Nicolet Watch
Tramelan, Switzerland · Est. 1935
Nicolet Watch was a Swiss chronograph specialist from Tramelan, producing robust sport chronographs and timing instruments. The brand served the professional and enthusiast market before the quartz crisis ended production.
- Founded
- 1935
- Headquarters
- Tramelan, Switzerland
- Group
- Independent
- Price Segment
- Mid
- Status
- Defunct
Ceased: 1975
Nicolet Watch ceased production during the quartz crisis, its mid-range chronographs and sport watches unable to compete with cheap quartz alternatives.
Nicolet made chronographs for people who used them — timing laps, not impressing dinner guests.
Key Collections
- 1-Button Chronograph — Monopusher chronographs representing Nicolet's early expertise in timing complications, featuring column wheel movements and classic dial layouts.
- Diver — Robust diving watches with rotating bezels and enhanced water resistance, built for underwater professionals and sport enthusiasts.
- Incabloc Sport — Shock-resistant sport watches utilising the Incabloc protection system, designed for durability in active use.
Timeline
- 1935 — Nicolet Watch established in Tramelan, joining the cluster of chronograph specialists in the Bernese Jura region.
- 1940 — Production expanded to meet military and professional timing instrument demands during wartime.
- 1955 — Introduction of updated sport chronograph lines featuring Incabloc shock protection for improved reliability.
- 1965 — Diver collection launched to capitalise on growing recreational diving market.
- 1975 — Nicolet Watch ceased operations as the quartz crisis devastated mid-range Swiss mechanical watchmakers.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nicolet Watch
- When did Nicolet Watch stop making watches?
- Nicolet Watch ceased production in 1975, a casualty of the quartz crisis that particularly affected mid-range Swiss chronograph manufacturers unable to compete with inexpensive quartz alternatives.
- Are Nicolet watches still valuable?
- Vintage Nicolet chronographs maintain modest collector interest, particularly monopusher models and early sport chronographs. Values remain accessible compared to better-known Swiss chronograph brands from the same era.
- Can I still buy a Nicolet watch today?
- Nicolet watches are only available through the vintage market, including specialist dealers, auction houses, and online platforms. No revival of the brand has occurred.
- What movements did Nicolet use in their chronographs?
- Nicolet typically employed ébauche movements from suppliers such as Landeron and Venus, which were commonly used by mid-tier Swiss chronograph manufacturers during the mid-twentieth century.
- Where was Nicolet Watch based?
- Nicolet Watch was headquartered in Tramelan, a commune in the Bernese Jura historically known for its concentration of watchmaking firms specialising in chronographs and complications.