Cauny is a historic watch brand with roots dating back to the early 20th century in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. While some records trace its origins to 1906 or 1907 when a Spanish reseller commissioned watches for the Iberian market, the brand was officially established in 1927. The founders were the Grebler family—brothers Albert and Henry along with their sister Mireille—who were of Polish descent and had settled in Switzerland. Notably, Mireille Grebler became one of the first women to lead a major watch brand, steering Cauny through its golden age between the 1950s and 1970s.
The brand’s identity is deeply intertwined with Southern European culture, particularly in Spain and Portugal, where Cauny watches became synonymous with significant life milestones such as graduations and communions. People are drawn to the brand for its combination of Swiss horological heritage, elegant design, and accessible luxury. After a period of inactivity following the quartz crisis, the brand was revived in 2019 by the Portuguese group Ourtime, which has focused on maintaining its legacy while introducing modern architectural collaborations.
Key pieces in the contemporary catalog include the Architects of Time series, a flagship collection featuring designs by Pritzker Prize-winning architects such as Álvaro Siza, Rafael Moneo, Eduardo Souto de Moura, and Tadao Ando. These timepieces are celebrated for their unique geometric signatures and philosophical approaches to time. Another essential line is the Cauny Prima, which honors the brand’s traditional roots; these automatic mechanical models are still manufactured in La Chaux-de-Fonds and feature Swiss-made movements. The brand also offers a variety of contemporary collections, including the Open Heart series and various quartz chronographs that draw inspiration from their extensive vintage archives.
