MONDAINE WATCHES
Mondaine is a Zurich-based Swiss watchmaking group founded by Erwin Bernheim in 1951. The company is focused in the production of proprietary brands, (Luminox, Mondaine and M-Watch), licensed brands, private labels, promotional watches, and outsourcing services for third parties. Currently the company is jointly owned by Erwin’s sons, André Bernheim and Ronnie Bernheim.
This independent family business has a keen sense for predicting the demands and wishes of a clientele that is accustomed to high quality. The company is dedicated to using their enthusiasm and professionalism to work with these trends to design forward-looking products that set new standards and provide the highest levels of satisfaction.
The goal and motivation of the Mondaine team led by Ronnie and André Bernheim is the same as it has always been: combining solid craftsmanship with an awareness of the most current trends both on and under the face of the watch.
Mondaine, the eponymous brand of the company, offers timepieces (wristwatches and clocks) inspired by the iconic Swiss railway clocks. Its retail price range is 300 to 1,000 Euros.
M-WATCH is a more youthful and affordable brand, offering timepieces in the 100 to 200 Euros price range.
Mondaine is also a leader in private label watchmaking. As a partner, it has been manufacturing the internationally renowned Luminox watches since long time. In 2016, Luminox became a fully owned brand of Mondaine. The very masculine Luminox watches have an unparalleled self-powered night illumination and have been tried and proven in demanding situations by pilots, athletes, the military, police and rescue workers.
It is also the place to go for companies and organizations that are looking for a high-quality promotional watch that attracts attention and has an individual look whether they need a small or large series.
Mondaine Watches History and Collections
1950s
Frank & Bernheim company established as an importer and distributor of watches in Brazil; Mondaine becomes registered trademark; Mondaine acquires Neuchâtel SA, a small manufacturer of lever watches (400 per year); Constructa Watch Ltd. established for production of pin lever watches.
1960s
Remonta & Bernheim founded; Factory built in Biberist, Solothurn Canton, Switzerland for the manufacture of lever watches.
1970s
Pioneering development of digital watches (LED) in collaboration with Hughes Aircraft; Development of world’s first LCD digital watches in collaboration with Brown Boveri and Hoffman la Roche; Launch of world’s first consumer-programmable LCD watches with microprocessors; Introduction of first solar quartz watch with both analog and digital displays.
1980s
Establishment of Mondaine International Service Organization, an after-sales service network dubbed ‘MISO’; Development of the M-Watch in just 28 days; joint launch with Migros; New shaped glass casing for waterproof watches; M-Watch world innovation: waterproof plastic watch without a metal pressure bezel; Two million M-Watches sold in Switzerland by the end of the decade; Exclusive licensing agreement with Swiss Rail (SBB); Establishment of Mondaine Swiss Watch (Far East) Ltd in Hong Kong (sales and marketing).
1990s
5,000,000th M-Watch sold in Switzerland. Mondaine brand launched in Swiss stores; Development of world’s first post-consumer recycling watch, recipient of World; Ecology Award; Recipient of German Design Plus award for innovative design and ecological concept; Recognized by Sir Terence Conran at London Design Museum; Global licensor of Camel Trophy Adventure Watches since 1993; Oscar winner H.R. Giger, renowned metal sculptor Bernhard Luginbühl, and star architect Mario Botta collaborate in designing exclusive watches for Mondaine; Mondaine tells time on Zurich train station “meeting point” clock; Prominent museums (MoMA, SFMoMA, Guggenheim Bilbao) carry Mondaine Design Line; Expansion of Mondaine International Service Organization (MISO) repair unit; Licensing agreement with Bally for luxury watches; Line of Jean-Michel Cousteau watches launched at Lucerne IMAX (Keiko Project); Official timekeeper of Tour de Suisse, 1992-1994; Official timekeeper of CSI equestrian event in Zurich, 1997-2000.
2006: Acquires 50% shares of the USA based Luminox Watch Company.
2016: Acquires the remaining shares of Luminox.
