Certina Kurth Frères

Certina S.A. was founded in 1888 when Adolf and Alfred Kurth opened in Grenchen their first movement and supplies factory for the watchmaking industry. At the start Certina's staff consisted of three employees working in a workshop that was connected to the family home. They did not begin producing complete watches and timepieces for a few years which they then did alongside their work producing movements for other companies. By 1938 the company had expanded and 250 employees celebrated the 50th anniversary of the company.

Certina continued to expand and by 1955 the company had 500 employees working between the factory and offices, producing 1,000 timepieces every day. Certina worked up a new business plan that expanded its operations.

By 1972 the company employed 900 people and produced 600,000 watches per year.

1983 Certina became a member of the SMH Group (Swatch).

Marketing

Certina S.A. has partnered with motoring companies including Colin McRae, Sete Gibernau, Sauber Formula One team.

Certina S.A. was timekeeper of the Motorcycling Grand Prix in the 1990s.

Certina S.A. sponsored the 2014 World Rally Championship.

The Certina brand

In 1906 the Certina brand name was used for the first time, with Adolf and Alfred choosing to call their watches "Grana", the short form of "Granatus", the Latin name for Grenchen.