Cartier International SNC was founded in 1847 by French businessman, jeweler, and watchmaker Louis-François Cartier in Paris. The founder’s grandson, Louis Cartier, designed the now-famous Cartier Tank in 1919 that was inspired by thanks used in World War I. Movements and Change of Ownership Shortly after, Cartier formed a joint-stock company with Edward Jaeger of …
Panerai was founded in 1860 by Giovanni Panerai in Florence, Italy. In addition to establishing a watch shop and workshop, the Italian watch manufacturer also served as the city’s first watchmaking school. Panerai would go on to supply watches and other precision instruments to the Royal Italian Navy, most of which contained Rolex movements during …
The history of Girard-Perregaux SA extends back to the late 18th century when watchmaker Jean-François Bautte signed his first watches in 1791. Bautte is credited with creating a manufacturing company in Geneva that consolidated all facets of watchmaking under one roof for the first time in history. The Birth of the Girard-Perregaux Name Girard-Perregaux was …
Compagnie des Montres Longines, Francillon S.A. was founded in 1832 by Auguste Agassiz, and is based in Saint-Imier, Switzerland. Originally named Raiguel Jeune & Cie, the Longines name was adopted in 1867 after the company established its first factory in Les Longines (“long meadows”). Longines’ flying hourglass logo is the oldest unchanged active trademark registered …
The Richard Mille brand was first developed in 1999 by Richard Mille in a partnership with Montres Valgine and Audemars Piguet, with the RM 001 Tourbillon introduced to the world at Baselworld in 2001. In addition to their distinctive design, lightweight construction, and shock resistance, the Swiss brand is well known for their nontraditional marketing. …
Hublot is a Swiss luxury watchmaker founded in 1980 by Carlo Crocco. The company was named after the French word for “porthole”, which serves as a visual design reference across many of their models. Hublot is notable for being the first to pair a rubber strap with precious metals in their luxury sports watch. Today, …
TAG Heuer was originally founded in 1860 as Uhrenmanufaktur Heuer AG (Heuer Watchmaking Inc.) by Edouard Heuer in St-Imier, Switzerland. Heuer notably patented his first chronograph in 1882, and by 1911 also had a patent for the first dashboard chronograph for use in aircraft and automobiles. His first wrist chronograph was introduced in 1914. Project …