travel items introduced.

In 1968, a Louis Vuitton sales office opens in Toyko, Japan.

In 1969, Gaston-Louis Vuitton dies.

In 1977, the Louis Vuitton SA holding company was created.

In 1978, Louis Vuitton stores open in Toyko and Osaka, Japan.

In 1983, Louis Vuitton teams up with the America's Cup sailing race to form the Louis Vuitton Cup for Sailing. The Louis Vuitton Cup is an elimination round in which the winner sails against the America's Cup winner from the previous year for the America's Cup.

In 1984, the first store in South Korea opens in Seoul.

In 1985, the Epi Leather line is introduced.

In 1987, Louis Vuitton and Moet-Hennessey merge to form LVMH. The group continues to own the Louis Vuitton company and brand. See LVMH group for details.

In 1988, the Louis Vuitton Classic Annual Automobile Race is launched in Paris, France.

In 1992, a Louis Vuitton store opens in Beijing, China.

In 1993, LVMH launches the Taiga line, a luggage and briefcase black leather line for men.

In 1996, the centennial of the Monogram Canvas occurs and LVMH spotlights various designers.

In 1997, LVMH launches a line of pens.

In 1998, LVMH adds Marc Jacobs, who designs the Monogram Vernis line, and LVMH launches a line of travel guides to major cities around the world.

In 2001, LVMH creates the Graffiti line and a Louis Vuitton charm bracelet is released.

In 2002, LVMH releases a Louis Vuitton line of watches.

In 2003, Takashi Murakami & Marc Jacobs launch the Cherry Blossom Limited Edition, Multicolor and Eye Love lines.

History of Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton Malletier à Paris, more commonly known simply as Louis Vuitton, is a luxury French fashion and leather goods brand and company headquartered in Paris, France.

The company is named after its founder Louis Vuitton (August 4, 1821-February 27, 1892), who designed and manufactured luggage during the second half of the nineteenth century. Vuitton was born in Jura, France (now part of the commune of Lavans-sur-Valouse), but moved to Paris in 1835. Two years later, at the age of 16, he apprenticed for the luggage manufacturer Monsieur Marechal. In 1854 he founded the company, which is now owned by LVMH, a French holding company helmed by Bernard Arnault.

One hundred and fifty years after its eponymous founder began creating and selling trunks in Paris, Louis Vuitton's signature leather goods are considered a status symbol around the globe and are highly regarded in the fashion world. The company's iconic Monogram Canvas design can be considered the first designer label in contemporary history; the design was created in 1896 by Vuitton's son Georges and was intended to prevent counterfeiting. Ironically, Louis Vuitton has become the most counterfeited brand in fashion history, with just over 1% of all items branded with the Vuitton logo not counterfeit.

The Louis Vuitton company has carefully cultivated a celebrity following and has used famous models and actresses in its marketing campaigns, most recently Uma Thurman and Scarlett Johansson. Other models and actresses who have lent their name to the Louis Vuitton line include Jennifer Lopez, Chloe Sevigny, Christina Ricci, Gisele Bundchen, Kate Moss, and Naomi Campbell. Hayden Christensen has also appeared as model for the company's luggage and prêt-à-porter lines. The company commonly uses print ads in magazines and billboards in cosmopolitan cities.

Vuitton bags and purses have a considerable list of celebrity adherents who are frequently seen in tabloid and magazine photographs carrying the brand. Madonna, Lindsay Lohan, Kimora Lee Simmons, Jessica Simpson, Ashley Tisdale, Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Angelina Jolie, Anna Kournikova, Pamela Anderson, Katharine McPhee, Carmen Electra, and Victoria Beckham are included in this list.

The Vuitton collection has also created a cult-like following among consumers. Owners of the bags and accessories often refer to the products as their “Louis.” This cult following by both celebrities and wealthy consumers has elevated the Vuitton brand to the foremost position in accessory design alongside houses such as Gucci, Prada, Fendi, and Hermès.

History of Zodiac

When Ariste Calame, scion of a watchmaker and farmer whose family roots go back to 1537, founded his own watch company in Le Locle, Switzerland in 1882, his one driving ambition was to create a precision timepiece like no other. The way to do it, he reasoned, was to control all phases of manufacturing and production from design of the watch right through the making and perfecting of the tools used to make the watch. Thus was born the first Zodiac, a timepiece of singular style and character. Through the years, other wonders in watch technology have been wrought.

The greatest of these have earned the company an international reputation for quality and innovation, while helping to expand the dynasty well beyond the lofty dreams of the founder: the launching of the first Swiss-made automatic sports watch in 1930; the introduction of the first professional sports and diver’s watch in 1953; the manufacture of the first Swiss analog quartz watch in 1970; and the invention of a patented new system of shock resistant cases in 1974.

The trade mark Zodiac, now over a hundred years old, was only registered in 1908, after having been used for years, by the grandson of the founder of the factory which was run at that time under the family name of a dynasty of watchmakers: Calame.

The known roots of this family go back to 1537. They are clearly older because the name Calame is to be found in the archives in Le Locle in a document of that time. This states that the lord of the region, Lord de Valangin Rene de Chilland, was promoting the members of this family to the rank of "free-dwellers".

Finding small holders to occupy the land before others took it over was a policy followed for a long time by the Lords of Valangin and Neuchatel, but also by their neighbors.

So it was that in 1650 Guillaume Calame left Le Locle, attracted by the advantages offered by the Prince-Bishop of Basel, sovereign of a territory corresponding to the present Jura including the Franches-Montaganes at the north-east frontier of the Calangin seignuery- now the eastern end of the district of La Chaux-de-Fonds. He set up house St. Le Creux-des-Biches near La Ferriere, twenty kilometers or so from Le Locle.

And it was here that the matchmaking dynasty began; in 1820 you find Jacob Calame, owner of a domain here with extensive buildings, meadows and pasture lands. He was a watchmaker-farmer and had at various times housed soldiers and horses when allied troops (Austrians, Russians and Poles) had passed through the area in the ware against Napoleon in 1815. His son Julian was also a watchmaker, but in Saint-Imier.

RETURN OF LE LOCLE
In 1864 a descendant of Jacob Calame returned to Le Locle, Ariste Calame set up house at No 7 Grande Rue, and paid 6 francs 70 in tax twice a year, on St. Martin’s and St. John’s Days, when workers received their hall yearly wages. At that time a kilo of bread cost 10 centimes and a pound of beef 24 centimeters.

To place this little anecdote on its historical context, we note in passing that Ariste Calame showed his republican sympathies in 1648- the year of the Neuchatel revolution which saw the overthrow of the representative of the King of Prussia, who was then the country’s sovereign.

