Continental Broschure

HISTORY OF CONTINENTAL The definitive registration of Continental brand dates to 13 th September 1924, by the company Schild et Cie, Manufacture des Montres Octava, Hebdomas et Orator, La Chaux-de-Fonds. INFOSUISSE carries records on history of Continental much earlier than 1924 with the first known registrations appearing in 1881 and Julien Gallet, Chaux-de-Fonds being the first owner. At this time, Continental was registered as Continental Time Keeper / Continental Watch Co. Schild et Cie became a well-known producer of Continental Pocket Watches, exporting these watches to United States of America. Continental continued to sell under various company names such as Continental Uhren AG / Montres Continental S.A. In 1967, the compnany was renamed as Economic Swiss Time Holding (ESTH / Economic Swiss Time Manufacturing) and Continental began to be exported to key international markets. In 1971, Economic Swiss Time Holding was acquired by Société Suisse pour I’Industrie Horlogére SA (SSIH) and integrated with other independent brands such as Agon, Buler & Ferex. However with the advent of quartz watches, the mechanical watches revenues of SSIH fell massively along with the Swiss Watch Industry in general. Subsequently Economic Swiss Time was renamed EVACO SA and remains such till date. EVACO SA is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Rivoli Group, a leading retailer of luxury and fashion brands in the Middle East. 2