Avia
La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland · Fondée en 1910
Fondée par August Reymond
Avia était un fabricant suisse de montres fondé à La Chaux-de-Fonds, connu pour ses montres de dame élégantes et ses modèles de sport abordables. La marque a survécu à la crise du quartz et reste active.
- Fondée en
- 1910
- Siège social
- La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland
- Groupe
- Independent
- Segment de prix
- Entrée de gamme
- Statut
- Disparue
Cessation: 1988
Avia n'est pas une marque disparue — elle reste active en produisant des montres accessibles.
Avia n'avait pas besoin d'épitaphe — elle est toujours là, discrètement.
Collections phares
- Avia Matic — The brand's flagship automatic line, offering reliable Swiss movements in accessible, everyday dress watches throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
- Olympic — A sporty collection featuring robust cases and clear dials, marketed towards active wearers seeking Swiss quality at moderate prices.
- Day-Date — Practical calendar watches displaying both day and date complications, popular among professionals requiring functional timepieces.
- Swissonic — Electronic tuning fork watches produced during the 1970s as Avia attempted to compete with emerging quartz technology.
Chronologie
- 1910 — Avia founded in La Chaux-de-Fonds by August Reymond, initially producing affordable Swiss watches for export markets.
- 1930 — Established strong distribution networks across the British Commonwealth, becoming a familiar presence in high street jewellers.
- 1960 — Avia se distingue sur les marchés d'exportation avec ses montres de dame élégantes.
- 1972 — Introduced the Swissonic electronic range in response to the emerging quartz revolution threatening mechanical watchmaking.
- 1988 — Ceased operations during the Swiss watch industry consolidation, unable to compete with inexpensive Asian quartz imports.
Questions fréquentes sur Avia
- When did Avia stop making watches?
- Avia ceased production in 1988, a casualty of the Quartz Crisis that devastated mid-range Swiss brands unable to compete with cheaper Asian imports.
- Are Avia watches still valuable?
- Vintage Avia watches remain modestly collectible, valued for their quality Swiss movements and nostalgic appeal rather than commanding premium prices. Well-preserved examples from the 1960s and 1970s attract the most interest.
- Can I still buy an Avia watch today?
- Original Avia watches are only available through vintage dealers, auction houses, and online marketplaces. The brand has not been revived, so no new production exists.
- What movements did Avia use?
- Avia primarily sourced movements from established Swiss suppliers, including AS, ETA, and Felsa calibres, ensuring reliable performance despite their accessible pricing.
- Why were Avia watches so popular in Britain?
- Avia built extensive distribution networks across the British Commonwealth from the 1930s onwards, positioning their watches as affordable Swiss quality in countless high street jewellers.