After an apprenticeship as an assembler, he finally set up on his own in a small workshop at Cret-Callant which he turned into a watch trading house, with first one, then two and then five workers, whom he looked upon as friends. He sometimes worked for the other watchmakers including the celebrated Jurgensens, but above all he supplied watches to Favre-Perret.

He opened his trading house at a transitional point between two eras, at a time when the Swiss watch industry had scarcely recovered from the shock of 1876.

SHOCK OF SEVENTY-SIX
The Swiss watch industry led a peaceful life with its fine craft production. Until 1876 when the famous Philadelphia Fair opened and showed the world and the Swiss watchmakers, who were at first incredulous, the enormous progress made by the mechanized American watch industry.

The shock was followed-those who experienced the shock caused in 1974 by the quartz electronics firms can easily imagine it-by a new awareness, fuelled by a report that is still famous from the Swiss delegates to Philadelphia, who included Jacques David of Saint-Imier and Ed. Favre-Perret of Le Locle.

The need to produce in batches and mechanize watch production having been proved, the struggle to do so began. Influenced by enlightened people, mechanization was adopted which was above all suited to the interchangeability of component parts, the keyterm at the time, together with the reorganization and concentration of the companies.

Which was what the complete watch manufacturers, who lived side-by-side in the watch industry with those that only assembled watches and sometimes supplied the latter with special "ebauches" had negated to do. This with the certainly that the vertical concentration of operations under one roof within one and the same factory, contrary to the assembly of parts from outside, was "the latest thing" in modern matchmaking. It was still the case nevertheless that the essential part of the work was based on craft methods and skills, on improving watch mechanisms and making them more sophisticated, rather than on machines.

The time lost was caught up: statistics show that in 1896 in ten cantons the Swiss watch industry produced 4 million watches worth 100 million francs and employed 20000 men and 14000 women, very high figures for that time. Figures which it would be ridiculous to try and compare with those of today, when with slightly fewer people results are achieved which ate 10,20,50, or 60 times higher in value; none of the circumstances are the same.

ARISTE CALAME HANDS OVER
Industrial reorganization, integration of the mechanical manufacture of "ebauches" and component parts perhaps reinforced a primary form of concentration but brought a crisis in terms of quality in the "etablissage" systems under which production was still dispersed and lacked homogeneity.

The crisis in quality degenerated into a prices and profits crisis and followed the eight crises that had been experienced between 1837 and 1889.

It was probably because of these difficulties, which lasted until 1896, that the family firm hardly expanded, but it nevertheless provided Ariste Calame with a livelihood and security. 1896 was the year of the Paris World Fair and the revival of the industry. In 1890, when Ariste retired at the age of 61, Switzerland exported 7.3 million watches with a value of 120 million francs.

Louis-Ariste Calame was 25 years old in 1900, in the heyday of the Belle-Epoque. However, he did not have a chance to enjoy the pleasures of Paris. He had just got married in Le Locle and, with his wife as assistant, took over the company from his father.

A company where, according to the description his son Rene gave the Zodiac Congress organized for its 75th anniversary in 1957; there was plenty of family dynamism at that time. The brother-in-law also set up at the time as manufactures of complicated watches while at the Calames, the company expanded rapidly enough to give up manufacturing as a sub-contractor for Favre-Perret and became an exporter, in particular to Japan, a market reputed to be difficult: and for what a distributor. Relations were established with no less than Hattori-Seiko, whom there is no need to introduce.

By 1903 the premises were too small and Louis-Ariste Calame and his wife moved to the rue du Marais to a large workshop where they centralized manufacturing and prepared to carry out batch production.

Like other industrialists, Louis-Ariste favored an advanced policy for those times: controlling production from A to Z and standardizing quality to the maximum. The only way to do this was to become a complete manufacture, to design, make and perfect the necessary tools and ebauches as well as taking charge of all stages of manufacturing, in order to achieve a finished product with its own individual character and be able to approach the markets with a clear brand policy.

The trade mark Zodiac-which had long been used-was soon registered. Relations with Japan improved, the orders came flowing in and the dream of building soon came true. On 1st May 1908 the factory in which the company was to remain until 1950 was inaugurated.

Between 1908 and 1914 Zodiac manufactured its own caliber’s and movements and employed around fifty people. The pistil shot at Sarajevo brutally shook Europe and its dreams of prosperity. During the 1914-18 war the demand held up and even strengthened in certain markets. There was an ever fiercer price war and in the post-war years it was necessary to produce a lot to earn anything.

Having put too many eggs in one basket, the factory suffered badly during the crisis years of 1921 and 1922-and worse still form 1932 and 1934, but we have not got there yet. Louis-Ariste had been one of the first industrialists to work towards setting up the Federation of the Associations of Watch Manufactories- now called the FH. In November 1923 his son, Rene A. Calame, a matchmaking technician, joined him as an employee.

The younger generation was to give new impetus to the company, both commercial and technical: fashions had changed with the arrival of wristwatches, which called for new design calibers.

The 1930’s brought economic crisis and its procession of unemployed, which passed through Le Locle. Prudently, the from became a limited company. The hand times passed.

As Rene A. Calame, a new co-director at that time recalls: "From 1930 onwards, we were more and more successful thanks, it should be emphasized, to the confidence which old and new customers showed us. This is the greasiest asset that a company can have."

In 1945 business had grown to such an extent that the other brother took over as commercial director. The company was classified as one of the leading medium sized watch companies, but its premises had again become too small.

The inauguration of the new factory Bellevue 25 in Le Locle did not go unnoticed. Its bold architecture-Le Locle is not far from La Chaux-de-Fonds, the birthplace of Le Corbuster-in an eye-catching position above the town and its station, is evidence of a certain brave sprit of enterprise.

The same went in 1986 for the large extension and the inauguration of a new building adjoining the earlier one: an ultra-modern factory much commented on in the Swiss press, particularly the specialized press from which we have taken the following: In the tast five years the watch industry’s average rate of increase was 8%. During the fast four years Zodiac doubled its sales, which is equivalent to an annual growth rate of 25%.

This growth was the result of a substantial effort in terms of production and the use of modern machines, while profits achieved through rationalization were systematically reinvested in quality, for which there were 92 control stations during the course of manufacture. Zodiac level of quality, confirmed by the Watch Testing Office-the manufactures’ bogy-was 50% higher than the Swiss average.

