Herma
Morteau, France · Est. 1946
Herma was a French watch brand from Morteau, a town on the Swiss border with deep horological roots. It produced sport and dive watches that offered French alternatives to Swiss imports.
- Founded
- 1946
- Headquarters
- Morteau, France
- Group
- Independent
- Price Segment
- Entry
- Status
- Defunct
Ceased: 1985
Herma, a post-war French brand based in Morteau near the Swiss border, ceased operations as the French watchmaking industry contracted to near extinction in the 1980s.
A French border town's answer to Swiss dominance — Herma watched from across the Doubs as its world changed.
Key Collections
- Compressor — Herma's robust dive watch featuring the distinctive compressor-style case with twin crowns, offering reliable water resistance for recreational diving.
- Calypso Diver — A purpose-built diving watch that competed with Swiss offerings, featuring a rotating bezel and luminous dial for underwater legibility.
- Chronographe — Herma's chronograph collection utilised reliable mechanical movements, often housed in sporty cases appealing to motorsport enthusiasts.
Timeline
- 1946 — Herma established in Morteau, France, a border town with strong connections to the Swiss watchmaking industry.
- 1950 — The brand expanded production of affordable sport watches aimed at the domestic French market.
- 1960 — Introduction of the Compressor diving watch range, capitalising on the growing popularity of recreational scuba diving.
- 1970 — Herma reached peak production, offering a diverse catalogue of mechanical timepieces including chronographs and dive watches.
- 1985 — Herma ceased operations as the quartz crisis and broader decline of French watchmaking rendered the business unviable.
Frequently Asked Questions about Herma
- When did Herma stop making watches?
- Herma ceased production in 1985, a casualty of the quartz crisis and the near-total collapse of the French watchmaking industry during the 1980s.
- Are Herma watches still valuable?
- Herma watches have modest collector value, particularly the Compressor and Calypso diving models, which appeal to enthusiasts of vintage French horology and affordable tool watches.
- Can I still buy a Herma watch today?
- Herma watches are only available on the vintage market through specialist dealers, auction houses, and online platforms. The brand has not been revived.
- Where was Herma based?
- Herma was headquartered in Morteau, a French town in the Doubs department situated on the Swiss border, historically an important centre for cross-border watchmaking activity.
- What movements did Herma use?
- Herma typically sourced movements from established Swiss and French suppliers, fitting reliable calibres into their sport and dive watch cases rather than manufacturing movements in-house.