Titoni
 | This article contains promotional content. (May 2016) |
 | |
| Company type | Private[1] |
|---|---|
| Industry | Watch Manufacturing |
| Founded | 1919[2] |
| Founder | Fritz Schluep |
| Headquarters | |
Key people | Daniel Schluep (CEO), Marc and Olivier Schluep (Operative Leadership)[3] |
Number of employees | 60 |
| Website | https://titoni.ch |
Titoni Ltd. is a Swiss watchmaker that was founded in 1919[2] by Fritz Schluep in the Swiss town of Grenchen[2] under the name Felca Ltd. The company, which is now owned and operated by the third and fourth generation of its founding family,[3][4] currently employs around 60 people.
Expansion to China
[edit]Chinese sailors bought the watches that Felca was selling in Singapore and Hong Kong.[2] The founder's son, Bruno Schluep, first established contacts with one of the Chinese businessmen, Koh Mui Yew, in 1944.[2]
In 1960 the Chinese State Import Authority ordered Titoni watches after Felca invited a delegation to Switzerland. The company name was soon extended to Felca & Titoni Watches Ltd.[2] and later Titoni Ltd. Felca branded watches continued to be sold in Europe, while the Titoni brand was used in Asia.[2]
Titoni manufactures watches in the mid-price range. During China's planned economy rule a maximum price of CHF 80 was prescribed by the communist regime.[2]
Quality
[edit]Titoni watches have a reputation for high quality at a reasonable price, and is considered a prestigious status symbol especially in Asia.[2] During the 1970s watch crisis due to the introduction of quartz watches, Titoni opted for a mix of traditional mechanical watches with quartz watches.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ "Certificate of registration".
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Messmer, Matthias (2013). "Titoni Ltd.: An Independent Swiss Watchbrand in China". Business Transformation Essentials. Surrey, England: Gower Publishing Limited. ISBN 9781472426987.
- ^ a b Toggweiler, Andreas (8 August 2022). "Generationenwechsel bei Titoni – und was es alles braucht, um ein eigenes Uhrwerk zu entwickeln". Grenchner Tagblatt. Grenchen.
- ^ "Sponsored Post: TITONI Celebrates A Century Of Independent Swiss Watchmaking With In-House T10 Movement/". aBlogtoWatch. 9 November 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2023.