Products Honors List
1924 Launching of the first extra-flat pocket watch based on
The Zodiac caliber 1617.
1930 Launching of one of the first Swiss automatic watches.
1932 Invention of the Autographic power reserves indication systems, now sought-after collectors piece.
1932 Invention of one of the first modern shock resistant system.
1953 Lauching of the Seawolf, professional sports and divers’ watch.
1965 Zodiac wins a prize at the Montres et Bijoux Exhibition in Geneva.
1967 First prize at the World Fair in Montreal
1968 Launching of the first Swiss electronic watch, Dynortron.
1968 Launching of the first fast beat, 36,000 oscillations per minute automatic watch, in parallel with other brands.
1969 Invention and launching of Astrographic watch, which caused a great sensation.
1970 Launching of the first Swiss analog quartz watch, the famous Beta 21 calibre.
1974 Patent for a shock-resistant watch case.
1977 World’s first LCD watch to obtain an official chronometer certificate.
1978 Launching of world’s slimmest quartz watch and, using traditional technology, the flattest automatic watch with calendar.
1990 New Zodiac presents its collection at the European Watch, Clock and Jewellery Fair in Basel.

Advertising support and PR activity; in 32 magazines and newspapers of worldwide importance and circulation as well as local and regional press and TV in five continents.

LAST CONGRESS
At the Zodiac 90th anniversary Congress in 1978, Pierre Calame, who had in the meantime become the managing director, recognized that the economic climate in which it
was taking place was bleeding discouragement and lassitude.

The Swiss watch industry’s 20-25 years of prosperity and its quasi-monopoly position worldwide had a perverse effect; the relative lethargy always linked to facility and success. As this period had ended and the watch industry was faced with new circumstances, innovative solutions and polices were called for.

It was with this positive attitude that Zodiac’s general policy was reviewed:
Irreproachable quality in its ultra-modern factory.

Design; a major asset at Zodiac where individualized and original models in new shapes appeared under the names Astrographie, SST 36,000, Kingline, Olympos, Sea Wolf, Cordair, Aerospace, GMT, Spacetronic, Modul-O-Quatz, etc.

Loyalty to the retail watchmaker; the high quality watch remains the preserve of the specialist.
Quality after sales services on the theme "Our responsibility begins-it does not end-with the sale of a Zodiac watch."

TRANSITION
In a period in which concentration was the universal panacea, the magic formula to solve economic problems, Zodiac decided in favour of independence and relying on its own resources in order to make the most of its technical and commercial ability.

In concluding his very wide-ranging speech to this last Zodiac Congress, Pierre Calame particularly stressed that the battle looked as if it would be very tough.

"A very hard process of natural selection is taking place in our industry and the smallest mistake in this struggle may be fatal. We see clearly that 80% of our success will come from the quality of the effort made by you, our customers."

The importance of the front line of sales can never be overemphasized. A blow on this front put Zodiac in a difficult position and forced it to ask for a financial arrangement.

Paul Castella, head of the world famous Dixi group of Le Locle brought and saved the brand. Next, an experiment in "managing" the brand, antrusted to specialists in watch marketing, failed to bear the hoped-for-fruit. It should be stressed that this was during one of the worst periods of the economic crisis.

In 1982, it’s centenary year, Zodiac was virtually merged with Zenith. The Bellevue buildings were henceforth to be part of the Dixi machine factory.

NEW DEPARTURE
The production of Zodiac watches is currently entrusted to the Zenith Watch Company’s factory in Le Locle, which gives us leave to claim that the high quality that was the pride of the Calame dynasty has been 100% preserved.

Design and innovation, marketing, sales, and exports are handled at the headquarters of the new Zodiac SA in Neuchatel.

The new Zodiac is in the hand of Willy Gad Monnier, the former managing director of a large watch manufacturer, whose experience in sports watches-a specialty of the brand-is recognized in the entire world’s markets.

While we are at it and as a drawing or photo is worth ten thousand words, let’s have a look straightway at the new collection.

Willy Gad Monnier, a major shareholder and managing director of the new Zodiac, joined the watch industry when he finished his education. He was head of a company, which went through all the postwar periods of matchmaking. He has acquired considerable experience, particularly in terms of management and above all, traveling with a collection case, in markets internationally.

His objective is to secure a place for Zodiac and its traditional quality, not only through production but also by respecting the loyalty built up in the distribution channels leading to the watch retailers.

In terms of the product, there will be a certain degree of specialization in sports and so-called "technical" watches.

From the drawing board to the wrist of the consumer, the marketing policy is designed to foster a long term relationship of confidence and trust with customers, says Willy Gad Monnier.

The fact of having inherited a prestigious past will not prevent Zodiac from building the future with the same dynamism as young companies with no history behind them.

Zodiac has used the world of sport as the focal point of its collection, in line with the tastes and exceptions of a public that is young, dynamic and in a state of constant movement. All the models are made in stainless steel with screw-in crown and screw back and are water restraint to 200 meters. The advertising and PR message had sport at its most daring as its theme and Zodiac has enlisted the help of a professional diver, the first Swiss woman guide and a canoeist-explorer.

The Zodiac point is a symbol of quality and a guarantee of the ultimate precision.
The 1990 collection is divided into three groups, based on the idea of the point, as follows:

• Red Point Collection
• Silver Point Collection
• Gold Point Collection

History of Concord

Truly one of the most innovative watch companies, Concord has been creating timepieces of distinction for nearly a century. From the beginning, Concord focused on technical prowess and aesthetic advancements, quickly propelling itself to a premier position within the world of fine watchmaking.

Since its founding in Bienne, Switzerland, in 1908, Concord has regularly turned out masterpieces.

Within the first decade of its existence, the brand carved out a niche for itself as a producer of luxury timepieces, crafting in platinum and accenting its watches with diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires.

In the 1920s, Concord moved into the realm of clock design and unveiled the now-famed Concord Ring Clock—the first portable eight-day winding travel alarm clock. Nearly two decades later this clock was still so impressive that president Harry Truman presented it to several heads of state in 1945, including Winston Churchill.

In 1969, visionary businessman Gedalio Grinberg purchased Concord Watch Company and incorporated it into North American Watch Corporation in New York—which is known today as Movado Group Inc. Under Grinberg’s vigilant eye, the Concord brand flourished.

Groundbreaking research resulted in the launch of the quartz-powered Delirium in 1979. The world’s thinnest watch, the Delirium measured 1.98mm. Within a year, the brand broke its own record with the Delirium IV—measuring just under 1mm.

A year later, in 1980, Concord introduced its Mariner sports watch, and in 1986 unveiled the Saratoga—an icon for the brand even today. A trendsetter in the sophisticated art of watch design, Concord went on to launch the Saratoga Exor in 1995.

Created in three versions, including a perpetual calendar, minute repeater and tourbillon, each of the Exor watches was so elaborately decorated with gemstones that they ranked among the world’s most expensive jeweled creations.

Today, Concord’s impressive roster includes not only the Saratoga, but the sophisticated Veneto watch (launched in 1996), the daring 18-karat gold geometric La Scala (launched in 1997), and the bold La Scala Stainless Steel Chronograph (launched in 2001).

In typical Concord style, the brand regularly adds new models to these collections—offering fresh intrigue and excitement.

