Silvana
Tramelan, Switzerland · Est. 1888
Founded by Cattin & Co.
Silvana was a Swiss watch brand from Tramelan, best known as one of the twelve manufacturers selected for the British Dirty Dozen military contract during WWII. Post-war, it produced civilian watches but never regained its wartime prominence.
- Founded
- 1888
- Headquarters
- Tramelan, Switzerland
- Group
- Independent
- Price Segment
- Entry
- Status
- Defunct
Ceased: 1978
Silvana, one of the Dirty Dozen military watch makers, declined after losing military contracts and was finished off by the quartz crisis.
Another Dirty Dozen soldier lost to peacetime — Silvana built watches for war and couldn't survive without one.
Key Collections
- W.W.W. (Waterproof Wristlet Watch) — Silvana's contribution to the British Dirty Dozen contract, featuring the distinctive broad arrow marking and military specification dial with luminous hands and indices.
- Silvana Automatic — Post-war civilian automatic watches that showcased the brand's technical competence with reliable Swiss movements in modest cases.
- Military — Field watches produced for various military contracts beyond the British W.W.W., maintaining the brand's reputation for robust, legible timepieces.
- Dress Collection — Elegant civilian timepieces produced throughout the 1950s and 1960s, featuring clean dials and slim cases for everyday wear.
Timeline
- 1888 — Silvana founded by Cattin & Co. in Tramelan, Switzerland, joining the established watchmaking community of the Bernese Jura.
- 1944 — Selected as one of twelve manufacturers for the British Ministry of Defence W.W.W. contract, producing military watches to strict specifications.
- 1945 — Completed delivery of Dirty Dozen watches, establishing the brand's military credentials.
- 1950 — Transitioned focus to civilian watch production, introducing automatic movements to its catalogue.
- 1970 — Struggled to compete as military contracts diminished and Japanese quartz technology disrupted the market.
- 1978 — Ceased operations, unable to survive the quartz crisis that devastated the Swiss watch industry.
Frequently Asked Questions about Silvana
- When did Silvana stop making watches?
- Silvana ceased production in 1978, a casualty of the quartz crisis that swept through the Swiss watch industry. The brand had already been weakened by the loss of military contracts following the Second World War.
- Are Silvana watches still valuable?
- Silvana W.W.W. Dirty Dozen watches are highly collectible and command significant premiums, particularly examples with intact military markings and original dials. Civilian models are less sought after but remain affordable entry points into vintage Swiss watchmaking.
- Can I still buy a Silvana watch today?
- Silvana watches are only available on the vintage market. Dirty Dozen examples appear regularly at specialist auctions, whilst civilian models can be found through vintage watch dealers and online marketplaces.
- What is the Dirty Dozen?
- The Dirty Dozen refers to twelve Swiss watch manufacturers contracted by the British Ministry of Defence during WWII to produce military wristwatches meeting strict specifications. Silvana was one of these select brands alongside names such as Omega, Longines, and IWC.
- How can I identify an authentic Silvana Dirty Dozen watch?
- Genuine examples feature the broad arrow military marking on the caseback, a black dial with luminous Arabic numerals, subsidiary seconds dial, and fixed bar lugs. The caseback should bear military issue numbers and the W.W.W. designation.