Eterna

The Swiss watch manufacturer Eterna SA was founded in 1856 by a doctor Josef Girard and the school teacher Urs shield as Rohwerke manufacturer Girard & Schild in Grenchen, Solothurn. He is the oldest Grenchner industrial enterprises and also the nucleus of the largest Swiss watch movement manufacturer ETA SA.

Chronicle

  • On January 7, 1851 Dr. Josef Girard and Anton shield acquire a municipal council for the settlement of the watch industry in Grenchen. The council granted to such persons on August 16, the task of organizing the training of apprentices watchmaker.
  • On November 7, 1856 of doctor Josef Girard and the 28 -year-old school teacher Urs shield found in Grenchen ebauche " Dr. Girard & Schild, " the cradle of the watch manufacturer Eterna. Eight years later, the company regulates writing the mutual rights and obligations of employers and employees.
  • 1858 keep the first trains on their way from Solothurn to Biel in Grenchen, which significantly increase the logistical conditions for the company.
  • 1866 Dr. Girard leaves the company and sold his shares for 35,000 Swiss francs to Urs shield, to devote himself henceforth whole again her profession as a doctor can.
  • From 1870 onwards, first rudimentary automated manufacturing machines are used, which will be held as usual driven by the village stream hydroelectric power through a steam engine. Due to the precise manufacturing of the items Eterna is one of the first manufacturers who can offer pre-made spare parts for repairs, what the costs are significantly lower due to less rework.
  • 1874, around 300 workers employed, accept a pay cut in order to ensure the survival of the company in a sales crisis occurred
  • 1876 ​​passes the first made ​​entirely in-house Eterna- clock in the shipment.
  • 1882 takes Urs sign on a mandate as the Swiss National Council. Six years later, at the age of only 58 years, he died. The following year, the name Eterna appears on the dial of a watch for the first time.
  • 1900, the operation will be converted and the steam engine drive is replaced by the electric drive.
  • 1908 ranges Eterna patented the world's first alarm wristwatch one. Six years later, in 1914, Eterna presents at the Swiss national exhibition before the world's first wristwatch with an alarm clock.
  • 1930 brings Eterna smallest mass-produced ladies watch with a baguette work ( mold ) on the market.
  • 1947 equips Eterna Thor Heyerdahl's expedition team on the Kon-Tiki with rugged and waterproof sports watches. The crew sails with a balsa raft from Peru to the ostpolynesischen Islands.
  • 1948 will be presented with Eterna -Matic is the most important development in the history Eternas, the ball-bearing rotor for the automatic winding. Even today, shows the company logo five balls, refer to this invention, which is the predominant rotor bearing until today.
  • In 1958, the then smallest automatic movement is incorporated into the Women's Wrist Watch Golden Heart. In order to provide sufficient moment of inertia for a reliable lift despite the small radius, a rotor made ​​of solid gold will be used.
  • 1962 are presented 3000 two particularly flat automatic movements called Eterna -Matic.
  • 1980, Eterna before the slimmest 0.98 mm quartz wristwatch.
  • 1993, designed by automotive designer Pininfarina sports watch line is presented.
  • 1995 assumes the F. A. Porsche holdings, Eterna SA.
  • 1998, the new Porsche Design watch collection is presented. F. A. Porsche had let the contracts expire with IWC for the end of 1997. The new Porsche Design watches have partially coated housing and strip of titanium, some special models such as older Porsche Design models matt black.
  • 2004 Eterna reflect on its past and created the manufactory caliber 6036th
  • Followed in 2006 for the 150th anniversary, the Manufacture automatic 3030, 2007, caliber 6037 and half a century after the Eterna -Matic underlines the " Spherodrive " In 2009, once again the importance of tiny ball bearings in mechanical watchmaking.
  • 2011 Eterna was taken over by the Chinese company China Haidian.

Collections

  • Adventic
  • Vaughan
  • Madison
  • Heritage
  • Centenaire
  • 1948
  • Kon Tiki
  • Tangaroa
  • Artena
  • Contessa
  • Monterey

Swell

Porsche Design product catalog watches, 04 /98

Types of business entity Manufacture d'horlogerie Biel/Bienne Integrated Authority File
317808
de