Determined to adhere to the highest standards in watchmaking, Concord creates all of its timepieces with scrupulous attention to detail, performance and originality. Such is the case with the superb Saratoga line. First launched 17 years ago, the Saratoga was a sophisticated, elite timepiece that earned international praise. It has remained an important signature collection for the brand and was recently reinterpreted to reflect today’s lifestyles and designs.The new Saratoga is the culmination of nearly a century of Concord watchmaking excellence. Its casually elegant beauty is emphasized by the eight-sided bezel—a hallmark of the watch—and by the striking modernistic scallop-engraved dials. The faces are graced with alpha hands, applied markers and numerals, with a date at 3:00.

A precision sports watch, the Saratoga is sleek and bold—a true expression of individuality. The newly designed Saratoga watches are crafted in solid stainless steel, 18-karat white or rose gold, and stainless steel with 18-karat yellow-gold or rose-gold accents.
They feature a distinctive woven-link bracelet with deployment clasp and elegantly engineered, patented crown protector that securely latches shut to ensure water resistance to 50 meters. The newest models feature embossed casebacks with an equestrian design, recalling the original sport for which the watch was created. New variations include diamond-adorned bezels and dials.

Paying homage to its heritage, Concord has unveiled a one-of-a-kind Saratoga Tourbillon that is crafted harmoniously in 18-karat white gold. This spectacular piece is a work of art and old-world craftsmanship.

It features a tourbillon escapement, minute repeater, chronograph, and power reserve. The watch features a sapphire caseback to view the magnificent movement.

Concord’s smoothly sculpted, incredibly elegant La Scala collection dons newness with color and gemstones. First introduced at the 1997 World Watch and Jewelry Fair in Basel, the La Scala stole hearts with its sleek design and bold beauty.

Already rich with variation, the La Scala collection of round and square timepieces boasts chronograph models bedecked in diamonds (colorless and black) or in gemstones (sapphires of all hues).

The straps of these watches are interchangeable and are made of alligator or rubber in many colors and shades.

Bracelets of these architecturally inspired timepieces feature deployment clasps and are crafted either in steel or in 18-karat gold.

New square models include a stainless steel chronograph with two rows of diamonds on the top and bottom case-to-bracelet attachments, with a lustrous mother-of-pearl dial in pastel hues of either lilac, mango or yellow with color-coordinated straps. There also is a full diamond-set model.

For a more fashionable appeal in the world of luxury, Concord has unveiled the striking 18-karat white-gold La Scala Fashion manchette model that wears like a cuff bracelet.
Featuring a panoply of diamonds in varying settings, the watch is reminiscent of a fine piece of sculpted jewelry.

It is available with either 122 diamonds weighing just over 1 carat, or with 328 diamonds with a total weight of just over 3 carats.

History of Cyma

Cyma is historically the watch worn by discriminating individuals, who would frankly prefer not to wear the watch everyone else is wearing. Incredibly thin, recognizably Swiss, a Cyma on the wrist identifies its owner as someone who has already proved their point.

CYMA, one of the world’s most respected watch factories was founded in 1862 in a quiet valley in Switzerland’s Jura Mountains.

As early as 1891, CYMA was making intricate repeater movements and, in 1903, launched an extra-slim lever movement in a thin pocket watch of such great precision that it was awarded a Chronometer Certificate from the Neuchatel Observatory.

Today, CYMA is located in the watch making center of Le Locle, Switzerland. Its standards are as exacting as they have been for over 140 years. A privately owned company, CYMA is at the forefront of design and technology.

Legendary Quality

The legendary quality of CYMA is world-renowned. CYMA watches are manufactured meticulously using the finest materials to exacting tolerances for timekeeping reliability and accuracy. All movements are backed by a tw0-year international warranty - one of the best in any major watch brand.

Selective Distribution

CYMA is sold and serviced in each of the five major continents of the world. In the United States CYMA is sold only through the most prestigious Jewelers and specialty stores.

Unparalleled Value

Every CYMA is intelligently and extraordinarily priced to be the best value in the Swiss watch industry today. This is possible because of Cyma’s limited distribution policy of selling to only a select few; thereby it does not incur the expensive advertising and overhead costs of many Swiss brands in the same category.

Worldwide Service

Brundage Jewelers is poised to take care of all your warranty needs and additionally we provide a lifetime of free battery replacements.

If service should be needed, please consult Cyma’s International Warranty for the Service Center near you or contact Brundage Jewelers.

History of Gucci

The Gucci watch empire started from humble beginnings in 1920. GuccioGucci opened a gucci watch shop in Florence featuring his fine leathergoods accessories for both men and women.

Soon after, he and his sons, Aldo, Ugo, Vasco and Rodolfo, spread the Gucci watch name to Rome and Milan and by the 1950's a gucci watch shop was opened in New York. Today, as part of the Gucci watch accessories range, Gucci watch collections are modern interpretations of the original classic style. Each watch is an individual commitment to both Swiss precision and good taste.

The signature G Series models feature stainless steel construction, scratch-resistant hard metal bezels in the G design, sapphire crystals and a variety of dial colors. Available in link bracelet with push-button double fold clasps or black patent leather strap, the G Series is offered in men's, women's and junior sizes. Truly the ultimate in timekeeping fashions - 'G' timepieces capture the art of watchmaking and style at their finest. Here at watchfinder we have experience in all areas of the watch industry.

History of Orient

The Orient Watch company traces its roots back to 1901 and the horological marketing of its founder, Shogoro Yoshida, in Tokyo. Orient Watch is the only manufacturer, among the big three, to dedicate themselves to the mechanical movement. For many years, Orient was number three in the Japanese watchmaking triumvirate of Seiko, Citizen, and Orient. However, Casio, riding on the heels of the quartz revolution begun by Seiko in the 1970s, quickly supplanted Orient with watches that were marketed primarily in the United States, but which were also popular in Japan and Asian markets. Nevertheless, Orient stayed the course with a conservative design philosophy and a marketing strategy that has largely ignored the US in favor of Japan and other Pacific rim countries, the Middle East, Russia, and South America.

Today, Orient has manufacturing facilities in Japan, Singapore, and Brazil, and offers a wide range of watch designs and styles, including mechanical, quartz, and light powered (similar to Citizen’s Eco-Drive line). Seiko Epson now owns a controlling interest (52%) in Orient.

In 1985 Orient and Seiko established a joint factory. Orient produces a wide range of automatic and quartz watches ranging in price from reasonably inexpensive (about 50 USD/ 50Euro)to very expensive (7000USD). As of 2006, Orient Watch has the largest Japanese mechanical movement production exceeding Seiko's and Citizens combined production figures. Through large scale production, the value offered by their watches are considered one of the best in the industry. Orient Star and Orient Star Royal are the middle and high-end brands, with the Royal Orient being their flagship line.

