The Rich History of the Oldest Swiss Watch Factory
As the oldest watch factory in Switzerland, we look back on a rich past. Since 1751, everything we do has revolved around exceptional timepieces – first as pocket watches and today on the wrist.
Atelier in Muttenz
DuBois et fils has over 200,000 original movements from a unique find in western Switzerland. The calibres date from the 1930s to the 1970s and were manufactured by renowned Swiss factories. Recently, DuBois et fils acquired a further 18,000 movements from the last century and millions of spare parts. A workshop in Muttenz now makes it possible to preserve and restore all the historical movements.
Collection DBF009
Pilot's watch with a lightweight, durable titanium case. The Superluminova numerals are easy to read even in poor lighting conditions. The collection comprises eight models, each of which is limited to 22 pieces. Each watch is equipped with a Felsa calibre 692 from 1948 – a double-sided winding rotor (Bidynator). The historic original movement is visible through the back of the watch.
Alex Frei becomes a partner and member of the Board of Directors of Switzerland's oldest watch factory
Footballer, coach and record goalscorer for the Swiss national team Alex Frei joins our Board of Directors and supports the management in expanding our business activities. Together we want to intensify and further develop the brand. You can find out more here.
Alex Frei becomes partner and board member of Switzerland's oldest watch factory
Footballer, coach and record goalscorer for the Swiss national team, Alex Frei joins our Board of Directors and supports the management in the expansion of our business activities. Together we want to intensify and develop the brand. Find out more here.
Launch of the DBF008
Each model of the DBF008 is a unique piece of high quality and made in Switzerland. The first examples have been on sale to the public since 6 December 2022. Original Swiss AS-1985 movements from the 1960s tick in the limited edition models. Traditional Swiss craftsmanship goes into the production.
Successful live connection: Digital chronicle
Watch owners can write the diary of their watch on our website. From now on, you can add your own pictures, texts, videos or audio files on our website. They will be saved in the chronicle of your personal watch. Thanks to blockchain technology, entries created today will be preserved for generations to come.
New: DBF007 Diver Watch
On October 12st, 2021, Thomas Steinemann presented the new diver's watch at Römerstrasse in Frick and presented exciting background information on the new collection. Watch fans and interested "aficionados" traveled from across Switzerland to check out the limited edition DBF007 watch models, which are connected to a blockchain.
Tokenisation of 330 movements
DuBois et fils, in collaboration with SwissValueCHain GmbH (SVCH), developed the tokenisation of historical movements. Completely new in the watch industry, this enables a link between the analog and digital worlds.
Via a blockchain, all important data of each new watch is stored in the customer account at DuBois et fils. The process creates transparency, protects against counterfeiting and ensures that the origin of the movement can be traced years later.
Swiss original from the 1950’s
Nearly 70 years after its invention, DuBois et fils brings back the first automatic movement with a double-sided winding rotor – the Bidynator – in its original form. The DBF006 watches are available and can also be found on our online shop.
120 guests at the General Meeting
Our shareholders met on June 22nd, 2019 for this year's Annual General Meeting held at the Natural History Museum in Basel. David Fürpass was the 1000th shareholder. As a special occasion, it was decided that his share package was to be gifted. David, together with his father and sister, experienced a very difficult time during the last three years. Their touching story and how the family dealt with it left a lasting impression on all those present.
A watch for 230 years of passion
230 years of passion for watches, history, craftsmanship and innovation. DuBois et fils is celebrating this historically significant moment with the launch of a very limited anniversary collection, the DBF004 'montre anniversaire 230 ans'.
Strategic realignment
Creation and presentation of a pioneering distribution concept for the luxury segment of the watch industry.
Worldwide participation
Within 5 months, a total of 587 people from 21 countries subscribed to DuBois et fils shares and invested CHF 1.5 million in the traditional Swiss brand.
Inventive and successful
DuBois et fils is the first luxury watch brand in the world to launch an equity-based crowdfunding campaign via the company's own website. An unusual, but successful, act in the watch industry.
Basel entrepreneur takes over watch company
Thomas Steinemann, an experienced (watch) manager and passionate 'watch aficionado', becomes the new owner of Philippe DuBois & Fils SA. This marks the brand's return to Switzerland after the company was sold to new owners in Hamburg in the 1980s.
Limited production
The company decided to focus on the production of limited timepieces in the future.
"Autorist" by DuBois et fils
The "Autorist" wristwatch with automatic winding via the movement of the lugs is launched.
Development
DuBois et fils adds the first wristwatches to its range.
Strong relations abroad
The company has offices in Switzerland, Amsterdam and Frankfurt. The location in Frankfurt was an expression of the particularly strong ties that the DuBois family maintained from the Swiss Jura to Germany.
International business activity
Philippe DuBois & Fils starts distribution in the USA.
Successful pocket watches
During the first 55 years, the company sold more than 110,000 pocket watches.
Founding of DuBois et fils
Philippe DuBois takes his two sons on as partners in the company – the Philippe Du Bois & Fils company is born.
Expansion of the company
Mois’ children, Philippe and Isabeau, take over the company, which is then renamed to Philippe DuBois & Soeur.
Start of watch production
Moise DuBois begins to produce watches.
Entering the watch industry
Moise DuBois begins trading in pocket watches.
Joining the company
Moise DuBois takes over his father’s textile trading company.