Thursday, December 31, 2009

AUTHENTIC XEMEX 251.01 MILITARY DIAL GENTS WRISTWATCH (SOLD)





AUTHENTIC NEW IN BOX XEMEX OFFROAD 251.01 BRUSHED STAINLESS STEEL SWISS MADE WATCH

  • THIS IS A HIGHLY QUALITY TIMEPIECE!!! ORIGINAL HIGH QUALITY 7 JEWELS SWISS ETA QUARTZ MOVEMENT (VERY CLEAN, PLEASE SEE THE PHOTO!!!) SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL IS CLEAN AND FLAWLESS - S/N 251-2318
  • BLACK MILITARY DIAL WITH LUMINOUS WHITE MARKER AND HANDS, CRYSTAL IS CLEAN, SIGNED " XEMEX" WITH DATE WINDOW AT 3 O'CLOCK, (SEE PHOTOS ATTACHED)
  • ROUND BRUSHED STAINLESS STEEL CASE, MEASURES 37MM IN WIDTH (INCLUDING CROWN) AND 43MM LUG TO LUG IN LENGTH AND 10MM THICK. TRIPLE XEMEX LOGO SIGNED, Ruedi Kulling SIGNED ON THE BACK CASE. ORIGINAL CROWN. ONE VERY SERIOUS COLLECTION WATCH.
  • ORIGINAL NEW XEMEX BLACK LEATHER BAND WITH ORIGINAL XEMEX BUCKLE, FITS 8.5" WRIST, MEASURE 18MM AT THE LUGS IN WIDTHS
  • RUNS STRONG AND KEEPING ACCURATE TIME. THIS WATCH RETAILS FOR USD1195.00
  • SOLD TO MR MICHAEL MICHNA FROM PITTSBURGH, USA

BRIEF INFORMATION ON XEMEX WATCHES AND RUEDI KULLING

In the past ten years the timepieces of Xemex Swiss Watches have evolved from well-guarded secrets known only to a handful of design aficionados to cherished collector's items. With their distinctive design, Xemex watches today hold their own in the marketplace. Some have even become models for others in the watchmaking industry. Ruedi Kulling and Hanspeter Hanschick, who developed the brand from scratch in just five years' time, this brief but impressive track record is very motivating. "With Xemex we were able to realize our dream of developing our own watch brand according to our own perceptions. The fact that the response has been so overwhelming and that we gained momentum so fast is very rewarding," notes Ruedi Kulling with satisfaction.

Since Ruedi Kulling designs all watch models himself, the Xemex watches expressly reflect his philosophy: simplicity, unity and clarity. Already he has set new standards in the watch industry. Today, his square Avenue Collection is considered a classic. Editors of 'Form' have showcased Xemex in a recent publication as part of the publisher's series on modern classics.

Expertise, know-how and experience in marketing, distribution and sales are the prerogatives of watchmaking professional Hanspeter Hanschick. Together, the two Xemex founders complement one another and make a strong team, as evidenced by the undeniable success of the young watch brand.

XEMEX – a Swiss Success Story.

Since 1996, the timepieces of Xemex Swiss Watches have evolved from well-guarded secrets known only to a handful of design aficionados to cherished collector’s items. In 2000 and 2001, Xemex won first place in a competition for the design innovation of the year in Germany and the US.

In 2006, Xemex was elected 3rd place in the competition for the watch of the year 2006 “Die Goldene Unruh”, which was initiated by the magazines FOCUS and UHRENMAGAZIN. With their distinctive design, developed from scratch, Xemex watches today hold their own in the marketplace. Some have even become models for others in the watchmaking industry. Ageless signs of the times have lasting value. Any object which is the daily focus of frequent attention must be just right. For the wearer and for the function, although form is subordinate to function. Stripping down to the essentials makes for readability, by day or night. The architecture of time is straightforward and unembellished. However, it is expressive formal language which gives it its unique character. Clean typography and the chiseled, precisely constructed case reflect the accuracy of the movement. Dial, hands and flexible lugs emphasize the interplay of the elements. This instrument shows the time in a self-contained unit. Choosing the right watch is a careful process, as what you wear on your wrist is an expression of your own identity. Choosing a Xemex means valuing honesty and practicality, expressing your personality and making an impact.

