Watch archives & heritage

Archives & heritage

THE WATCH FILES

Archives & heritage

In watchmaking, it’s difficult to talk about the present or even the future without bringing up the past. Our selection of articles on archives and heritage.

On the difficulties of waking a sleeping beauty: the case of Léon Hatot

On the difficulties of waking a sleeping beauty: the case of Léon Hatot

GUEST COLUMN

In an industry that values history and heritage, there is great temptation to revive old names, as recent examples have shown. The Europa Star archives are (...)

The Royal Oak Concept through the Europa Star archives

The Royal Oak Concept through the Europa Star archives

AP x ES SERIES

Last time, Stephen Foskett took us on an epic deep dive into the Royal Oak Offshore through the Europa Star archives, showing how “the Beast” smashed (...)

The Tissot saga in the United States (1848–1876)

The Tissot saga in the United States (1848–1876)

Tight links were established between the Tissot family from Le Locle and the United States from very early on. In 1848, Charles-Emile crossed the ocean for (...)

Breitling, 140 years of acceleration

Breitling, 140 years of acceleration

Breitling is celebrating 140 years spanning a history of firsts, recent developments and a “legendary future” – its slogan since 2017 when it was acquired by (...)

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“Recognition for John Arnold is our priority”

“Recognition for John Arnold is our priority”

INTERVIEW

Pascal Béchu is the new managing director of Arnold & Son and Angelus, having previously headed up global sales. He intends to use his tenure to (...)

In the Mood for Tissot: the debut in Hong Kong (1920–1997)

In the Mood for Tissot: the debut in Hong Kong (1920–1997)

It is always interesting to re-evaluate Tissot’s business choices and activities in China from a present-day perspective. Just recently, 2023 saw the launch (...)

Understanding the history of Rolex through Europa Star archives

Understanding the history of Rolex through Europa Star archives

GUEST COLUMN

Pierre-Yves Donzé’s opus on the history of Rolex is a publishing phenomenon. “The Crown” is already the subject of numerous books, written from a collector’s (...)

Should we colourise the past?

Should we colourise the past?

EDITORIAL

A kind reader* recently sent us this photograph, which shows Europa Star’s founder, our ancestor Hugo Buchser, in a new light. While we’re used to seeing (...)

Micromégas: an astonishing encyclopaedia of Time, rediscovered

Micromégas: an astonishing encyclopaedia of Time, rediscovered

Between 1964 and 1970, a rich, well-documented and fascinating encyclopaedia of Time with a revolutionary graphic design for its day, was published by Les (...)

The fragmentation of watch fairs is a reflection of the market

The fragmentation of watch fairs is a reflection of the market

COLUMN

In the 1990s, journalist Pascal Brandt reported Alain-Dominique Perrin’s memorable comment on “the smell of grilled sausages” at Baselworld, signalling the (...)

“Distribution will be the battlefield of the next century”

“Distribution will be the battlefield of the next century”

After Fine Watchmaking and its icons, Pascal Brandt takes this new column into the sensitive – and totally transformed – terrain of watch distribution, again (...)

Once Upon a Time: Tissot in Shanghai (1920–1948)

Once Upon a Time: Tissot in Shanghai (1920–1948)

The evocation of Tissot’s past presence in Shanghai resonates with its present, with the opening of a new boutique on Nanking Road - the very place where (...)

In Time with Fashion: Tissot in Shanghai (1920–1948)

In Time with Fashion: Tissot in Shanghai (1920–1948)

Tissot’s first steps in China took it backstage into the vibrant world of Shanghai cinema. Carried by the most famous actresses of the time, its timepieces (...)

The watch industry, Switzerland and the USSR under Stalin

The watch industry, Switzerland and the USSR under Stalin

In February 1941, after hard-fought negotiations, Switzerland and the USSR signed a trade agreement that floundered on the rock of (...)

It's raining icons

It’s raining icons

COLUMN

After “Haute Horlogerie”, Pascal Brandt takes on another twenty-first-century buzzword: “icon”. His starting point is again one of his past articles for Europa (...)

Will the real Haute Horlogerie please stand up (again)?

Will the real Haute Horlogerie please stand up (again)?

FEATURE

In the 1990s, the respected journalist and watch expert Pascal Brandt was a regular contributor to Europa Star. Three decades later, he’s back to review (...)

1933: The origins of Nivarox and Incabloc

1933: The origins of Nivarox and Incabloc

Two revolutionary technologies emerged nearly simultaneously in 1933. Nivarox and Incabloc addressed the key shortcomings of watches in daily use: accuracy (...)

Hunting Treasures: Zenith's Heritage Department

Hunting Treasures: Zenith’s Heritage Department

Zenith’s Manufacture in Le Locle holds many treasures: its staff, for one, its buildings, which have stood on the same ground since 1865, its collections, (...)

Olivier Laesser: the great escapement

Olivier Laesser: the great escapement

At the end of an unprecedented investigation, this doctor in horology has drawn a “family tree” of the escapement through the centuries, introducing some (...)

1900-2000: A history of watch advertising

1900-2000: A history of watch advertising

A history of watch advertising: 1990-2000

A history of watch advertising: 1990-2000

A history of watch advertising: 1980-1989

A history of watch advertising: 1980-1989

A history of watch advertising: 1970-1979

A history of watch advertising: 1970-1979

A history of watch advertising: 1960-1969

A history of watch advertising: 1960-1969