Festina Chaux-de-Fonds Age Determination

Watchmaking in Spain, Switzerland and the Far East.

1902 marked the birth of the Festina watch brand. In a small Swiss watchmaking workshop, Studi & Fils , successor to Studi-Muriset & Co. (1892), in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the name Festina was first written in small gold letters on the dials of wristwatches. From the old motto "Festina Lente" – "Haste makes waste," which adorned countless pendulum clocks at the time, a new brand name was born virtually overnight.

In 1935, the founding family handed Festina over to the entrepreneur Willy Burkhard von Wilhelm , who managed the company Charles Wilhelm & Co. in La Chaux-de-Fonds, including Festina, until 1975 , when it was taken over by George Uhlmann . Charles Wilhelm & Co. also owned the Levrette brand.

For around seventy years, Festina was a major watchmaker for an elite circle of mechanical watch enthusiasts. Watches . In the 1980s, Festina then made the leap into the new quartz age of watch technology.

This leap in innovation was likely driven by the Spanish businessman Miguel Rodriguez, who had previously founded the watch brand Lotus and acquired the Festina brand from its Swiss founders in 1984. In the following years, the Festina Group was established, and the luxury brand Jaguar as well as the Swiss watch brand Candino were acquired.

The long Swiss watchmaking tradition and Spanish entrepreneurial strength have allowed Festina to grow into a globally significant brand. In more than 65 countries, watch enthusiasts trust timepieces bearing the prestigious Festina name.

chronology

Founded and trademark registered in 1902 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.
In 1935, the founding family handed Festina over to the entrepreneur Willy Burkhard von Wilhelm.
In 1975, watch enthusiast Georgo Ulmann took over Festina.
In 1981, the Spanish entrepreneur Miguel Rodriguez founded the watch brand Lotus.
In 1984, Miguel Rodriguez takes over Festina.
1985 Introduction of the moon phase clock.
In 1989, Festina took over the luxury brand Jaguar.
The professional cycling team Festina was founded in 1990.
Since 1991, Festina has been represented in over 25 countries.
In 1994, Festina won the team classification of the Tour de France.
By 1995, Festina was represented in over 50 countries.
1996 Introduction of Festina in Germany, expansion into the USA.
In 1997, Festina presented the first “Tourchrono” as a limited special edition.
In 1998, Festina became the official timekeeper of the Tour de France.
In 2001, Festina opened its gold manufactory in Cordoba, Spain.
2002: Festina celebrates its 100th anniversary; Festina acquires the Swiss watch brand Candino. 2003: Festina is represented in over 65 countries.
In 2004, Festina was among the 10 most successful watch brands in Germany.
The Festina Junior cycling team was founded in Germany in 2005.
In 2005, Festina became the main sponsor of the Bundesliga football club TSV München von 1860.
In 2006, Festina became the official timekeeper of the Berlin Marathon.
In 2006, Festina became a premium partner of the Bundesliga club TSV München von 1860.
2007 10 years of Festina Tourchrono.
In 2008, Festina became the official timekeeper of the Karstadt Marathon in Essen.
In 2011, Festina became the official timekeeper of the Skoda Velothon in Berlin and the Vattenfall Cyclassics in Hamburg.
In 2012, Festina presented the 15th Tourchrono.
In 2014, Festina stopped sponsoring the Tour de France, providing timekeeping and advertising services; the Tourchrono watch series ended after 15 years.
In 2023, Festina celebrates its 120th anniversary and launches a limited edition to mark the occasion.

Source: Watchwiki, AI