Mid-priced Orient watches are perceived by enthusiasts as offering excellent quality and value for money. Orient manufactures its own movements, which is quite unusual because most manufacturers outsource this aspect of their business. Unlike Citizen, Orient does not sell their movements for OEM production.

Orient watches are not as popular in North America, but appear to be popular elsewhere in the world. North American purchasers can find Orient watches on the usual auction sites. Orient Star and Orient Star Royal watches are quite hard for North American purchasers to find.

History of Aviator

In October 2000, the leader of Russia watch industry, the First Moscow Watch Factory celebrated its 70th anniversary. It also was the 70th anniversary of Russian watch industry.

Wath industry in Czar Russia consisted just of several small workshops and enterprises. They usually assembled watches using watch parts made abroad. After the 1917 revolution, the whole watch industry became a part of the ‘Trust of Precision Mechanics’. They were watch enterprises, work shops, warehouses of watch parts and half-finished products which belonged to famous manufacturers such as P. Bure, G. Mozer, Reinin, Dmitriev, etc before the revolution.

By 1926, the supply of watches and watch parts had run out, however; the demand for watches increased for the army, the navy, the railways and ordinary people. Then the USSR started to buy watches and watch parts from abroad paying in gold. Therefore, on December 21,1927 the Council of Labor and Defense passed a resolution About How to organize watch production in the USSR.

At the same time an offer to buy a laid up “Duber Hempton” watch factories was received from the United States. On April 26 1929 two purchase contracts were signed. The first one was a purchase of the watch factory with an output of 200 – 250 thousand watches per year at a price of USD 325,000. The second contract was a purchase of the spare parts and the half-finished products at price of USD 135,000.To start production, four types of watches were chosen: a men pocket watch with 15 jewels for the enterprises of the Narkomat (Ministry) of Means of Communications, men wrist-watch with 7 jewels for the Red Army; a men pocket watch with 7 jewels and a ladies wrist-watch with 15 jewels to sell in a market.

In April 1930 a steamboat with American equipment on left for Russia. At the same time building of a main block of the watch factory on the previous location of a Tobacco Factory called “Krasnaja Zvevda” (Red Star) in Voronczovskaja str. in Moscow already was in progress. Building of the main block started from digging a foundation pit in February 1930 and finished by June 1930. Installing of main equipment was finished by September 15 of 1930.

The first production of this new factory which was named the 1st SWF (‘1-? ???’- the First State Watch Factory), later the ‘1st MWF’ – ((‘1-? ???’ - First Moscow Watch Factory) were pocket watches “the 1-st type” or K-43 with a side seconds hand. The movement of this watch was performed in an openwork mode. They were made with a pattern on a top ring on the polished watchcase. In fact, the 1st SWF exported its watches almost from the beginning of the existence of the factory.

Although at the start, factory needed some technical help from American and German specialists, after two years, the factory was got stronger and was able to solve technical problems and to develop independently. New production development started. According to the order of the Chief Military Aviation Administration, an airplane board clocks were created, and in June 1932 a decision to organize stopwatches production was made.

In the same year technical renovation of the factory started. In 1935 – 36 the factory received over 120 new machine tools from worldwide leading companies. Some equipment was made by factory itself. By 1936 a number of machine tools had increased by 1.5 times.In December16 1935, Mr. M. Kalinin signed a resolution to award the name of S.M. Kirov to the 1st SWF.From 1935 until 1941, the 1st SWF produced about 2.7 millions the 1st type pocket and wrist- watches.

Were put into production before the Second World War aviation clocks, stopwatches, navigators wristwatches with a stopwatches, auto car mechanical and electric charging watches, navy chronometers, ship deck watches and others watch movements for the national economy.During the Second World War production defense: ammunition, aviation glass, aviation clocks, navy and aviation chronometers and some parts for first Katyusha (lorry-mounted multiple rocket launcher) was organized in this factory.

The War was had not ended yet when factory started peaceful production: in 1943 it started to make machine tools for watch industry, in 1944 – watches for fire-places, table and auto car clocks. In April 1945 the factory stopped ammunition production and started preparation for a new K-26 “Pobeda” (Victory) model of watch.

Production of “Pobeda” with a side seconds hand started in 1946. I.Stalin approved the name, design and specification of this watch personally. The 1st MWF was making the K-26 model until 1953; it is still on a production in the other factories. With exception of Pobeda, designers and technologists of the 1st MWF developed all models of watches and movements produced in this factory.

In 1949, “Shturmanskye” (navigator’s) watches were put into production. They were designed specially for military aviation; therefore they were not in market. In 12 April 1961 Mr. Jurij Gagarin used this watch during his space flight. The Shturmanskye watch operated without any problems in weightlessness. Later, this legendary watch was given to the factory museum.

By 1955, 1,1 million of mechanical wristwatches were made by the 1st MWF.

In 1956 production of the first watches with an automatic movement started. It was “Rodina” (Fatherland) watch, which opened a new line of watch movements with caliber of 24 mm in the 1st MWF. They have a central seconds hand. The height of the movement was 6,3 mm, with 22 jewels.

In 1957 , according to a special order a special “Antarktida” (Antarctics) watch for participants of the first Soviet expedition to the South Pole was developed. They were magnet proof, with a 24-hour dial; the watch movement was based on a “Pobeda” (Victory) movement. A special shield protected it against strong magnet fields.

In October 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite of the Earth. The whole world peered to a slightly flashing small star in the night sky. To mark this event, a “Sputnik” (Satellite) watch, based on a ‘Pobeda’ model was produced. Watches were made in two variations: with a central second hand and with a transparent dial, which had a satellite mark instead of a second hand. At the moment, “Antarktida” and “Sputnik” watches are collection rarity, because they were on production just one year.

In October 2 1959, the government of the USSR defined the 1st MWF as a leading enterprise in watch export. Export increased from 42% in 1959 to 80% in 90-ies. Watches were exported to 70 different countries, including USA, England, Belgian, Italy, West Germany, Hong Kong, Greece, etc.In 1959 the first Soviet ”Signal” 2612 alarm wristwatch was developed.

In the same year, a “Strela” (Arrow) 3017 watch was put into production. That was a wrist chronograph with a stopwatch function and a 45-minute counter of minutes. The dial had additional telemetric and tachometer scales. The “Strela” was exclusively designed for officers of military air forces and was produced only by military inspection. Cosmonauts Pavel Beliaev and Aleksej Leonov also used these watches when they first in the world entered into the open space.

During 20 years 100,000 of 3017 watches were made.In 1960, the first “Poljot” brand watch with 2414 caliber appeared.In April 12 1961, Jury Gagarin’s flight opened the era of space travel in the human history. The first cosmonaut took “Shturmanskije” watch made in 1st MWF into the space. Later producing of several models with space names marked this flight: “Orbita” (Orbit) 2415 – in 1962, “Kosmos” (Space) 2416 – in 1963.

