Bifora Josef Bidlingsmaier Schwäbisch Gmünd Age Determination
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The Bifora watch factory was founded in 1900. It made history not only at its Schwäbisch Gmünd location. Company founder Josef Bidlingmaier succeeded in turning the company into a major player in the watch market with the quality mark "Made in Germany." With over 1,000 employees at times, a multitude of proprietary patents, new developments, and Swabian zeal, several hundred thousand watches were produced and exported worldwide.
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1900: Founded by Josef Bidlingmaier in Schwäbisch Gmünd – production of pocket watches and later wristwatches
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1928: First own form movement (caliber 2025), first German wristwatch movement with anchor escapement
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1951: Introduction of the first German automatic movement (caliber 103 SA “Bimag”)
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1955: Introduction of the Unima chronometer movement (caliber 120) as a top quality product from our own production
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1977–78: Insolvency; company headquarters and production relocated to India; mechanical production in Germany finally discontinued in 1983
Typical works & production periods
| caliber | Description | Production period |
|---|---|---|
| Caliber 103 | Manual winding, decentralized second, Super-Shock | approx. 1941–1952 |
| Caliber 120 (Unima) | Hand-wound chronometer, top quality | from around 1955 (late 1950s) |
| Caliber 113 | Flat construction, direct central second | approx. 1955–1962 |
| Caliber 70 | Mini ladies' watch movement (round, Incabloc) | approx. 1958–1962 |
| Caliber 91 | Automatic watch, indirect central second | approx. 1962–1980 |
| Caliber 68 CLD | Form movement with date (!), rare | approx. 1957–1967 |
Source: WatchWiki, KI, bifora.eu