XEMEX are designed by internationally acclaimed graphic designer
Ruedi Külling, creator of many award winning designs and advertising campaigns. He had already designed watches for Mondaine, including the “Paper Clip” and “Swiss Railway” pieces, before deciding to design his own distinctive watch brand. Ruedi Külling was born on 4 February 1935 in Zurich. From 1951 to 1956 it completed training at the college of arts and crafts Zurich to the commercial artist. Subsequently, he worked until 1962 as diagram designer and kind Director in Milan, London and Chicago. Starting from 1963 Külling was active as Creative Director of the advertising agency Advico in Gockhausen, became 1965 member of the management and 1976 partners of this agency. 1989 followed the establishment of the Külling partner Identity until it 1994 by too much marketing in its creativity saw themselves reduced and it its portions of an advertising agency sold, in order to realise its life dream and clocks designen. The impact its idea gave to transfer Swiss station clock on wrist-watch format. By this success spurred, he seized the courage to sketch clocks and based on 25 January 1996 together with Hanspeter Hanschick the Xemex Swiss Watch.

Having first been sighted at Basel in 1995, Xemex soon gained international acclaim due to Bauhaus influenced design. In 1996 the OFFROAD model was voted one of the top eight watch designs of the year by Montres Passion. Offroad and AVENUE watches went on to win Watch of the Year in 2000 and 2001. The sporty XE-5000 range evolved, with designs reminiscent of sports cars’ instruments, with recessed crowns and very clean minimalist lines to the case and dials. The PICCADILLY line was soon added to complete the range.

Xemex watches have hinged lugs on the watch case, this means the watch will slightly hinge to allow a fantastic fit to any wrist.

The XE-5000 chronograph was recently featured in UK Stuff Magazine. Please view www.xemex-swiss.com for more information on the brand. Well known owners of Xemex watches include Elton John · Sting · Luciano Pavarotti · Tony Bennett , Alice Cooper · Bonnie Raitt · Tim Rice · Natalie Cole, Phil Collins · Gloria Estefan · Melissa Etheridge , Sheryl Crow · Jewel · Moby · Lulu · Diana Krall, LeAnn Rimes · Backstreet Boys · Dwight Yoakum, Deborah Harry · Martina Navratilova · Andre Agassi, Billy Jean King · Jenny Thompson · Robin Roberts · Pete Sampras · Sharon Stone · Chris Carter · Jay Leno, Phil Buckman · Donny Osmond · Marie Osmond , Eric Christian Olsen · Jonathon Jackson · Jenny McCarthy · Richard Jackson · Eric MacCormack, Fran Drescher · Omar Epps · Natasha Henstridge, Jason Biggs · Bill Campbell · Niki Lauda , Princess Christina of Spain and Tim Allen.

PROJEK MASA CUTI - MEMBUAT SEMULA DIAL JAM UNICORN BERDIAL BURUK






INI PROJEK SAYA MASA CUTI, MERMBUAT BALIK DAIL JAM UNICORN. DIALNYA SEMASA SAYA TERIMA TERSANGAT BURUK DIMANA TUANPUNYA TERDAHULU TELAH MENANGGALKAN CAT ASAL DAN MENGILAPKANNYA TANPA ADA TANDA-TANDA BERKAITAN MAKLUMAT JAM DI ATAS. DIAL.


PROJEK INI SIMPLE AJE... CETAK SEMUALA TANDA-TANDA JAM SEPERTI JENAMA DAN JEWELSNYA LEPAS TU TAMPAL AJE KAT DIAL.. HASILNYA TENGOKLAH GAMBAR-GAMBAR DIBAWAH INI....


