WORLDTEMPUS - 30 January 2012
Elizabeth Doerr
Twenty-nine years ago, German master watchmaker Gerd-Rüdiger Lang founded Chronoswiss. The reasons for the ex-Heuer employee's actions were simple: he was just about out of a job in the quartz crisis and he simply couldn't believe that the era of mechanical watches had come to an end.
Renaissance
Lang is often rightfully heralded as one of the major proponents of the renaissance of the mechanical watch in the modern era. His beautifully proportioned timepieces featuring perfect, traditional details powered by purchased mechanical movements only destined to become ever more interesting as time passed stuck a chord among consumers. Chronoswiss became an insider tip visible on the wrists of many well-dressed men and mechanical watch connoisseurs alike the world over.
Turbulent years
Recent years following the building of Lang's own factory on the outskirts of Munich have not been kind to Chronoswiss for a number of reasons – not least among them the recent economic crisis –and business has faltered. Lang, now 69 years old, officially retired last year. His daughter Natalie, also a watchmaker, who many had hoped would take over the family business that was her father's lifework, did not.
Takeover
Lang has come to an agreement with a Swiss entrepreneur family for the 100-percent takeover of Chronoswiss. The entire factory in Karlsfeld and 100 percent of its employees will be taken over as is. Chronoswiss's Swiss subsidiary Chronosa in Nidau had already been dissolved over the previous year.
However, it is planned that Chronoswiss's headquarters will be moved to Switzerland thanks to its new owners, who also plan to only make mechanical watches – completely in Chronoswiss's 29-year tradition.
