Alpina
Alpina is a Swiss watch manufacturer founded in 1883 by Gottlieb Hauser, initially established as a cooperative of independent watchmakers known as the Union Horlogere to consolidate parts sourcing and manufacturing. The brand is credited with pioneering the modern sports watch in 1938 with the introduction of the Alpina 4, which defined the category through four essential pillars: antimagnetic properties, shock resistance, water resistance, and a stainless steel construction. This legacy of robust, professional-grade instrumentation continues today through key collections such as the Startimer Pilot series, which reflects the brand’s history of supplying military aviation, and the Seastrong collection designed for diving and maritime environments. Now part of the Citizen Group, Alpina maintains its focus on accessible luxury and technical innovation, featuring in-house calibers and modern developments like the AlpinerX hybrid smartwatch alongside heritage-inspired mechanical timepieces like the Alpiner Extreme.
Solvil et Titus
Titus, originally founded in 1887 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, as Solvil et Titus by the influential chronometer expert Paul Ditisheim, is a watch brand with a history rooted in high-precision timekeeping and mechanical excellence. Ditisheim was known for setting a world chronometric record in 1912 and developing innovative technologies, after which the brand expanded its offerings to include both luxury and mass-market pieces following its acquisition by Paul Bernard Vogel in 1930. The brand’s key vintage pieces include the highly collectible Calypsomatic dive watch, noted for its “Big Crown” and gilt dials, as well as automatic models like the Titomatic and Royal Time. After the Quartz Crisis, the brand’s focus shifted, and its Asian operations were acquired by Stelux Holdings in Hong Kong, where it remains a prominent brand known for modern, romantic collections with timepieces such as the Ring & Knot, Barista, and Nordic Tale series.