JAM UNICORN ANTARA JAM YANG BERHARGA DAN MENJADI KOLEKSI PENGUMPUL JAM-JAM VINTAGE.SAYANG KALAU DIBIARKAN TANPA BOLEH DIPAKAI, TAKPELAH WALAU TAK ORI DIALNYA ASAL DAPAT DIPAKAI DI TANGAN


BRAND/JENAMA: VINTAGE UNICORN MEN'S WRISTWATCH

CIRCA/TAHUN: 1970's

MODEL: TAK TAHU - MACAM AMPHIBIAN

CRYSTAL/CERMIN: CLEAN/BERSIH

MOVEMENT/ENJIN: SWISS UNICORN 21 JEWELS MANUAL WINDING MOVEMENT

HANDS/JARUM: SILVER TONE/ KEPERAKAN

MARKERS/TANDA WAKTU: RAISED SILVER TONE BATON/BATON KEPERAKAN

CASING : SOLID STAINLESS STEEL/ KELULI KESELURUHANNYA

MEASUREMENT/UKURAN: 30mm DIAMETER AND 33mm LUG TO LUG

DITANDA/ENGARVED BACK CASING:

CROWN: STAINLESS STEEL/KELULI

STRAP/TALI: NEW CROCO DESIGN BLACK LEATHER STRAP FITS 8.8" WRIST

VERU GOOD MOVEMENT AND CASING CONDITION AND KEEPING TIME. MOVEMENT WAS RECENTLY SERVICED.


BRIEF HISTORY OF UNICORN WATCHES


In the 1920s and 30s, Rolex has numerous secondary brands, similar to what the Tudor brand is today. One of those brands was the Unicorn. You may find these wrist and pocket watches with an unsigned dial, but Unicorn signed movement, For those of you unfamiliar with the name Unicorn, please see Cooksey Shugart's Complete Price Guide to Watches. At the back of the Rolex section is a partial list of brands that Rolex once distributed, as Rolex either set up or bought subsidiary companies with names like Bucherer, Marconi, Rolco, Genex, Unicorn.

This Unicorn watch was produced by RWAG (Rolex Watch AG) Germany was subsidiary company of Rolex Watch Company (RWC). IN 1960'S Unicorn watch was no longer under Rolex SA

VINTAGE MESITER ANKER AUTOMATIC GENTS WRISTWATCH (SOLD)







BRAND/JENAMA: AUTHENTIC VINTAGE MEISTER ANKER (MASTER ANCHOR IN ENGLISH) GENTS WRISTWATCH

MADE IN/BUATAN: GERMANY

CIRCA/TAHUN: 1960's

MODEL: AUTOMATIC

CRYSTAL/CERMIN: ACRYLIC

MOVEMENT/ENJIN: EB MEISTER ANKER 25 RUBIES AUTOMATIC MOVEMENT

DIAL COLOR: GOLD CHAMPAGNE TONE/ KEEMASAN

FUNCTION/FUNGSI: DATE AT 3:00

HANDS/JARUM: GOLD TONE

MARKERS/TANDA WAKTU: GOLD TONE BATON/ BATON KEEMASAN

CASING : SQUARE GOLD PLATED STAINLESS STEEL/ KELULI

HIDDEN LUGS: 18mm

MEASUREMENT/UKURAN: 41mm DIAMETER INCLUDING CROWN and 42mm LUG TO LUG

DITANDA/ENGARVED BACK CASING: 100% WATER PROOF

CROWN: GP/ SADUR EMAS

STRAP/TALI: GENUINE BLACK LEATHER BAND

SIZE STRAP/SAIZ TALI: 8.5"

EXCELLENT CONDITION, WORKING, KEEPING TIME, DISCONTINUED MODEL & VERY RARE AND VERY HARD TO FIND

PRICE/HARGA : RM600 SOLD TO MR SETH FROM BUKIT JALIL, KUALA LUMPUR


BRIEF HISTORY OF ANKER WATCHES

Anker is the trademark of the Andreas Huber Company. The full trademark “Reichskrone–Anker–Uhr” was issued on June 11, 1912.


Andreas Huber founded a small clock shop in 1856 in the city of München and in 1880 it was bestowed the title of “Court Appointed Manufacturer of Clocks” from the King of Bavaria. By 1888, the small shop had become the Andreas Huber Company and was located in the heart of München. Due to their reputation for high-quality production standards, the company was invited to participate in a competition to produce chronometric equipment for the München and Hamburg observatories.


In 1913, the company opened branch offices in Berlin and Hamburg. All business was suspended during World War I but by 1924 the company had so fully recovered that one of the Zeppelin airships was equipped with chronometers and instrumentation manufactured by the company and in 1936, the company received the timing contract for the Winter Olympic Games. During the Second World War, the workshop, offices, and sales headquarters were destroyed. However, as soon as manpower and materials were available, the facilities were rebuilt on the original location.


