Now is the perfect time for the watch market to turn its attention to lesser-known Swiss brands with a history. For example, the Titoni brand with excellent provenance.
In 1919, Fritz Schlup, with the support of three assistants, opened his own watchmaking workshop in the city of Grenchen to produce watches under the Felca brand. The sloop achieved incredible success in just a year: it began selling models to Germany, America and Japan. Production grew at a cosmic speed. Already in 1920, 15 specialists worked for Fritz.
The sloop made very elegant and sophisticated watches, fully supporting the Art Deco trend. Soaring lugs, ocher dials, gold cases - Fritz wanted the owners of his watches to be smart. The US government was so impressed with Felca watches that during World War II they ordered 30 models from Sloop for their army.
In 1952, the company rebranded. The watch received a new name - Titoni. The plum flower has become the symbol of the brand, which in Asia represents endurance, vitality and resilience. Nevertheless, from time to time the manufactory produced models under the Felca brand. For example, in 1956 the company introduced the hand-wound Incabloc watch, equipped with indications of moon phases and month and day of the week.
Titoni is a family company, which always speaks of a particularly careful attention to quality. When it's not just a business, but a family affair, you approach brand development in a completely different way. In 1959, after the death of Fritz Slup, the company was headed by his son, Bruno. It was he who helped the brand survive the quartz crisis and save mechanical models. In 1981, Bruno was replaced at this post by his son, Daniel. Now the company was headed by Daniel's children, Mark and Olivier. Even at school age, they came after their studies to the manufactory to help their father with work and delve into the management of the company.
The heritage collection speaks best of the brand's rich history and powerful heritage. This is a men's watch with a classic design and retro references. One of the favorites is the Titoni 94019-S-ST-682 chronograph. An excellent combination of a cream dial with a vintage tachymeter and telemeter, contrasting sword-shaped hands that glow in the dark very beautifully, and a gray-beige leather strap.
The watch received a steel case with a diameter of 41 mm. Despite the thickness of 15,2 mm, the model is quite light. The hand does not get tired in this watch, and the chronograph buttons do not put pressure on the wrist. It must be admitted that the strap is rough, most likely, at first it will rub or just pinch your hand. But over time, the skin will stretch and soften.
This model is based on the in-house caliber Sellita SW510BHa, which is powered by 27 jewels. The movement has an 18K gold-plated rotor, which is decorated with the Waves of Geneva pattern. The dial has additional chronograph counters and a date display at 6 o'clock. The power reserve of this model is 58 hours.
I really love retro watches. It seems to me that vintage is almost synonymous with elegance. Even despite the rather impressive thickness, this watch looks very delicate. Pastel strap, the color of which is reminiscent of the morning mist in summer. A cute, even a little toy-like dial, complemented by a tachymeter and a telemeter, which are made in muted shades. On the one hand, this is a very large shiny steel clock. On the other hand, a very discreet accessory that will look great with any outfit, except for a tracksuit and swimming trunks.
A chronograph is always a logical evolution of a watch wardrobe. Most likely, you started with quartz, then mastered the three-pointer, and now it's time for a model with a sports background. The steel chronograph with a beige dial is a timeless classic. Such watches will never go out of fashion and will not cause questions from others. This is a reliable and proven version of the accessory.
In the new reality, buying a watch from a Swiss brand with a 100-year history for 180 rubles is a very good deal. Yes, Titoni are not famous for their in-house calibers. So far, they have only one own mechanism in their arsenal - T000. Most often, watches are equipped with calibers made by the Swiss company Sellita. It was founded in La Chaux-de-Fonds back in 10. Sellita movements are used entirely or with slight modifications by Hublot, IWC, Oris, Raymond Weil and even TAG Heuer. Therefore, there is no doubt about the reliability of Titoni watches.
And most importantly - this watch creates a mood. You look at the dial of the Titoni chronograph and imagine how you are speeding on the Côte d'Azur in an old Porsche 911.
