The Watch Files

i1 Innovations in Watch Component Colors with Positive Coating

As we discussed last time, Porsche Design's innovative use of materials and coatings set their watches apart in a crowded industry. In this special episode, Serge Maillar

08 Porsche Design and the Titanium Watch

On April 25, 1981, attendees at the European Watch, Clock, and Jewellery Fair in Basel got their hands on something completely new. IWC introduced the Porsche Design Tita

07 Eugène Meylan Should Be Remembered For Glycine's Automatic Watch

On June 9, 1931, watchmaker Eugène Meylan registered a new company, Automatic EMSA, to exploit his latest innovation, a central-rotor automatic winding mechanism that cou

x1 Breitling's Montbrillant Watch Manufactory

In this special "extra" episode of The Watch Files, Stephen Foskett tells the story of the Breitling Montbrillant Watch Manufactory in La Chaux-de-Fonds. If you're a Brei

06 The Forgotten History of Jaquet-Droz, An Experiment in Cooperation

On April 4, 1960, 70 independent Swiss watchmakers joined forces to form a remarkable new cooperative. Intent on standing their ground against the consolidation of watchm

05 How the Bulova Accutron Disrupted the Swiss Watch Industry

On October 25, 1960, American company Bulova introduced the most advanced watch ever made. The Accutron used a tuning fork oscillating 60 times faster than a normal watch

04 Blancpain, Biver, Piguet, and the Path Forward

On July 8, 1992, it was announced that watchmaking giant SMH (today known as the Swatch Group) was purchasing upstart watch brand Blancpain and their movement producer, F

03 El Primero and the Birth, Death, and Resurrection of Zenith

On January 10, 1969, Zenith and Movado announced the world's most advanced watch movement. Called El Primero, it was the world's first automatic chronograph and represent

02 The Thin Watch War: Delirium and the Swatch

On January 12, 1979, the Swiss watch industry announced the thinnest watch ever made: The Delirium, developed and produced by Ebauches SA for Concord, Eterna, and Longine

01 The Day Gérald Genta Challenged the Watch Industry

On November 7, 1984, the watch industry was stunned as famed jewellery designer Gerald Genta unveiled a line of fine watches styled with Mickey Mouse, the Pink Panther, a