The Andreas Huber Company also became the exclusive sales and service outlet for other outstanding clock manufactures in Switzerland, France, and Germany. In addition to the sales, service, and restoration of fine clocks and watches, the company maintained a special workshop for antique clocks and graduated precision watchmakers, several of whom hold a Master’s Degree, staffed the shop. The Andreas Huber Company has seen its fourth generation of family ownership under the direction of Martin Huber.

IF YOU ADMIRE GERMAN MADE MERCEDES BENZ OR BMW OR GLASHUTTE ORIGINAL THAN YOU SHOULD ADMIRE THIS GERMAN MADE ANKER WATCH

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

VERY RARE VINTAGE AUTHENTIC LOGINES 10K GOLD FILLED SPIDER WEB DIAMOND DIAL GENTS WRISTWATCH











BRAND/JENAMA: AUTHENTIC VINTAGE LONGINES 10K GOLD FILLED SPIDER WEB DIAMONDS DIAL GENTS WRISTWATCH

MADE IN/BUATAN: LONGINES-WITTNAUER SWISS

CIRCA/TAHUN: 1970's

MODEL: LUXURY DIAMONDS WATCH

CRYSTAL/CERMIN: ACRYLIC

MOVEMENT/ENJIN: LONGINES 17 JEWELS MANUAL WINDING MOVEMENT

DIAL COLOR: BLACK SPIDER WEB / HITAM SARANG LELABAH ( SPIDER AND FLY BETWEEN 10:00 AND 11:00 SEE PHOTO)

FUNCTION/FUNGSI: DRESS WATCH SUITABLE FOR GENTS AND LADIES

HANDS/JARUM: WHITE/PUTIH

MARKERS/TANDA WAKTU: REAL DIAMONDS 0.10 Carat AT 3:00, 6:00 , 9:00 AND 12:00 (TOTAL 0.40 Carats)/ BERLIAN ASLI

CASING : 10K WHITE GOLD FILLED / EMAS PUTIH TAMPALAN 10k

HIDDEN LUGS: 19mm

MEASUREMENT/UKURAN: 35mm DIAMETER INCLUDING CROWN and 34mm LUG TO LUG

DITANDA/ENGARVED BACK CASING: 10K GOLD FILLED

CROWN: 10K GOLD FILLED/ EMAS PUTIH 10K TAMPALAN

STRAP/TALI: NEW GENUINE BLACK LEATHER BAND

SIZE STRAP/SAIZ TALI: 8.5"

EXCELLENT CONDITION, WORKING, KEEPING TIME, DISCONTINUED MODEL & VERY VERY RARE AND VERY HARD TO FIND

PRICE/HARGA : RM1,600 NEGOTIABLE/BOLEH DIRUNDING


BRIEF HISTORY OF LONGINES AND WITTNAUER WATCHES

Longines Watch Company was started in 1832 by Auguste Agassiz. Agassiz opened a workshop in St Imier, Switzerland. He operated what today would be called a "Home Business". Workers would work on watches out of thier own homes, whigh Agassiz would later sell.


Sometime between the years of 1854 and 1866 Agassiz handed down over the operation of the watchmaking business to his nephew Ernest Francillon. Realizing the lack of consistant quality coming from the manufacture of watches in so many locations, Francillon soon built a factory in Les Longines near St. Imier and consolidated all of the areas watchmaking under one roof. The Longines name was born.

The company began producing chronographs in 1879. They later produced aviator watches and cockpit instruments.

The company registered its "Winged Hourglass" trademark in May of 1890.

In 1912 the company produced the first automatic timekeeping device. From that day Longines has long been associated with time-keeping at major sporting events.

In the 1950's Longines purchased the Wittnauer watch company and marketed a number of very similar lines of watches in the US under both brand names.