In 1961, the factory first in the country started production of particularly slim “Vympel” (Pennon) watches with a second hand, caliber 2209: 2,9 mm height of the movement, 23 jewels, the 1st accuracy class. The total height of the watchcase was 5 mm only. In 1963, during an international Fair in Leipzig, the “Vympel” watch was awarded with a Diploma and a Gold medal. These watches were on production until 1975, later the technology was passed to Minsk Watch Factory.

Since 1964, “?????” or “POLJOT trademarks have marked the watches made in the 1st MWF. The factory trademarks are registered in 30 different countries and are famous in the whole watch world.In 1965, production of a super slim “Poljot” 2200 watch with 1,85 mm movement height started. This product confirmed the highest level of skills of the factory’s designers and technologists once again. The height of the watch-case depending on its variation was from 3,5 mm to 4,5 mm.

In 1966, the factory started production of a new basic movement model, a 26 caliber with anti-shock appliance, screw less balance wheel and flat spiral, and different accessories. New movements were distinguished by small height and long time of run.

In 1971, the factory produced 2,5 million wristwatches, and 1,6 million pcs. were exported to 63 different countries.

In 1972, the factory increased a production of wrist mechanical watches up to 2,7 million. Up to 70% of the whole production were sold on a export market, therefore the factory decided to design and to put into production a number of new watch movements which could satisfy the requirements of exacting foreign customers and would be useable for automatic technological processes. As a result, in 1972 a new design of watch with the 26-caliber movement, which was designated with an extra letter “H”: 2609H, 2614H, 2616H, etc was made. The factory’s designers, technologists and stylists develop them. Developing new design particular attention to its reliability, technological aspects and reparability was paid.

In 1976, the factory started production of new wristwatches with a stopwatch function: model 3133 of chronograph. For this development, the factory staff was awarded with a State Premium.

At the beginning, watches were intended for military officers of the navy fleet council with an “Okean” (Ocean) name. Later, the factory started to make a modification intended for military aviation staff, with a “Shturmanskije” name (model 31659, a watch with a second hand arrester and pointer of zone time) and watch “Shturmanskije” with a pointer of time zone (model 3133). The production of these watches was limited and subjected of military inspection. Just after nine years, in 1983, watches with a 3133 movement started being generally available.

"Poljot” watches were taken to space flights by astronauts from France, Russia, Germany, the Ukraine, and this chronograph have set a record in duration of a space flight together with V.V. Poljakov.At the end of 70-ies and the beginning of 80-ies, the factory put into production the quartz 30 calibers watches, and later - 24 and 16 calibers. The quartz movements were mainly exported to Southeast Asian countries: Hong Kong and Singapore. In some years, export achieved up to 3 – 4 million pieces per year.

During of all 70 year’s history, the First Watch Factory was keeping position of the leader in the area of men’s wrist mechanical watch production. Today 1st Moscow Watch Factory also remains the first. Big experience, design and technological potential, spirit of innovation are the features, which helped the factory to survive during a hard period of the time and to face the future with confidence. Today “Poljot” is a leader among the producers of high-class men’s wrist watches, a producer of unique movements, such as chronographic movement 3133, alarm movement “Signal” 2612, the factory’s pride is a 6MX marine chronometer. Furthermore, mechanical chronographs and “Signal” analogues today are on worldwide production only in several factories in Switzerland.

The high level of technological development, design and the high quality of “Poljot” production are also confirmed by the fact that the administration of the President of Russia has chosen a “Poljot” 3133 watch as a government award “From President of Russia”!Last year, some new movements, such as chronograph with a moon-phase calendar, modifications with different additional scales and calendars were developed and put into production. Over 20% of “Poljot” watchcases are renovated each quarter, design is kept with latest tendencies of the worldwide watch fashion.In this complicated period, “Poljot” not only saves the level of previous development but also continues to go ahead. With a slogan “To be the first” the factory meets a new decade.

1)K-43 - ”first type” watch – the first factory production. Both wristwatches and pocket watches have the same movement.

2)”A??”, aviation clock-chronograph with a second timer and with the movement of flight time meter. Run duration by one wind up of spring is 120 hours. Operative temperature range –60oC to +50oC. Produced in different variations from 1933.

3) “Pobeda” (Victory) K-26, with a side second hand, on 15 jewels, caliber 15 mm. Produced from 1946 until 1953. The first watches did not have an anti-shock appliance for balancer shaft. “Pobeda” 31-??, with a central second hand, 15 jewels, caliber 26 mm. c 1950 until 1960.

4) “Shturmanskije” (Navigators’). Central seconds hand, anti-shock appliance for balancer shaft, dust- and moisture-proof case. Produced from 1949 until 1953. The watch shown on the figure was in a space flight together with Mr. J. Gagarin.

5) Watch “Sportivnyje” (Sport), one among modifications of “Pobeda”. Central second hand, brake system for balancer. “Sportivnyje” was possible to use as a 60 –second timer. Produced from 1955 until 1962.

6) Other modifications of “Pobeda” – “Moskva”, Majak” (Leading light)

7) “Sputnic” (Satellit), the rocket that is illustrated on a transparent dial makes one turn per minute. "Antarktida” (Antarctic) – watch for the participants of thefirst Soviet expedition to the South Pole. Antimagnet watch with a 24 hour dial. Both models are developed on a base of “Pobeda” movement. Produced was just one year 1957 – 1958.

8) “Rodina” (Fatherland) 2416, the first Soviet watches with a automatic movement, the first model of the 1st MWF with a movement of 24 caliber. Produced from 1956 until 1960.

9) “Poljot” (Flight) 2209 and 2200. The first in the country super slim watch. Height of movement 2,9 mm and 1,85 mm accordingly, height of case 5 and 3,8 mm. Produced from 1961 until 1979.

10) “Strela” (Arrow) 3017, Wrist-watch-chronograph, caliber 30 mm, height of movement 5,7 mm, 19 jewels. Cosmonauts Pavel Beliaev and Aleksej Leonov with those watches first in the human history entered into the open space. Produced from 1959 until 1979.

11) Movement 2609, height 3,2 mm, on 17 jewels, screwless balancer, flat spiral, anti-shock appliance for balancer shaft. This movement was on production from 1966 until 1973 being as a base for a number of different modifications.

12) “Signal” 2612, watch with a sound signal. Caliber 26 mm, height of movement 5,8 mm, 18 jewels. Was on production from 1959 until 1978, later was replaced by modification 2612.1.

13) “Poljot” 2616 9 (”Amfibija”) (Amphibian) – watch in a watertight case made from stainless steel; water resistance 20 bar (200 meters). Produced from 1969 until 1977.

