Menu
SWIZA® – Whole history
Cutlery is deeply rooted in the Swiss Jura. SWIZA® has brought it back to life. Its engineers, designers and production specialists have set themselves the goal of reinventing the Swiss Pocket Knife as a highly functional design accessory for outdoor, sports and urban life. A modern product, manufactured in the purest cutlery tradition and according to the highest Swiss quality standards.
2020
Communication and design hand-in-hand
Launch of tactical and single-hand opening pocket knives for safety and hunting, pocket knife & cutlery accessories, as well as a new houseware collection with table & kitchen knives.
Development of specific oriented foldable knives for high demanding customers (e.g. watchmakers, barbers), as well as pet friends or Lausanne-2020 Youth Olympic winter games.
Creation of a co-branded Helvetix knife line to highlight Swiss culinary regions and natural slow-food values.
Design of the new SWIZA® travel and contempory luggage collection for launch in early 2021.
Set-up of a new visual identity throughout new-fashioned communication guidelines and channels.
2020
2019
Creations continue at all levels
Emergence of new outdoor patented pocket knife collections to open up the world of sports like: golf and horse riding.
Creation of signature lines with new SWIZA® Ambassadors:
- The famous explorer – Mike Horn
“As a child, I dreamed of becoming an explorer and one day my father gave me my first pocket knife. It made me want to go out and explore the world. He became my best friend.” - Olympic Obstacle Jumping Champion – Steve Guerdat
He supported us to develop an original equestrian collection with its unique horse tool included in our knives: a foldable 68mm hoof pick.
2019
2018
Innovation in pocket knives is growing rapidly
Launch of the scissor tool and “World Premiere” of the patented Tick-tool.
2018
2017
New Urban Watch Collection
Launch of the new watch collection with our exceptional models MAGNUS, MAGNUS GMT, KRETOS and ALZA.
2017
2016
Award
The SWIZA® knife received the Reddot design award in 2016.
2016
2015
Launch of the new pocket knife
Three cutlery specialists have come together to reinvent the pocket knife as a highly functional design accessory that will enable SWIZA® to launch a new product in its range. A modern product, manufactured in the purest cutlery tradition and according to the highest Swiss quality standards.
2015
2014
110 Years of Experience
Over the years, SWIZA® has become the largest table clock manufacturer, producing collections for its three brands, but also for other prestigious, world-renowned clockmakers. With its strong vision of the future, SWIZA® is supported by a dynamic team whose passion for innovation and excellence perpetuates the creative genius that has made the firm so successful.
2014
2009
Mechanical & Quarz
The SWIZA® family firm was acquired by the Swiss holding MECAP SA, who progressively re-oriented production and developed new lines of luxury products. The SWIZA® collection thus began to specialize exclusively in table and alarm clocks with full quartz mechanisms.
2009
2008
New Brand
SWIZA® opted to acquire “L’Epéé 1839”, an upscale French brand specializing in complex mechanical table clocks.
2008
2006
New Ownership
For the first time, the Schwab family relinquished ownership and ceded its share in the factory to Bedonna Holdings.
2006
1985 – 2000
The Golden Years
The last fifteen years of the 20th century were prosperous ones, with significant developments and numerous creations. During this period, the firm employed over 300 people and produced over 30,000 table clocks and movements a year. In 1991, the company integrated a new brand specializing in travel clocks: Matthew Norman.
1985 – 2000
1984
Swiss Quarz by SWIZA
SWIZA® began production of its first Swiss Quarz movements, which are still made today and are used in many collections.
1984
1979
hird Generation of Clockmakers
The company came under the direction of Louis Schwab’s grandchildren, who oversaw the creation of the luxury 8-day baguette movement with 19 jewels.
1979
1976
Introduction of Quarz Movements
Like almost every other Swiss watchmaker, SWIZA® began integrating quartz movements into its alarm clocks.
1976
1972
First Award
SWIZA® received the Gold Mercury European Award in recognition of the quality of its alarm clocks and its significant number of sales throughout the world.
1972
1965
Company Transfer
The company moved their headquarters to Delémont and opened a new factory.
1965
1959
Mechanical Evolution
The launch of the first-ever 8-day, 15-jewel mechanical movement – an exclusive SWIZA® innovation – led to the firm’s significant international development.
1959
1935
International Development
After the death of Louis Schwab, his sons Pierre, Samuel and Willy took over the factory and soon afterwards officially registered SWIZA® as a brand name.
1935
1918
Levtoi
The company designed and launched the highly-successful “Levtoi” bell-type alarm clock, which sold all over the world and made the Jura watchmaking industry famous.
1918
1904
Company Fondation
The SWIZA® clock factory was established by Louis Schwab in Moutier, in the heart of the Bernese Jura Mountains. At the time, Louis Schwab chose to specialize in mechanical clockmaking components and movements, particularly mechanical alarm clocks with 1-day movements.
1904
