In 1888, Eduard Kummer with a visionary conception, founded in Bettlach near Grenchen, in Switzerland, the “EKB” manufactury – the former Atlantic Watch factory - with 20 watchmakers. At the beginning of our century he employed already 720 workers. Eduard Kummer was a representative of the old school of businessmen, but at the same time he was a person devoted to industrial progress. In the beginning, “EKB” manufactured parts for pocket watches.
Until 1905 the watchmakers still had to work by the light of paraffin lamps; the factory had to overcome the lack of sources of energy with the pure force of the workers’ muscles. The building of the locomobile, a portable steam-machine, was deemed by Eduard Kummer to be a true progress. He believed in this kind of modern production. Towards his workers, however, the founder was rather severe and conservative: they had to work eleven hours daily, six days a week. Those who used to still sit in the pub on Mondays - which happened quite often - were given the sack. The first real wrist-watches were produced in the beginning of the 20th century. As one of the first “Ebauches” manufacturers, “EKB” was producing very successfully, parts for this new segment of emerging wrist-watches.
Throughout all the years, Eduard Kummer with his “EKB” factory was one of the most popular watch pioneers and surprised the watch-world constantly with remarkable innovations, that have kept their importance even until today. “EKB” was among the first manufacturers to present a water-resistant wrist-watch in the 20ies. They launched one of the first wrist-watches with an automatic winding movement in the 30ies. The unique invention in the 60ies, the speed-switch system which changes the date in automatic movements is today still the same as Eduard Kummer had fabricated. EKB was renamed Atlantic in 1954.
Today
The present owners of Atlantic Watch Production Ltd resolutely support the importance of manufacturing watches in conformity with the factory’s tradition. They have naturally modernized the way of managing workers. The watches are very durable, which also is important for the environment. The classical aesthetics and noble metals guarantee a lasting value of the models. The conception of the enterprise comprises a first-class customers service, upon which the buyers of Atlantic watches can rely on.
In 1998 Juerg K. Bohne became the managing director of Atlantic Watch SA. The brand is currently developing 13 lines including around 650 models, whose prices lie
between CHF200.- and CHF1,000.-.Atlantic SA uses ETA and Ronda mechanical movements, scratch-resistant sapphire crystals, 316L stainless steel, not to mention specific water resistance controls that guarantee the watches from 30 metres to 300 metres in the case of some models.
Official website : http://www.atlantic-watch.ch