In my opinion, Longines Wittnauer is one of the finest watches a collector can find. The classic designs are fantastic. The accuracy and reliability is amazing, and the parts are readily available. One of my favorites.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

VINTAGE AUTHHENTIC WYLER MILITARY GENTS WRISTWATCH






BRAND/JENAMA: AUTHENTIC VINTAGE WYLER INCAFLEX MILITARY GENTS WRISTWATCH

MADE IN/BUATAN: SWISS

CIRCA/TAHUN: 1970's

MODEL: MILITARY

CRYSTAL/CERMIN: ACRYLIC

MOVEMENT/ENJIN: WYLER 17 JEWELS INCAFLEX MANUAL MOVEMENT (CANNOT SHOW THE MOVEMENT - OPEN THROUGH CRYSTAL)

DIAL COLOR: SILVER TONE/ KEPERAKAN

FUNCTION/FUNGSI: INCAFLEX SHOCK RESISTANT BALANCE WHEEL

HANDS/JARUM: LUMINOUS SILVER TONE

MARKERS/TANDA WAKTU: ORANGE BATON/ BATON OREN

CASING : STAINLESS STEEL/ KELULI SEPENUHNYA

HIDDEN LUGS: 16mm

MEASUREMENT/UKURAN: 34mm DIAMETER INCLUDING CROWN and 36mm LUG TO LUG

DITANDA/ENGARVED BACK CASING: WYLER LIFEGUARD~STAINLESS STEEL CASE~S/N 1174-1122

CROWN: SS/ KELULI

STRAP/TALI: GENUINE BLACK LEATHER BAND

SIZE STRAP/SAIZ TALI: 8.5"

EXCELLENT CONDITION, WORKING, KEEPING TIME, DISCONTINUED MODEL & VERY RARE AND VERY HARD TO FIND

NOW OFFER AT COST FOR RM400.00


BRIEF HISTORY OF WYLER WATCHES

Paul Wyler was born on 15th June 1896 and established the Wyler Watch company in Basel on 28th March 1924 in Basel. Among Wyler’s biggest customers was Innocente Binda, an Italian entrepreneur whose family business has grown into one of today’s big watchmaking groups, the Binda Group. Based in Milan, Italy, the Binda Group is the parent company of Wyler Genève.

Throughout its history, the Wyler watch company has upheld a commitment to producing innovative, yet reliable and sturdy timepieces in continuation of its founder’s original mission.

Incaflex
The unbreakable Incaflex balance wheel was one of Paul Wyler’s most significant innovations and was incorporated in the 2007 Wyler Genève chronograph as a link with the brand’s heritage.

The design is as simple as it is brilliant: the balance wheel, made out of a single piece of metal, had two flexible symmetrical half-spiral arms that joined at the wheel’s axis and acted as shock absorbers.

Wyler’s dedication to improving the quality and accuracy of his timepieces earned him nine patents for balances with flexible arms, two and three-piece watch cases and other innovations.

Performing to extremes
Italy’s 1934 World Cup football team were among the first to discover the benefits of Wyler Incaflex timepieces, as the watches added a sporty finishing touch to the official attire for their campaign. It was a proud moment for Paul Wyler to see his watches worn by the team that raised the first-ever World Cup trophy won by their country.

In order to clearly demonstrate the benefits of Wyler’s revolution for such a small but crucial component in a watch, a simple demonstration was organised in 1956. In an early form of publicity stunt, two Wyler Incaflex timepieces were dropped 300 metres (almost 1000 feet) from the top of the Eiffel Tower. The notary public chronicling this audacious event confirmed that both timepieces were in excellent working order even after their harsh landing. This was a clear indication that the Wyler Incaflex balance wheel represented a major breakthrough in the watch industry.

In 1962, a large crowd witnessed a similar test, when the USA’s state of Washington’s Seattle Tower served as the stage from which six Wyler Incaflex timepieces were dropped 318 feet to the ground below. Once more, a notary public confirmed that the function of the watches was unaffected by their fall.

Legend has it that in addition to such public stunts, Wyler sales agents would not hesitate to drop their watches in front of customers as proof of their excellent shock-resistant characteristics.

