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Once upon a time in Switzerland

SWISS MADE SINCE 1870

DISCOVER OUR STORY

HOW MANY YEARS DOES IT TAKE TO CREATE A SWISS WATCH?

The inspired creations of the Sandoz family of master watchmakers date back several centuries. Rooted in the special region of the Jura Mountains in Switzerland, generations of skilled craftsmen perfected the art of measuring time through objects of great beauty.

1530

The Sandoz family is one of the oldest in the canton of Neuchâtel. The earliest known ancestor is Johannes Sandoz, born in Le Locle in 1530.

1697

The first recorded link between the Sandoz family and watchmaking appears in 1697 in the Neuchâtel mountains, when David Sandoz created the church clock of La-Chaux-de-Fonds.

1748

Jacques Sandoz signed the "Oignon", a 54 mm brass-case pocket watch with a silver dial adorned with the Fleur de Lys, now on display at the International Watchmaking Museum in La-Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.

1751

When Henri Sandoz began industrial production of his family's handcrafted pieces, the brand's watches began to carry the Swiss Made seal. Sandoz helped define hallmarks of Swiss watchmaking, such as pocket chronometers—vital to timing the first modern Olympic Games in 1896—and a patented repeating alarm that only needed to be set once to chime daily at the same time.

1800

Gustave Sandoz ran a prestigious establishment in Paris’ Palais Royal. A. Bachelin wrote: “All of Paris has passed by the rock crystal clock (with hand-carved axes, gears, and pinions) long exhibited in the Palais Royal, courtesy of C.A. Sandoz (1800–1880), a native of Neuchâtel.”

1855

As early as 1855, Sandoz master watchmakers specialized in ultra-thin watches and chronometers.

1870

The modern Sandoz adventure began in 1870 when Henri Sandoz, who had learned the trade from a young age, founded the family’s first watch factory with Jules E. Sandoz. They led innovation by introducing American machinery into Swiss watchmaking.

1878

Ami Sandoz & Sons of La Chaux-de-Fonds won a silver medal in Paris. Their Chinese-style watch movements stood out for their finely cut bridges and top-quality pocket chronometers with spring detent escapements.

1896

Henri-Frederic Sandoz designed a counter chronograph and patented five innovations, including speed regulators for repeating watches and music boxes. In 1896, patent no. 12249 introduced an alarm regulator for repeaters, known as the “H. Sandoz-Sandoz system.”

1914

With World War I, wristwatches gained popularity. Louis Sandoz was a pioneer in wristwatch production and supplied timepieces to the British troops during the war.

1920

Henri Sandoz’s factory was renamed Henri Sandoz & Fils when his son Hermann joined the business. A scholar in both commerce and watchmaking, he contributed to the company’s impressive development.

1930

Louis Sandoz’s sons patented an 8-day power reserve system and shifted toward car dashboard timepieces. Henri Sandoz & Fils also developed jump-hour wristwatches.

1938

Sandoz’s outstanding precision was recognized with two awards at the Neuchâtel Observatory. The brand also won first prize and public acclaim at the National Exhibition in Zurich the following year.

1950

In the 1950s, Sandoz focused on ultra-thin automatic watches like the iconic Sandoz 333 and the groundbreaking HSF 56 caliber—praised for eliminating lateral vibration and maintaining tight tolerances between the caseback and movement.

1965

New workshops opened in the Richemont building in La-Chaux-de-Fonds, employing over 300 people under the name H. Sandoz et Co.

1966

The factory’s organized production system gave birth to the Sandoz 65, a water-resistant automatic watch with a calendar.

1971-1979

Sandoz expanded internationally across the Middle East, India, and Pakistan. Annual production reached 1 million pieces, as advertised: “Each year, Sandoz brings satisfaction to 1,000,000 people.”

2000

The Munreco Group acquired global rights to the Sandoz brand, launching it successfully with luxury ambassador Richard Gere, who brought prestige, spirituality, and excellence to the brand.

2007

Starlight Collection: With the ambition to keep proving its winning spirit, Sandoz launched bold new collections. Our success is no accident—it is the result of tireless effort and a drive to outperform. This innate talent, combined with Swiss roots and a long horological tradition since 1870, makes Sandoz a market leader. This is the spirit behind our motto: “Nothing is accidental. Sandoz. Technique fuels talent.”

2008

True to its heritage, Sandoz introduced the Caractère collection—a worthy successor to the family’s legendary chronographs. Designed for discerning men who value heritage and elegance, and for contemporary women with a taste for classic quality, these exclusive models feature mother-of-pearl dials or diamond accents.

BEAUTY AND PRECISION

Since the 1930s and the rise of automobiles, Sandoz dashboard clocks became a reference in the most coveted car models—reflecting a sporting spirit that paralleled the progress of engineering.

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