Independent Brands ANONIMO, De Bethune, H. Moser & Cie., HAUTLENCE and Vulcain to Showcase Their Creations At The Hyperion Hotel During Baselworld 2019 Exhibition

Five independent Swiss watch brands have joined forces at Baselworld to create a space dedicated to beautiful watchmaking and design. Known as the Time Lounge, it groups together ANONIMO, De Bethune, H. Moser & Cie., HAUTLENCE and Vulcain. From March 20th to 26th 2019, visitors can discover the newest models from these five independent brands on the third floor of the Hyperion Hotel, formerly the Ramada Plaza Basel Hotel.

At the heart of this redesigned area, ANONIMO, De Bethune, H. Moser & Cie., HAUTLENCE and Vulcain will meet clients, friends of the brands, journalists and enthusiasts to showcase their new models for 2019. With a focus on independent watchmaking and exceptional design, these five watchmaking houses are cleverly using the synergies between them to display their openness of spirit. The informal, relaxed atmosphere on the third floor of the Hyperion Hotel will be a must-visit location for those in the know.

Aldo Magada, Pierre Jacques, as well as Georges-Henri, Edouard and Bertrand Meylan along with their teams are looking forward to sharing this adventure and welcoming their visitors to Basel.

H. MOSER & CIE.

H. Moser & Cie. was created by Heinrich Moser in 1828. Based in Neuhausen am Rheinfall, it currently employs around 60 people, has developed 12 in-house calibres to date and produces more than 1,500 watches per annum.

H. Moser & Cie. manufactures parts such as regulating organs and balance-springs, which are used for its own production as well as to supply its partner companies. H. Moser & Cie. is honoured to have a Moser family member with the company as Honorary Chairman and President of the Heinrich and Henri Moser Foundation.

The aim of the Moser Foundation, created by one of Heinrich Moser’s descendants, is to keep the family history alive and seek out antique pieces for the Moser Museum, located in Charlottenfels Manor, Heinrich Moser’s family home. With its substantial watchmaking expertise and highly acclaimed experience in the sector, MELB Holding holds shares in H. Moser & Cie. and Hautlence. MELB Holding is an independent family group, based in the heart of the legendary Vallée de Joux.

HAUTLENCE

Founded in 2004, HAUTLENCE – whose name itself is an anagram of Neuchâtel – pays tribute to the birthplace of the watchmaking art. The brand has been praised by watch collectors and aficionados from across the world for bringing a new dynamism to the art of fine watchmaking. With annual production of around 200 pieces, HAUTLENCE has seven calibres designed and developed in-house, whilst also relying on external partners for the movements used in certain collections.

HAUTLENCE is pushing the boundaries of traditional watchmaking codes, uniting them with innovative mechanical solutions and an unlimited universe borrowed from the various arts, combining design, architecture, and movement.

The brand takes its inspiration from this to create new approaches to time display, which it uses to elevate the two key dimensions of space and time. Ever conscious of a functional relationship with beauty, HAUTLENCE invents timepieces with completely new contours and depths, respecting every stage and every person involved in their production. In strategic terms, HAUTLENCE can count on support from MELB Holding, an independent family watchmaking group which has been offering its experience and network since 2012, to foster the synergies between HAUTLENCE and the group.

DE BETHUNE

De Bethune is an independent Swiss watch manufacturer located at L’Auberson, in the Jura mountain pastures of the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. Here, some 30 employees, including watchmakers, engineers, developer-designers, micromechanical engineers, polishers and decorators focus firmly on the research and development of technical and aesthetic innovations in the spirit of the great 18th century master watchmakers.

The brand designs, develops and produces all its timepieces within its own Manufacture. Since its foundation, De Bethune has developed no fewer than 27 calibres, presented some 30 world premieres and registered a large number of patents as well as producing 150 one-off pieces to meet the expectations of the most discerning collectors.

De Bethune has received the highest distinctions awarded by the watch industry all over the world, including the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix for the best watch of the year. Today, Denis Flageollet, co-founder of the brand and master watchmaker, together with CEO Pierre Jacques, are spearheading the future of the company. The pure style, clean lines and delicacy of the cases represent the inimitable hallmark of De Bethune creations.

ANONIMO

Now 20 years old, the brand combines Swiss precision with a sporty-chic Italian lifestyle with a strong character. Founded in Florence by passionate watchmakers convinced that the product should be more important than the name, the brand developed timepieces for professional divers. Since 1997, ANONIMO offers watches expressing robustness and elegance.

A pioneer in the use of original materials, it was the first brand to offer bronze diving watches. With their cushion cases, the lines MILITARE and NAUTILO and now EPURATO are characterized by an atypical construction and dials that recall the “A” of ANONIMO with markers at 12:00, 4:00 and 8:00. Based on the other side of the Matterhorn since 2013, its production now meets all the criteria to be Swiss Made.

VULCAIN

Founded in 1858 by Maurice Ditisheim, the Vulcain watch counter developed very quickly to become famous the world over, all the while remaining a family-owned business. A talented watchmaker, Maurice Ditisheim stood out by creating and making complication watches, such as the “Vallée de l’Arve” pocket watch, first made in the 1890s for the Chinese market, and featuring the functions of minute repeater, a small alarm and a perpetual calendar, presented in a gold case, and enamelled in a large fire and then inset with pearls. The strength of the brand is the reality of its history and the truth of its products, a decisive combination that opens Vulcain up to vast horizons.

The uncontested specialist in mechanical alarm watches, Vulcain even today continues to write its history for the long term and with sustainability. Branded by the seal of constant innovation, the timepieces offered by Vulcain find favour with a demanding, and always better informed, clientele, a customer that adopts the brand’s motto ‘Always at the right time, always in the right place” as their own.

Exhibition details

Dates: 20th to 26th March 2019
Times: 8.30am to 6.30pm
Location: Timelounge, 3rd Floor
Hyperion Hotel (ex Ramada-Plaza)
Messeplatz 12, 4058 Basel, Switzerland