OUR HISTORY
THE BEGINNINGS
The art of watchmaking began over 200 years ago in the gently rolling hills of the Swiss Jura between Geneva and Basel. It started out as an occupation with which to fill the long winter months and boost modest farming incomes. For some of the inhabitants of the Jura, however, this challenging art became a real passion. This was certainly true for the Hasler family, the founding fathers of the DAVOSA brand.
The craft
1861-1943
Abel Frédéric Hasler makes silver watchcases in small series by hand. Two of his brothers establish a watch factory in Geneva, another brother sets up a business in Biel. Six sons learn the art of watchmaking, among them Paul Hasler.
A passion for the watch
1883 - 1977
Paul Hasler is already fascinated by watches as a child. As an adult, he sets up his own watchmaking company.
Paul Hasler Terminages D'horologie
1917
The one-man company Paul Hasler Terminages d'Horlogerie specialises in watch assembly for well-known watch brands.
Hard years
1930-36
These are hard years with extremely high numbers of unemployed. As a result many smaller companies are forced to close down due to a lack of demand for their products. Paul Hasler’s business, however, prevails.
Hasler Frères
1946
Foundation of the company Hasler Frères with brother and partner David Hasler (1897-1951), who had worked as a talented watchmaker for Paul Hasler for many years. The company begins making its own movements and watches, especially for customers in the United States.
1961
The sons of the founder, Wilfred and Eric Hasler, who had worked in the business for many years, become partners. New markets are swiftly conquered in Europe thanks to the excellent quality of their mechanical specialities.
1974
The company changes its name to Hasler & Co. S.A.
Automatic and quartz
1975
The production of mechanical watches is expanded to include quartz watches. Models are adapted to market requirements.
Increasing demand
1987
The demand for mechanical watches, including those with special complications, increases towards the end of the 1980s. The company creates a small collection under the name of DAVOSA, which features chronographs with Valjoux 7750 and 7751 movements as well as other specialities like power reserve and regulators. DAVOSA is well received by retailers, customers and the press, and the collection is continually expanded from then on.
1994
Customer ideas flow into the production process. Ever more sophisticated DAVOSA watches are developed, some in reserved and limited series in steel, metal alloys and precious metals. The DAVOSA brand now has a large and discerning customer base and supplies its watches to many countries.
Basel Watch Fair
1998
DAVOSA presents its collection at the world’s leading watch trade fair in Basel for the first time.
2000
Corinna Bohle assumes responsibility for the brand’s strategic direction.
2001
The Panamericana becomes the first DAVOSA limited edition that is without exception to be found in the portfolios of prestigious collectors.
Popular small series
2002
In addition to three-hand automatics and chronographs, small series calibres with special complications join the collection. For example, the Regulateur and a model with power reserve in 18ct yellow gold.
Ladies' collection
2003
Our competence in mechanical watches is expanded to launch a ladies’ collection with automatic movements. The first of these watches are the Ladies’ Best Friends, which are later joined by the Ladies’ Delight and finally the Ladies’ Colour Delight.
Pilot chronograph
2004
We release the Pilot Chronograph to mark the 100-year anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ flight. It is awarded the maximum number of stars in a test in Uhren-Magazin, and continues to enjoy a high regard and great popularity.
2008
DAVOSA makes a fashion statement by inventing a new category of women’s hand-winding, skeleton watches. Our Lady in Red captures women’s hearts in a limited edition. It is followed by Lady in Black with black diamonds and Lady in White with white topazes. This success story is continued in the Salome (from 2013) and in the forthcoming Grande Diva.
2009
The limited edition Classic Skeleton makes the Watch of the Year Top 10.
A special 100-piece series of our Classic model is offered in an attractive collector’s box. The models carry the names Waterdrop, Pinstripe, White Rose and Black Rose.
The first cufflinks are made by DAVOSA as the brand begins producing high-end accessories.
2010
The Rallye Pilot Chronograph is released in a limited edition.
2014
DAVOSA conquers not only the stratosphere, but also penetrates deep underwater. As a sponsor partner of DAVOSA, famous free diver and multiple record holder Nikolay ‘Nik’ Linder wears a DAVOSA Argonautic Lumis Gun.
An astonishing 5,100 participants vote on watchtime.net to choose the top divers’ watch of the year. A major proportion of votes are given to our Argonautic Ceramic with a Nato strap, which wins the ‘up to 1000 euros’ category hands down.
Luca Tribondeau
2015
Austria’s Olympic hopeful in free skiing, Luca Tribondeau, travels all around the world to pursue his extreme sport. As the new brand ambassador of DAVOSA, he tests his favourite models under real extreme conditions. He is currently testing the DAVOSA Titanium with a carbon dial.
2018
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, DAVOSA donates a very special collection of the popular "Argonautic" series, consisting of two limited-edition bronze timepieces, which are very popular and quickly sold out due to their wealth of detail and the attractive price.
2019
The 300-piece limited edition Newton Pilot Moonphase Chronograph, with an edition plaque at 9 o’clock, is the flagship timepiece of the new "Newton Pilot" series. Within the case resides one of the most complicated movements ever devised, a DAV 3051 based on an ETA/Valjoux 7751: the automatic calibre displays hours, minutes and seconds. It boasts a stopwatch function, a moon phase display and a date hand tipped with a red airplane silhouette, while the weekday, month and time are shown as a 24-hour display. And so far, we’ve only mentioned the functions! This top-of-the-range model is also distinguished by its fine embellishment – including pearlized and côte circulaire bridges, blued screws, rhodium plating and a newly constructed, highly skeletonized DAVOSA rotor with Geneva stripes.
2020
Moving to the new company building in Herford.
#davosacelebrates
2021
Celebrating 140 years of swiss watchmaking.
