EBEL

The "Fabrique Blum et Cie" was founded in 1911 by Eugene Blum, who made up the name from his initials and those of his wife Alice's family name- Eugene Blum Et Levy---EBEL.  The brand first came to prominence when it won a gold medal at the Swiss National Exhibition in 1914.

Eugene concentrated on the quality of production of his watches and then traveled the world to sell them; Alice looked after the business and contributed to the designs.  Their son Charles took over in 1929 and was followed- somewhat reluctantly it seems- by his son Pierre-Alain in 1970.

Pierre-Alain was a marketing man and introduced new lines into what had become a fairly conventional, if technically sound, collection.  His Sports collection was a great success; then followed the Beluga line, which had several versions, including, including an automatic with day and date.  In the late 1970's, the firm acquired and restored a Turkish villa in La Chaux de Fonds which had been designed by the famous architect Le Corbusier, who had been born in the town.   Inspired by these surroundings, Pierre-Alain created the concept of the "Architects of Time,"   which has been the theme of the company's collection ever since.

The line includes both quartz and mechanical movements, made in Ebel's own Swiss factory or built exclusively to their specification.  Typical lines are the Beluga, with distinctive double-curve 18 karat gold cases with quartz movements, mother-of-pearl dials, and chunky bracelets.  A variation is the Beluga-Lichine, with a self-winding movement and double barrel mainsprings.

Le Modulor, which took five years to develop, is an automatic chronograph with chronometer rating.  In 18 karat gold, gold and steel, or all steel, it has a high frequency 28,800 vph balance and is water-resistant to 165 feet.

To mark its 75th anniversary, Ebel created the 1911, a rounded version of its original Sport, in 18 karat gold or gold and steel, with a choice of quartz or mechanical movement.  The latest model is the Shanta, named after a goddess of Indian mythology who was the ideal of womanhood.  Its 18 karat gold case has a hinged cover over the mother-of-pearl dial and is integral with the decorative bracelet; it has a quartz movement and is water-resistant to 100 feet.

The Sports collection was Ebel's first successful line, and its successor the Sportswave is still one if it's most popular collections.  The Classic, with the characteristic Ebel wave bracelet, is the star; there is also a Classic Discovery diver's watch, the Voyager- an automatic watch with two time-zones, and a perpetual Calendar Chronograph.  The Sportswave models are designed to bring Ebel's quality and finish within reach of a younger and more active public.