Edox

In 1884 in the town of Biel, the watchmaker Christian Rüefli-Fluri founded Edox, which is now one of the last truly independent watch companies in Switzerland. The company name "Edox" comes from ancient Greek for "the measure of time", and since 1900 a stylised hourglass has served as its logo. By 1953, Edox had become one of the largest players in the Swiss watch industry, building a new factory to house its burgeoning workforce of 530 employees.

In 1961, the company launched what was to be the first of many Edox dive watches, the Delfin. This sporty wristwatch had a patented double crown seal, a rear casing that was about 30 percent stronger than standard and a shock-absorbent retaining ring for the movement. Water-resistant to 200 meters, it laid the foundation for many more diving models to come.

The next headline-grabbing line of Edox watches came in 1971. The Edox Geoscope was a revolutionary world clock. On the dial is a world map that rotates around its axis once in 24 hours – just like the real globe. In this way, you can accurately read the time in all 24 time zones with just a single glance.

Today as in decades gone by, Edox forges its own independent, groundbreaking path. This has resulted in a collection that's equally strong whether you're looking for a sporty, functional watch or an elegant work of art.

Edox sports watches are very popular. There are several model series from which to choose. The Grand Ocean series has models such as the Chronograph Automatic or Day Date Automatic. The Class 1 offers the popular Chronoffshore Automatic and the Wave Rider Regulator. Then there's the HydroSub diving watch series and the racing driver watches of the Chronorally line. In 2013, the legendary Dolphin returned to the company's catalogue, with a revamped exterior and updated technology.

Meanwhile in its Style and Elegance collection, Edox delivers classic, elegant design in the tradition of fine watchmaking. Here you'll find chic timepieces such as the ultra-flat Les Bémonts Automatic Chronograph or - from the same model series - the Les Bémonts Ultra Slim Hand Winding. That said, you'll also see slightly more flamboyant Edox watches such as the Les Vauberts Open Heart Automatic in a collection that certainly lives up to its name.

Alternatively, if you're looking for a special edition, something extraordinary, you should turn to the Art of Watchmaking collection. The rarified specimens on offer here include the Edox Ghost Ship, a chronograph with a skeletonised movement that can be viewed both from the front and from behind through ultra hard sapphire glass. Causing huge excitement among watch fans everywhere, Edox Special Editions include a new iteration of the Geoscope and the Les Bémonts 130th Anniversary Limited Edition.

In tune with its track record for making tough, reliable wristwatches, Edox sponsors many sporting events. Among other things, the company has been the official Dakar Rally timekeeper since 2012. It's a natural fit. What do the most famous desert rally in the world and the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer have in common? The answer, both stand for values such as endurance, technology and the constant striving for perfection.

Since 2006, Edox has also been the official timekeeper of the Class-1 World Powerboat Championship, the Formula 1 of water motor sport. However, Edox's commitment to sport doesn't end there. The Swiss watchmaker also supports the Extreme Sailing Series, not to mention the multiple world record holding Austrian freediver Christian Riedl.