Tavannes Watch Co
Tavannes, Switzerland · Est. 1891
Founded by Henri-Frédéric Sandoz
Tavannes Watch Co was one of the largest Swiss watch manufacturers of the early 20th century, producing millions of watches from its Jura Mountain factory. The brand became intertwined with Cyma and was eventually absorbed into the SSIH group.
- Founded
- 1891
- Headquarters
- Tavannes, Switzerland
- Group
- Other
- Price Segment
- Entry
- Status
- Defunct
Ceased: 1966
Once one of Switzerland's largest watch producers, Tavannes was gradually absorbed into the Cyma brand and the broader SSIH group, losing its independent identity by the mid-1960s.
One of Switzerland's biggest names became one of its most forgotten — Tavannes made millions of watches before vanishing into corporate alphabet soup.
Key Collections
- Tavannes Chronograph — Highly regarded vintage chronographs produced from the 1930s through 1950s, featuring reliable in-house movements and clean dial designs favoured by collectors today.
- Golfer — A distinctive sports watch from the 1950s featuring a rotating bezel for timing golf rounds, representing the brand's innovation in purpose-built timepieces.
- La Captive — An elegant Art Deco ladies' watch from the 1920s-30s, showcasing the brand's expertise in decorative women's timepieces during the interwar period.
- Military Watches — Robust field watches supplied to various armed forces during both World Wars, cementing Tavannes' reputation for reliable, accurate timekeeping under demanding conditions.
Timeline
- 1891 — Henri-Frédéric Sandoz establishes Tavannes Watch Co in the village of Tavannes in the Bernese Jura mountains.
- 1908 — Tavannes merges with Cyma, forming a powerful Swiss watchmaking alliance whilst both brands retain their separate identities.
- 1930 — At its peak, the combined Tavannes-Cyma operation becomes one of Switzerland's largest watch manufacturers, producing over one million watches annually.
- 1933 — Becomes part of SSIH (Société Suisse pour l'Industrie Horlogère), joining Omega and Tissot in the watchmaking conglomerate.
- 1966 — Tavannes ceases to exist as an independent brand, fully absorbed into SSIH's operations with production consolidated under the Cyma name.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tavannes Watch Co
- When did Tavannes stop making watches?
- Tavannes ceased independent production around 1966, when the brand was fully absorbed into the SSIH group structure and its identity merged with sister brand Cyma.
- Are Tavannes watches still valuable?
- Vintage Tavannes watches, particularly chronographs from the 1940s and 1950s, are increasingly sought after by collectors for their quality movements and historical significance as products of one of Switzerland's largest pre-war manufacturers.
- Can I still buy a Tavannes watch today?
- Tavannes watches are only available through the vintage market, with no new production. Collectors can find examples at specialist dealers, auction houses, and online marketplaces, with prices varying according to model, condition, and rarity.
- What is the connection between Tavannes and Cyma?
- Tavannes and Cyma merged in 1908, sharing manufacturing facilities and movements whilst maintaining separate brand identities until the 1960s when Tavannes was discontinued and absorbed into Cyma.
- Did Tavannes make military watches?
- Yes, Tavannes produced military watches for various armed forces during both World Wars, valued for their reliability and accuracy in field conditions.