14) 2614.2H. One among new line movements differs by high reliability and technological aspect. Despite the similar designation, it has a different construction relatively to 2609, which is illustrated on the previous page. Produced since 1976.

15) “Okean” (Ocean) 3133 with a pointer of zone time (article 731, for officers of navy fleet). Production started 1976. Caliber 31 mm, height of movement 7,35 mm, average run precision –20 to +20 sec. per 24 hours.

16) Quartz movement 2968 with a double indication. Height 2,85 mm, accuracy +/- 15 sec. per month. Installed functions – calendar, seconds timer, alarm clock.

17) One of the latest “Poljot” product– chronograph with a moon phase calendar, side seconds hand and single hand seconds timer with 30-minute scale of minute counter. Put on production in 2000.

History of Fossil

Owner of one of the most popular brand names in the United States, Fossil, Inc., designs, markets, and distributes fashion watches, leather goods, sunglasses, and other merchandise for retail sale on an international basis. Fossil grew quickly during the 1980s, propelled by the retrospective designs of its watches, which were inspired by magazine advertisements from the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. After recording phenomenal success with the sale of its watches in the United States, the company entered international markets and diversified its product line to include leather goods and sunglasses during the 1990s. In addition to marketing merchandise under the Fossil brand name, the company also marketed a line of less expensive fashion watches under the Relic label.

Founded in 1984, Fossil represented the second entrepreneurial effort launched by Tom Kartsotis, a Texas A&M dropout living in Dallas. When he was in his early twenties, Kartsotis and a partner operated a ticket brokerage business in Dallas, where the two entrepreneurs enjoyed moderate success by hawking tickets to Dallas Cowboy football games and other events. But "I didn't want to be a 30-year-old ticket scalper," Kartsotis confided to Forbes a decade after founding the business that would launch him toward fame and wealth. The inspiration that led Kartsotis into his second business venture came from a suggestion by his older brother, Kosta Kartsotis, a merchandising executive at Sanger Harris, a large, Dallas-based department store chain. Kosta told Tom about the large profits that could be made from importing retail goods made in the Far East, particularly the money that could be made in importing moderately-priced fashion watches. At the time of Kosta Kartsotis' suggestion, Swiss-based Swatch watches were the rage of the day, enjoying international popularity as trendy fashionable timepieces. Tom Kartsotis was intrigued enough by his brother's comments to withdraw his savings and sell his half of the ticket brokerage business, which gave the young entrepreneur $200,000 to start his new business.

Tom Kartsotis flew to Hong Kong without any concrete plans about his business future except to investigate the possibilities of starting an import/export business. During his travels around Hong Kong, Kartsotis explored various import/export possibilities, including dealing in stuffed animals and toys, but finally settled on the suggestion made by his brother. Kartsotis hired a Hong Kong manufacturer to produce 1,500 watches and brought the products back to the United States where he sold the watches to Dallas department stores and boutiques. These sales marked the fledgling moments of his new company, Overseas Products International.

Shortly after embarking on his new enterprise, the 24-year-old Kartsotis hired a friend, Lynne Stafford, as Overseas Products' designer and created the "retro" design style that predicated the company's existence and fueled its growth throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s. With Kartsotis at the helm, the company grew exponentially during the 1980s by attracting consumers with designs reminiscent of an era only their parents or grandparents had live through. Targeting middle- and upper-income consumers in their teens, twenties, and thirties, Kartsotis and Stafford designed watches that imitated the styles of the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. For inspiration, Kartsotis and Stafford (who were later married) pored over old issues of Look, Life, and Time magazines, taking careful note of the fashion styles illustrated in advertisements and devising a design concept that was embraced by a new generation of consumers.

Before consumers could flock to their local stores and snatch up Fossil watches, Kartsotis needed to broaden and deepen his distribution network. The watch designs touched a nostalgic chord in the hearts of the company's early customers, but the company itself was little more than a startup venture just emerging on the retail scene, unable to attract legions of consumers. With financing from Asian manufacturers and after several years of peddling his products to an increasingly greater number of retailers, however, Kartsotis' company stood on the brink of explosive growth. By 1987, Fossil, Inc., as the company was now called, was collecting $2 million in sales a year after having established a solid reputation among Texas retailers. Kosta Kartsotis joined the company in 1988, midway through the most prolific period of growth in Fossil's short history. Kosta Kartsotis' job was to help the company sells its watches to department stores--the area of his expertise--and ensure that as many retailers as possible stocked Fossil watches.

Fossil is the biggest company nobody knows much about. Many people, especially people in the watch industry, tend to overlook Fossil. After all, the product is primarily quartz, overwhelmingly fashion, with a very reasonable price point. How big could this company actually beı Last year, Fossil did an astounding $850 million in sales!

The Future

Fossil has been phenomenally successful since its inception and all signs point to the growth and success continuing. "We continue to have incredible growth and increased opportunities, with all of our brands worldwide," Gundy says. "We foresee huge growth. We forecast 10-15% every quarter. It's the process we have. It is the speed of execution, from idea to product in the store, and it is the execution in the store. It's a constant attention to detail."Fossil is the dominant story in our company, because it is so large in watches and other categories," Gundy adds. "We bring professionalism; we bring excitement at the store level so the ultimate consumer gets a feel for the brand in packaging, execution, and styling. I think we are much quicker to market products than any other company. We have a great commitment to have the right products in the stores at the right time."

History of Chopard

Intent on producing pocket watches and chronometers of stature, Louis-Ulysse Chopard founded his company in 1860, and the brand has continually turned out masterpieces. Just about a century into its legacy, Chopard was purchased by jewelry entrepreneur Karl Scheufele in 1963.

It was his vision to unite his jewelry company with watchmaking under one brand and to propel both areas to greater levels of accomplishment in design and technology.

In 1975, Scheufele built a production facility in Meyrin-Geneva, marking a new era for the brand. In 1976, Chopard unveiled the now-famed Happy Diamonds collection to the world, and in the 1980s the brand launched the Gstaad collection of timepieces. In 1988, Chopard teamed with the Mille Miglia as an official partner and began creating the annual special-edition Mille Miglia watch—an icon of vintage automobile racing.

In the early 1990s, Karl and Karin Scheufele’s children became integral players in the family business. Caroline took over the jewelry design and Karl-Friedrich headed up the watch division. In 1996, the brand established itself as a complete Manufacture with the opening of a movement factory in Fleurier. The L.U.C movement made its debut that year and was the impetus for other movements to come.

In 1999, Chopard unveiled the L.U.C Sport 2000 collection, and a year later presented the L.U.C Quattro watch—equipped with a new caliber with four barrels and nine days of power reserve—in 2000. Chopard presented the L.U.C Tonneau in 2001. Chopard is also a major supporter of charitable causes and is a devoted patron of the arts. In 2001, Chopard began supporting the Elton John AIDS Foundation, creating limited-edition Elton John timepieces whose sales would benefit the foundation. Chopard is also intimately involved with such high-profile events as the Cannes International Film Festival.