More recently, Wyler Genève’s distributor in Taiwan, the Swiss Prestige Group, decided to show off the resistance of the new chronograph model in the true Wyler spirit by driving over one in a car and then dropping it from a height of several metres. The watch withstood both extreme tests and continued to function as normal

Monday, December 28, 2009

VINTAGE AUTHENTIC BUCHERER OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED CHRONOMETER GENTS WRISTWATCH (SOLD)






BRAND/JENAMA: AUTHENTIC VINTAGE BUCHERER OFFICIALY CERTIFIED CHRONOMETER GENTS WRISTWATCH

MADE IN/BUATAN: SWISS

CIRCA/TAHUN: 1970's

MODEL: COSC CHRONOMTETER

CRYSTAL/CERMIN: ACRYLIC

MOVEMENT/ENJIN: BUCHERER 25 JEWELS CHRONOMETER AUTOMATIC MOVEMENT

DIAL COLOR: SILVER TONE/ KEPERAKAN

FUNCTION/FUNGSI: DAY AY 6:00 AND DATE AT 12:00

HANDS/JARUM: LUMINOUS SILVER TONE

MARKERS/TANDA WAKTU: LUMINOUS SILVER BATON/ BATON KEPERAKAN LUMINASI

CASING : STAINLESS STEEL/ KELULI

HIDDEN LUGS: 19mm

MEASUREMENT/UKURAN: 38mm DIAMETER INCLUDING CROWN and 41mm LUG TO LUG

DITANDA/ENGARVED BACK CASING: BUCHERER LOGO, ANTI MAGNETIC~WATER RESISTANT

CROWN: SS/ KELULI

STRAP/TALI: GENUINE BLACK LEATHER BAND

SIZE STRAP/SAIZ TALI: 8.5"

EXCELLENT CONDITION, WORKING, KEEPING TIME, DISCONTINUED MODEL & VERY RARE AND VERY HARD TO FIND

PRICE/HARGA KOS: SOLD TO TUAN MOD AIMAN FROM PASIR MAS, KELANTAN

LISTING: RM700.00 SOLD: RM600.00 TRADE IN VULCAIN RM250.00


BRIEF HISTORY OF BUCHERER WATCHES

In 1888, Carl-Friedrich Bucherer laid the foundation stone for a business group dealing in jewellery and timepieces. Today the name BUCHERER is known not only as a jeweller of repute, but also as the designer and maker of its own fine watches.

Bucherer only sold two types of watches, one was Rolex and the other was their own in house watch that obviously has similar qualities as the old Rolexes.

In the 1920s and 30s, Rolex has numerous secondary brands, similar to what the Tudor brand is today. You may find these wrist and pocket watches with an unsigned dial, but some of the unsigned movement was supplied by Bucherer. For those of you unfamiliar with the name Unicorn, Marconi Rolco, please see book by Cooksey Shugart's Complete Price Guide to Watches. At the back of the Rolex section is a partial list of brands that Rolex once distributed, as Rolex either set up or bought subsidiary companies with names like Marconi, Rolco, Genex, Unicorn, Rolwalco etc

The quality of the BUCHERER Brand results from a holistic philosophy which dictates that every watch model must fulfil clearly defined functional and emotional needs. Engineering technology and aesthetic appeal must be perfectly balanced so that there is a harmony between form and function. This balance and harmony are what makes a BUCHERER watch a product of enduring value. Every model appeals through its unique appearance and persuades with its reliability and longevity.

This watch has very minor flaws but over all it is stunning on the wrist! The dial is clean and original and we are not going to mess with it.

A class of it's own, an equal quality as Rolex Watches

AUTHENTIC VINTAGE CERTINA ARGONAUT 220 GENTS WRISTWATCH








BRAND/JENAMA: AUTHENTIC VINTAGE SWISS CERTINA ARGONAUT GENTS WRISTWATCH

MADE IN/BUATAN: SWISS

CIRCA/TAHUN: 1970's

MODEL: 220

CRYSTAL/CERMIN: ACRYLIC

MOVEMENT/ENJIN: CERTINA 17 JEWELS MANUAL WINDINGC MOVEMENT

DIAL COLOR: DUAL TONE MAROON & DARK BROWN

FUNCTION/FUNGSI: DRESS

HANDS/JARUM: DARK BROWN

MARKERS/TANDA WAKTU: WHITE BATON/ BATON PUTIH

CASING : STAINLESS STEEL/ KELULI

HIDDEN LUGS: 14mm

MEASUREMENT/UKURAN: 37mm DIAMETER INCLUDING CROWN and 38mm LUG TO LUG

DITANDA/ENGARVED BACK CASING: -

CROWN: SS/ KELULI

STRAP/TALI: GENUINE BLACK LEATHER BAND

SIZE STRAP/SAIZ TALI: 8.5"

