Favre-Leuba

Favre-Leuba
Industry Watch manufacturing
Founded 1737
Headquarters Le Locle, Switzerland
Products Wristwatches
Parent Titan Company

Favre-Leuba is a Swiss manufacturer of wristwatches based in Le Locle, Switzerland. It was one of the very first watchmaking companies in Switzerland.

History of Favre Leuba

The history of Favre-Leuba begins in 1718, when watch enthusiast Abraham Favre decided to become a watchmaker. His profession was soon recognized, and his manufactory was officially registered in 1737. In 1814, Abraham Favre's grandson Henry-Auguste went into partnership with Auguste Leuba, a watch dealer from Buttes in the Val-de-Travers. The business remained in the Favre family for eight generations, until 1969, when the quartz revolution greatly increased competition for the company's relatively expensive mechanical watches.

Favre-Leuba, one of the largest companies of its time, passed through different hands such as Benedom SA and LVMH before finally regaining its independence in 2003. On November 16, 2011, Titan Industries acquired Favre-Leuba for €2 million.[1][2][3]

Favre-Leuba alarm clock

Notable Favre-Leuba watches include the Bivouac (1962), which had a barometer/altimeter, and the Bathy (1966), a diving watch,[4] both of which are collectors' items.[5] The brand was among the first to be introduced to India,[6] where it gained great popularity.[7]

Titan Company plans to re-launch the brand worldwide this fiscal (2014-15). [8]

References

  1. ↑ "Titan acquires Favre Leuba". moneycontrol.com. 16 November 2011. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  2. ↑ "Titan to buy Favre Leuba for 2 million euros". The Economic Times. 17 November 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  3. ↑ Pinto, Viveat Susan; Sameer Mulgaonkar (30 December 2012). "Tata Group's four little gems". Business Standard. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  4. ↑ Gorman, Robert (December 1970). "Those Wild Watches with the Built-In Brains". Popular Science. pp. 80–82, 110, 114. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  5. ↑ Kreuzer, Anton; Stolberg, Lukas (1995). Die Armbanduhr: Geschichte, Technik, Design (4 ed.). Universitätsverlag Carinthia. ISBN 9783853784235.
  6. ↑ Gerster, Richard (2008). Partners In Development: India and Switzerland. Berghahn. p. 10. ISBN 9788187358404. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  7. ↑ Nevile, Pran (2006). Lahore: A Sentimental Journey. Penguin Books India. p. 9. ISBN 9780143061977. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  8. ↑ http://www.business-standard.com/article/management/titan-readies-own-brand-in-premiumisation-bid-113081301080_1.html