FESTINA
Wristwatches Throughout Time
For FESTINA
its 100 year anniversary signifies a firm commitment to the future.
Now, as then, we do not stop here. Without losing a second we
continue innovating and designing watches that are solid, elegant
and exact... Watches for all sorts of occasions, for all kinds
of ways of living.
Since 1902
- date of its foundation in Chaux-de-Fonds (Switzerland)- until
now, a series of accomplishments have made Festina one of the
most prestigious brands on an international scale.
In 1977, Miguel
Rodriguez, president of the Group, arrived in Switzerland in
search of a patent of the very highest quality. In 1984 FESTINA
joined the Lotus Group, recognized for its innovative spirit.
It was the beginning of a union for the future, a union of tradition
and the avant-garde, precision and design.
The challenge
of creating a brand with its own personality has been met. FESTINA
watches have gone side by side with one generation after another,
winning confidence, sharing experience, second by second, with
people who live their lives intensely.
Starting out
in the decade of the seventies, Mr. Miguel Todriguez founded
in Spain what is today the FESTINA LOTUS group. From its beginnings,
the Group has remained faithful to its innovative spirit and
determination to offer high quality in its collections.
On this basis
and thanks to an enthusiastic vision of the business the FESTINA
LOTUS group went into action and consolidated an excellent position:
Lots of watches and wristwatches. More is better.
Once his
training was completed, he worked as master horologist in
seve-ral local factories. The economic crisis forced com-panies
to drastically reduce production, certain of them closing
down entirely.
It is
at this time that Louis Cottier decided to go into business
on his own, working for 13 years in the back room of a book
and stationery shop which his wife operated at rue Vautier
45 in Carouge. In this modest atelier he began his activity
as a maker of desk clocks, pocket antique watches, wristwatches
and hand-made pro-totypes.
