In 1898, Auguste Reymond was only 26-year-old, when he established his own watchmaking brand in Tramelan, a small town in the Bernese Jura. In only four years, the start-up employing a handful of watchmakers has grown into a huge factory with a staff of over 100.

In 1918, in order to attract new capital, A. Reymond SA becomes an incorporated company and produces its watches under the brand name ARSA (initials of the firm name Auguste Reymond SA). And if August Reymond or ARSA might not ring a bell, here is a brand name — also born in Tramelan — that everyone knows: Unitas. In 1926, Auguste Reymond SA purchases Unitas Watch Co so that they can further increase their production.

Although Auguste Reymond was among the first to recognize the decline of pocket watches and the rise of the wristwatch, despite the fact that the ASUAG Unitas were among the first watches to start using water resistant gaskets and shock absorbers, the stock market crash of the 1930s was a shock that they could not absorb and Auguste Reymond had to transmit the financial management of his company to ASUAG (Allgemeine Schweizerische Uhrenindustrie AG). The company was split into ARSA for watches and UNITAS for the ébauche.

The Second World War was a time when ARSA chronometers were highly regarded for their water resistant and shock resistant design that made them suitable for the rough conditions of the battlefield. The 1950s represent another highlight for the brand, the Auguste Reymond engineers developed two new lines of products that ensured the fame of the brand: the digital watches with “jumping hours” and the “braille” watches for the blind. Even today, Auguste Reymond SA remains the unchallenged specialist of “braille” watches that are distributed under the old brand name ARSA.

Auguste Reymond faces the same difficulties as many other Swiss brands, increased foreign competition and the arrival of the quartz watches. After several mergers, splits, and transactions, in 1989, the brand is bought by “Montres Nitella SA” in Tramelan, owned by the Loosli family. Within two years, Thomas Loosli designed an entire new collection for Auguste Reymond, wich had exclusively mechanical watches and were positioned in the medium price range.

Save 10% on the Elegance Automatic 40

Auguste Reymond Elegance Automatic 40

To celebrate their return to the North American market, August Reymond is offering a series of two-week specials for North American customers when purchasing directly from their factory in Tramelan. The first model is the Elegance 40 Automatic, a classic 40,5 mm, three-hands and date piece with a handsome guilloche dial, onion crown and very interesting lugs.

For the next two weeks, until May 31st, 2016, if you are in North America you can get the Elegance Automatic 40 for $765 US, shipping included. To take advantage of this offer, send an email to info@augustereymond.ch, or send them a Facebook message.

Elegance Automatic 40 — Technical specifications

Case material Stainless steel

Crystal Scratch-resistant sapphire

Case back transparent with 6 screws

Water resistance 5 bar (50m/165ft)

Case dimension (mm) 40,5

Case thickness (mm) 9,4

Strap width (mm) 20/18

Movement type automatic ETA 2824-2 / Sellita SW200

Movement functions Hour, minute, second, date

Autonomy 39 hours

Strap Leather crocodile imitation

For more about Auguste Raymond, visit http://augustereymond.ch/