EXCELLENT CONDITION, WORKING, KEEPING TIME, DISCONTINUED MODEL & VERY RARE AND VERY HARD TO FIND

PRICE/HARGA KOS: RM500 NOW OFFER BELOW COST FOR RM420.00


BRIEF HISTORY OF CERTINA WATCHES

Certina Kuth Frères SA was founded in 1888 when Adolf and Alfred Kurth opened in Grenchen their first movement and supplies factory for the watchmaking industry. At the start Certina's staff consisted of three employees working in a workshop that was connected to the family home. Certina did not begin producing complete watches and timepieces for a few years which they then did alongside their work producing movements for other companies. By 1938 the company had expanded and 250 employees celebrated the 50th anniversary of the company. At that time Certina were already known as pioneers.

Certina continued to expand and by 1955 the company had 500 employees working between the factory and offices, producing 1'000 timepieces every day. Certina worked up a new business plan that expanded its operations and was at the time considered the most modern and best equipped watchmakers in the world.

By 1972 Certina employed 900 people and produced 600,000 watches every year. The company was ranked first in most major jewellery watch fairs, and they obtained both the "International Diamonds Awards" and the "Golden Rose" award. By this time Certina was producing 375,000 watch components per day and used 53,000 rubies.

By 1971, the owning family had wisely decided to join General Watch Co, the newly created sub-holding of ASUAG, in order to concentrate their efforts with others. The onslought of the Japanese Watch Industry (under the rules of their strategic management: with their own reliable and much cheaper automatic, and then Quartz watches, stopped Certina's expansion to a relative standstill. The restructuration involved the abandon of their own manufacture of Certina movement styles calibres , and by the end of the 1970s, Certina operations were moved to Biel/Biene and the entity Edox & Technos. Under the new management, Certina managed to hold onto some of their strongholds, especially in the Scandinavian countries. Upon the merger of SSIH and ASUAG companies, Certina became a member of a new managerial entity, together with Mido and Tissot, which has now established itself in Le Locle, (the newly elected Unesco World Heritage Site in Switzerland

  • The first wrist-watches : were already produced by the company in 1938 : predominately ladies watches (because men still preferred pocket watches). For "exceptional performance" the founders received the Milan Fair's gold medal award.
  • Digital Watch: 1936 Certina was the first company to produce the digital watch. It was driven by a spring movement. Rotating disks bearing inscribed numbers were used to display the time, instead of hands.
  • DS (Double Security) Line: In 1959 Hans and Edwin Kurth had set themselves the objective of creating a brand new niche in the marketplace, based on quality through engineering and technical designs. Thus Certina created the concept of suspending the watch movement inside a highly reinforced case, which they named DS for "Double Security". The Certina DS were the first watches to raise the water resistancy and shock protection down to 6 m (previous watches were set at 2.2 meters). The Certina DS watch was taken up the Himalayas by a team who climbed the Dhaulagiri and the watch withstood all changes in pressure and altitude.
  • Biostar: In 1971 Certina introduced the Biostar, the world's first watch that displayed human biorhythms.
  • "Scratchproof" : Certina went on to produce many world firsts including the "unscratchable" DS-DiaMaster in tungsten carbide and scooped many awards

Recent collection of Certina include Titanium, 316L high grade stainless steel, sapphire glass, its own DS feature (such as the current "DS Podium", "DS First" or "DS Action") and ETA Swiss made movements are standard features. It currently offers collections, classified under the names "Automatic", "SPORT Classic", "SPORT Elegant" and "SPORT Xtreme", including some models claimed to perform up to 100 m underwater.

The 2000s saw many new partnerships with motoring companies including Colin McRae, Sete Gibernau, and finally the Sauber Petronas Formula One team, which is nowadays known as BMW Sauber Formula One team, of which Certina is currently engaged in a sponsorship