Chopard’s collections of ladies’ jewelry and watches are amazing and inviting. From Happy Diamonds to Happy Sport with free-flowing diamonds, from the 1950s-inspired chic La Strada to the innovative Pushkin and Ice Cube collections, rich colors, seductive shapes and innovation are prominent driving forces.

With creativity at an all-time high, Chopard has grown at a faster rate than the market as a whole while preserving its independence—a rarity amongst watch and jewelry companies today. Caroline’s exquisite designs continually impress and excite the senses.

All of Chopard’s magnificent jewelry is created with the utmost attention to details. Each stone is hand picked and every design is completed by painstaking hand-craftsmanship. From gem selection to setting and polishing, master jewelers work long hours to ensure smooth, sensual finished pieces.

For the past decade, Chopard jewels have glistened on the necks and wrists of celebrities from all corners of the earth.

Partnering with the Cannes International Film Festival, Chopard is jeweler to the stars for 12 days each year at this exciting gala of heady days and wild nights. In addition to adorning the stars as they parade down the red carpet, Chopard produces all of the Palme d’Or trophies in its own workshops.

History of Ebel

It was against a setting of social and cultural transformation at the change of the 20th century that Eug่ne Blum and his wife Alice Levy, established Ebel in 1911. The name is a contraction of the first letters of their names - Eugene Blum et Levy. Three years later the company was awarded a gold medal at the Swiss National Exhibition. This gained the notice of the more reputable brands in Switzerland, and as a result, Ebels confidential label business was to become their bread and butter for the next 70 years.

They unrelentingly produced Ebel signature pieces on a small scale basis. Alice Levy Blum ran the day by day procedures of the company, only sporadically concerned with the creative phases of designing the models and assortments offered. Her husband controlled the promoting of the products, becoming a world traveler and company salesman in the custom of Francois Constantin and Antoine Norbert de Patek. With the bestowal of a Certificate of Excellence in 1929, Ebels status was additionally improved. That year Charles-Eugene Blum united with the family business, and along with watchmaker Marcel Reuche, instituted a strict method of production regulations that succeeded over increased orders from the top names in the industry, comprising Vacheron Constantin.

Well know as it was, the Ebel brand was not so highly acclaimed outside of its local. Ebels signature pieces from the 20s, 30s, and on throughout the 60s showed solid, if unremarkable, design and production superiority. In this way it persisted, until the advent of Pierre-Alain Blum, son of Charles-Eugene and grandson of company originators Eugene and Alice. By all reports, Pierre-Alain was a hesitant successor with a defiant and unconventional characteristic. He proclaimed at 15, that he wanted to study mechanics, then electricity at technical school. A few years later he resolved a technical prospect was not for him, and left for America. After years of sound work, he was presented with a partnership at Lucian Picard in New York.

By 1969 he was offered a partnership in the company. When Pierre-Alain eagerly noted to his father about the offer, Charles-Eugene requested that he go home, to help with the family business. After primarily refusing, he at length changed his mind, and went back. He came upon many hardships in this primary era. His prospect was to come.

An inopportune misfortune required the senior Blum to remove from vigorous running of the family ventures, and Pierre-Alain was propelled into the senior administration role. He brought ever mounting income and proceeds to the company - 30% expansion in the first year; another 30% the year after that, and 60% the year after that. By 1975, hed purchased the company from his father. What ensued was one of the major success stories of the Swiss Watch industry, a history that paralleled the roller coaster ride of that industry as it was overcome by the challenge of quartz.

1 9 1 1: Ebel brand created by Eug่ne and Alice Blum. Origin of name Ebel: Eug่ne Blum Et Levy.

191 2: Launch of the first Ebel wrist watch.

191 4: Gold Medal at the Swiss national Exhibition in Bern.

191 8: Ebel supplies Lipp watches.

192 5: Ebel wins the "Grand Prix" at the Decorative Arts Exhibition in Paris.

192 9: Diploma of honour at Barcelona Exhibition. Charles Blum joins the company.Launch of the baguette movement for Ebel watches.

193 0: First Basel Fair.

193 1: Western Electric creates a new precision testing instrument .

History of Tag Heuer

In 1860, the young Edouard Heuer - just 20 years old - founded a watchmaking shop at Saint Imier in the Swiss Jura under the name of "Edouard Heuer, Watchmaker". The company changed its name several times before finally settling on TAG Heuer in 1985. TAG Heuer has left its mark on the history of Swiss watchmaking, starting with the 1887 oscillating pinion up to the 2007 Link Calibre S. Over 145 years of watchmaking know-how and technical innovation has made it today’s ultimate reference in avant-garde sports watches.

1887: Patent for the renowned "oscillating pinion".

1911: TAG Heuer develops its famous "Time of Trip", the first dashboard chronograph designed for cars and aircraft.

1916: Patented in 1916 and used during the Antwerp, Paris and Amsterdam Olympic Games, the Micrograph was the first stopwatch accurate to 1/100th of a second.

1920: Heuer is timekeeper for the Antwerp Olympic Games, followed by Paris in 1924 and Amsterdam in 1928.

1933: launch of Autavia, the first dashboard stopwatch for racing cars and planes, often combined with the Hervue 8-day watch.

1950: launch of the Mareograph, featuring a tide indicator and chronograph functions.

1962: the astronaut John Glenn sets off on the first American manned spaceflight with a Heuer stopwatch on his wrist.

1964: launch of the Carrera series.

1966: TAG Heuer patents the Microtimer, first miniaturised electronic timer accurate to 1/1000th of a second.

1969: presentation of the Chronomatic Calibre 11, one of two first movements for automatic chronographs. Launch of the legendary Monaco in the same year.

1972: launch of the Microsplit 800, first pocket quartz stopwatch in the world to be accurate to 1/100th of a second.

1975 : launch of the first wrist quartz chronograph in the world - the Chronosplit - accurate to 1/100th of a second.

1987: TAG Heuer launches the Sport/Elegance, a unique sports watch as elegant as it is functional.

2003: presentation of the Microtimer, a true wrist timer accurate to 1/1000th of a second.

2004: Presentation of the Monaco V4 chronograph concept at the Basle Fair. The Monaco 69 is awarded the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix in the Best Design category.

2005: presentation of the Calibre 360 Concept Chronograph, first mechanical wrist chronograph accurate to 1/100th of a second. Launch of the Professional Golf Watch developed with Tiger Wood.

2006: Basle presentation of the Monaco Calibre 360 LS Concept Chronograph. Launch of the Carrera Calibre 360 pink gold limited edition.

2007: presentation of the Link Calibre S.